Have been out walking Bree close to the airport and am just amazed how close we are to all the planes.  Loved watching some of the big cargo type military planes doing touch downs.

Jacob and 5 other friends went to prom over the weekend!  Great group of guys!  In the group photo, the two on the left are his hunting buddies.  The one second from the left always brings the biggest smile to my face because he reminds me so much of a young Kirk Cameron - (one of my heartthrobs growing up).

Football workouts continuing to go well for the boys.  I am gonna look at Joseph one of these days and his baby face/young boy look will be gone!!!  Today Jacob and two other friends, drove 1.5 hours away to visit a two year school.  Their football coach is getting them some interviews with college coaches.  I am not sure that Jacob wants to go that route, but great experience.  His football coach told him he needed to put a 'reel' together so coaches can see him on the field.  I have watched it about a dozen times...proud momma!  Here is the link, but be sure to watch it on a computer and not a phone screen - much better the bigger the screen.  The first play on the reel was his 1 and only TD as a junior.  It was so exciting and a game my mom was here for.

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16381847/6619561d0d624e2056fe3799

JR and I leave on Friday for Kauai!!  

 We have hit the 70s...but snow coming next week!

JR and I leave in 2 weeks for Kauai!

JR has finally drawn a big horn sheep tag, although not in the region he had hoped for, but something new to hunt this fall. 

Benjamin has started working again with the dirt work/excavation.  

Joseph plugs along.  Continues with the football workouts and I think he is starting to imagine himself with the build of a football player.  Joseph is starting to get into video editing.  Hard to believe this kid will be entering high school soon and I have an appointment for him to take his written driving test!!!  He has a lot of work cut out for him as he studies for the test.

Jacob is all things work.  Installing lots of billboard vinyls.  He is learning about bidding jobs, building the actual signs, etc.  He was recently tasked with the job of calculating measurements and cutting metal.  I told him I knew the math would come in handy one day.  Him and his buddies are starting to spend more time and resources on things for their Youtube channel.  It is fun to watch their process.  They are being strategic in taking pictures, tagging potential sponsors as they use their gear and making sure their pictures don't reveal too much of their location.  He is working on designing a logo too.

Enjoy some pictures

JR, Jacob and Joseph headed out to the fort for the night recently.  Lots of snow and cold but they appeared to have a good time!  Bree went with too, but I think her days of long hikes are coming to an end.  She always struggles a few days after these trips to walk...she is 9!

Celebrated this kid's 17th birthday yesterday!

He had a pretty quiet Spring Break.  Most of his friends are out of town, so he spent more time at home than usual.  He went up skiing, for the first and probably only time this season.  The snow wasn't super good, so he just had a great time.  

 

 It is spring break!!  No specific plans!  I keep telling Joseph if he wants to do something, lets make plans, but there is just not a lot to excite any of us!  It is suppose to be in the 40s/low 50s in the next 10 days.  But we are all banking on the annual Easter snow which should be coming.

Jacob recently went out with his billboard friend to do some vinyls.  He called me and told me there had been a slight mishap.  They lift conduit up with a strap and the conduit fell off and landed on top of Jacob's head.  Lots of blood but didn't appear too bad.  Ever since he broke his femur, I have told him I trust him to know his body and determine if we need to ever seek medical attention.  He told me he was fine and would go to the school medical trainer the next day and have him glue it.  Turns out it wasn't that bad and the trainer was able to glue it.

Both boys have been going to the football workouts every morning from 6-7:30, then they run home for 30 minutes then head back to school.  Really impressed, particularly with Joseph.  This is a brand new adventure for him.  There are lots of upcoming freshman at these workouts and lots of momentum for the football program and the community.  The new head football coach is making some great changes.  A lot of which will be seen over the next couple of years, but one thing he has done...found a nutritionist to come alongside these boys.  I have often challenged Jacob to nail down his food and he would be surprised at the results, but he never wanted to dive into it.  Now he is excited to learn more. The coach has also banned energy drinks, etc.  Appreciate the changes.

I have told Jacob I wanted to watch him do vinyls and after the conduit incidence, decided it was time.  I drove out to where they were working and was quite amazed at the process.  The two of them have it nailed down and each make $100 per billboard, which ends up being about 45 minutes.  Jacob always works on the ground and Braeden goes up top (this sign was about 25 feet off the ground).  Braeden's dad decided after the conduit, that he needs to get workers comp...sure liked to hear that!  (I am amazed at the 'employers' around here that want contractors, but then treat them like employees...it has provided lots of opportunity for conversations with the boys as to the pros and cons of W2 versus contractor.

A few pictures!!

 Regular basketball season has come to an end.  Jacob (Varsity) will have divisional tournament next weekend and then if they win 2 or 3 games they will go to state. They are currently 3-12.  Their last game was a one point win against a cross town rival - so very exciting.  He got a lot of playing time on JV and scored double digits several games.

Joseph finished his 8th grade season with his team getting second place in final 8th grade tournament.  A couple of nail biter games too!  All in all they both did really well and enjoyed their seasons.

Jacob has been doing a lot of work with his billboard vinyls and some welding, painting projects with the vinyl guy Matt.  It has been a good little gig for him.  He has also made a connection with a landscape guy, so he is hoping once that starts, to get lots of weekend hours and then four 10s during the summer.

Joseph is still plodding along at the taco place.  He is already talking about the summer and if he wants to pick up more hours or a different/second job.  

The weather is warming up and doesn't look like much snow on the horizon.  Makes me happy but will mean a very dry summer.

Ben is still doing his thing and comes around occasionally.  Not sure what is on the job horizon for him.

My job plods along.  It seems very cyclical, in dealing with employee retention.  Lose a few, then hire a few.  Have a great group of gals right now and gearing up for a busy spring/summer with regular work and some big construction projects.

The high school started a tradition last year where any senior that wanted to, could participate in a game.  It runs for the school year and it costs $5.  The last one standing wins the money.  The rules, the seniors are randomly listed from 1 to whatever and it is your job to eliminate the person below you.  Then you have a new target.  You don't know who is out to get you.  They can only get you out via water gun and it has to be recorded and then end with an elimination hand shake.  You can't get someone out on school property or at a school sponsored event.  The big catch, if you are wearing swim goggles, they can't shoot you.  So it is fun to see all the seniors around town with goggles on their eyes.  Can't wait for Jacob and his classmates to participate next year.

Few pictures -Two of them are pictures of welding projects that Jacob brought home that I think are really cool!!!