Tanner's Invention

Tanner had the option to invent something for a school Invention Convention they do every year. He has been waiting until finally this year he can participate. He has been so excited! He invented a Baseboard Cleaner. He claimed it was on behalf of his pregnant mom. Ohhh sweet.
He worked hard on it and we were all so glad when it was done!!
Tanner put it in the competition and he received a yellow ribbon. That means he is going to Boise!
Which means we are going to Boise to see a ton of other kids inventions.
But, we reconfigured and decided just Daddy and Tanner gets to go.
Here is a picture of his final Baseboard Cleaner Presentation. If you click on the picture you will see the individual pictures. Sweet one right by his head eh?


Tanner is so excited to go to Boise just he and Daddy and sleep in an actual HOTEL!

I will be here with Corbs and Savannah and an extremely pregnant belly.
Nathan is gone all week this week and next. Then we will have a baby. So, if anyone receives a phone call come help me, I am delivering a baby alone.




I thought all would enjoy a picture of our family all 4 kids!! Don't I look lovely?

refinished table

The story behind our kitchen table.
We received this table from our neighbor in Kerman, Ca. She had used this table from about the 70's (complete with the Formica type greenish hue top) to 2003 where she then stored it in her garage. We took it off her hands complete with the original 70's chairs.













We liked the leaves that came with the table and it made this table very big.
We sanded this thing and repainted it 3 times with black paint trying to make it just right. It worked for about a year.



Then the paint began to chip. Tanner helped to chip it as he would eat dinner. I am sitting on the original 70's chair, barely holding me up.




We thought our chairs were extremely mismatching and it was time to upgrade. We checked into new table sets and then Nathan thought lets see what is underneath the last Formica layer. He went at it and found it was cherry!





So Nathan went after it big time. Mask and scraper and many hours in the garage. I did not help a bit, he was awesome! (the pregnant excuse was used)
We junked the chairs (by throwing them on our driveway to break them up and trashed them-they were beyond hope) I loved seeing them hit the curb!


Our final product,




Which I am extremely happy with! We purchased the chairs from Target.com and we have our new dining set for an extremely cheaper amount of money then if buying a new set!
(to get the full effect, click on the picture to get the WOW view!)









The more expanded view.
Nathan receives the credit for it. The end result a very happy wife!

Little Buds

Corbin literally copies everything the other two say. If Savannah is telling me a story then Corbin copies her every sentence. If Tanner says lets go play, Corbin literally jumps at the chance!
He loves his big Brother and Sister. He asks about them all day long "Is Tanner is school?" "Is Savannah sleeping?" (Savannah sleeps until about 9 everyday).
For FHE we went swimming (yes, the beached whale joined in amongst the many stares). When we announced we were going, the older two took off to grab their suits (this swimming stuff does not happen all that often). Corbie waited until they were gone and with his head tilted looked at me with a soft voice and asked "Do I get to go to?"-usually it is for swimming lessons, Corbs and I watch from the side. Then he asked in a puppy voice "Do I get to get IN the water and swim too?"


Tanner and Corbin disappeared into their room and came out dressed as look-a-likes. (Corbin says he needs to show his belly cause Tanner does when he goes to bed). Check out the awesome BVD's poking out. Corbin is potty trained, celebrate!









Corbin sitting on his potty. The book he has opened is about Joshua going to the "Potty Potty". We have read that book countless times.







Sidenote: Remember the boxes? We 'forced' her to get rid of all but her most favorite. She has it decorated and I am a much happier mom. The other 5 made it to the recycling bin! Happy Days!

Our wood projects

There have been some requests to see how the Lincoln Logs are made. I will give a glimpse. Plus, some other wood projects we have done.


Nathan using the table saw to cut the grooves in the L.L.


Hard to vision the final outcome, but after he cuts the grooves, he then goes back and cuts each section of wood vertically the size of a regular L.L.

Like so. They lack the rounded edges. But, that will come.


