Annevar Demo Derby

Super long post...and it is actually about Kurtis for once!!

In April, our friend Drew approached Kurtis saying he wanted to put together a derby car for the summer.  Drew wanted to drive but needed someone with a mechanic/race car background to help him build the car.  Together they bought themselves a car, gutted it and started from scratch. The car was originally white and Kurtis free handed all the painting and he even cut and welded the number 51 together on the top.  It was a long and busy few months to get the car ready for Annevar weekend but the guys did it with the help of a few other friends.  

The derby was on Father's Day, so Kurtis' parents and I headed to Ravenna to cheer them on.  My brother, sister-in-law and her family also joined us for the big event.  The guys also had lots of friends there to help, Drew's boys and a few people from our church came out to support them as well.  This was my brother's and my first experience at a derby and it was a BLAST. I was so nervous the entire time and it wasn't even my husband that was driving, but I knew how much time and effort they put into this project I wanted them to do well.  Kurtis kept making a comment that he didn't build a car to get beat up in; he built a car to WIN! 

 

There were two heats in Drew's class and Drew was in the first heat with 5 other cars. In each heat they took the top three cars that were still moving :) by the end of it.  Drew ended blowing up his radiator; however, it was fixable and he was still moving by the end of it so Drew placed 3rd in his heat. He was headed to the finals.  In the finals, Drew was one of the top 5 when his axel snapped causing him to not be able to move. :(  He was officially done; however, 5th place for their very first derby experience was awesome!  They ended up taking home a very smooshed up car and $100. 

Drew all geared up and ready to go! 

Making fixes for round 2! 

The finals!

The finished product after a 5th place finish!  There will definitely need some work done before July 24th.

Team 51 out celebrating!

Their next plan is to get it all fixed back up and head to Holdredge the middle of July for another competition.  They will also be competing in the State Fair!  

Father's Day!

I so am blessed to have such an amazing dad and father-in-law in my life and such a great daddy for my children.  This Father's Day I was lucky enough to see/spend the day with all the father's in my life.  I met up with my dad in Kearney at Cabela's when we dropped Landon off with them for the week.  Then that evening Kurtis' parents and I headed back to Ravenna for the Demo Derby that Kurtis and his friend worked so hard to get ready for. 

Landon coloring daddy's present.

Grandma even jumped in and helped

Waiting for Daddy to get home to surprise him with his present.  

Annevar 2013!

Annevar has been a family tradition since I was a little girl and it still continues to be one of my favorite

events of the year.  I love it even more now that I have my own little family to bring along with me.  Kurtis' parents have even started coming to join in the family tradition.  This year we attended events almost every night of the event.  Here are a few of my favorite highlights:

Thursday- Miss Annevar:

Thursday evening I left Landon at home with Kurtis while I headed to watch the Miss Annevar pageant.  My cousin Micheala was one of nine contestants in the competition.  The evening consisted of them doing a talent and of course an evening gown.  For her talent she played the trumpet and sang to "Free Falling."  I am so proud of her placing 2nd runner up out of all the girls; amazing accomplishment.  After getting home and posting this picture I didn't realize how much we look alike; definitely related!  

Saturday- Parade:

Friday evening I kept trying to tell Landon he needed to go to sleep because we were headed to the parade the next morning. I told him he'd see firetrucks, horses, tractors and candy.  He was super excited!  

"Look Mommy it's coming!"- Police car leading the parade

Enjoying the parade with my grandparents and in-laws!

Miss Annevar and her court!  

Landon talking to the Grandpas about the tractors going by.

Aunt Christie helping him catch all the candy.  I couldn't believe all the candy he got.  We had a half cooler full!  

My cousin did a float this year to promote his new internet business in Ravenna.  Their float got first in their division.  

Carnival:

That evening we headed back to Ravenna for the carnival and of course bingo!  Landon was super excited about all the rides until he actually got on them and then he was scared to death.  We first tried the cars (no luck) and then the train (no luck).  Finally, Kurtis took him on the Carousel and he LOVED it; loved it so much he cried every time it was finished.  

Daddy took him twice...

Then it was Uncle Scotty's turn...Mommy even took him once!

Then we decided to take a break and play the ducky game as all the adults were dizzy.

He won a dinosaur..."Raaaaaarrrrrr!"

 Then after about a 30 minute pep talk from Uncle Scotty he was ready to finally ride Lightening McQueen.  He LOVED it too!  He spent the remainder of the night on this ride until his tickets were all gone.  

Sunday- Demo Derby:

That was an event of that definitely needs its own post.  Coming soon!  

