Durango and the Iron Horse 2012

Once again Spencer wanted to conquer the insane bike race/climb other wise known as the Iron Horse. He finished it last year but just missed beating the train into Silverton. He wanted to remedy that this year. So off to Durango, CO we went. We are super blessed to have Uncle Mitch there, he's a great host and a ton of fun. This year Grandma and Grandpa Davis also met us there!

Mitch helped us get tickets to ride the Durango train to Silverton. The boys were in heaven, esp Penn. If you've never ridden this train, I highly recommend it. The views are impressive and the mountain pass was spectacular. It takes a few hours but the kids did really well and truly loved it. Combine trains and family and it makes for a great day.

Trying to take it all in before we started. Plus they had to see the engineer.

Penn just loving it

The next day was the race. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have no idea how Spencer powers himself and his bike over those mountains! Two of the peaks are 1100 feet, we don't even have peaks that tall here that he can train on. He was on track to beat the train when a huge wind storm rolled in. It was so bad it blew two police motorcycles into one another atop the last peak. An ambulance had to take them to the hospital with serious injuries. So they stopped the racers and actually cancelled the race because it wasn't safe. But after 15 mins the wind died down some and they told the riders they could finish at their own risk. Having come so far of course Spencer finished but came in just behind the train. If he hadn't been stopped he would have beat it. I guess we'll have to try again another year to make it official! He really did well and we are so proud of him.

While there we also attended the semi-pro race and no trip with kids is complete without a trip to a few parks. We so enjoyed spending time with our family and have wonderful memories from this trip. it was a great way to celebrate Spencer's birthday. The boys are convinced that it's worth the drive to see Uncle Mitch even if we could only stay for an afternoon.

Having fun at the pro race with our cow bells and Grandma and Grandpa Davis.

Our Trip to PA

I'd really like to get our blog all caught up, but there are a few things that just can't be skipped. Our trip to PA is just one of those things. We had an amazing time and here are the pictures to prove it.
No trip with the boys is complete without trains. Grandpa Davis knew just the place. The Strausburg Train ride was fun and the hands on museum next door was nothing short of amazing. We climbed on and into all sorts of trains, pulled all the levers and pushed all the buttons. We played with Thomas the Train engines and tracks and watched model trains on miniature rails. It was ideal and I think everyone had a good time. The only down side, it's always drama when it's time to go.

We also visited a theme park, Dutch Wonderland, designed just for kids, not even kids at heart...but for kids. Nothing too big. There were several roller coasters for preschoolers, flume rides for toddlers and model T's for them to drive. Penn has always been about an inch to 2 shorter then Logan. So when Logan just barely made "height" for the biggest roller coaster that means Penn was just short. It was soo sad, even Mom felt like crying. Sometimes life just isn't fair. The next biggest roller coaster wasn't as neat, although it surprised me at how fast it was. 

Good thing Jenny was there, Logan's legs aren't long enough to reach the gas pedal.

Mom and Logan took Dad and Penn on in the bumper cars. I don't even have to tell you who won (it was Logan and Mom!)

Another highlight of the trip was our visit to Cape May New Jersey, where Jenny lives. We visited the Atlantic Ocean while we were there. It was a colder, windy day but honestly a ton of fun. The kids enjoyed playing in the sand and even found a dead shark while on a walk with Grandma and Grandpa Davis. Nothing too big, but "so cool, mom!" The water was cooler and at first they just ran from the waves but eventually they got in. Every time they came out we'd try to dry them off and call it a day but they kept asking to go back in. They even convinced Grandma to go with them, forget that she wasn't in her suit!

Building sand castles was a hit. If we could only convince the kids they don't have to smash them the second they are built!

Spencer's Eagle Scout project was building trails through a wooded area for hiking. It was tough hot and humid work. We thought it would be fun to take the kids on that hike. My favorite part of this picture is that Penn and Audrey couldn't be bothered to stop and take a picture. Onward and upward!

