President's Day Cup St. George Utah Feb 2010

Morgan had a soccer tournament in St. George this last weekend. We had an amazing time. Morgan played her heart out. I love seeing her out on the field doing her best! She is fun to watch. She took down a girl that was literally twice her size! She if fiesty, competitive, and her expressions usually say it all. And she has her game face down to perfection. But what I love the most, when the game is over, wether the team has a win or a loss Morgan has played for the love of the game and she is possitive no matter the outcome. I hope as she continues in soccer she keeps the same attitude. We always tell her it's not about winning, it's about how you played the game that counts.

And of course you can't take a trip and do nothing but soccer so we went to Zions' Canyon and hiked the emerald pools. They were fun but it was a very muddy trail at times. We fished in the Virgin River. We also played on the Dixie Red Rocks, and no trip to St. George would be complete with out eating at our favorite places: Paula's, Jimmie Johns (my favorite), and Nielsen's Frozen custard.

We had a great trip!!!! There is nothing better than family fun and sunshine! :)

Wow!

Wow, I can not believe that it has been over six months since I last posted to the Blog. For my one reader, Callee I am so sorry I left you hanging in suspense that long. (smile) Alot has happened since my last post! But, I can not remember all of it so, here are the parts I can remember. The New school year brought about a lot of new changes for the kids. They are now attending Excelsior Academy. This is a new charter school here in Tooele. We love it! I wasn't sure if pioneering the charter school was going to be for us, but we took a chance and are really glad that we did. There is so much that I love about the charter school. Micah has some incredible teachers. And for the first time she has really been challenged. Morgan, she doesn't love school, but she is doing very well academically, and she is so cute in her uniform! Thaddeus, well let's just say we are glad he goes to school! He is excellent at academics, but feels like his teacher talks too much during the day. He appreciates the social aspect of school more than learning. (smile) Morgan tried out for the Olympic development team for soccer. She did a great job, but didn't make the team. It was a good experience for her. She'll try again next year and her Mom won't jinx her by saying she hopes she won't make the team. Her mom is awful. But in reality the time and schedule would have been a lot to handle. I have a whole year to work up to it and I will be ready for it next time. Morgan's team took First Place in our region in soccer. Way to go Morgan! Morgan is developing into an amazing player and we look forward to watching her play. Morgan will be our extreme sports enthusiast. She got a rip stick for Christmas and she loves it! Santa bought a helmet and pads to go with it. Morgan has only had one fracture in the last 6 months. Morgan is now learning how to play the violin. Thaddeus has started Karate and he loves it! We have to continually remind him that although he says he is practicing, there is a no Karate on the sisters rule! Thaddeus has ruined 3 school uniforms since the beginning of the school year. We threatened to ban him from recess if he couldn't quit rolling in the mud and ripping his pants. Micah is in basketball camp! She is working hard and wants to try out for the Highschool team next year. Micah went to her first formal dance. They had a Christmas Ball at school. She was so beautiful all dressed up! And she loved learning how to ballroom dance. Micah had her tonsils out over Halloween. Micah is learning how to play the cello. Mike and the kids were able to do alot of hiking this summer and they loved it. The biggest hike this summer was Deseret Peak. Mike taught us all how to fish. Micah and myself went to Girls Camp, Micah for the first time! I wish we could say we loved it, but we are just writing it off as an accomplishment, we are glad we lived through it. We had an amazing last six months, and this was just highlights. Of course with the new year always comes new promises. And I promise to try to keep up the blog! Because catching up 6 months is impossible!

