Teacher of the year

Have I ever mentioned that I am proud of my husband? Back when we were dating we had a big long discussion about his career path and how I felt about him becoming a teacher. I had seen him teach Sunday School and he has a gift for teaching. A passion. He was currently at a job that he hated and would be in horrible moods at the end of the day. There were even a few times where he would cancel a date because he was just in a bad mood. The discussion was a no brainer for me. If you have a career that you love and are a happy man at the end of the day, I would rather have that.

His career as a teacher has been a blessing in more than one way. He has a job that he loves and is good at. He never has to work weekends or holidays. (Although he does attend a lot of workshops and conferences on weekends and during the summer). He has time off at Christmas. After being diagnosed with MS we have been so grateful for the summers that he has off. I get so wiped out in the heat and when he isn't attending some sort of workshop, scout camp or any other thing, he spends a lot of time with the boys. He does outdoor things with them that I just can't do much of during the summer.

This year Quinn was awarded the Secondary Teacher of the Year by the Utah Council for Social Studies. I am proud that others see him for what he is as well.

He got his name engraved on an award.

He was so uncomfortabkle standing up there as they talked about him.





This is his awesome award. He has turned in all the paperwork to be considered on the national level. Now we just have to wait and see how good he really is.

Ogden

For years we have been wanting to take a trip up to Ogden to visit the train museum and the Tree House childrens museum. As we looked at our schedules we found that Quinn would have a Friday off when the boys were off track so that was the day it was to be. Come rain or shine. Or snow.



We left our house around 8:30 and drove to the trax station. We took trax to the end of the line and hopped on the Frontrunner. Miles and Carter were very excited to ride on the train. Since the weather was less than ideal I was glad that we took the train and didn't have to worry about driving.




There was a lot of stuff to look at and a lot of hands on stuff. They really liked getting in the engine. Because of the snow we did not explore all the trains outside. I know that Miles and Carter would have liked it, but Quinn and I weren't willing to stand in the snow while they played. They did get to spend a good amount of time watching some model trains.



After the train museum we were ready to head to lunch. They have a "trolley" that comes by and takes you around some close areas in Ogden. If it weren't snowing we wouldn't have minded walking, but it was pretty wet and cold. We ended up having lunch at Costa Vida which was right next to an indoor surfing place. We ate lunch and watched a guy indoor surf. Pretty cool. We also walked over and checked out where they do the indoor sky diving. Miles and Carter are pretty sure they want to do that next. I'm pretty sure I'm not paying for it.


After lunch we headed to the Treehouse Museum. It really was a lot of fun. There was so much for the boys to do. Lot's of interaction, imagination, role playing. One of my favorites was watching Quinn and the boys put on a puppet show.

Miles as the overbearing King.

Carter would be a nice King.

Carter can't be in charge even while pretending. Being the younger brother I think he has accepted his position as side kick.

Carter actually impressed us with some tune he picked out while playing.

Miles pieced the skeleton together.

Miles the people pleaser let Quinn put the bonnet on him and take pictures.



The day was done. We headed back to the frontrunner and enjoyed relaxing on the ride back. It was a fun, long day. We got home around 5:30 and enjoyed our time as a family.

Easy Bakin'

Every once in a while we try to have little "dates" or one on one time with the boys. Since there are only two kids it makes it pretty easy. We each take one and do something. This last time I asked Miles if he wanted to go somewhere or stay and make cakes in the Easy Bake. He wanted to stay and bake. My little chef.


Is it going to come out ok?

Yea!!! It did!




Miles had an idea of how he wanted to make all the little cakes. I'm not sure if it was meant to be little wedding cakes for each of us, or just something more elaborate than a single or double layer cake. All I know is that we baked and baked and baked. A total of about 5 hours.


Voila! The finished product. It is a three layered cake. However, he used a cup to cut the top layer to make it a little smaller than the first two layers. He was so proud. We made four of these. Three cakes per "cake" equals 12 cakes baked in the Easy Bake Oven at 12 minutes a piece. It was longer than what you are figuring. But it was a good date for me and Miles.

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Everyone has been healthy and again mom, dad and Santa spoiled the boys a little. We did try to do better this year.
The pajama tradition. They get a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve. Miles still wants the footie pajamas. I don't know what I'm going to do in a few more years. I hope he will be ok with just a set instead of footies.

The milk and cookies are ready for Santa. They do like making cookies for Santa and with all the craziness that is Christmas Eve I have learned a valuable lesson. Ready to cook cookies. The boys feel like they baked cookies, I just had to get a cookie sheet out.

Christmas morning loot! I like to call this the calm before the storm. The last moment the house will be somewhat clean for the next few days.


Carter got his Darth Vader light saber. He has always been drawn to the dark side. What an evil one he is.


Miles saw this toucan at Big Lots a week or so before Christmas and he decided that he really, REALLY wanted it for Christmas. Santa was able to get it for him and he was so excited. Really? Whatever.


Quinn and the boys got Lego headlamps. They were ALL very excited about them.

Oh the things they will be able to do now!

Three Months...

Wow! Has it really been three months since I last posted? I have thought about posting stuff many times but it appears I did not actually get around to it. I better get caught up and add more.