Covered Wagons

For FHE this week we talked about the pioneers and some of our ancestors. Then we made covered wagons with graham crackers, marshmallows, gum drops, and pretzels. Here is the finished product -- except for Ryan's. He never got a wagon made because he was too busy shoving the candy in his mouth. You'd think it was going out of style!





Kevin studiously putting his covered wagon together.

Finished - with oxen and all!

Candy and Trucks!

Last Thursday we went to Sweets Candy Factory and Kennecott Copper Mine with the Tams family. Let's just say the combination of candy and big trucks was a huge hit with my boys. We weren't allowed to take pictures at the factory, but the kids saw how jelly beans were made, the conveyor belts for orange sticks and taffy, and how the candy was packaged. They even showed us the large bags of sugar they use every day. And of course there were samples along the way. It's a good thing we ate lunch before we went! At the end of the tour they got some more samples and their own bag of taffy. Very exciting! After the candy tour we went to Kennecott Copper Mine to look at the machines. What a day! They got to see a huge tire from one of the dump trucks, a very big power shovel loading a dump truck, and lots of machine models at the visitors center. They were in heaven! When it was time to go I actually had to pry Ryan's hands off the railing with him yelling, "No! Dump! Dump!" Matthew came straight home and decided to play with all of his construction cars. I think we will be making the trip again soon, especially since Kevin had to work. I think the biggest boy in our family wants to see the big trucks too! Here are some of the pictures. Sorry if the quality isn't superb - I was trying to take pictures and corral my two Tonka junkies at the same time. Matthew and Ryan at the big wheel. Ryan trying to play with the hoses at one of the old train car exhibits.
Matthew looking out over the mine. Ryan trying to climb under and over the exhibits.
Looking at the miniatures. Good thing they are protected by glass!
More museum fun.
One last look a the dump trucks before we go.

A Procastinated Recapitulation

We are a little late on some of these posts but we wanted to let you see the fun things that we have done.

Ward Camp out. Yes, we do camp. (But we sleep at home)	Matthew decorated his bike for our FHE July 4th parade.	Ryan, painting his lips-not paper-with water colors.
Fourth of July crafts	Helping to make a cake.	Ryan playing "no bears are out tonight."
Do you see fear in Matthew's eyes? (Grandma's water slide)	Chillin' with the cousins	Matthew playing "No bears are out tonight."
Perry city Fourth of July parade	More of Grandma's water slide.	Popsicle break for Ryan
The Tuft family Cousins (minus Logan)	Three pregnant - all boys! (Due: Dec 1, Dec 6, and Sept. 5)

Happy Birthday to Kevin!

So it was Kevin's birthday last week and being the slacker wife that I am it is just getting posted about today.

It was so fun to see how excited the boys were for Kevin to come home and open his presents. We made his cake early in the day and then decorated the house with balloons and crepe streamers. I wrapped Kevin's presents and left them on top of the TV stand and Matthew kept looking at them and asking when daddy would be home. As soon as Kevin walked through the door, Matthew yelled Happy Birthday! and told Kevin to open his presents. Unfortunately he had to suffer through Kevin eating dinner first. But afterward we had a party!

Here's Kevin opening his presents - with the boys' help of course. He saved up for a new Playstation 2 and the boys and I were lucky to find him all of the games a racing fan would want. (Do you see why Matthew was so excited? Like father like son.) Now all Kevin needs is a steering wheel and he'll be set. It's a good thing he has something to live through vicariously to fill his need for speed!

Here's the boys watching the Pixar CARS game. They seem pretty interested, wouldn't you say? I couldn't even get them to smile for the picture - eyes glued to the TV, game controllers in hand.

And birthday cake! Nothing special - just Kevin's favorite - German chocolate. Yum!

We love you Kevin and all that you do for our family. You are one special dad and husband!

Matthew's First Primary Talk

Today Matthew gave his first talk in primary. He was soft spoken but he did a great job. Our only concern was if Matthew would somehow start talking about CARS or weave in some other story (like Jonah). Because in his world they all co-exist...if you don't believe us ask his Sunbeam teachers; today they heard about how Lightning McQueen, the Lamanites, and the wolf in the forest all participated in the same story.