The Marshmallow Squirter

Jeremy came to us one day saying he wanted to make a "marshmallow squirter" and we both just looked at each other wondering how we were going to handle this request... Well, Amber got on the computer and Google helped us find this:

Ok, cool. We knew what he wanted to make, now we just needed to find the parts to do it. Because we were out having Valentine's dinner, it was pretty late when we got home. We started getting the boys ready for bed and Jeremy remembered that we promised we would make the marshmallow squirter...

This is where Mom of the Year stepped in. Amber took him out to Home Depot at 8:30 p.m. while I got Ammon down to bed and she did it! Mad props to the guys at Home Depot, especially the one who chugged his Coke to test the bottle lid size. They totally found everything we needed.

Amber and Jeremy got home and we went to work. That little guy was so stoked! It turned out pretty steezy too...

Valentine's Day 2012

This year, Valentine's Day was really special. It wasn't for the gifts Amber and I got for each other, but because it was just great to be together as a family with our boys. Mom got us a gift card to The Cheesecake Factory (props to Mom because that place is AMAZING), so we went out on Monday night to celebrate. The meal was fantastic! Ammon was fussy, Jeremy was squirmy, my order came out wrong, we forgot Ammon's binky, but it was fantastic. We were together, we were a family. We did a little shopping after and then came home. I helped one of the Scouts with his Pinewood Derby car and Amber frantically ran to Home Depot to help Jeremy create a "Marshmallow Squirter" (post coming soon!). Yeah, that's our crazy life! But I love it.

By the time actual Valentine's Day day arrived, we were both really excited to give each other our gifts. We have the habit of buying things for each other early, teasing each other back and forth for weeks about what it is and how much the other will like it, and then when it finally comes time to give it... it's even better than expected (at least for me)! That's one thing I love about Amber, she always knows how to give me things I will absolutely love. And need. Like my new Utah Utes clock for my shop. It's perfect. For her, another time-themed gift: a new white watch that is SOOOOOO cute on her! (Seriously, she's adorable with it!)

Even Jeremy got into the V-Day spirit by making valentines for everyone. He designed them himself, cutting out the paper and gluing his cards together. He definitely made his mom and grandma proud! Amber helped him with the messages, writing exactly what he told her to. They were hilarious!

We had a great evening together just staying at home. We cleaned the house, played with the boys, and just enjoyed being together. That's what it's really all about, I think. I'm a pretty lucky guy, I'd say.

Christmas Tree Prank (Allegedly)

Allegedly, something went down late at night a month or so ago. Someone allegedly posted on Facebook that someone else had allegedly left 10 Christmas trees on their front porch. Well, this allegedly gave somebody else the idea to relocate said 10 Christmas trees (along with "a few" others) to a different person's house. This different person allegedly has a reputation around the neighborhood where they live for being a prankster and being unprankable... Allegedly, that all changed and they just got pranked. And pranked GOOD.

The following photos were allegedly linked to the events of that late night a month or so ago. Allegedly, there were not 10... not 20... but THIRTY Christmas trees found at the scene of the prank. I'm just thinking to myself that it's quite an accomplishment to collect 30 Christmas trees in one night (allegedly).

Allegedly, the following text message was also sent and received the same night as the alleged prank occurred. I don't know about you, but it sounds a little fishy to me. I mean, a black Chevy truck, allegedly, full of Christmas trees? How did the texter even know the truck was black? It was at night! Allegedly.

The next day, it looked as though a large hedge had been erected outside of the alleged "unprankable" person's house. They must have used Miracle-Gro or something to have a hedge grow that tall overnight! A pine hedge...

So if you see a mystical black truck driving around the neighborhood late at night collecting Christmas trees, allegedly, let me know. I'd love to have been a part of it. I mean, I'm sure those involved had a great time! Clearly, it wasn't me, though. If it had been me, there would have been at least 50 trees... and geese involved. Allegedly.

Racing Stripes Are All The Rage

After finishing the trailers, I couldn't help feeling like mine looked a little plain on the outside. I didn't want to add the same wood trim that Tim and Dad had, so I decided I wanted to paint the sides instead. After months of waiting for someone to clear their schedule to paint it for me, I took matters into my own hands and did it myself!

Tim has a coworker named Devin who has experience with body work and paint. We threw some ideas around, finally decided upon a design we liked, and started collecting the supplies we needed. Tim and Devin came over last weekend and we went to work.

As you can see, it turned out great! It was a good day's work, if I do say so myself. I couldn't be happier with it and the best part of all was that we did it ourselves here in the garage. I can't wait to get this thing out onto the open road and into the outdoors! Jackalope Bros., baby.

Friday

This has to be the worst song ever written. I'm pretty sure every time I hear it I start to go a little more deaf. I really don't want to be rude or anything. I mean, good on her for making money and all. But can you really justify selling poop to people and making money?

"Here you go." "What is this?" "It's poop." "Why would I want to buy poop?" "Because I'm selling it. Enjoy!"

Yeah, it's kind of like that. So why would I want to put this on my blog? Why would I subject all my loyal followers to this torture? Because it's so awful that it's awesome. And it all started with this:

One day, as coincidence would have it, a FRIDAY, Jeff sent me this email with a this link to a YouTube video. We share a lot of YouTube videos back and forth and so I opened it... and was betrayed. Yes, that horrible video above was what waited for me. Logically, I did what anyone in their right mind would do at that point, I turned it off... and forwarded it on!

Now, it's a wonderful game. Go ahead, friends, pay it forward! Today, as coincidence would have it, is FRIDAY. Find any way possible to torment all your loved ones with this horribly awesome song. Trust me, it's hilarious. Hit me up with any great success stories and who knows, you might make it on the blog! Enjoy! Happy Friday, Friiiiiiiiiday!

My "New" Truck

For Christmas, Amber, Jeremy, and Ammon surprised me with an awesome, AWESOME present... They paid for my truck to get a full detail! I was SO surprised and couldn't believe it! I've wanted to get the truck detailed for a while now, but knew that it was expensive and never really looked into it. The best part of the present, though, was this poem that the boys (and Amber) wrote for me:

Yeah, I was stoked. And a little teary. These guys are the best.

So fast forward a few weeks and I finally got my detail done! Guess what... the truck looks (and especially SMELLS) brand new! The guys at Polished Image in Layton did an INCREDIBLE job! Everything was absolutely pristine. I couldn't be happier with it. (And you know they did a good job if they can make it new after hauling around a troop of Boy Scouts for the past few months!)

If you need a vehicle cleaned, definitely call the guys at Polished Image. They'll take good care of you for sure. My truck most definitely has its steez back! Uhn!

Woodwork Merit Badge

We've got a Pinewood Derby coming up this month and what's the best way to get in the mood for Pinewood Derby? To do the Woodwork Merit Badge of course! So that's what we did.

Joe Dryden grew up helping his dad in a cabinet shop in Idaho and can do AMAZING things with woodwork and carpentry. Logically, he was the perfect man to come and teach the boys. He talked about the process of getting wood from forest to mill, mill to store, and store to something useful. He even brought each of us 10 samples of different types of wood and we had to guess which sample was which type wood. It was a blast!

After our quiz, we pulled out a notepad and designed a box that we could make, down to the exact measurements and dimensions. We pulled out the saws, drills, and nail guns and got to work! The boxes turned out great!

Joe did such a great job! Once again, we are so lucky to have such qualified members of our ward to help the boys and support our Scouting program. Thanks, Joe! Now let's get ready to Derby!