Thunder in the Dirt

For Isaac's birthday, and a little red neck entertainment, we took the kids (minus Hazel) to a tractor pull. It was pretty impressive. There were modified trucks and tractors. The trucks attempted to pull a sled with 3000 pounds on it. The tractors pulled 8000 pounds. The weight slides forward on the sled as it is being pulled, so it gets harder for the truck or tractor to move it. They were so loud. Many of the engines blew up at the end of their pulls. Some of the engines had flames pouring out of them at the end of their runs. The trucks all had huge engines, the tractors all had different configurations of engines. A couple had airplane engines mounted on the tractor. A few had 2 or 3 blocks on them. All of them were very loud and had cool paint jobs. Anyway, it was fun to watch and, thanks to the earplugs, we can all still hear this morning.

We took everyone to Thunder in the Dirt out in Taylor. It is a tractor pull. The modified trucks and tractors were insanely loud. Even with earplugs and holding our hands over our ears, it was loud. The noise vibrated the stands and our bones! It's a good thing that it was an outdoor arena. I can't imagine how loud it would have been at an indoor arena. 

This modified tractor had 3 engines on it. At the end of its pull, there was alcohol spraying out of its engine. Unfortunately it didn't start on fire. But that was fortunate for the driver. 

Modified truck pulling 3000 pounds on the sled. This one only made about 150 feet (or maybe it was yards?) 

Toby is really into being very silly. He is turning into a preteen (arghhhh). 

Isaac huffed and he puffed and he finally blew them all out. 

Isaac was very excited about opening his presents. 

Putt-Putt

Last night I took the kids and their friends to play putt-putt. (It's not called miniature golf here - it's putt-putt.) THey had fun and then played arcade games for a bit. I can't believe that my kids are growing up so fast. Having Hazel is such a sharp contrast. After four weeks I am still trying to figure her out. But things are getting better. I am getting a little more sleep. (Still not enough). And I am actually getting dinner made and the laundry done. The dishes seem to be lower on the priority list. But at least everyone is fed and has clothes to wear. The days are really hot. But at least it is a little cooler at night so that's when we go out. The only bad thing at night is the chiggers (bugs that lay eggs under your skin and then it itches like crazy for a couple weeks). But all in all things are going good. Tonight for Isaac's birthday we are going to Thunder in the Dirt (a tractor pull). This ought to be fun!

All of the kids played at once after the first two holes. It was speed putt-putt! 

Toby sinking a putt. 

Isaac is lining up to tee off. 

It's Not Fair!!

So Toby's birthday was yesterday and Isaac's birthday is tomorrow. Today we are taking the boys and a friend each mini golfing. Unfortunately, Aspen is feeling left out of everything because she gets to come, but doesn't get to invite a friend. She also feels slighted because the boys get presents that she would also like. I guess it is kind of hard for Aspen to watch her two brothers getting lots of presents and doing fun things without her. She doesn't remember that in February she was the one having the big sleepover and doing all the fun stuff. "It's not fair," she says as she stomps up to her room full of everything a little girl could want. All I can say is, "Life isn't fair. It's not supposed to be."

Tomorrow Hazel will be 4 weeks old. Look at those chipmunk cheeks. HOpefully soon she will get the sleeping thing figured out. 

Toby and his presents. His favorite was a cable to link his gameboy with the gamecube. (Who knew that a piece of cable could be so exciting!?!) 

today was toby's 10th birthday. ( I can't believe I have a 10 year old child!)  

She's packin' it on

I took Hazel to the doctor again today. And she gained more than a pound in the last 8 days! I was surprised. I knew she was getting bigger. . . but this was a lot! At this rate she'll be nearing 20 pounds by the end of the summer. I'll get some strong biceps toting her around! Anyway, that makes her 8 pounds 13 ounces.

Happy Father's Day!

Hi everyone, Well I hope all dads out there are celebrating their day. We want ya'll to know that we love you very much. And we miss you tons. The kids made the sign for their grandpas that are far away. Nate got an ice cream maker, a new board game, and a couple of cool cards. Unfortunately I forgot to buy the ingredients to make ice cream. So we'll try that out tomorrow. Anyway, Happy Father's Day Ya'll!!

Happy Grand-Father's Day to all our Grandpas and Great Grandpas!! Love, Toby, Aspen, Isaac, and Hazel 

Happy Father's Day Nate!