Pay it forward

Pay it FORWARD--
How it works:
The FIRST THREE people to leave a comment on this post will receive at some point during this year a handmade gift from me.What it will be and when it will arrive will be a total surprise--to both of us.The CATCH is that YOU MUST PLAY TOO! Before you leave your comment here, write a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (you can cut and paste these instructions).Then come back and let me know that you are going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift.
It's THAT easy!Remember, only the FIRST THREE comments will qualify.
Good luck!

Ivan's Big Week

Most people have never noticed that Ivan has a little ear. When he was a baby we used to pull on it to try and get it to stay out but it always popped back under the skin. We decided to let him choose when he was old enough if he wanted to get surgery on it so it would stay out, it's not a big deal but he can't wear glasses without them slipping down on one side. So he decided he wanted surgery and he informed me he really didn't care about his ear he just wanted to be able to say he had surgery, "Yeah, beat that, huh" Really that's what he said!! So here is his before picture at the hospital Thursday. I'm going to miss that sweet little ear.

Here he is after, He has to wear that thing on his head for a week. The doctor said the surgery went excellent and that the cartilage was just crimped inside his ear so they straightened it all out. He is so resilient and bouncing all over the place which he isn't supposed to be doing, but how do you keep a 9 year old boy from, well, being a nine year old boy. Another great thing is it is covered by insurance which we didn't expect at all but feel it is one of the many blessings poured out of the windows of heaven if you know what I mean. I'll post another picture of the final result when he gets the stitches out.

Ivan also won the Pinewood derby for the District. This picture is one of his races Saturday. He won every race he was in and I think there were about 6 or 7. There were 88 cars and he won by a car length even on the final race. His truck was the "Blue Blur"

Ian was so proud, imagine that!

Ivan's Cake

Ivan had the Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts last night and had to make a cake for a contest they were having. We discussed it and he came up with the idea to put his face Uncle Sam. We made the cake together and he decorated it. He won most creative which was actually great because there were only 4 prizes but about 12 cakes. Thank you to Aunt Lindsay for her photoshop work and Brother Meraz for the printing of the picture on edible paper. It tasted good too, great job Ivan!

I'm so glad when daddy comes home...

Ian was gone for a week in New Orleans. We were so glad to have him home again especially with all the Mardigras stuff he got from the parades. I never knew they had a parade where they threw out hats, and the beads, wow, sooooo many beads. He had a great time! I've been so totally jealous and wish I would have gone. But well, I didn't, and that's that.

Oh no....

Abigail is really crawling good now and well, I say "Oh no" because that means I have to do a constant scan of the floor for any legos or little pieces of anything. The big culprit lately is rubber bands since the boys got rubber band guns for Christmas, thanks Santa. I have gotten one in the eye and hear screams of pain or terror every so often, so I don't suggest them. Back to Abby, she is getting everywhere and picking up everything and is so cute. She is getting all four of the top teeth at once and has the cutest smile. Trying to get a picture of her smiling is almost impossible though since any smile is also accompanied with a great deal of excitement and movement. She truly brightens my day along with anyone who glances her way.

Pine Wood Derby # 2

Ivan and Grandma Warren
Ivan accepting his trophy

All the cubs

The table of cars, Ivan's is the truck, # 14.

And the winner is....... Ivan Pietz! Yes, once again, Ivan had the fastest car at the Pine Wood Derby. Ian says, "Don't mess with the engineers son." He is loving it, and I'm happy that Ivan and Ian only spent six hours on the car this year instead of the 14 hours like last year. Here are some pictures of the occasion.

MOVED

Well we did it, we moved. It was something I have been fighting for a long time, but Ian has this dream of building a house, so here we go. We are planning on starting this summer and until then have moved to a little house in Gridley. Ian's parents are going on a mission this summer and we will live in their house while building ours. It has all fallen into place so perfectly, with a friend of ours needing to rent a house (ours) and my parents having a empty house in Gridley, after a few years of feeling uneasy about building I am finally at ease about the whole thing. Until our house is built my theme song is " 5 kids in a little house" sung to the tune of "fat man in a little coat" from Tommyboy. It helps me keep things on a lighter note when chaos abounds.