 This is another favorite picture. Grandpa Davis vs the kids in tug a war. It was almost too much for Grandpa, almost. We also helped plant the fortified garden in the background. No Peter Rabbit will be munching on their tomatoes or peppers thanks to Grandpa's ingenuity.

 Nightly we went to a local park, they had this "spider man web" and they loved climbing on it. It was a fun park and a great way to ensure they slept well that night.

We feel blessed to have spent so much time with our family. Audrey got to meet Grandma Peterson for the first time, played with toys that Dad did when he was a little boy, visited the national aquarium in Baltimore and flew on airplanes. It was a trip the boys still talk about and often ask when we get to visit Grandpa and Grandpa Davis again.

Hey Again

Hey, it's been awhile but I promise we haven't been sitting around twiddling our thumbs. We've been super busy. Here are just a few of the big highlights. 

We visited Baby Animal Day once again. Audrey loved the baby ducks and as you can see the boys took things very seriously when holding the bunnies. One of our favorite babysitters went with us and was a life saver. Thanks Tiffany!

We celebrated Easter with my family in Idaho Falls. Monica blessed our newest and very cute nephew. We also showed off new Easter outfits. I'm blessed with a wonderful friend who is a wizard with a sewing machine. She helped me sew Audrey's dress. Yep, I made that practically all by myself.

The boys had a commencement for preschool. They really enjoyed preschool but to say that don't perform on demand doesn't really capture the disaster it was. Logan was too busy watching everyone else to actually sing and Penn just wanted to run around and explore the stage. When Penn grows up he wants to be a "train guy" and Logan wants to "work on roads and play in the dirt with daddy".  

For Christmas Grandma and Grandpa Gudmundson bought us a year pass to the zoo. We've loved going a couple times a month esp when friends join us. The new polar bear and river otter exhibits are amazing. 

Finally, we took the kids camping at Crystal Hot Springs. Penn tells us it wasn't really camping because we weren't actually in the mountains. I guess we'll have to try again. But we had a great time swimming and sleeping in the tent in a crazy windstorm. 

Another notable thing, Penn was our quiet child in Sacrament Meeting a month or two ago. He did well, until Dad signed "I love you" to him and he flashed it back. When we realized he had a captive audience all of a sudden he loved everyone in the congregation and couldn't stop signing. Next he just had to show off his new sandals but that required lifting he leg up over the banister and pointing at them. I guess we have a little work to do but lets not forget he's only 3.

We've also enjoyed some great time with the Davis'. Stay tuned for more great pictures.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

March 2 was Dr. Seuss' birthday and of course we celebrated. I've been converted to the Seuss band wagon. I love the valuable life lessons he teaches in so many of his books. "Horton Hatches an Egg" is a big favorite as is "The Sneetches". But the one that put me over the top is "Green Eggs and Ham". It has done truly amazing things, it has opened the minds of my children to trying things. We quote it at least three times a week at dinner.

That morning we really didn't have a choice, we had to try green eggs and ham for breakfast. With a little food coloring and we were on our way.

No one was over enthused about my grand idea, I'll even admit it didn't look great. But in the end they gobbled it right up.

A huge thank you to Dr. Seuss, your books are truly amazing and continue to inspire people the world over.

A Great Family Home Evening

We had a really great Family Home Evening the other night. My sister did this and I knew we would have a blast with it. We talked about putting on the whole armor of God and making good choices. We read the scripture in D&C 27 and helped the kids put on the different pieces of armor. We had things like the helmet of salvation and breast plate of righteousness. We used their Captain America shields and a piece of the race track for a sword. The boys thought it was great and Audrey was just happy to be part of the crew.

Then Spencer threw mini marshmallows and shouted temptations and the boys blocked them with their shields. Temptations like talking to our friends during primary or not listening to our parents. In the end he ran out of temptations and it regressed to things like "tax evasion". They loved eating the temptations and laughing about their over sized breast plates when we were finished.

I'm certain the boys didn't understand all of it, but they have been trying harder to make good choices and it's a memory they won't soon forget. How could they? A food fight while wearing armor, it's every little kids dream.

