Pinewood Derby, 2012

waiting to race

nana & papa enjoyed watching

Evan and Ben

at the finish line...waiting....

Ben's car

Alex's car

Another Pinewood Derby has come and gone.  Sadly, no trophys for anyone this year but each of their cars won a few heats and the boys had a good time.  Competition is good to learn, even if you don't win.  Ben was a little bit disappointed since it's his last year, but I think he still thought it was a fun day overall.

Donuts at school

Since Alex's Birthday was on a Saturday this year, I asked his teacher if I could bring a classroom treat in on Friday.  She said she was very excited for me to come since all the kids had seen that it was Alex's birthday on the calendar and they had been talking about it all week.  Alex requested donuts, so donuts it was!  The class had made him a big poster and put their handprints on it - so we all posed for a photo!  Alex has a new teacher this year - Ms. Alba - she is in the red shirt - she has been very kind to Alex and supportive of his progress.  Alex also loves the aids, but especially Ms. Vee (in the grey shirt).   Alex was so excited for his birthday treats and it was fun for him to show me around the class and see his old and new classmates.

My Wolf Scout

waiting is hard...

doing the salute to the flag

I snapped a few photos of Alex at the Pack Meeting in March.  The boys were all so cute - they had brought their Pinewood Derby cars to practice after the meeting - since the Derby was the following weekend - and they were all so impatient waiting through the talking to be able to test race their cars, Alex being no exception!  I love that Alex is in a typical boys scout troop.  He does his best and the other boys seem to enjoy him as well.  Alex is currently a Wolf - Bears are next!!

Spring Break in Las Vegas

I only got a few photos with the camera I downloaded - but suffice it to say - Spring Break was a lot of fun this year - Nana & Papa generously got two time share units at SouthPoint (where we stayed last year for Lizzy's gymnastics meet) and all the families came for about 5 days of fun.  There was a lot of overlapping of who was there when, but most everyone stayed for at least 2 or 3 days.  The kids had fun going in the pool, which thankfully was heated!  The adults got out a few times to gamble at the casino next door.  We did some cooking in the unit and other times when out to eat.  We took the kids to the movies, went to the arcade, walked around the Strip and also just relaxed.  It was a fun time and everyone was glad that Nana & Papa came up with the idea!

Best Friends

If asked, Alex will always say his best friends are Zachary and his cousin Bella.  He got to spend the afternoon with the two of them a few weeks ago - we played ping pong, ran around outside and in, and generally had a great time!  Zachary has been friends with Alex since pre-school - they no longer go to the same school, but the moms try to get them together as often as possible.  They are very cute together, but have their "moments" of disagreement - which is pretty funny to watch.  It's great that Alex has two BFF's to hang out with! 

Super Bowl Sunday

Lizzy goes on the pogo

Bella also took some turns

Alex loves pink lemonade!

Tamra, Kim & Lynn

Bill and Alex post finger burn by Alex

Tom & Gladys and also Lynn & Michele

boys....

boys.. . .. .

Tamra and Joe

us

As tradition dictates, Super Bowl Sunday took place at the Phipps' garage and house this year!  Kids playing outside, great game on the flat screen in the party garage, lots of great snacks and drinks, good friends and family - yep, just like tradition!!

Cloe

Cloe passed away a few weeks ago.  It's been hard - she was with us since just before Bill and I were married - almost 14 years.  Cloe was a stray and we got her from someone I knew, who couldn't really keep her at the time - so we took the sweet beagle in and she was a member of our family.  The thing I will always loved about Cloe is that she loved food !  At one point she got pretty big (fat), so we really tried to control her eating....but the last few years she slowed down and she actually got pretty thinned down.  Cloe was a good dog - she was a good friend to us all and we miss her.  RIP Cloe - you are missed.....