Pine Wood Derby

So this is what happens when your dad is an artist. You spend tons of time designing and painting your car. In the end you have the coolest looking pinewood derby car at the race.
Even though he couldn't race, Holden wanted to make one as well. His even has a little license plate on the back with his name on it.
The only problem with your dad being an artist is that all your time is spent making the car look really cool and not making sure it is the fastest car there.

The boys and I went early to help set up for the Pine Wood Derby. Greg Hill, one of the cub scout dads, was there and started to look at Nicholas's car. He told us that it was only running on three wheels and asked if we wanted him to fix the wheels a little. Of course we jumped all over that one. Later at the weigh in Nicholas's car was significantly under weight and so Patrick Robbins, another cub scout dad, gave us his extra weights.

After all the help from our troop, Nicholas's car took first in the wolf pack, second overall and qualified for the district meet. What a great troop we have! Thanks for all the help everyone.This is a picture of our troop singing a pinewood derby song before the races.

The district race took place at the Eastfield Mall the next month. Nicholas won a few of the heats and went home with a medal. Maybe if everyone helps us again, next year we will win at the district races as well.

senorjoe.deviantart.com

Besides loving photography, Joe loves cameras.  All kinds of cameras.  We have quite a collection.  One of his cameras is a Holga.  For those of you who aren't crazy for cameras, a Holga is a plastic $20 camera that shoots with medium format film.  (It's just a bigger square negative.) Holga cameras have quite a cult following for their unique way of taking pictures.  There isn't a ton of control with a Holga and Joe's Holga is held together with rubber bands.  He has posted some of his Holga pictures on the deviantart website.  They are different from most of his other stuff.  Here are two that I like.  If you want to see the others, check it out.  He would love it if you did.  Here is a link senorjoe.deviantart.com

Ice Skating Show

March 21, 2009

The culmination of all the ice skating lessons and classes was the Ice Show. Holden was in the spider number and the finale.



Nicholas was in the hockey number, the baseball number, and the finale.




Grandma and Grandpa Metzger came from New York to see the show. We also brought Sam, Julia, and Adam Moore with us to watch the boys.
They did such a good job and we are very proud of them. Good job Boys!

Eleven

Joe and I have been married for eleven years now. In recognition of that big milestone I decided to write about eleven things that I feel were pivotal to us getting married.

1. Taxi Fare

Joe and I both served our missions in Santiago Chile. My first transfer happened when I had only been in the country a few months and still had no idea of currency. We took taxis from our old areas to the church of our new area to meet our companions. Joe was at the church waiting for his companion when I arrived. I tried to pay for my taxi with the highest denomination in Chile. Of course the driver couldn't make change and I didn't have anything smaller. Joe came over and rescued me. That's how me met. (He's been rescuing me ever since.)

2. Moving To Apartment #142

Joe and I reconnected in Provo after we had both been home from our missions for a while. He lived at the Glenwood and I would see him now and then. That summer he moved into the Raintree where I lived. (He happened to know someone who was looking for a room mate. He did not move there because of me.) Provo gets pretty empty during the summer and at one point it was just Joe and a poor Russian kid who were paying rent on the apartment. Not that they were the only ones living there. Every couch, every bed, and most floor space was taken up. Joe took them all in. People love and trust Joe. This really impressed me. And it is at the Raintree, I really came to know Joe.

3. Sitting on the hill

Between two of the apartment buildings at Raintree was a hill. I'm not sure how many hours my friends and I spent just sitting there talking. Someone was always on that hill. OK, it really wasn't a hill, more like a bump. Juston used to sit on the "hill" and play his guitar. Mostly, people would just talk. Those are some great memories. Joe and I had loads of serious talks on the hill. Not about "us", because "we" didn't exist, but just about everything else. Once, we were talking about who we imagined we would end up with. I explained what the future spouse of Noel would be like and Joe said something that stuck. He said, "I don't think you know what you really want." He was right.

4. The hair cut

After the mission when Joe and I became reacquainted he had long hair. Joe has great hair, but it doesn't look good long. Even ask him, he'll tell you it's true. So anyway, the truth is I'm not sure I would have started to date him, if he didn't get it cut. What that says about me?

