WVU vs ISU Football Game

Another fun even this weekend was the Iowa State versus West Virginia football game. We left the boys in McGregor with Grandma and Grandpa and headed down to meet our friends in Ames. We got in Friday night for dinner and went to a restaurant, where we ran into Iowa State Basketball coach Fred Hoiberg. I didn't get a picture because I'm shy, but trust me, he was there.

It was nice to enjoy a dinner out with friends minus the kids. 

The next morning, we headed out early to get in some tailgating. It turned out to be a really nice day. Not too cold. We enjoyed hot chocolate, breakfast pizza, and of course, beer. 

Before the game, we enjoyed a victory doughnut. Yummy!

The doughnuts didn't work. We ended up losing. But it's always nice to see a game in person, especially with great friends. 

Thanks for hosting us Rob and Laura! Next season will be much better, right? Can't go anywhere but up from the bottom. :-)

Thanksgiving

This year was a Strutt Thanksgiving, so after school on Tuesday we hopped in the car, picked Dad up from work, and got on the road to Iowa. We made it as far as Lincoln, NE where we stopped at a hotel for the night. The boys thought that was fun. They love sleeping in hotels. We got a breakfast at the hotel, then got back on the road. This time we didn't stop until we got to McGregor. We spent the evening at my grandparents house with some aunts, uncles, and cousins (and their kids). It was a wild bunch. Then we moved into my parent's apartment for the night. In the morning, the boys had their traditional breakfast in front of the window. They love looking outside at the town while they eat, I guess.

Then we dressed them up in their Thanksgiving best. 

Aren't they cute?

We were the only ones from my immediate family here so they got in some quality Grandma and Grandpa time. 

Then we headed over to my grandparent's for a full day of eating. 

A few of my cousins were there with their kids so the boys had a lot of second cousins to play with. 

There were lots of card games going on. 

My mom had also bought some activities for the kids. One of which was a tablecloth they could color on with crayons. That kept the kids busy for a while. 

She also had the older kids help her make place cards for everyone that would be at Thanksgiving. 

It was a full house for the meal. We had 29 people there and that is less than half of the family!

After lunch, the kids watched movies in Grandma and Grandpa's room (like I used to when I was growing up). 

They also put Joe to work building origami (Josh got a book as a present from my other grandparents). 

I guess it was tiring work, so he laid down behind the couch for a nap. Hah!

Here are Grandma and Grandpa-Great with all the great-grandkids that were there. This family is getting big. 

There were plenty of things to keep Patrick busy as well. He spent a good amount of time walking around taking pictures with my camera. 

And my cousin, Paul, brought his dog. Patrick had a good time following her around.

Friday morning we met my other grandparents for breakfast. Since we are not making it up for Christmas, they brought the boys' presents to breakfast so they got to open them early. Patrick got a puzzle (which he built into a tower), Daniel got a cars book and drawing board, and Josh got the origami book. They all loved them. 

Patrick and Daniel ordered pancakes with whipped cream and this is how they came out. Cute!

It was nice to see so much family over the weekend. I'm glad we are still able to make this happen. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Castle rock star lighting

Every year the town of Castle Rock has a celebration leading up to the lighting of the star at the top of the rock. We talk about going every year but this year it worked out to go as we were in town, we had nothing else on our calendar, and it was a high of 60 degrees that day. So we bundled up and headed to downtown Castle Rock.

We walked around a bit and looked at vendors. Then we found this slide for the boys. 

They are not great pictures as they were taken on my phone and it doesn't do well with motion.

This is Daniel.

This is Patrick.

Josh went down the slide at the same time as Patrick so I didn't get him. 

Then we waited around in the dark until they lit the star. They had fireworks going behind it so it was pretty neat.

Let the Holiday season start!

Meeting Santa

Every year my MOPS group puts together an event where we get to see Santa at someone's house. It means no waiting in lines (you have a set time) and they have toys to play with and snacks to eat. The boys love it and it makes it really easy for me (especially since I was on my own with the three boys). 

The big boys knew what was going on and were ready to go. Josh, of course, needed a little coaxing to smile but Santa was prepared to make kids laugh. I think it worked.

Daniel jumped right in. They were singing Jingle Bells and shaking real bells. He loved it.

Patrick was not so convinced. He would not sit on Santa's lap by himself but when his brothers were there, he was okay. This is the only photo we got of him without his hands in front of is face though. Better than last year, where he was crying. Progress!

Merry Christmas from the Weldon boys.

Daniel's 6th Birthday

We now have a six year old in the house. He is getting so big! 

The morning started with breakfast in bed. He had requested strawberry pancakes with orange juice. It was a little tricky getting it up into the top bunk but we made it and he managed to eat without making a mess.

They celebrated at school where he brought everyone Hot Wheels cars (of course). They also gave him this crown and he got to stand on his chair while they sang him Happy Birthday. He thought it was pretty neat.

That night we meet the other Colorado Weldons for dinner at Golden Corral (his choice). It also happened to be Military Appreciation Night so we actually had to wait in a line to get in and it was pretty crowded but the boys did well. He even got to open one present while we were there.

A few days later, we were getting ready for his party. He got to help out with the cake. He actually made the batter all on his own.

Patrick helped out with the cleaning.

He is currently in a "naked" phase. Every morning I get his pants on and he says, "I be naked" and won't let me put on his shirt. I get it on him to leave the house but if we are home, he has no shirt.

Daniel also helped with the initial frosting. He is very hands-on in the kitchen.

After three different attempts, I was finally able to get a rocket on the cake. The first two ended in cakey messes. Oh well, at least this one worked. It even made it to the birthday location and stayed vertical until we cut it, so it was a success (I was very worried).

About two months before his birthday, Daniel was invited to a buddy class at a Martial Arts studio by his friend. We are trying to find a new activity for him as sports are not working out. From that class, he received a free birthday party so we signed him up. He invited his classmates and met them at the Martial Arts studio for the party. They had a ball.

They played some games (this one they are trying to tag each other's knee).

And got to kick things. I love how the boys are both screaming in this one.

They also did races where they got to jump over pads. They had them stacked up pretty high at the end. 

Then it was time for cake.

He got to cut it with a real Samari sword. Of course, he thought that was awesome.

And then he showed all his friends how he can break a board with his hand. All his friends were cheering him all. It was really cute.

I think it was a successful celebration. Happy 6th Birthday, big guy! We can't wait to see what the next year holds.

PS. Here is one of the failed attempts. I don't think this cake liked me very much.

Mother/son night

Every November the boys' school puts on a Mother/Son night. Daniel was not behaving so he missed it this year but Josh and I had a good time. 

We started in the science room where they were talking about dry ice. The scientist had all kinds of fun things to do with it. 

They made bubbles that they popped on the kids' heads. 

They also had you taste the gas.

They served pizza for dinner and had a crushed ice cart available for dessert. Josh mixed all the flavors available to make a gross looking black color but it tasted pretty good.



Then we headed over to make some slime. Here is Josh shaking it up. Sorry it didn't turn out very well. Phone cameras and moving subjects don't mix.



We ended the night playing video games in a rented truck outside. I think Josh had a great time and it is always nice to get to spend one-on-one time with the kids.