Sam's 9th birthday

Sam had his birthday on January 24th. It was a no school day because of a Teacher development work day or something like that. So we were able to sleep in, that was nice. Also I took the boys to the wellness center for a couple of hours of swimming. Then it was off to Walnut, which is about a 20 minute drive east of us, and went to McDonald's. That's where Sam wanted to go for lunch. That evening we had a b-day party at Pizza Ranch with about 5 families that Sam wanted to invite. There were about 25 people that came. It was a lot of fun. To bad all those families aren't members of the Church. We would have a great Branch here in Harlan. Guess we better work on that huh. :) When we came home we had a little party of our own and opened the rest of Sam's presents. When Sam opened up his new DS, which is the one thing he really wanted, he went nuts! Wish I would've had it on video. He also got two games, Pokemon and Harry Potter Lego.


Yes the cake is pretty much already gone. We had the cake at the Pizza Ranch party and I had forgotten the candles, so he wanted to blow some out when we got home. Luckily there was cake left!!

Bret got him an air rifle, that shoots little pellets. Grandpa Heileson gave the boys these targets for Christmas and this is the right kind of gun they needed for it. He was very excited. Now come on spring!!!!

He also got this Wii game, Dangerous Hunts, it comes with a rifle, and it's a little freaky, especially when you have a huge Grizzly coming at you!!!
We had a lot of fun and my little Sam is growing up, He was so funny about this birthday, he kept saying it's my last one in the single numbers!!!!

From Sam: Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Chamberlain for the birthday card and the 10$! And thank you Grandma and Grandpa Heileson for the card and the other 10$! I'm saving up to buy a Wii game!

Just an update on what else we've been doing this winter, Bret and I went to a Rascal Flats concert two weekends ago, it was VERY good! We met some old friends for dinner before the concert and they were an hour late! It was also snowing pretty good and was making it harder to get around town. We had fun parking a few blocks away and running in the snow to the Quest Center. Bret and I need to go on dates more often. I had so much fun with him and it reminded me of our pre-children years. I know it's bad to say but it had me longing for our post-children years. But, I don't want to rush them out the door just yet.

Amber had their first Jazz band competition last Saturday and they won 1st place!!! They are really amazing to listen to! Anyone who wants to come out and go to one, let me know and I'll let you know the dates and places! She only has this year and next then she will be gone. sniff :(

Benjamin had his first winter camp out for scouts. It was for his winter camping merit badge. I was really nervous for him, because I new how much he doesn't care for camping. I made sure he had his long underwear and all his winter gear. He had a great time! The temps were in the teens, but they had a lodge there that they ate and played games in, but he slept in the tent. I was proud of him.

Sam has started basketball, and I'm the assistant coach. It is really fun to be on a basketball court again. He's actually better at it than I thought he was. So it's fun watching the kids running up and down the court, double dribbling, traveling, and what ever else. We'll have to work on the ball skills, and rules.

Can't wait until spring, I'm sitting in my dining room looking out at the snow wishing it would all just go away tomorrow, and the green grass and leaves will come out and it will be spring. Wishful thinking.