A Wolf And A Race

Last week Braxton recieved his wolf badge a gold and two silver arrows at the Blue and Gold banquet . We are so proud of his willingness to continue to work in the scouting program. He loves scouting and has had a blast being with the scouting program here in our ward. I have always thought guys are handsome in uniforms. Isn't he just so handsome?




Braxton wasn't too keen on how his pinewood derby turned out for him last year and wasn't too sure that he wanted to have anything to do with it this year. He and Brandon worked hard on getting it sanded and completed. Then race day came and we went. Braxton belly aching the whole way. We were constantly talking to him about positive attitude the entire thirty minute drive to the church. We had gotten a cheap food scale and found out that it haddn't worked very well and had to do some major adjustments to the weight. Let's just say, we were very heavy. When completed we were 4.9 oz and 5.0 oz is allowed. So we stayed where we were and hoped for the best. Isaiah brought his pinewood derby along just in case they would let him race too. And Braxton's Cub Master told Isaiah that they were in need of a Dummy Car and that his could be it. He was totally thrilled. He got to weigh his car in and get an official number, and all the while he was telling everyone that he was the Dummy Car proudly.

When the first race happened, I missed it! Braxton came running back with the biggest grin on his face and asked, "Did you see that? I just won." So race after race he was beaming. There was only once race that he had come in second. And he didn't even let that ruin his fun. There were a few times that Braxton let his ego get the best of him and we had to then talk about pride. Braxton ended up placing first in speed here and now gets to head on down to district in April. Brandon was so excited that the car had worked and we were both just happy that Braxton now wants to think about ideas for a car next year.

The picture of the racing cars is Isaiah and Braxton's cars racing together. Isaiah's is the silver and orange on the right and Braxton's is the one in first!

We're doing it!

We had 70 degree weather last week and I couldn't just let the boys stay inside. So I took the boys outside to ride bikes and Isaiah said "Mom I just need a little push." He was right. After three attempts of riding his bike he can ride in our little circle by himself. He fell a few times and did a little whimper after a few falls and even started bleeding once, but after every fall he was asked if he was ready to call it a day and he told me that he still needed practice and he wasn't done practicing yet, so after an hour and a half I was done and so we called it a night. But our little four year old is riding his bike. Our challenge now is to get him to start pushing himself to going without any help. But I have to say, that when this little one wants something bad enough he won't quit!

Isaiah on a big boy bike

Oops!


Whoa!!!!



Almost!!











That's the way!



Isaiah has been expressing some interest in riding without training wheels for quite some time now and I guess we just weren't quite ready for him to be ready. But this year Braxton graduated from his smaller bike to a bigger one and Isaiah said that he wants to start riding Braxton's old bike. So we told him that when he can ride his smaller bike without training wheels we would let him use the larger bike. So he and Brandon spent quite some time today practicing without the trainers. It was so cold outside that the boys had to wear winter gloves to keep their hands from freezing off. But Isaiah has definitely getting closer to riding Braxton's old bike, he can ride and pedal on his own for about 5-10 feet without falling, a little more if he's at a slight decline. We are getting closer to be able to take family bike rides now!! We just can't wait!

Christmas Performance

Isaiah's preschool Christmas performance was canceled due to the weather last month. So they rescheduled it for last night. Isaiah was casted as one of the Wise men and he was amazing. He was totally in his element performing for others. He smiled the entire time he was on stage and was the best singer in the bunch. He loved rocking out to the Southern Baptist Christmas songs and getting into the music. The kid's got rhythm what can we say. We are so proud of our little actor.

Children's Museum

The week that the grandparents came, Brandon took his mom to Myrtle Beach and my parents and I took the boys to Marbles Children's Museum here in Raleigh. The boys had a blast! The first stop was in a learning and discovery part where the kids construct little trails for golf balls to go down. Isaiah's favorite part was constructing a large house out of humongous legos and the large play place with balls. Braxton's favorite part was sawing and chiseling wood with grandpa and building race cars with K'next building materials and then racing them down the pinewood derby ramps. We had a great time the the grandparents.






There was a big wooden pirate's ship that the boys had fun with. Isaiah got a little tied up.






















Braxton constructing his ramp!
Isaiah's contribution to the project. He loves tying knots and playing with rope so he became the decorator.

Braxton's Baptism

Oh how time flies!!! Braxton was able to be baptized the day after his eighth birthday! He was baptized by his dad and confirmed by his Grandpa Denning. Braxton's Grandma Denning gave a wonderful talk on the Holy Ghost and Braxton listened intently to her throughout the entire talk. He was able to be baptized with his good friend Hunter. Both boys faces showed a lot when they entered the font. One of the heaters was broken and so the water was a little cold. His friend had to go down twice and he wasn't wanting to do that again. It helps us to be grateful for the advancements that have been made today. The pioneers were doing this in rivers and Lakes. I assume most of the time the water was probably not the warmest either. It is so nice that he has good influences with friends here. Braxton has had such a spirituality connection since he was just very little and you could feel this through the entire baptism. What a special day this was for our family. His Grandpa and Grandma Denning along with his Grandma Jenkins were able to come to his baptism. We also had so many friends from the ward come to show their support. We are proud of the choices that he has made in his life and is a definite example to his younger brother Isaiah. We love you so much Braxton.

Great to be 8!!!

Braxton turned eight years old today. I can't believe he's old enough to be getting baptized already. Braxton started off the day by making pancakes for the family by himself(with Grandpa's supervision). And only one made its way onto the floor. Delicious! We took the grandparents to the Airborne Museum and Braxton spent about an hour freaking people out by pretending he was a human statue along with the other mannequins there. Grandpa Denning told Braxton that he would take him to any restaurant that he wanted to go to and so he chose his favorite, Red Lobster. He ordered off of the adult menu and had the 1 1/2 lb King Crab Legs and ate every bit of it. We celebrated Braxton's birthday yesterday afternoon at our Army Base's ice skating rink. What a blast! And the best part about it is that it was the most relaxing party that we have done. No games, no mess, not much money, mom is happy. Life is good!