Had to add this picture in. Corbin loves to help Daddy. He is sitting watching with the regular size ear protectors on. Nathan is cutting each L.L and pushes them off the table saw into the red tote. So, then I get to do the next step.
Routing the edges. Of course, please don't look at this picture and take it to heart. I look real real sweet.



I am routing the edges to give the rounded finish. I take them from the red tote and then kick them off to another tote. They are complete.
This next picture is of Corbin strutting his stuff, but also showing the L.L.'s and the train table that Nathan and his Dad made for Christmas 2 years ago. By far, one of our best and most used toys we have! They made the containers underneath, complete with Chalkboard paint labels and they roll on wheels. I LOVE them! (The dark L.L.'s are the originals that he copied).

Some other projects.
The frames for our world maps. He surprised me with these for Christmas 2 years ago.


A few other projects:

Savannah's white cubby holder and message board.
The black shelf and table that Nathan refinished.
There are others, but this is a taste of the not too long ago projects.

Holiday Happenings

A little look at some of the things we did with our looong school break.
We joined with our friends Adam and Mandy to build Gingerbread houses. The great part is it is a kit, icing included, from Costco. Worth it!

Tanner and Nathan built a cool snow fort using our Recycling Bin. Only doing our share to save the earth.

After it was built, they of course needed to have a snow ball fight, Nathan's terms.

We also went to the awesome lights out in the South Hills. This homeowner totally decks out his property for the public as well as dresses up as Santa Clause wishing everyone a Merry Christmas with a candy cane. It was awesome! The kids were in heaven.

Tanner did plenty of Snow Shoveling for the neighbors

Corbin found the snow this year and loved it!

And of course the 4 wheeler had to make an appearance. We were glad there was enough snow! Nathan and Corbin gave all the kids rides. (Nathan appears a little big for the small 4-wheeler. We are just glad it runs!


After all was said and done there was also some of this

Too tired and tuckered out!

Attempt at Family Pictures

Ok, so I have been mentally prepping myself for the reality of what family pictures entail. It would be pulling teeth, hands and feet to take Nathan (and kids) to a studio, so I settled for 2nd best, Mandy. What helped me persuade my 7 year old into his matching sweater was that Mandy is a 'photographer' because she has taken a photography class. (she and I took it together that is why our photos are so amazing!). Right?
It worked. Tanner wore the sweater then literally ripped the thing off when we were done. I prepped Nathan ahead of time to help me out and be a good sport. I can guarantee you, Mandy helped by her presence being there to cover up his real feelings.
We managed to capture some that will have to work until next year when there is another pulling teeth, hands and feet to attempt this. Perhaps it will be them pulling mine because I will be mentally drained from the emotional trauma this causes me! Just kidding they did pretty good, sort of.

We began our adventure in our neighbors back porch by her pile of wood. After a few clicks of Mandy's magic touch, the husband declared "good we are done!". I said yeh right buddy!

We then trampled into her house and took some from her fireplace. Nathan said "ok we are done how about a piece of candy kids? I declared, NOT YET!

He said to me "Mandy does not want to spend all day with us" I told her yes she does. So we got one last outdoor attempt with the kids in Tanner's snow fort.

I think some turned out OK! For the rest of the day I was just so thankful we got them done! If you want to see all of them (which I know you do) leave me a comment requesting so and I will gladly fill your need!

Savannah the dancing queen

Savannah has been in dancing. She has enjoyed it quite a bit (surprise anyone?).
She had her little dance recital and looked extra cute. (biased opinion).
She missed the last practice due to pinkeye so she is a little off, but still...she is a budding star.


I did not get the video of the end pose.
So here is her picture. (this blog is probably a lot more interesting for G and G's).

Corbin had a great time. He got to sit back in a cool chair and eat some Teddy Grahams.

Pretty pumped you think?
She had a fun time, after she felt comfortable. Corbin got up and danced in the aisle, Tanner took lots of pictures with his camera. Nathan asked after each little age group "are we almost done?" (bop him on the head!) We are well on our way to a supportive family for a budding actress!