5. The tip

For our first official date, Joe took me to a Mexican Resturant called Los Hermanos. It is on the corner of University and Main Street in Provo and they have the best chips and salsa.

For whatever reason, (He was probably smitten by the very act of being in my presence) he didn't leave a tip. I remember thinking of how cheap he must be. A few days later I found out from a friend that he realized he forgot to tip, went back the next day and left a tip for our server. About a year later I got a job at that Mexican resturant and they told that story in training. I was very awed that he was willing to make an extra effort to right a wrong. Most people, including myself, would have just let it slide with an "Oops, I forgot. I'll remember next time." Not Joe.

6. The Walk

Joe and I spent the summer together. We'd go for long walks around the Provo and through the BYU stadium area, hang out, talk, and talk some more. We were always together. I felt really lucky to have such a great friend. And that's all it was for me.

Then one Sunday Joe was acting really weird. (Weirder than normal) He wouldn't look at me, didn't talk to me, and sat by my friend Heather instead of me. I thought something was up. He asked me to go for a walk with him that evening. We did this a lot so I didn't think anything of it. As we were walking he told me that it was really hard for him to be my friend because he loved me. I got really mad, yelled at him, and ran away. I just left him standing there in the parking lot of the Bread Store. It made me mad that things were going to change. I didn't want that. Looking back I realize if he won't have been brave enough to tell me things would never have changed and we won't be where we are today.

7. Moab

A bunch of us from Raintree went camping in Moab. At this point, I was still on the fence about Joe. There was a girl, Amy, who lived downstairs from us who wasn't on the fence about Joe. (She liked him.) They do say that you always want what others want and I think that is what happened here. (Don't judge me, you do it too, I'm just more honest.) It was during this trip that saw Joe in a new light. He really took care of others on the trip. He went in the back of the hiking group to make sure everyone was OK. He started all the fires and just watched out for everyone.

8. The Little Black Bird

I have some issues. But in my defense, everyone has issues. I think I broke up with Joe like a million times when we were dating. (Yes, I do exaggerate for effect.) Every time we would start to get closer I would freak out and pull away. Well one morning after a very nice night, Joe shows up at my apartment with this little stuffed black bird. I was still in bed so he brings it in my room, gives it to me, and says, "Don't fly away." How sweet is that? It melted my heart. We still have the bird. Matthew sleeps with it at night.

9. Joe's Rock

At the mouth of Provo Canyon there is a big rock that overlooks Utah Valley. Joe and I used to sit there and talk. Everyone called it Joe's Rock. He took me up there to aks me to marry him the first time. We had a lot of really meaningful conversations there. I gained alot of insight into him while looking down at our world.

10. My Roommates

While Joe and I were dating I had the best roommates in the world. Heather, Johanna, and Sonja all really liked Joe and that meant something to me. Whenever I had doubts about us one of them would tell me something great about him. They stood by me through all the ups and downs of our dating relationship, without ever thrashing him. I knew he must be a good guy if they all liked him.

11. The Song

Joe hates to admit it, but it saved us. The first time Joe asked me to marry him I said I didn't know. That was pretty much the end of it for him. He took off to Salt Lake to visit Sven and I couldn't find him. At that point I knew that I had pushed too far and I paniced, so I bought him a CD, wrapped it up, and left it on his bed. After he listened to it, he called me and we got back together. What is this magical song you ask? How Do I Live. Yes that all time cheesy song is Joe and my song.

There it is 11 monumental moments in what would become the saga of Joe and Noel.
Happy Anniversary Joe. I'm lucky to be your wife.

Field Day

Every year Westfield State College hosts a Field Day at their gym. This is our third year attending and the first year Holden could participate.Nicholas was very excited because some of his old friends from Swim Gym were there. He had a great time. His favorite activities were the parachute and the scooter races.
Holden got to be in a group with Aalyia and Kaleigh. I thought that would help, but he was still shy and quiet. He did like the obstcle course and the activity called Constructors and Builders.They always have a toddler area with lots of balls and mats, so Matthew loved it. Justus Butters came with us to keep Matthew company so that made it extra fun.

