The Berlin B.E.A.S.T introduced Gilbert!

Today, was the B.E.A.S.T's initial appearance at the VEX Robotic's scene. Gilbert the Robot was introduced and had his first run on the playing field. Our middle school's teams performed very well for their first appearance and the teammates learned a lot from their opponents. It was a day of a few disappointments, a few needed repairs and a lot of celebration! Although they didn't finish high on the list, they did make it to the semi-finals.

It was a long day but it was so worth it seeing the kids have fun and learn so much in the process. Congrats!!

Good luck, Trevor!

Good luck to Trevor on his first VEX Robotics competition tomorrow - 1/29/11. He has learned a lot about not only building and programming a robot but also the teamwork neccessary to have a robot up and running by the deadline! We are proud of you for not giving up when it got tough!

Sites of Nevada

Well, since I have posted the pictures of what I did while Terry was away, now I will post pictures of what Terry and Dad while they were gone! This is their second annual trip down to Las Vegas. Last year they toured the town but this year they stayed with some friends in the area and they took them out to Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon. Erin was a bit disgruntled that she couldn't go along before seeing the pictures....and she was even more disappointed after she saw what she had missed! Needless to say, this is now on our "family trip" list! I am very anxious to hike through Red Rock Canyon and tour the Hoover Dam. (Thanks, Terry, for waiting on the tour to do with the rest of us!! )

For some reason, he didn't even miss the snow and cold while he was gone.....but it was BITTER cold on the day they returned to good ole Wisconsin!! Welcome home!

Snow Kids

The other night, we decided to take an hour out of the homework schedule to enjoy the snow since we FINALLY have tempts that were above 0*. We all had fun making the sledding hill a bit higher, followed with contests to see who could go the furthest out into the driveway.

And, guess what? The homework went so much smoother and the kids all got along for the entire 2 hours before bed time!! Now that was a wonderful benefit for this mom!

I just love the winter evenings spent outside with the kids playing in the snow!

While the hubby is away.......

Terry and his dad went to Las Vegas for the annual SHOT show that is held there. Last year when they went I tackled the laundry room and it turned out to be a HUGE undertaking. However, this year, the list was to finish painting the kitchen (DONE!!) and then moved on to our bedroom. Mom came down to help out....and make sure that I went through with it!! The more I thought about removing wallpaper border from 12' walls, painting the ceilings .....well, the more discouraged I became. However, it went MUCH better than last year's project and was done in just over 24 hours. I am not sure which I love most....the finished product or knowing that it is off my to-do list!! Thanks to Mom for helping out and to Trevor for helping me get the room back together before Terry got home!!

The brown mirror above the dresser was a garbage find by Mom many years ago. I was't too excited about putting a brown mirror back up so Mom painted it the color of the ceiling and then distressed it. So much better!

Terry was a bit worried about what he'd find when he got home as he didn't even want to KNOW what I was doing this year!! But after seeing it he asked what's on the list for next year!! Hmmm....carpet for our room?? He DID ask to at least be able to help pick that out! =-)

Fun in (watching) Hypnosis!

On Monday night, we went to the Dr. Jim Wand hypnotist show at our high school. The FFA sponsors a show from him every other year....and it is most always a sold out show. This year, Trevor surprised us by desperately wanting to get chosen to be up on stage to get hypnotized. Unfortunately, only high schools/adults were chosen. However, his wish was made real....he was definitely hypnotized and it didn't take but a few minutes into the show. He stayed "under" for about half of the show....and we found ourselves watching him and not the show up on stage! At one point, they were holding out a "cup" to be filled with nectar from heaven and then some was "spilled" onto their arm. Trevor was sucking on his sweatshirt as to not waste any of it! Later they were stretched out on the "beach" with arms stretched up over their heads and feet wriggling in the "sand" then finding that their swimsuit was too small and the discomfort caused but that....very obvious by watching Trevor wriggling around and the look on his face! Later they were remembering a time that was funny....again Trevor was really into it as we heard him just laugh and laugh. Anyone who knows Trevor will know they laughter we heard! =-) Right before he came out of the hypnosis, they were four years old and just the way he smiled and sat in his seat was sooooooo true from his being four!

Hopefully next time he can get chosen to be up on stage....so he'll stay out the whole time!! We learned that one hour of hypnosis is equal to about 8 hours of sleep....hmmm. Now THAT would be helpful!

VEX Robotics

Our middle school has just started competing in the VEX Robotics competitions. Trevor (in the orange) is shown working on putting together their robot to get it ready for their first competition the end of January. He is learning that engineering is working with a deadline that is fast approaching and is given to you later than you would wish for!! There is a lot to learn....engineering, construction and programming just to name a few. But it is an awesome experience for the kids.

The Scrapping Fun Has Begun!

My wonderful husband gave up a complete Saturday to construct my scrapbooking "room"! We were told that it would take about 4-5 hours to construct....but it took over 9 hours of solid working to get from Step 1 (the boxes!) to Step 4 (installation of the lock). I have started to fill all the canvas totes but that will take me a bit to get them "JUST RIGHT"! Ahhhh, but such fun. My cricut machine fits in perfectly and a 3'x3' table flips up just in front of the cricut machine.

Let the scrappin' begin!!

COMING SOON!

My excitement is uncontained!! I have SO many plans to be ultra-organized!! I have even more plans to be able to scrapbook more often and....maybe.....just maybe.....I can get caught up?!

A Welcome to 2011!

We spent our New Year's Eve at Alicia and Chris' as it has become a bit of a family tradition!! Of course, I did a "little" srapbooking, Kayla and Mom worked on some of the cute wedding favor tags while Alicia scrapbooked Levi and Kayla's wedding. The kids just enjoyed hanging out and enjoying the last few days of their winter break!

A huge THANK YOU to Alicia and Chris for having us all over there! It was fun! =-)