Icepocalypse 2011

For those that did not experience Indiana Icepocalypse 2011, this picture pretty much sums up the experience. First, note the size of the ice chunks that we have already busted up. It was about an inch and a half of solid, heavy ice. It LOOKED like snow but was, in fact, ICE. That ice was, of course, slippery. But when EVERYTHING is covered in ice, you cannot believe how incapacitating it is! In this picture, the children literally could not get back up the driveway, which is on a pretty good incline. (Although that doesn't show in this picture!) Anyway, Nick had to throw the boys an outdoor extension cord just to get back up to a non-slippery surface.

At first I thought they were being helpless and ridiculous but then it happened to me. I slipped and fell while busting up the ice with a shovel (picture a cartoon character slipping--that is about what I looked like). Then I proceeded to slide aaaallllllll the way down to the bottom of the driveway. Again, this picture does not do our driveway slope justice. Now, once I was at the bottom, I attempted to crawl up.

And. Simply. Could. Not.

I mean, there was nothing to grab hold of. No way to get traction. I wasn't being funny or trying to make it more dramatic than it was. Similar to the elderly lady in that commpercial, I had fallen and couldn't get up. So Nick had to throw ME the extension cord (after he stopped laughing, of course) and pull me up. Thanks for the memories Icepocalypse. :)

Monster Truck Jam 2011

Last Friday night we headed down to Lucas Oil Stadium for the Monster Truck Jam. Now, I have to tell you that none of us had ever been to such an event but we got discount tickets through Cub Scouts so off we went. On Friday night we got to go preview the trucks and got to walk around the track. Then Saturday night we got to see the actual Jam. Things to remember about the Monster Truck Jam:

1. It is loud. Loud on a scale that defies explanation. You will NOT be able to talk or communicate effectively with your family. Even with ear protection it was loud.
2. You must have the male chromosome to truly appreciate the speed and destruction offered by Monster Truck Jam.
3. It is kind of cool to see a large truck demolish an old RV.

Here are the picures and even a quick video of our Monster Truck adventure.

Notice Andrew's "Tough Guy" face in each picture. He's hilarious. And apparently he has an extra male chromosome because this was RIGHT up his ally.

Pinewood Derby 2010

Alex had his first Pinewood Derby through Cub Scouts last weekend! Nick and Alex had worked hard on creating "The Flaming Arrowhead" (the car's name).















Here's their finished product. (Nick had to restrain himself a number of times from really tricking the car out--it's supposed to be done by the boys!)

Here are all the cars in their pack--it was a loooong morning of racing! :)

Here is Alex's first heat. (The Flaming Arrowhead is in the far right track.) I couldn't believe that they had electronic starts and even an electric eye that timed the cars. Very high tech.

Here's how long the track is...

...and they're off! As you can see, our Flaming Arrowhead didn't do so well in it's first heat...but we all had fun. And Nick, uh, I mean Alex is already planning for next year's car!

Christmas 2010

OK, I think we can all agree that the boys look ADORABLE in their matching Christmas PJs! Here they are setting out the cookies, carrots and milk for Santa (you can sort of see the plate on the table behind them)
















Here is Alex amid all the presents that Santa brought--right before they were torn to bits, of course! (P.S. Please notice that the Santa gifts all actually have Santa printed on the paper and each boy had his own wrapping paper. No one else notices these things so I feel compelled to call attention to them myself! :) )


















Santa, knowing Andrew's affinity for all things Star Wars and especially Vader, brought Andrew a Darth Vader dress up costume. He wore this much of the rest of the morning and afternoon. Until Nana brought him a Buzz Lightyear dress up costume. Then he was Buzz the rest of the day.







































Alex was adorable and didn't seem to really care what he was getting just so he was opening a gift! He loves the excitement of any celebration.




















For reasons I have yet to fully understand the one thing he expressly mentioned in his letter to Santa was "a really big candy cane." Who was I...um, I mean Santa...to deny him?! (As a side note, he sucked on this for about 10 minutes and then declared "This is just too much candy" and was done for the day!)



















Nana and Grandpa Bob stopped by later in the afternoon and we feasted on standing rib roast (YUM!) and various other delectables. What a great Christmas day!!!

Gingerbread Cookie Decorating

The boys and I had a blast decorating the gingerbread men this year! They are finally at an age where they "get" it and can really enjoy themselves. See if you can tell which one's were mine and which ones were the boys in the final picture. :)