Vacation

We took our family vacation in early June. We started out in Provo, and I know some of you are laughing but we had a lot of fun. We were surprised to see Aunt Sherry at the campground. Aunt Sherry was my Mom's very best friend in highschool. I have the best memories of spending time with Aunt Sherry and Uncle Kully. And it was amazing to see them. It was very ironic because I had recently felt so lonely with out my Mom and Dad and seeing Aunt Sherry really made me happy! We hiked Timpanogas Cave (55 minutes up, not bad). We were able to go to the Stihl Lumber Jack competition again, always a favorite activity of ours. And we ended up spending an additional day and cutting out one stop on our trip to spend more time with Aunt Sherry. We rode our bikes 10 miles on the Provo River Bike Trail. And of course we had to get our first scorching sunburn of the summer hanging out at the pool for 3 hours. After Provo we headed to Bryce Canyon! AMAZING is the best word I can find to describe it. We hiked for 3 days and did several trails. The 3rd day was the furthest that we hiked. We did 3 trails that day including Bryce Point one of the harder trails in Bryce. The kids were awesome hikers. After Bryce Canyon we went to Cedar City for Summer Games. Opening ceremony was a lot of fun. And the firework show was spectacular! I would go every year just to see the fireworks. And of course seeing Morgan march in with her team was so much fun. Morgan played 4 games in two days. She was awesome! And of course the hit of the game. Everyone always commented on Morgan, the coach of the 16 yr old boys team tried to trade a player for Morgan. She is amazing at soccer and she has worked really hard to develop her skills. She really enjoys playing. We braided her hair in over 30 small braids (It took forever). We had such a great time! And I would love to share photos with you but......... we didn't have a camera so we bought the disposable camera's and I haven't had time to get them developed yet. I will post more pictures when I can but until then here are just a couple that we had. We are really blessed to be able to spend time together as a family. We are so lucky that we have a trailer and that it makes traveling a little more affordable. (atleast until gas hits 4 dollars a gallon again). I am very grateful for the amazing family that I have.

Grandma Lizzies House

Check out this blog. http://grandmalizzieshouse.com/2009 Grandma Lizzies house has darling ideas for projects with your kids. And this month she is doing a give away for sharing thoughts about your Mom. It was fun to read all the comments. And the odds of winning are probably better here than in vegas. Liz is an amazing mom and Grandma. She is very talented, patient and kind. I know this because she never yelled at me when I made Callee skip school. Although she did always strongly encourage us to attend our classes. As I reflect on Mother's Day and remember all those who have touched my life I am grateful for Liz. And as you will read in your blog she truly always has made sure that she goes out of her way to make others happy and feel apart of anything that she is doing. Pass Grandma lizzies blog onto anyone you think would enjoy these great ideas for kids projects. Have fun!

"Glam"ping...........

I had to still the term "glam"ping from a friend of mine. I believe the interpretation is glamour camping. Everyone makes fun of me because camping to me is going to the Canyons resort in Park City. It has a nice mountain setting and fresh air while on the balcony. And you can always start a fire in the fireplace. Now what's wrong with that? Well apparently my family doesn't share my same views of camping. So we compromised. For Christmas this year we were able to get a 5th wheel trailer. This weekend was the first opportunity we had to take it out and try it. Friday night on our way home from soccer at 9:45 p.m. 15 min. before the storage lot closed we grabbed the trailer and took it home and started getting ready to go. Saturday morning I had opening ceremonies for baseball so the plan was to leave right after that. We were just going to take a small road trip and go here in Tooele because it was close and free. But as we headed up to the campsite we realized it was still closed for winter. So we headed to Wasatch State Park in midway. It was awesome!!!! Although it rained all day saturday and snowed sunday morning it was still nice to get away. We were able to just hang out play games and watch it snow. Morgan and Thaddeus both thought they would catch a skunk. I assured them if they even tried I was going to leave them in the mountains. So they settled for worms, bugs, squirrels. The kids were great to help pack and unpack. I expect that to wear off fairly quickly. But it was a great trial run. We are looking forward to Memorial Day weekend, 0ur next scheduled camping trip!

Take me out to the ball game..........

