Five Mile

Isn't she a beauty?

This is Dustin and Brandon's Class One race car.

Dustin needed to test it before a race so we joined him at a place called Five Mile. We all took turns as "co-pilot". It was so fun.

We also brought out Dad's Rhino and Dane's dirt bike and had fun messing around while waiting for our turns in the race car.

Animal House

We are in LOVE with this girl! Her name is Skadi and is our neighbors dog. She stayed with us while her owner's were in Vancouver for the Olympics and we had a hard time giving her back! She is the sweetest and most well behaved dog and she brings such joy to our house. And even thought we didn't get to keep her for good she does get to come over on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We go on a lot of walks, hikes and car rides. Ian loves her and is sad on the days she doesn't come over. Yesterday he brushed her for like 10 minutes and Skadi just sat there patiently and then they shared a graham cracker. It feels good to have a dog in the house again. With Skadi around it feels like what I can imagine being a grandparent is like. Have fun, fun, fun, sugar them up, and send them home!

These little chickies visited for a weekend from Ian's preschool class. Dane loved to hold them and I caught him taking one on a ride in Ian's play Jeep down to the sand box. I was worried all weekend that we would loose one but they all returned on Monday morning unscathed. Phew! I did learn that chicken's require some work and are really messy.

All Because Two People Fell in Love.....

Have you seen a more beautiful couple?!

I Love, loVe, LOVE this picture! It looks like an airline advertisement.

My Grandma Shirley and Grandpa Martin celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary this April. My parent's hosted a wonderful celebration at their newly remodeled house, which used to be my grandparent's house. It was a great turn-out with friends and family coming from out of town. I love my grandparent's so much.

*They are great cooks (I appreciate it much more now than when I was 8 and they made eggplant lasagna. Although, I still don't like eggplant).

* My grandma would help us sew Barbie clothes out of scraps of fabric she had laying around.

* They always had Apple Jack's, Cracklin' Oat Bran, Top Ramen, Tang, and a bag of hard marshmallows in their cupboards.

* My grandpa knows a lot. I feel I can ask him his opinion on most any subject.

My grandparents are a wonderful example of a loving, successful marriage and family life. They have created a legacy for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren!

The after-party was at 'The Mansion' my mom and her siblings rented for everyone to hang out at. It was a great and fit everyone. We had fun in the hot tub, playing pool, card games, eating, and watching movies in the theatre room.

A Dane Update

"Insane Dane"

My-oh-my how our first born has grown! Dane will be 7 this summer. It seems like only yesterday I was surprised to find out I was pregnant with him. Having Dane caused our lives to change immensely for the better. Dane taught Dustin and I how to be parents. Luckily he was an easy child and didn't give us too much trouble and he was forgiving when we made the many mistakes new parents make.

Dane has been enjoying Kindergarten this year and he has really blossomed. He has fantastic teachers that make learning exciting and fun. This year Dane has become a good little reader and enjoys choosing chapter books from the library. His favorite one to read is "Ricky Ricotta and his Mighty Robot". He also likes to make his own books. He wrote and illustrated one about "a yak in the dezurt, a katis (cactus) and a valkano". I love his kid writing!

Even at his young age Dane thinks that going to school is just something to do when you can't ski, dirt bike, dune buggy, BMX, or go to the skate park. Dane lacks no confidence or self-esteem in these areas and is quick to tell you that he is "the best at.......". He did have a great time skiing at Snowbird and his skills on the mountain did improve. He loves his dirt bike and figured out how to shift so now he can go really fast. BMX has started and we will be heading out to the track a couple of days a week for practices and races. I think even Dustin (and maybe me) are going to get out on the track this year too. Dane played on a coach pitch baseball team this spring with Daniel. Nancy and I were the coaches. It was fun to see the team's improvement from the first game to last.

The one thing I love about Dane is his absolute love and admiration for Dustin. Dustin is definitely a SuperHero in Dane's eyes. Dane rushes to our room each morning in hopes of cuddling with Dustin before he gets up for work. They talk about dune buggy's, snowmobiling, and anything else. Dane is so proud that his dad is a Desert Racer and is Dustin's #1 Fan!

Dane is also a very good big brother to Ian. They definitely have their fights but for the most part they get along well and enjoy each other.

We love Dane so much and are so glad to have him in our family!

Ian's 3rd Birthday!

Our sweet, little Ian turned 3 on May 2. He chose a Super Hero birthday party theme and it turned out "Super" Fun!

We did Super Hero themed games. Dustin played the evil villain that was trying to ruin the birthday party and steal the cupcakes. The kids had to defend 'Justice and the Pursuit of a Happy Birthday'.

Games:

*Bean Bag toss into bins with villains faces

*Pin the super hero symbol on the cape

*Destroy the Bombs (black balloons)

*Get rid of the kryptonite

(green balloons, balls, and pompoms)

by picking it up with salad tongs

and putting it in a lead (tin foil) box

*Attack the Villain with Spider-Man web (silly string)

Food:

*Ninja Turtle Pizza

*Incredible Hulk Punch

*Spiderman Cupcakes

Each kid that came to the party got their own personalized Super Hero Cape. Grandma Janene helped me make them. I had the idea and she had the brains to make it happen. The kids loved them.

Ian was spoiled with gifts from family and friends. Dustin and I got him this ramp for bikes, and skateboards. Uncle Adam and Aunt Heidi got him the skateboard.

(*A BIG thanks to Adam who was the photographer)

Wendover BOR Race

Dustin and Brandon won 1st place in their class and 1st place overall at the BOR race in Wendover. It was a great race!

My family came out to see what goes on at these races. It was so fun to have them! Thanks for coming!