The Symphony

The Springfield Symphony offers a lunchtime concert the day before their real concert. The conductor talks about the pieces and gives some interesting information. We went to hear Vivaldi's Four Seasons. The boys really liked it. Kevin Rhodes, the conductor, is very energetic and quite entertaining. Of course it helps that the boys can eat their lunch during the concert. The Ackermans, Willingham girls and Jennie and Marie Hua went with us.

What makes me happy!

My Aunt Deanne tagged me to write six things that make me happy. Of course I've worked and thought about this for days.
So here it goes.
1. Joe.
Corney I know, but each day I am more amazed at how lucky I am to have him. He really is incredible. He makes me laugh everyday, and sometimes he means to.
2. My family.
I grew up with the world's best parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in the universe. They love me and taught me how to love.
3. Being a mom.
What is better than cuddling with small ones and listening to them tell you of their days. To be honest, I actually debated on posting this one. I do love my boys and can think of nothing I would rather be doing than raising them. Sharing in their discoveries and growth is so much fun. It's just hard to remember that when I'm cleaning up poop, washing dishes, and yelling at them to do their work.
4. Knowledge of the plan.
It sure helps when life deals out its crap* to know all of this will be for my own good and give me experience.
5. Diet Mtn Dew
It really is the nectar of the Gods!

* I apologize if my usage of this word has offended anyone. I considered other possible word choices, but really felt that this might be the least offensive.

I tag my sisters Sarah, Annie, and Rachel, my mom, Gail, and Lucy!

Ice Skating

One of the things that Mom and Dad wanted to do while they were here was to see the boys ice skate. Here are videos of them at their lessons. Holden hates ice skating lessons. He says it is too cold. Nicholas loves it. Of course he is scary to watch on the ice. I really think he will take someone out one day. Loads of speed and very little control. It was really fun for them to have Grandma and Grandpa there. (These videos are for them.)

I want a Prize

Lucy had this on her blog and since I want something cool, I am in. She did say it didn't have to be fibery!

The first three people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It’ll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it’s going to be.
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on your blog. The first 3 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of your prize when you get it!

Who’s in?

Mom and Dad's Visit

Before Mom and Dad came all the snow had melted. However, Mother Nature was afraid that Mom and Dad would be sad if they didn't get experience a North East snow Storm. It snowed so much. They had me take a picture of the snow on the picnic table in the back yard so they could show everyone in sunny Las Vegas that snow really does exist.

Mom and Dad also paid for a baby sitter so that I could go to the temple with them. The Boston temple is two hours away so I don't get there that often. I really appreciate the example of temple service my parents are. Every week my parents are at the temple. Even when they are on the other side of the country.
I wish you didn't leave me. You were such a big help. We are all so glad you came. Come back very very soon!

Yankee Candle

About 45 minutes north of us is the headquarters and flag ship store of Yankee Candle. We dragged mom and dad up there. Gail, Melisa, and their kids all came with us.
We walked around and saw all the neat displays they have. There are different themes in each room. And each room has it's own toy train running near the ceiling.In one room they had a bunch of decorated Christmas trees. Holden LOVES dill pickles, so he thought this trees with only pickles on it was the coolest ever.
In one room it snows every 5 minutes. Here the kids are waiting for it to snow. Pretty ironic considering how much snow really fell that week.Santa has his work shop right in the middle of Yankee Candle. There are animated elves, a countdown to Christmas and loads and loads of the coolest toys ever. Nicholas and Holden really liked the life size lego bionicle. While Matthew enjoyed playing on the Thomas table with Caleb.
After we had seen all the different rooms, we stopped to watch the show. These guys tell some pretty corny jokes and sing some pretty bad songs. Good thing they are robots. They don't get hurt feelings when no one claps.Grandma and Grandpa bought chocolate covered pretzels for everyone. As you can see, Matthew and Caleb really like theirs.
Last of all was the kids favorite part, candle dipping. Grandma and Grandpa even had the kids dip candles for their cousins in Las Vegas.

Butterfly Conservetory

We had a lot of fun while Mom and Dad were out visiting for Nicholas's baptism. After Yankee Candle we drove down the street and went to the Butterfly Conservatory.
There are always so many butterflies. And my kids run around hoping that one will land of them. Of course since they are running around the butterflies never do.

But, one did land on grandma. It stayed for a while too. It made the boys very jealous.
Thanks for a memorable day Grandma and Grandpa.