Nate is Nine

This year we had to celebrate Nate's birthday without Dad. To make the day a little more special I took the boys out for a real steak dinner at the Ranch House. The boys were so great at being little gentlemen; pulling out my chair, napkins in their laps, and even chewing with their mouth closed (truly an improvement). As we ate we shared our favorite Nate stories. From his love of books to the goofy things he does, we were able to remember some of the last nine years.

After dinner we headed home to open presents, enjoy cheesecake, and watch Star Wars for family movie night. Nate received most of his "wish list" as you can tell by his face.

Ward Luau

At the beginning of May our ward had a Luau. We have some amazing families that are from Hawaii and they were generous enough to put together this wonderful activity. The young men, young women, senior primary boys and girls provided entertainment in the form of dances that they had learned. There was amazing food and great company. Matt even got to participate with his gimpy leg.

Our wonderful Bishopric

Over four hundred people attended and were fed

Do You Need a Hit Man????

We have found Danny's future career. I think he has a future in the "family business". Four days before the boys headed back to school after track break, Dan decided to break something else.

The boys enjoyed playing outside all during their break from school and the Monday before they went back was no exception. They had started a pick-up game of softball with our next door neighbor when Danny was up to bat with Matt as the catcher. For some reason Matt stood up and moved into Danny's swing. Matt limps/crawls into the house where I am feeling pretty puny myself. After getting the story out of the boys, I decide that knee verses bat deserves a trip to the emergency room. Since I did not feel well enough to drive, I called Doug home to take Matt to the doctor. A few hours, couple of x-rays, and two crutches later, Matt is diagnosed with a broken knee cap.

Danny felt so bad about Matt's knee that he wouldn't even come into the house to tell me what happened. Then to make up for it he spent three weeks at Matt's beck and call. But maybe for the right incentive he would be ready to "take care of someone" for you.

Supercross Championship 2009

Two wheels rule in the Holmes household. If motorcycles are not being worked on, they are being ridden. If not ridden, then races are watched. Ten years ago, if you had asked me anything about motorcycle racing my answer would have consisted of more questions. Such as: Do they race motorcycles? Why would you watch something like that? And most important, Do I have to watch? AHHH, sweet, sweet innocence. I now can intelligently tell you why the AMA (America Motorcycle Association) has made a mess of the sportbike division racing, what was the big rivalry in the supercross championship this year, and why Ben Spies is going to do so well on the world circuit. (And no, Doug did not type that sentence.)

But there is one hard and fast rule we do have here in the Holmes house when it comes to races. MOM DOES NOT GO!!!!! As long as the race is in state and I am physically well (we never add mentally), Doug and the boys are free to go to as many races as they want. Just don't take me. I've went to one when Doug and I were dating. Other than being hot, sweaty, dirty, and smelly there was very little to it. It's not my thing. But I never turn down the opportunity to have a male free Saturday.

This year the boys got to see the Supercross Championship race here in Las Vegas. All season they have watched the races, cheering on their favorite rider (James Stewart). They were so excited to be part of the action.

As I didn't go, I'm not quite sure of the context of the pictures. So I just picked some that I like. I do know that they returned home happy, hungry, and excited to tell me all their stories.

Uncle Dunna & Aunt Jymie Do Vegas

I love when we have family come visit us. Craig (Uncle Dunna) and Jymie had an impulsive moment and decided to come visit. We were able to do so many things with them since the boys were still on track break (the never ending track break). Wednesday night we headed over to Sam's Town to see the animatronic animal, laser, and water show. (In Vegas you can't just do one thing.)

Thursday we went to the Lied Children's Museum. I don't know who enjoyed themselves more, Craig or the boys.

Then we were off to the Bellagio indoor gardens. While there Craig got to drool over the world's largest chocolate fountain.

Then I got to feel like the worst mom in the world as we walked down the strip to the M&M store. Matt even complained that he couldn't even look at the ground as he walked like he usually does when he is bored.

We were so glad Craig and Jymie were able to share some fun memories with us.

We Cheat

Last Pack Meeting was the Pinewood Derby. This year I thought I would be really smart. We visited the hobby shop and purchased pinewood car kits. These things are great. They include a pre-shaped car, sandpaper, axles, wheels, weights, paint, and stickers. Everything you could need to build a really cool car. Honestly, I was just excited about the pre-shaped car. With Doug's schedule and two cars to make this year, I knew that one less step would help. The boys still had to sand, attach weights and tires, paint, and put the stickers on. The kits even said something about being BSA (Boys Scouts of America) approved.

The big night came and the cars flew down the track. (Well, maybe not flew but at least they didn't need to be pushed.) Matt was in some of the first races. He wasn't real quick but he looked good doing it. (I'm thinking of making that our family motto.) Nate went a little bit later and was coming in second. It was then that we were informed that our tires were not BSA approved. The boys were able to continue to race but their times were pulled. What their mother seemed to miss is that the kit would FIT BSA approved wheels NOT that it INCLUDED approved wheels. Yes we are cheaters.