Then and Now

Wow they have changed a lot in five years!

The Cubanapolis!

In September, the Cub Scouts had their Cubanapolis. The boys worked ahead of time with their dads, making & accesorizing cars out of card board boxes. Siblings could participate, so Devin got to join in the fun, too! Both Zach and Devin's cars turned out very cool! Zach liked the making of the cars far more than the race at pack meeting.

On the night of the race, the boys had to run a LONG course, stopping each lap for "pit stops." Family members served as their "crews" and washed their windows (faces with sponges), changed their tires (took off shoes, switched socks, and put shoes back on), and refilled their fuel (water to be drunk through a tiny straw).

Here's Devin and his friends in the sibling race.

(Sorry these pictures are so small, but it would take more time than I have to upload them all again. Remember you can click on any you want to see bigger.....)

First Day of School Pics

The kids like to lay out their clothes the night before the first day of school. It always makes me smile! Notice Devin's shoes are even pointing upwards in a more natural pose!

The Cute Elementary School Boys in their new Star Wars shirts! Zach is in 4th Grade at Meadow Lake Elementary, and Devin is in 1st Grade at his Spanish Immersion School.

My big Middle School-ers!

Ty "got" to wear his WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) shirt on the first day. He was part of a group of 8th graders assigned to help mentor and orient the new 6th graders to the school. The 6th graders knew they could ask a big 8th grader in an orange shirt if they needed help!

Amanda has had a hard adjustment to middle school (she would have like to stay in elementary), but she is doing a good job with everything. I can't believe I have two kids in middle school now! Aren't they grown-up and good-looking?

Ty's Spiffy Uniform!

Tyler at the State Fair

Here's a short video clip of Tyler's Marching Band playing at the Minnesota State Fair on Friday. He gets to be in the high school marching band, even though he is only in 8th grade - pretty cool!

Zach the Wolf!

Another big May event for the Driskills in Minnesota! (Man, I'm going crazy on the blog entries all of a sudden, aren't I? And we still have Devin's birthday next week, too!) Zach received his Wolf Badge at Cub Scout Pack Meeting last night! He also received a Gold Arrow Point, 2 Silver Arrow Points, and the Chess Belt Loop! We are proud of you Zach!

District Track Meet

Amanda competed in a 4 X 100 Relay in the District Track Meet at Armstrong High School yesterday. She was on a team of 4, and each of them ran a fourth of the track around the football field, passing a batan between them. She was SOOOO nervous before the meet, but found out it wasn't too terrible afterall. She was a great little runner, if I do say so myself! She had fun being a part of the action, and I had fun being there watching her. Her team came in 4th (out of 6) in their race, so that's why the boys on her team don't look too happy in their picture! But hey, she got a green ribbon, and she's happy!

A Visit from Grams!

We had a fun visit from Coleen for Mother's Day! Here are some pictures from the weekend!



Attempts at a family picture!

Spencer and his Mom

The kids dressed up at the Minnesota History Center

Tyler is taller than Grams now!

Devin loves dandelions! He was in heaven in this field of them! He is even holding "Mr. Lion" - an early birthday present from Grams! Devin called Coleen several weeks ago and requested that she give him a stuffed lion for his birthday! He's a funny boy!

We went to Como Zoo (our free zoo here) one day, and especially liked seeing all the flowers and plants at the arboretum.

The kids with their Grams

A Solo Trip to Salt Lake!

As a birthday present, Amanda's Grandma gave her a solo trip to Salt Lake for a weekend. She was very brave and flew as an "unaccompanied minor!" She had so much fun with her Grams and Gramps, and with her cousin Megan and the whole Hendricks family! She was spoiled rotten on several good shopping trips, AND she got to have her first pedicure! They visited the Church History Museum one day, and Amanda learned a lot about the latter-day prophets. Thanks Coleen and Rick for creating wonderful memories for Amanda!

Amanda's Birthday!!

Amanda is 11! She had a fun birthday (except for all her homework). She chose to have Rice Krispy Treats instead of a cake, and they were sure yummy! She got a "hulee hoop" from Devin, candy from Zach, tennis supplies from her dad and Ty (she's taking her first tennis class this summer), and an alarm clock "that doesn't have a scary or annoying alarm" from Mom! Amanda is such a beautiful and fun part of our family. We love you, Amanda!

Blowing the candles on the Rice Krispy Treats

Silly Dad

Devin's New Hair