Picture catch up

Ansel

Cheesy church directory picture

Ansel got a big gash in his mouth at work

Wine tasting

Nerf guns

Random picture catch up.  We have been good and busy like always!  The boys are finally all feeling better- last week was fevers and yuckiness- and now we play catch up with homework and every thing else.  It's crazy how much happens in one week's time.  Why does the week's go by so fast?!!  One of these days I'm going to have time to actually write stories, but for today we play catch up!

Claire's Baptism

Claire's Baptism 

Great Grandpa Rapp, Great-great grandma Rapp and Grandma Hamann 

All the grandma's- great and great-great

The BIG 40

Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate!

The same sign his Mom had on her 40th!

Happy 40th Birthday to Brian!!  Wow, when did you get so old?!! (hee hee just kidding- but you are older then me)  We enjoyed the day with lunch at Buca's of course(once you turn 40 you start to do lunch not dinner)  and stayed inside the rest of the night because it was really cold out that night.  Brian's B-day is on Dec 31st, so I'm a little behind on my posting but who's keeping track?  Happy Birthday my love...cheers to the next 40 years!!!

Double digits?!!

10th B-day party
The Escape room

Our Mission:  Investigation of a Miss Treedeath.  "As rogue detectives, you must break into Miss Treedeath's apartment and search for any clues giving away her next murder and gather evidence to make an arrest.  You'd better hurry, it might be bad for you if she comes home soon."   It was way harder then I thought!  There were a ton of layers to the puzzles and they were tricky to figure out.  We did not get out on time but it was still really fun!  I think if I ever did it again I would be way better at it. 

The rules

Buca's for lunch after!

Goofy little boys :)

B-day gift
Nerf guns :)

I'm totally blown away that my oldest boy is 10!!  Double digits- that seems so old to me.  When did this happen?!  I remember turning 10.  Axel sure has taught me so much about being a parent.  He knows how to push my and his brothers buttons.  He is so smart, funny and continues to amaze me with the questions he asks.  He is in 4th grade.  He is a part of the Robotics club and in the school newspaper.  He enjoys playing soccer and riding his bike.  He can be the most amazing sweet big brother and a second later he's pushing his brothers off the couch.  He likes to read.  I love this- we can read the same books and talk about them.  (he even asked the other day if we could to the library pick a book together and see what we both thought about it) Love, Love, Love.  He challenges me daily with his spirit.  He likes to play on his Xbox (new this year for xmas) and has been learning a ton about computers.  He emails me now- little things like "Hi".  It super cute and fun!  Please lord, remind me of the sweet little toddler he once was as he transitions to the next phases of growing up. He has already been asking about girls.  (like- "Mom, is it weird to want to go on a date with someone in 4th grade?"  I was like- ahh, do you have some one in mind?  He said he didn't but was just wondering.  I am so not ready for that?!!)  Happy Birthday Axel.  I'm so proud to be your Mom and really do enjoy watching/participating in you growing up. Please remember to take it easy on your parent's as you attempt to figure out this crazy life!  Love you!!! 

Robotics

Axel's first robotics 

programming the next challenge  

The team name

Long term challenge

 The long term challenge is the programming they have been working on all session.  You had to move all objects out of the blue lines and then land the robot in the green center.  Axel's group cleared all objects and ended in the green square in 37 seconds.  They got to do the 'run' 3-4 times. His team got 3rd place for his timing- out of over 100 groups!  Very interesting to watch.  I've learned a lot!

Axel's team

Checking his setings

A bunch of the kids from all over MN

The Robot

Short term challenge 

 Short term challenge was a new program that each team had 40 mins to work on.  This time it was like bowling- had to clear as many pegs down as possible. Man it was fun to learn about robotics this year!  Axel was picked for the group and I think he will want to try again next year.  He's already talking about what it will take to get into MIT.  Here's hoping kid!!!

Extra parts