We Have Baby Ducklings!

For the past 8 months our family has had heated debates about the gender of our cat. Lexi's friend told the kids we had a boy. She's in fourth grade so she must know these things right?

I really didn't know. I never touched the cat and never wanted anything to do with it so calling it a boy was fine by me.

A couple of weeks ago, Dave and Lexi discovered the cat was pregnant. Either that or very fat. We weren't really sure but as time went on it was pretty evident.

Last night, Dave came home and said, "Duck is having her kittens."

We tried to get a picture but she didn't really want company.

Every few minutes we went out to check and sure enough another one would show up. It was a fascinating process to watch.

So now we have ducklings!

The funniest part of all this, I think, was Trey.

Last night, after standing and watching Duck for a few minutes, he looked at me with the most serious expression and said, "Mom, I believe you now that Duck is a girl."

AWANA Pinewood Derby

This is our church's first year to have AWANA. Last Saturday, the kids had an opportunity to participate in the Pinewood Derby.

They were very excited to make their own cars and decorate them any way they wanted. Their cars weren't the fastest but they had a really good time. It was fun to watch them race and cheer for everyone.

Trey got fifth place in the overall Spark's division with his General Lee car. Lexi got 2nd place in the overall T&T division and Best Design for her purple whale shaped car.

Everyone got ribbons for participating and I thought the Pit Passes were pretty cool. They listed each child's "favorites" on the back.

Birthday Diva

Way, way back in January. Our littlest had a birthday. She's four! And she looks rather diva-ish to me in this picture.

We had a celebration at preschool too. With Oreo cookies for snack, of course:)

Word Worthy Day

Leah slipped in her skates and landed on the floor.
Lexi looked at me calmly (while Leah is screaming) and says, "Mom, your youngest is on the floor." (Youngest? That sounded funny to me coming out of her mouth.)

A little while later, Leah was sent to her room because she was having tired issues. Lexi says to me, (again calmly) "Mom she is crying and becoming quite annoying."

Then, "Mom, she's asking for her pacifier." Leah doesn't really have a pacifier, it's a tiny one from and baby doll that Leah likes to hold in her mouth. So I said, "Well, you can give it to her. Maybe it will fix our problem." "Okay" she says.
This whole time I'm trying to make dinner. It's gets a little crazy on AWANA nights.
A couple mintes later, "Mom it didn't really fix our problem!"
What did fix our problem was that she fell asleep. That was the best fix.

So while we are eating dinner, Trey and Zach were messing under the table because Trey likes to wear his skates to the table and it annoys Zach.
Trey: Hey, my foot isn't touching the floor!
Lexi: That's because Zach has it suspended.
Zach: Whoa, Lexi, look at you with your fancy words!

On the way home, Lexi and Avery (a friend who rides with us on Wednesdays) were messing around in the back seat and I hear Lexi, "Mom, Avery bonked my scapula and my mandible hit her knee!"

Awkward Family Photos

I am calling this post Awkward Family Photos. Kim and Bryce started it because of a well-known show (Ellen Degeneres, I think she said) that does this. She says it's hilarious and I believe her because I was about rolling on the floor watching the two of them. (I sprinkled them throughout to spread the joy.) Bryce then "posed" with his brothers which was a treat also. Not all of these pictures are awkward but they are most assuredly family. And I laughed too hard not to post them.

Caroline and her BFF

Tickle train!

Bethany, Hannah, Leah and Alexis

Caleb, Zach and Micah
I am putting this picture here because Laura said to Mom and I, "Let's show our bling rings." So she set up the camera and we all put our hands out and then she said, "Smile!"....

and we did! We all laughed so hard. How awkward!

I do love my sisters. I wish they had all been there.

This is what started it all.

The crazy Hewlett boys!One more...

Party-ers

My sister Tracy and her husband Mark have been married for 25 years. It's weird to me to even say that. 25 years! That's a long time!
They decided to have a fancy party at a club in Iowa City.

It was fun for us to be able to dress up and really have somewhere to go because we don't do that. Ever. But that's okay because it's not really our style and why would I want to fight it?

We danced and we boogied.
We boogied and danced.
Well some of us did. The boys had their own brand of fun.
Okay so maybe he had just a little bit of a good time:)

Happy New Year!!!

Our New Year's tradition is to ring the church bell, here in Walcott, at midnight. This year we had a large group since we had our Christmas celebration on the same day.

Trey was first in line.
Noa was happy to ring the bell:) Zach had a turn too.

Happy New Year!!