I Heart Pinterest!

We had a great valentines, thanks in part to Pinterest. Have you heard of it? I'm simply addicted. I have no creative bone in my body, zero. But pinterest takes everyone elses and puts it on line, with instructions. Stuff from dessert to home decor, fun sayings and motivational quotes to all sorts of crafts. It's great.

But I digress, while on pinterest I found these "super" valentines and just knew the boys would love to take them to preschool.

The boys loved sharing with all their preschool friends. Miss. Michelle gave them valentine monkeys. I caught Logan enjoying his and a book all dressed in his valentine red.

So the moral of this post, check out pinterest its amazing. And if you want an invite let me know.

We Still Love Trains

The boys still love trains, so they were in heaven when we took them to the train expo. We're fortunate that the Binghams love trains too and wanted to join us. We even ran into our cousin Alexis! There were so many trains to see and play with. All the kids got to ride behind Thomas in Anabelle.

Even Audrey had a good time. She loved this logging train. I think her brothers are rubbing off on her.

Of course everyone had to wear their Thomas shirts. One of the train stations gave away these paper engineer hats and every kid under 5 had it on.
It was a great afternoon. A word of warning for those considering going next year. We got there 20 mins after it started and it was packed (seriously packed!!). We had to park across the street in overflow parking! It's a lot of fun so if you go, get there early and expect to wait in a few lines. Also you can't touch much so be prepared to remind the little guys.

Fun Inside

It's been kind of a rough winter. It's cold outside but instead of snow we have rain. No matter how I spin it cold rain isn't nearly as much fun to play in as snow. So as a result we've spent some serious time indoors. The kids have had a great time playing with pillows. We all remember playing those games as kids. Laying the couch pillows out and hoping from one the next, or hiding underneath them and popping out with a big "surprise!". The kids have discovered these simply joys and here is the proof.

Even Audrey gets in on this game. But that shouldn't surprise you because she follows the boys around like she's just one of them.

Hiding beneath the pillows with Grandpa, lots and lots of fun. If you can believe it Penn is still hidden in there.

Making my bed has even become a game. Audrey just loves to climb up and snuggle in all of my pillows. Silly girl.

Snow?!?!

We recently got snow! You'd think that wouldn't be news ... but we really haven't gotten much this winter. This was our first big storm. The kids were so excited it was hard to eat breakfast before going out. We bundled them in layers and more layers and met our great friends, the Binghams, for some sledding fun. Even the girls got in on the fun.

We shoveled all our snow in a big pile and played on that too! The boys played outside for nearly 2.5 hours! I love that we were able to bundle them up so well they could stay out that long.

Most of that snow is gone so now we're just praying for another storm.

Christmas

Yep, we had Christmas ... and it was great! The boys are finally old enough to understand. We watched the Polar Express like 100 times in Dec and they begged for more. Every time they hear a bell ring they get a special little smile. We sat on Santa's leg and the boys had no problem asking for excavators and bull dozers. Audrey on the other hand wanted nothing to do with the big jolly man.

We visited Temple Square with all the lights and loved showing the kids all of the different creche's. Every time they'd say "Look another Baby Jesus!" This year we got to talk even more about the true meaning of Christmas. The boys arranged our manager scene so everyone was close and could see the baby. You may not know, but in addition to shepherds and wise men there were also farmers and superheros there to celebrate Jesus' birth.

Christmas Eve we played games and watched "A Wish for Wings That Work", a cute Christmas movie about a penguin. Aunt Becky even stopped by and shared in the fun, how lucky are we!? The boys wrote thank you notes for Santa and arranged cookies just so.

Christmas morning was everything it should be and more. We loved it. But mostly we love that during the holiday we get to see and spend time with so much of our family. We love the special feeling talking about Christ and his birth brings to our home and we love sharing it all with our children.

Just playing with their new construction tractors. They were so thrilled.

Audrey's been "cooking" up a storm. When she saw it Christmas morning she wouldn't open any of her other gifts, she just wanted to play with this.