It's been a big winter for Andrew. He's turned 8, been baptized, and joined the cub scouts! Way to go, Andrew.
Abby was most excited for the event because she got to pass out the programs!
We had a fun dinner out at Pizzaria Uno's to celebrate. John and Debra came to town for the event. It was wonderful to have them!!
Here he is in his uniform. Andrew finished the requirements for the Bobcat Sunday night. So at his first pack meeting he will get an award! 
After Mom and Dad shipped Grandma Koski's jewelry armoire to us, the kids enjoyed the packaging. I was gone and Daniel was fun enough to let them play...and clean up.
Andrew grew a year older last Saturday! Here he is with his gifts from us--the new hat and the much-wanted Power Miners Thunder Driller! Baby!
He wanted a Lego party so I tried my hand at a Lego cake! In my mind's eye the cake was much sharper/boxier and brighter colors. But to get that boxiness I'd have had to trim off a lot of cake! I thought it turned out pretty fun.
Recent birthdays have included some variation of "Pin the tail..." This year's was "Pin the head on the Lego dude."
A while back I saw an idea in a magazine where kids built sculptures out of colored ice blocks. I thought to myself, "I would never do that." But what a fun thing at a party about building! Ha! So we did it! I froze water in ice cube trays, an 8x8 pan, and mini loaf pans. The kids sprayed the ice with water and they refroze together.
And just as a side note, we loved the diversity of this small party. Andrew invited a White boy, Philipino, Asian, and Arab. And it's not like this is the ratio of the races at the school. We all had a great time. Way to turn 8, Andrew!Ok, first you get to see the walk to my car. Let me back up. I was going out with the girls to another Lucas Cates Band gig. I acutally had to walk several blocks to get the van from the shop (it's check-up was today). No biggie I thought. Done the walk before. Well, I was walking quickly as I was running behind. Then I got to the first sidewalk. OH NO. You've got to be kidding!!! I knew the walks were bad, I just hadn't had to use one yet. And it was a sheet of ice. And I was in girly boots. Dang it!! I felt like I was walking into a death trap. Fortunately I made it. But, when I got to the van I had to cross this snowbank or walk a bit further to the real entrance:
I walked the trek to go the right way. Curses, Wisconsin!!
Me, DeAnn, Cynthia, Amy, Patty, and Emily is behind the camera.
Party on girls!Here are a few pillows I made that go with the new b/w look. (Remember the newly-hung b/w curtains?)
I finally remade this little cupboard curtain (this is an old shelf we use for plastic dishes and tupperware).
I really like the pillow fabric. When I got creative, I had just enough to make this (which I think really makes the kitchen):
It goes so well with these plates that are hanging on the kitchen wall!
Those are the sounds of my knee.
It used to just be pop. Now it's a crackle. I banged it on the car door in early December and it's never been the same. I've been icing it periodically (as a friend chiropractor told me to--well she said do it more than periodically) and I've been very easy on it with my workouts. But still it's a cracklin'. Thankfully (and strangely) no pain.
