BB Guns and Boys

Spring is here so why not get out your gun? Sounds logical if you are a 12 and 10 year old boy.

You can shoot pop cans off of the barbwire fences

Or shoot holes in your Mom's favorite shed's window

Ahhh! the fun off Spring, A Red Ryder, a can of BB's and hundreds of possible targets.

At least they didn't " shoot their eye out."

Yipee Break Up is Here

Russ is on breakup, the time of year when the logging roads break apart and are not usable, so he's home with me. Those who know me well, know that this is a good enough excuse why my blogging has taken second stage. Those who don't know the details of Russ and break up are just about to find out.

When Russ is working and especially when he is at camp I rule as a friend, mother, and confidant. However, the day breakup begins I stink it up. It's not my fault, I really love spending time with Russ. We play together, visit, build, renovate, catch up on new release movies and do what ever we darn well want. My friends and family don't always understand that one day I might run to the phone to see what we could possibly do together and just like that the next day I may not even answer the phone at all.

So you can see why my blogging has suffered some, I am spending time with my husband and really I am not even making apologies. Just be patient with me, in only 3 short months Russ will be back at work and if you will still take me I will be back on top as best friend, mighty crafter, teachers help and fun sister. See you then. Jana

P.S. this doesn't mean I won't blog at all just keep checking up on me.

How to Build a Kub Kar

Oh, the Kub Kar. After this year we have assembled 7 Kub Kars and have estimated that we have 6 more to go. The boys love the Kub Kar rally (also known as the pinewood derby).

The scout leader hands out the little red box, complete with a block of wood, tires and 4 tiny, very loseable nails, I am speaking from experience here.

The boys sketch and finally choose what the finished car, the winning car will look like.

They meticulously sand the now formed block of wood so that any wind resistance will be avoided.

They carefully and skillfully paint on the design.

Dad adds the wheels, the weights and the all powerful graphite.

And the race begins.

The racers are nervous. Will they win? Will the "Blue Thunder" pull out a win?

Will all the hard work and effort pay off?

Nope! each of the boys won one race each, the big trophy has slipped from their grasps again. Their final race was fought brother vs. brother and as you can see no feelings were permanently hurt.

I have to say I am really pleased with my boys. Aside from Dad cutting out the shape and helping with weights and tires, the boys completed their cars on their own and they had a lot of fun doing it, plus they were good sports and that's not always easy when all that work only merits one little win each.

March 31st ?

This is what the northern world woke up to on March 31st. Yes, more snow, will it ever cease?

Ohhhhh!! the agony, the depression, the utter dispare. Wait, I won't let it get me down, I will fight this thing.

So like any other stubborn Gulbranson girl I decided I would face the snow head on and not let it get me down. I yelled up the staircase for the boys to join me and even before breakfast was to be served we had began the spring clean of the mudroom. You see, I have a theory, that if you take out all the winter clothes, wash them, pack them in bins and place them high in the shelves winter will disappear.

The boys didn't understand the reasoning but one look at my agitated face and they were off to work. We cleared everything out of closets, washed walls, floors, doors, moulding and every other source of wintery dirt. And you know, there may be something to my theory after all. The very next day things started to warm.

Oh, it's certainly not spring yet, but I think Mother Nature may have understood my frustration and is giving us a little sunshine. And you know, the boys really haven't minded blue fingers, wet feet or the chattering of their teeth. Like any other little boy they have only appreciated the cleanliness of the mudroom.

Bridger putting away skates and washing shelves

Good bye cruel winter.

Duties and Doughnuts

The General Priesthood Session of Conference is one of the favorites in our home. While the men are away on Priesthood duties, the younger boys and I make doughnuts. We look forward to the priesthood coming home and telling us about their favorite talks and listening to their favorite stories. We sit around the table, listen, sip ice cold milk and eat a fresh, warm doughnut. The other boys always look forward to being the next to attend Priesthood meetings with their Dad. This year was a first in our little family, Grandpa Jensen, Russell and Mckay all went to the session together.

Doughnut dough.

Cutting the doughnuts

Into the deep fryer

Out of the fryer

Rolled in Sugar

Coleson's Baptism

Congratulations to Coleson who was baptized on April 1, 2009 by his father Russell. Coleson has been excited for months about this special day. We discussed baptism the night before at Family Home Evening and practised what would take place the next day. I gave the talk on baptism and his brothers sang a song. Two others boys, Kaylon McKee and Tias James were also baptized. Thank-you to all his aunts and uncles who attended and to Grandma and Grandpa Jensen who came all the way from Utah to be here for Coleson's big day. The only people Coleson missed were his Cousin and best friend Conner and his other best friend Brennan Loose. It was a great day.