3 More days til Christmas!!!!!

The excitement is building here in the Dixon household. Dad is hoping to get the children to calmly do their jobs and get our home ready for Santa. But it is 3 days before Christmas. And frankly there is not a kid out there that is doing anything calmly!

Our stockings are hung, our tree is decorated, the lights have been hung outside, and except for the few lights blown around in the snow storm and that one section of a pesky strand, they are bright and pretty. We are almost done making treats for the neighbors and of course, the big guy. We made toffee (thanks mel for the recipe) and buckeyes - which frankly is the only way to enjoy them (GO TIGERS)!

The kids have emailed Santa, sat on his lap, given him their lists, and tried to revise their lists. But the pix turned out really cute - which is of course the reason for the post.

Here they are -

The snow

And here is the result of the snow storm...
Don't kid yourself - they're no snow angels...

The Polar Express

Wow, I am really far behind in my posting! We took the kids and some cousins up to ride the Polar Express at the Heber Valley Railroad in Heber City. We have wanted to do it for a while, but couldn't ever get tickets. But it was so much fun!

We had a chef and elves on our train car. We sat right in front of the reindeer wrangler - so he could tell Jacob all the stories. We had hot chocolate, Mrs. Claus' magic chocolate chip cookies, we sang carols and the dad impersonated Santa and we read the book, The Polar Express. Our train stopped at the north pole - we saw Santa waving and all the houses lit up in Christmas lights.

Then Santa came on our train car and talked with all the kids and gave them all a jingle bell. I think most of them worked. We only stopped long enough for the engine of the train to come around to the other end - it was, after all, a school night. We sang more carols and listened to elf jokes all the way home. And then the long trek back to reality - driving home to Layton, in a snow storm. But what a ride we had.

Pack Meeting

Well since Kent is the cubmaster and we had 2 cub scouts, pack meetings are big business in the Dixon household. Check out Kent doing one of those goofy cub scout cheers - one of the must haves at any pack meeting.

Spencer bridged over to Boy Scouts (11 year old scouts) and Jacob earned his Bobcat. It was an emotional night for Kent - to let Spencer go over to BSA without him. Kent has been his den leader for every level of cub scouts. It brought tears to his eyes when he gave Spence his new uniform. It was incredibly sweet - to know how much he has enjoyed the scouts and Spencer. I hope Spence will always remember how sweet it was.


I love my boys!!

Daddy Daughter Date

I know, I know. I am WAY behind in my posting. We finally got a new camera and were having some issues with this stupid Vista OS and my canon. But I couldn't resist sharing these pix.

Robyn and Kent had a Daddy Daughter date for Activity days - which I was put in right before the activity. So, I got to bring the camera and have a good time.

So, just in case you missed it, please take the time to appreciate the video and costumes.

It was fun.

The Best Party Ever

Well after a bit of a computer scare when I thought I lost all of these pix, I have found them!!!It was a night full of giggles, friends, music and fun. They had fruit kabobs, mini sandwiches, and some fancy umbrella drinks! They were primped, painted and posed! They played games, dressed up and of course, rocked out to Hannah Montana and High School Musical. And all her little friends told her it was "the best birthday party ever!!!" I am pretty sure it was a success.

Robyn's Birthday Party

The mystery of Chelsie Park

So, there has been some excitement here in our subdivision. Our backyard neighbors have a Bert scarecrow in their yard - to celebrate halloween. They live at the 4 way stop coming into Chelsie Park. Everyday they move him to different positions - one day he was riding a bike, once he was pushing a stroller, once on the roof, once in the tree and yesterday after church, he was kidnapped.

We all came home from church yesterday afternoon, and Bert was missing. In his place, a ransom note - If you want to see Bert before Halloween, leave a bag of goodies by the garage door by 8pm last night. Knowing they would not be home, they worried a little. Kent, being a good neighbor, volunteered to make some cookies to leave at for the kidnappers. He thought he would get in on the action - he placed 3 cookies on a plate with a note that said:

Here is your ransom. Ha Ha! If you want more, you must look around.

But be careful, we will be watching you from the "trees".

(He had hung several bags of cookies from the tree.)