Wow it is that time again. Outdoor soccer is well under way and T Ball season just started. Any given day you will find us hanging at the ball park. Wether it is for T Ball or Soccer we love them both!!! This time of year get's very crazy and leaves little time for updating blogs but I will try my best to keep up. I am coaching the Giants this year. We just had opening ceremonies and it rained the whole time but, it was still worth it. There is something amazing about being at the ball park and hearing the National Anthem. Morgan's team is doing very well and we have 5 tournaments this summer. So there should be plenty of pictures to post. Morgan plays both defender and midfield. She is an amazing runner. I love to hear the comments on the side lines when morgan runs down field. Last friday night we had a game and we noticed Morgan having a shoving match out on the field. Later Morgan reported the girl on the other team told her she was too short so Morgan replied with "maybe your too big" and then they started shoving each other. As a parent I realize I shouldn't condone that but I was proud!!! Mike and I both sat on the sidelines looking to see who was coming out on top. Morgan won!! She really gave the big girl a work out. And she got the ball around her and ran off giving her this little stare of see I am not too small. I know call me a bad mom but It was cool to see Morgan becoming a little more aggressive and defend herself. She is small but I pitty the fool who under estimates the attitude wrapped up in her small little body. Thaddeus loves to play T Ball. He is a great hitter and likes to announce to his team that he rocks at T Ball. Well he doesn't lack confindence.

Date night

So I am sure everyone has the same experience with date night....... it never happens!!! It's hard to find time in our busy schedules to get a night out. We usually call date night a late night trip to Wal-mart and a stop at maverick for the beloved diet coke. But last weekend we had an awards banquet for work so it forced us to take a night out. I complained all week long about having to find a dress. (I am on my 3rd year of looking for a dress for this particular night, if I shopped more than I complained I would probably find one) I waited till Friday to actually attempt to find one. Thank goodness for friends I had 2 that offered me a dress. Mike wore his dress blues. And for all the complaining I do, I actually enjoy the one night a year that I put on a dress and go out with Mike. After I get a little photo shop and cropping I think this will be one of my favorite pictures of Mike and I.

Loser Friends

Ok, I am sure we have all had loser friends before. And do we keep calling them our friend or do they lose the friend title when it gets to the point you start calling them a loser. So I am sure you all know the type that we call loser........but here's my definition. They type that your only their friend if it's convenient on their time watch not yours. The type that you confide in and suddenly their gone leaving you to believe you should have never told them anything. The kind that take advantage of your good cooking, car pooling, and daycare services. The type that say they'll call and never do till you find each other years later on facebook. The type that is so excited you moved 30 miles closer so you can not hang out with them. Oh wait I just described myself. This blog insert is dedicated to Callee who has had a really bad day of loser friends.
( just a little reminder why you stay my friend)

Who else lets you take their kids bowling



who else would let you watch their crazy kid


Who else would let you buy their kids birthday presents they wouldn't allow

Who else has the absolute best 13 yr old to get your kids sick
who else would adopt your family as their own because they don' have one, and who else would spend the special Christmas activity with you. Which by the way we can't wait til December. We had so much fun.


Well that aside. I will always be your loser friend and you'll never get rid of me. Are you feeling better?

Weekend

We just spent the weekend in Island Park Idaho snowmobiling. (Of Course I didn't snow mobile for all those who just had shocked looks on their faces). Mike and the kids went out for hours and they had an awesome time. I however spent endless hours watching the Gilmore girls and soaking in the hot tub. Now that was my kind of weekend.

Some pictures just don't need an explanation........

Ok so you'll have to bare with me. It's late, 12:22 A.M. and I no longer have a camera for updated photos so I searched long and hard for the perfect photos to post. I never found them but these were hilarious. I usually only share the ones that make me look like a normal, loving mother of the year. And I only post the perfect children shots. So I thought I would post the side of us that is around 99 percent of the time. (and no I am not flipping the bird in that picture just to clarify).

