Inside & Outside

A couple weeks ago, Aaron had it in his head that he wanted to go to another hockey game. We took him to a game in December, and even had great seats in a suite...why should we go again in January? He is very persistent, that Aaron. On Monday he said, "Only 4 more days until the game." He changed it to 3 more days on Tuesday, and so forth. I finally told him the only way we would go to that hockey game is if I won free tickets from the radio station.

Well, guess what? I won the tickets for Friday night's game! I could not believe it. Aaron is one lucky kid. Since Derek was fighting mono, the 4 tickets I won worked out perfectly for me to take all 3 boys to the game. It was a freeeeezing cold night, but we bundled up and drove out to the arena. It was loud. It was cold. But it was a fun time with my boys. :) I wish I had a picture of Aaron's big smile when the puck dropped. But it's on my phone. Maybe someday I can get it on the blog. I splurged for popcorn and skittles--since the tickets and parking were free, why not? In the second period the "player of the period" scored a goal, earning everyone in attendance a coupon for a free runza or hamburger from Runza. Score! Braylen and Kaleb were great big brothers to Aaron on this night. That was probably my favorite part of it all. Kaleb saw his teacher, Aaron saw some friends, and Braylen took our picture. :) 

Hockey!

Again, a couple weeks ago, Derek's parents and the boys worked on de-boning the deer meat. Derek was inside fighting mono...by resting. :) He didn't want to miss out, but the boys did a great job covering for him!

Aaron was the carrier, while Kaleb, Braylen, and Grandma worked with knives.
Grandpa stood at the sink, which is where Aaron carried the meat back and forth.

One more time...a couple weeks ago, Kaleb and Aaron rediscovered their knitting hobby. They are knitting bookmarks and scrubbies, with plans to stock their store. Aaron has sold 2 bookmarks so far--and then he asked to borrow one back to use in his chapter book. :)

January Knitting Club

Moving on to more current days...here is a picture from our 4-wheeling adventure last weekend. Notice I am wearing my new helmet. Derek bought it for me for Christmas. Don't worry Dad--it's not for motorcycles!

I drove "Mama Bear." That is my name for this 4-wheeler.
Braylen and Hunter are facing me in this picture.

Like they do every January, the boys built some forts in the basement. Aaron started it all this time. His plan was to build a fort and then ask Braylen to play with him. That way Braylen had to say yes, since the fort was already built and all. Braylen took it a step further and built a fort of his own. Good job, Buddy! Many hours have been spent playing Nerf gun wars in those forts this week. Sometimes it's 1 on 2, sometimes 1 on 1. When Daddy or Hunter joins in they play 2 on 2. Derek's spent quite a bit of time playing 1 on 1 with Aaron. He found the little boy that still lives inside of him during these battles. :) Oh--and did I mention they do this in the dark? With their new wind-up flashlights!

Aaron's fort that he built by himself: he sticks his gun through the opening
between the blue and red blankets, or between the blue and white blankets.
Mom and Dad, aren't you glad to see the kitchen is still put to good use?

Braylen's fort...this is the one Daddy uses when he plays with Aaron.

This next picture is for my brother...see Aaron's bear slippers? What a great Christmas gift! Ginger doesn't know what to think of them though. :)

Yesterday was a very cold day. Bitter cold. Kaleb came walking to the van after school without his coat on. Why? I asked him that question, and he said he was testing something his art teacher told him. They made paper moccasins in class that day, and she told them moccasins keep people warm. So he carried his paper moccasin and guess what--he was very cold when he got in the van. Sometimes I can't tell when he's kidding or when he's being serious...this was one of those times. :) Then Aaron came walking up to the van...with his hoodie on backwards, and the hood over his face. The hood on his coat was up too, so he looked like one big hood wandering in the grass. Silly, silly boys! :)

And that is what has kept us busy lately--inside and outside!