Birthdays

It was my birthday on April 30th and hate that I am getting old. And it was Maestin's Birthday on My 10th and hate that he is getting older too! Life just keeps right on coming weather you want it to or not. I would not normally put my B-day on I don't think but it was a crazy day and worthy of a journal entry. My boys, Austin included were so great. The day started off with Austin and Dale wanting to get some branding done, so guess who had to push over 60 head of calves into the chute? Yep, me... happy birthday. (thanks Blake) I love to help whenever I can, but it is not my favorite job. However, the boys were right there and they really did make the job a lot easier. We got done with that, it rained on us some but then it really started pour. Maestin had his pine-wood derby so I ran in the house to get the car ready to go, and the boys cleaned up. We headed out and Dale was cool about letting Austin take off so he could come to the race. Then my boys took me out to eat at the Dude Ranch. My mom was so great and made me a cake! It was good and the boys love to sing happy b-day and blow out your candles. They were so sweet all day with hugs and special little gifts and I love yous! I got knew furniture for my house I have not bought a knew piece of furniture in my entire 10 1/2 years of marriage. Thanks Austin! They really are great boys and they take such good care of me. Thanks.

I love this picture because I love my boys so much they bring me such joy, and this pictures kind of expresses it a little bit.

I added this one of by little man, I wish you all could hear him sing Happy Birthday. It is pretty darn cute, and you can tell that it is what he is singing. He amazes me.

Maestin
So my little man is now nine I cannot believe it. He is such and amazing child and spirit. I knew he was going to be a force of good when we were trying to get him here and the advisory did everything in his power to stop this amazing boy from coming to this earth. It was a long 9 months for both Austin and I, and a long 8 days before we brought him home with us. It didn't stop there either because we did one of the hardest things we have ever had to do when we handed our four month old baby off to a strange lady for sugary on his cute little lip. When he came back in to us, he saw me and gave me this little whimper, and I kind of whimpered myself, the nurse says, "He looks so good" I commented back you didn't see how cute he was before. He was so tough and before the night was over he smiled at the doctor and they sent us home the same day! Nothing gets this kid down for long. Through it all he has been such a joy to have in our home. His spirit radiates in a way that I cannot explain. He continues to grow and be such a fun young man. He never stops amazing us with his love of life and learning. He is kind and loving and can feel the spirit and knows when he needs to not do or do something. He is full of fun and laughter and loves a good joke. One of my favorite things about him is if he does something that would other wise embarrass someone he laughs and we all can have a good laugh. Thank you Maestin for coming to our home, you are a blessing from our Heavenly Father.

This picture needs some explaining, the boys blew out most of his candles, he was trying to be a good sport but didn't fell so great. He got another chance. Addlers face is because he got told that that was not so cool.

This is a good example of my boy, he is reading a book that grandma gave him. He got a number of books for his b-day and was excited.

His most anticipated present, the 5th book in the Fable Haven series, he was so excited.

Well there is my nine year old, all dressed up in his b-day cloths going to school the next day. He looks like a Young man. Bet you would have never thought he was born just 6lb 8 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He was the best baby and has continued to be easy to raise and parent. We love you Maestin!

!!Pine Wood Derby!!

Well what can I say about Pine Wood Derby? I am not going to say anything and wish you all well when that time comes for each of you. Austin was so great to be dedicated and work on Maestin's car for more than just the day before. It was good for Maestin to see and be a part of an effort that took research, reading, understanding, working, testing, and then an end result. I looked up the "Pine Wood Derby Bible", read it did not understand, and turned it over to Austin who would explain and then I would critique him on what he needed to be doing so it would be better! I guess I am a little competitive! Austin was great and Maestin was a great sport about it all.

Maestin before the race with the car ready to go! We had him primed to loose, we had no idea what we were doing so did not want him to have any false expectations.

Of course Grandma Price had to put the "flame" to the car, it looked so cool! We told him even if it was slow it would have the best paint job because Grandma is awesome. This is them discussing what Maestin wanted and how it all should look. Thanks Grandma, you are the best!This is the only picture of Austin that I got. That is actually one of the best pine wood derby car making dads, giving Austin a hard time. Austin is awesome!

Masetin during the race with the boys in our ward his age, Hayden Degn, Maestin, Davis Larsen they are all buddies.

So, you are asking what was the end result? Well to our complete surprise Maestin won! He raced against two troops and had the fastest car, he even had the fastest time of the night. We were floored. It was actually kind of funny with everyone else because we were first timers, and knew nothing. Davis Larsen took second. Maestin was stoked! He was a good sport through the entire race, offering high fives and good jobs to his fellow competitors, I was proud of him.

So as a result of winning, he had to race the next day at the district race, the top two of every troop raced against each other, there were twenty cars, this is him during that race.Just a picture of some of the cars Maestin is number 18 his was called T3!We were really surprised when he ended up fourth overall, he was really happy and had so much fun. Just for memories for Maestin, I want to add that that his car was one of only three that had a time of 2.4 seconds. It really did turn out to be a good experience, at first we were not too optimistic, because there is lot that goes into the car and a lot to it, but we all learned some valuable lessons, and hopefully each year Meastin can learn more, and eventually do it more by himself. Congratulations Maestin....and Austin.

Branding Claves

The week of April 18th Blake and the kids came to Malad so we decided to brand calves while he was here. The weather was OK, but we all worked really hard to get done what we did in really two days. We branded calves two different times while Blake was here, we love that he comes and helps. The boys love to joke around and talk his ear off, and the rest of us just like that he does a lot of hard work that we would have to do if he wasn't here. The two kids were a lot of fun to have around and I think that they had a lot of fun. Blake is a very patient man, he had to work with the boys running crazy with the calves, while he was trying to do his job. Thanks Blake! Here are some pictures of branding over at the Harrison place.