Summer Week #2

Week #2 was not as relaxing for me as it was for Landon. I had math task force work the entire week from 8-3:30 which was mentally exhausting and plus I'm not used to just sitting that long either.  We'll just say I had my first mental breakdown of the summer thinking about everything I got myself into. Yes, it was very laid back and we had lots of time to work on our maps; however, we were kind of the guinea pig group so there were several days we had to go in and redo things we spent hours doing.  Just a tad frustrating.  However, we ended the week with lots done but there is much more coming down the road.

While I was busy at work, Landon was playing with Grandma.  They had a wonderful week together.  When I'd get home in the evenings he'd love on me for a short while but then it was always Grandma this, Grandma that.  While Grandma was here we went to several garden centers in town and picked out our bushes/shrubs for our front lawn, played outside, went and got supper and ice cream, took Grandma to the ultrasound and of course antique shopping!  

Wally even got spoiled by Grandma; even though this wasn't his best moment.

While my mom was staying the week with us my dad stayed the week with my brother. My dad helped them build a dog house for their two dogs.  Tuesday evening my mom, Landon and I headed to Aurora to spend the evening with them.  Landon loved playing with Uncle Scott's Ninja Turtles.  

Then came Friday came when Landon spiked a 102 temp then that night Landon decided to get sick at 2:00 a.m.  So, needless to say I spent from 2:00-5:00 a.m. laying on the floor with him as we had already changed his sheets/bedding twice.  Figured it would be easier to clean up the floor and boy am I glad we did.  I'm just thankful it happened on the weekend and that I didn't have school the next morning.  Landon definitely must have had Grandma hang over!  

Quick video of Landon playing baseball with Grandma.  I am very impressed with his hand/eye coordination.

Ultra Sound #2

At 21 weeks and 5 days we had our 2nd ultrasound.  My mom was in town watching Landon for the week so she came along too.  That evening Landon kept saying, "See the baby on the computer at the hosbidal."  He was very excited! I did have to tell the technician that we weren't finding out; however, Landon would be calling the baby a sister.  At first Baby Dudo was very photogenic and was allowing us to capture some great photos and then it decided to become stubborn and not let the technician take the ones she needed.  There was lots of me turning on my side and pushing to get it to move.  We'll hope that stubbornness is short lived.  Everything looked great according to the technician and doctor.  

Baby's arms up by it's face

Look at those long legs, HOLY COW! 

 The entire first part of the ultrasound the baby had both legs folded up to its face and it's arms were up there too.  Very flexible!  

Sweet little foot

Finally after some turning, pushing and poking we got somewhat of a spine picture.  We were about ready to give up but the baby finally gave in.  

Can't wait to meet this little one in person!  

Summer-Week #1

It is so hard to believe that summer is already here.  I was hesitant about summer starting as my month of June is crazy busy and I was worried it would go by too fast with all the classes/curriculum work I have.  However, my first week was amazing and I have gotten so much done already.  This summer I really want to reflect on my weeks and what I accomplished and the time I spent with my little one!  Here are a few of our highlights from week #1:

* Had a successful doctor's appointment even after being there two hours.  

* Kurtis and his buddies have really has been tackling our landscaping in the front of the house (pictures coming soon)

* I cleaned and rearranged the baby room.  I even got out a few of the baby supplies will need for round #2.  Landon loved helping and kept saying everything was for the baby.  Plus, all Landon's old clothes are in totes. (So far we are up to 5 totes! I better have another boy or else they'll be passed on to hopefully a future nephew)

* We finished the last minute details in Landon's new room. (Kurtis just needs to finish painting the closet)  

* Landon and I had a fun trip to Target, Old Navy and of course Great Grandma and Papa's house. He loved showing off, looking at the tractors and you can't go to grandpa's house without eating ice cream!
* Then Friday and Saturday was spent relaxing and playing at home!  Landon and I did hit up the Doniphan city garage sales; however, my garage sale buddy Megan was sick.  It just wasn't' the same this year.  Landon did find a new fun race/train track though.

Next week is Grandma week as I have curriculum work all week, so of course it will be a fun filled week for Landon! 

Landon's Room!

Landon's room is finally "almost" done!  His clothes are all moved in, the curtains up and his name was transferred to the wall. Kurtis just needs to finish painting the closet area.  However, he has been so busy landscaping that I didn't want to wait to take pictures.  So visualize the closet area all white.  :)

The table my parents made him for Christmas!

Before...

 ...After

I love how it all tied in together.  

Before...

 ...After

His pallet bed even though you can't really see the pallets in this picture.  Also, thanks to Grandma Dudo for getting the bedspread for us.  A car themed room is perfect for our little boy!