International Fiesta!

MSU held its annual International Fiesta last weekend and we got a chance to go.

Bryton and Emoree tried Tae Kwan Do (is that spelled correctly?) and both broke a board with their bare hands! Cool!

Shae had a chance to hit her first pinata and all three tried a new game similar to the pinata but you grab toys from a rack that is pulled up and down (see picture below).

Despite the chilly weather, the kids ate free snowcones and had a great time learning about the cultures living all around us! We can't wait to go next year!

Easter posting

Well, spring has sprung here and we have gotten into the swing of spring. LOL at my own joke!

We entered 4 peep show pieces into Micah and Lizzie's contest. April led the kids in this merry adventure. The entries are: Winnie the Peep and Friends by April; Peepza by Shae (her idea and work); High School Peepsical: Get your head in the game by Emoree; The Ugly Peepling by April.

We also dyed our easter eggs for the rabbit to hide.

Spring Photos

Here are photos we have accumulated over the last few months.

First, Emoree has been learning how to use her sewing machine. Eric has prepped her and forced her to thread the machine repeatedly as well as the bobbin -- he hates having to repair machines these days. Em was so excited and Eric loved working with her.

First project was, of course, a pillow case!!

Here is Emoree's Science Fair Project for 2008.

She investigated whether PEDs (Personal electronic Devices actually affect teh navigation systems of airplanes. She got to test a cell phone, CD player, radio and electronic game all on the MSU president's airplane -- they had no affect.

April took this amazing pic while in San Fransisco -- this was the view from her hotel room.

Chinese New Year was in full swing while April was in SF and their hotel was right in China Town. Presents therefor included silk dresses!

Soccer season is still going strong for the players and the spectators.

There are alot of things going on here. April and Emoree went to Boston for the NASPA conference. April and Eric went to Nashville for the Service Learning Conference. Eric is heading for Boston for the NSTA confernece and then to St Thomas for the MTLMA Conferenece. Eric and April have gotten really good at the presenting thing, eh?

Bryton's Victory Lap!

Bryton had the opportunity to compete in the State Engineering contest. He and his team represented his school at the state level. They had to design a car using K'Nex that had to roll down an incline while protecting its passenger (an egg). Bryton's team beat out 85 other teams and their designs. We ended up with a 3 way-tie. His car even survived the 90 degree 'freefall' run. In the end, they had to base the placings on the mass of the car -- the lightest was 0.10 grams lighter than the other two. Bryton ended up pacing third in the state of Mississippi. We are very proud of him. His team was on the front page of our local paper this morning (I stole this picture from their website).

Bryton's Baptism

I found these pics and video and was embarrassed that we have not posted them previously. Bryton was baptised on Dec. 23rd -- Joseph Smith's birthday.

It's A Twister!

I've watched the Wizard of Oz countless times. And each of those times, I've seen the tornado go tearing through the Gale's farm and thought nothing of it. Well, now we live in a tornado zone and I think more of those things now.

Last night at 2:30 a.m. our kids awoke to the sound of the tornado sirens. Being the spiritual kids they are, they said a prayer (two in fact!) and got to their safe space (the bathtub). Eric found them in the tub ready for whatever may occur. Soon thereafter, they woke Mom up (didn't hear a thing) and we gathered together in the hallway (with doors closed). We listened to our radio (thanks Mom H.) and waited for news.

About 45 minutes later we were given the all clear. During the 45 minutes, we told stories and chatted. I wondered if any of you had any unique things your families did during blackouts, tornadoes, earthquakes, or any other natural disasters. Please share your thoughts as we are most likely to have more tornadoes to come.

Just want to also say how thankful I am to be safe and with my family. I am truly blessed.

Fall, Now Fire

Not to be outdone by Conan and Melissa's kids, we needed a fire of our own to feel successful this year. I mean the tree fall and break of the ornaments (still painful, but I am working to get over it) just wasn't enough. We weren't sure when we were going to do it, but Friday seemed like a good time . . .

Last Friday (pizza night at the MS Heiselt home) Eric had made pizza and we were waiting to put it in the oven. The kids were sweetly playing in their rooms (really!) and Eric and I were enjoying having a conversation without interuption (it really happened!). I looked over and saw what I thought was an electric light show in our oven. It was flashing and going crazy. I mentioned it to Eric and that's when we saw the sparks.

Eric, being the boy at heart that he is, wanted to open the oven. Not wanting to catch our entire kitchen on fire, I opted for the turn off the oven and let's wait idea.

We discovered that our oven filament burned out and so we are currently living without the use of an oven. On the positive side, our stove is separate, so we still have that. As we are considering what to do in the meantime, we have learned the following.

1. They do not make filaments for our brand of oven.

2. Our oven is old and they no longer make that size of oven anymore.

3. A new oven will not fit in our cabinets so we will have to have them re-done.

4. The three cabinet makers in our town (did I mention it was a small town?) are booked until March. But, they assured me that in March, I would be first on their list!

5. I use my oven more than I thought I did. One of those "you don't know what you have until you don't have it anymore" things!

6. Eric's birthday is on Monday. I may have to buy him a cake.

I would appreciate any advice on oven shopping, cabinet making, or anything else you'd like to share. The plan is to hit Lowe's and Sears again this weekend to see what we can do.

I love Heavenly Father, he keeps life fun!