Pinewood Derby '09

Ryan designed and made his own car the night before weigh-in. No power tools--pure lean muscle! Like Dory from Finding Nemo: "Just keep sanding, just keep sanding. What do we do? We saaaaaaaaaand! Ooo, oooo, oooo, ooooo. . ."

Scott simply could NOT find the time to help. So guess who got to pitch in?

Jordan came downstairs and said, "Uh, Mom? You better not hold the saw like that. It could slip and cut you." I thought, I've cut a ton of apples with the blade facing me. This should be no problem. Then, not 30 seconds later, OUCH! his warning came true.

Finished product. He named it "Marshmallow". Travis was cool and let us borrow some wheels from his old car. We just couldn't get the new axle design to work. Thanks Travis!

Ryan's car raced four times. The first three he had the weighted side at the front. The last time he flipped the car around and put the weights at the back. It took first place in that round. He learned a good lesson about weights being at the back of the car. (*I finally figured out why. See below if you want to hear my scientific theory behind it.)

He didn't place because of the first three backward races. HOWEVER, after the official race, he raced the winning cars with his car going the right direction and he was a top contender! He even beat the first place car a few times.

(I just have to add that the first place kid was first place last year too. He and his dad pull out all the stops and use every trick in the book.)

I am so proud of Ryan. Not so much because he had a fast car named "Marshmallow", but because he created it, didn't give up, and had a FANTASTIC ATTITUDE no matter what place he came in. Way to go buddy!!!!

*Kim's scientific theory: The car starts on an incline. Ergo, with the mass at the rear it is elevated to a higher altitude. This results in greater potential, or stored, energy. Wah-lah! I remembered something from high school physics class.

Nicole Has Braces!

Here is Nicole BEFORE braces (and face paint from art class). Getting braces on.

AFTER! Isnt' she a cutie?!!!!!

Family picture

Leah asked to see this. Here's the picture of our picture. It's a canvas in our family room. That is a REAL setting here in El Dorado Hills. Beautiful, isn't it! Our photographer was very creative and patient to get all eight of us looking this good!

I'm Blogging: A First Time For Everything!!!

You can close your mouth now. I'm stunned that I'm blogging too. My sister has been such a great example. Her blog is a highlight of my week. So . . . . . .Here I go. (Just don't expect too much. I'm a complete novice!)

A little catch up (not ketchup): Here is our typical Christmas morning coming down the stairs. Notice the puny tree. You won't believe that I FINALLY bought a 9 footer pre-lit after Christmas this year. Scott's worried that I bought it without considering the "feelings" of our little old $4 tree friend who has been with us through thick and thin for 13 years. (sniff, sniff) I said, "We'll just put it in the playroom. I'm ready for more!"

The real reason I started this blog is that I'm hoping it will be a better way of sending video and photos to my family and friends.

Nicole and Ryan were in a show this weekend. They are in an group called PGY (Performing Groups for Youth). Nicole did it years ago once and this is Ryan's first time. I'm proud of them for having the courage to get on stage and perform. My camera wasn't focusing well, but here's a little taste of the show (I'll try to download their solos another time--I'm having troubles with it):

One last thing. It's goodbye nursery for me (boo hoo!) and hello to Young Women. I'm really going to miss those cute little nursery kids. It was the BEST calling in the world! I'll be the adviser to Nicole's class (Beehives).

One last thing--This is how Leah uses HER driveway in the wintertime.

This is how we use OUR driveway in the wintertime.

Nicole and Sierra "accidentally" got wet with the hose, made lemonade slushies, and soaked in the sun. Looks like summer, feels like spring, really IS winter. Gotta love California. (But we could use some rain.)