A chapter closed

Some years come and go with no real defining moments and would seem to be just an ordinary year with ordinary events. But 2008 was not that year. This was a year with an entire realm of emotions, achievements, opportunities, heartache, and an abundance of love and gratitude. Lucky for all of you reading this blog. I am not going to write about all of these events that would take forever. But I did want to close the year and this chapter of my life with gratitude for those who are important to me. For my friends, who are truly my "family" thank you for all you do for me. Thank you for forgiving my shortcomings and accepting my inadequacies, but most of all thank you for the laughing with me (or at me). And thank you for supporting my diet coke addiction. For my Boss whom I am sure is not reading this blog (if he were I would be worried) but just for the sake of letting everyone know that I LOVE MY JOB! I have amazing employers and I am grateful to be apart of "the cause". I love working for the Unified Fire Authority. For my sisters though you are miles a way I Love you and think about you everyday and wish you were both here in Utah. For my fabulous kids thank you for being you. I love your smiles, your laughter, your chaos, your talents, and abilities but most of all I just love hanging and enjoying time together. I love all my nieces and nephews. Being an Aunt is so great. I love to give them all Mtn dew and then send them home for a nice relaxing evening. (He he he) We have been given so many great opportunities to make great memories this year and I look forward to many many more. Mike, for the sake of being lame and sappy, I am going to say "you complete me" (he he he) I know stop laughing. I just had to say it. I can't really say enough about Mike that would be a whole other blog. But I am grateful for the last 12 years. I know we've been married almost 15 but lets face it there is always a bad day every now and then. (ha ha ha) So that is the greatest of 2008 but I am grateful for the crappy parts too. I am grateful to close out this year and look forward to all that awaits in 2009! I love you all and wish you all a very Happy New Year. Oh and as a side note I am grateful for my last pedicure! It was sooo cute.

Catch Up!

The week before Thangsgiving was PTSA week at the Jr. High. It was a very busy week. It was a fundraiser. Our theme was very cute it was "Time Flies By". Each day of the week the kids were suppose to dress up for the time period. Monday was Prehistoric Day- thank goodness the Halloween costume was able to be used again. Tuesday was the 50's I made my first poodle skirt I was so proud of myself. We also played "Are you smarter than your Principal?" during lunch. Wednesday was the 70's Micah, Myself and Callee worked for hours making pet rocks. We sold them for $1.00 and they made the most money at the fundraiser. They were fun. And Thursday was the 80's we had the most participation in the dress up on this day. It is amazing that the 80's styles are coming back into fashion. We also had a dance off for our lunch activity this day. Thriller is still a very big hit. And Friday was future and the day we did our raffel drawing. The week was so crazy trying to get that all done and work at the same time but it was awesome to have a project to work on with Micah.

Thaddeus had the Cutest Thanksgiving program at school. I couldn't believe how well the teachers had the kids singing. And how well they all memorized their parts. Thaddeus was very entertaing as always. These pictures say it all.

And then of course we are doing Indoor soccer. What would the week be with out practice. Morgan loves to play indoor soccer. It moves very fast but she is always upto the challenge. I love watching her play.

I am a little behind on my Thanksgiving post but I do love Thanksgiving it is always a perfect beginning to the Holidays. I am always greatful for the time to reflect on all the great blessings I have in my life. I LOVE my job. I work for the Fire Department and I have a very awesome Boss who always let's me know I am appreciated and he allows me to be balance work with being a Mom.

I have been blessed with a best friend that moved to Tooele. Lance says he only moved here to keep Callee from shopping but I will always believe it was fate. I would never had made it through this last year with out her. Callee is a good listener, a good shopping buddy although all we have to shop at is Wal-mart, Callee helps me raise my kids, she makes me laugh, she appreciates my stupidity atleast she always acts like she does, and I could go on forever but it would make this blog very long.

I am grateful for challenges that keep me on my toes.

I am grateful for my sisters. Though they are so far away they always take my phone calls and they still let me annoy them like baby sisters should.

And so many others that I won't list but one last one I will. I have the most incredible husband and kids and I am grateful for them every day!!!!!!!!!!!!