Holdan loved, loved being there. He would run each calf out of the chute to the end of the pin and run the calf out the gate. Sometimes he just narrowly missed getting kicked. I have video of this I might post later.

Nyah was quite the trooper, she wanted to be crazy and get the calves but she sat there and told Ruxton what one she wanted in next. She was so excited to actually poke one or two. She stayed right there just about the entire time. The boys love when she comes.

They all had to see the baby chicks.

The branding gang without Treyson.

This is Treyson's contribution to branding. He had a busy day. He started out early with Ruxton and all our little new pets, then he went and feed with his Dad and Austin, lots of hard play and 45 min of branding and he feel asleep while I was holding him. He had fun as long as he could keep his eyes open. He was tired just think how nosie it is when you brand calves!

Update on Dad

You are asking who is that young nice looking fellow!?
Yep, your eyes do not deceive you it is Van!

I thought I would do a little quick up date on how Dad is doing. He is doing great! This picture really, I think doesn't do it justice, and he still looks good. He has had a lot of determination and has really stuck to his diet. This has not been easy for him, yet he still goes forward he is amazing. I am so proud of him and the changes that he has made. This picture was taken last Friday April 30th, he has lost weight and inches since then. Up to now, I think, that he has lost 35lbs!!! And more inches tan I know to put down. Yea for you dad keep it up. I think he would not care if I share one of the reasons that this has kept him going, he has told me that he is doing this for his kids, he wants to be healthier for us. Thanks dad I am behind you 100%! Keep it up! Only two more weeks!

Fun Boy Stories

Well there is always something going on around here that is journal worthy. Here are a bunch of pictures some with a fun story some just worth looking at.


This is a picture that was earlier this spring obviously! The boys have been into mountain men like Davy Crockett and Daniel Boon. Addler is moving to the mountains behind our house as soon as he can shoot a real gun and survive. Maestin reads up on both of these men as well as many others, he never stops reading. And Ruxton just follows along and makes everything a lot funner. In one of the books that Maestin read, it talks about Daniel Boon "running away" at a young age. Meastin was on a run away kick. So, between Addler wanting to be a mountain man, Maestin running away, and Ruxton doing whatever for a good adventure this is what they came up with, on the coldest night of the week. This is their fort they built in the back yard. They got real far. The boards on the front and back are to keep the Owl that lives back there from getting them. They were out there for ever. I was getting worried because it was so cold. Austin just sat with a grin on his face. I bribed them in the house with a bowl of ice cream. The best way to a boys heart. (Maestin's head is sticking out the back.)


I think that this picture pretty much speaks for itself. Everyone was in bed except Holdan. Maestin happens to come up and runs to get us, "mom and dad you have to come see Holdan" this is what we found! I think he is saying sorry.


If he is feeling good enough to dump the vaporizer out he doesn't need it in his room any longer. We walked in and he says. "Daddy all wet" Really?!How fun would it have been to have such big brothers? They are so fun they do anything that he wants. They love him as much as he loves them.
Me and the boys wanted to go the the DNCFR, so we went with Grandma and Grandpa Price. It was a lot of fun and they sat and watched the entire rodeo. And of course with Grandpa Price we stayed after for a bit to watch the sleepers get roped and thrown. Bet he has never had kids that loved to to that with him!


Well I have been calling him my baby and that might have to change! He is now out of his crib and in the "big boy bed" He loves it and thinks it is so cool to say his prayers kneeling down next to it. He is getting so big, and may get in a lot of things and make messes but... yea I will still call him my baby!

Mothers and Sons

""I knew you'd come! O Marmar! I did want you so!" For a moment they kissed and clung to one another, quite forgetting all the world; for no matter how lost and soiled and worn-out wandering sons may be, mothers can forgive and forget every thing as they fold them in their fostering arms. Happy the son whose faith in his mother remains unchanged, and who, through all his wanderings, has kept some filial token to repay her brave and tender love."

~Little Men
~Louisa May Alcott

Easter

Easter at our house was a bit wintry. We woke up Saturday to about four inches of slow and the wind was blowing at our house bad! But, the boys knewthe hunt was that morning and had big plans for the famous Malad Easter Egg Hunt so we bundled up and went. Austin was out feeding cows I called and asked if he was going, he said, "Oh, I thought you wouldn't go!" that is how cold it was. The boys had fun. Holdan was cute he would dig for a egg in the snow pick it up then wipe off his hands. He loved it and he found a Golden egg. Maestin did as well. Two of the boys received a coupon for a real baby chick, so I guess we will buy two more, smart store!

That night Maestin and Addler were determined to stay up for the Easter bunny. I went out in the front room around 10:30 pm and there they were laying asleep in front of the fire. We sent them down and Addler cried all the way to bed because he thought Maestin was going to stay up and then the Easter Bunny wouldn't come! The Bunny almost didn't I think he was tired. They had a good Easter and I loved laying in bed listening to them search for all the candy. When Holdan woke up he was so excited so were big brothers. Me and Austin gave them a bunch of books, and they all got a new shirt. As soon as Holdan saw his, he wanted it on. We had a great day spending it together and watching conference. It was a wonderful day with lots of memories made of us together as a family.So a note about these last two pictures. You are wondering what is wrong with that family? Well so was I . I wanted a picture of them all in their new shirts. This is what I got, and this is not all the pictures I took. They were driving me crazy so I told them I was gong to post a picture of how crazy they were for everyone to see, so here you go my crazy, yet so cute, boys! I know there is a reason the lord wanted me to have boys... What Is It!

This is Addler in his new Easter shirt and some new long johns that he found. How he came up with this I don't know but I thought it was cute. He changes at least five times a day. He has to dress the part for what ever game he is playing!