Sincerely, the committee to save Bert.

As he went over to place the ransom, some of the neighbor children came running over wondering if Kent had been the one to steal him. You see, all the neighbors have grown accustomed to seeing Bert every day. And all were curious as to where he disappeared. Everyone was ready - hiding, waiting, watching...And then a small white car drove around the corner, and there was Bert's head sticking out a window. Oh, the squeals of delight. All were prepared to catch the burglar.

And yet, no one saw who brought him back - they were so fast, they came and grabbed the treats, and dropped off Bert - with another message - this one said - Thanks for letting us have such a fun day with Bert.

So, they mystery continues...no one sure who could've committed such a crime. But all the children are keeping their eye on Bert - and looking for more clues. Cause you know what they say...the criminal will always return to the scene of the crime.

D-land in fast forward

Here are some pix from our trip - it's like our disneyland experience in fast forward. I have a few more of the boys doing the jedi training school but I will have to post them later. The kids got to stay the night in a hotel - the first one they can remember- when our car broke down in St George. Then the fun could begin.

Strangers in the Night

School has finally begun!!! After the longest summer break these Dixons have ever had, we have finally started school - still under construction. There is still no cafegymatorium - so they eat lunch outside on the playground or in the classroom. The media center just opened. Still no bulletin boards or teacher workrooms that are free of construction clutter.


But they are in school. Although there is no longer a cheesewagon to get them there...my friend, Cheri, drives to school and I get the pick up duty. Either way, it is a NIGHTMARE!! Too many cars, kids and only one way in or out.

Then after school we have homework, reading, scouts, activity days, soccer practice and flag football. Kent and I feel like 2 ships passing in the night.

Jake's coach wants to practice ALL the time and both he and Spencer's games are on the same 2 days a week but in

totally different fields around the city. But usually close to the same times - Jacob's at 5:30 and then Spencer's at 6:30 but one inRiverdale and the other in South Weber - or in downtown Ogden.


But on a good note...Robyn and Spencer are turning 11 on Friday!!

Spencer gets to go on a campout with Kent and the 11 year old boy scouts. It is the first one he gets to go to. I guess as long as the weather holds out.

Robyn is going with 7 of her friends for a "Spatacular" party - mani/pedis, facials, hair dos, spa kits, girly food (fruit kabobs, mini sandwiches, sprite floats with umbrellas). Yes, it is expensive, but it is my last little girl birthday party.

The next one she will want to invite boys, or uninvite her mother cause I'm not as cool as I think I am!!!

While the cats away...

So, I am still getting used to my new computer and trying to upload new pix from our trip, but I found these. I was down the street chatting with a neighbor and these crazy mice played hard.

Jacob's first experience mowing the lawn

Jacob was trying to earn a little extra money - so he thought mowing the lawn would be the easiet way. Kent was teaching him but was not very thrilled to see that Jacob had a hard time keeping the lines straight. It was actually hilarious.
He is really not quite big enough to maneuver the mower - so he was getting dragged along - and leaving little patches of grass in every direction. He totally was sweating bullets and gave up pretty quickly. Whose idea that was however, remains unknown.

Utah game

Well, anyone is watched the Utah game last week against Air Force, we felt your pain. The boys tried as hard as they could to bring good luck - as you can see... But to no avail.

And then this week, they completely spanked UCLA!

The kids had the best time I think they ever have. Jacob was screaming and cheering. Spencer and his friend Mark were trying to decide if they could cheer for the Utes and still be loyal to BYU. Not sure what the concensus was. But they got to see the Air Force sky divers and they were really cool.

Opening night

So, tonight is the opening game of the football season. We are gathering around the tv - hoping our fantasy leagues will not disapoint. It so far as been more fun changing team names and logos. But tonight it is fun to see who you might have on your fantasy team actually play. And Spence is trying desparately to educate his sister on who she has on her team. Ah, the days of fall!

Just in case you were wondering, my team is Team Wonder Mom - my logo?

My first blog...ah the pressure

So, I decided today that maybe I should join the youngsters - since I won't sign up for the devil's website - myspace, I thought I would try another approach to share our news. I promise I won't do it every day - but I will try to keep it a little up to date.