Perfect Season

Way to go Utes!!!!!

12-0!

We just got home from the game and it was awesome! Lots of pictures will be coming when I have more time to post them.

Oh- and to whoever spray painted the giant white Y on the grass in our front yard- Kudos to you. That was good. And we are even more impressed that you spelled it right! ; ) lol

(I'll post a picture of that too.)

Bring on the BCS!

(We're crossing our fingers for the Fiesta Bowl.)

All Noah wants for Christmas is...

His 2 Front Teeth!!!

Fall Fun

Who knew that a pile of damp leaves could be so much fun?

FHE

For Family Home Evening tonight we made a Gratitude Tree. It was fun and turned out pretty cute.

Some of my favorite things that were listed are...

chickens

gumballs

ham

the utes

blankies

hot sauce

xbox live

hair

the kitty cat books

At first I was a little frustrated by my funny boys (Trev included) listing these things as I listed all of the typical faith-family-friends type answers, but then I realized that these are things that they really are thankful for. They were just writing what they truly felt. I think I'll add- books, fuzzy socks, chocolate and my washer and dryer.

(I am so grateful I don't have to do laundry for 6 by hand!)

Smart Boy

It is a smart boy

that offers his mom a foot massage

at bedtime

when he wants to stay up just a few minutes longer.

U of U!!!

Did you see it?!?!

The game last night?

The "blackout" game against TCU to see who would take over 1st place in the Mountain West?

It was awesome!

Ok- so the first 9 minutes weren't so great when TCU went up by 10 and we were wondering where our defense was. But then our defense showed up (big time!) and Louie (I heart Louie) was able to kick a couple field goals (of course he was!) and the score was 6-10 at halftime. Then the second half was a little frustrating as two great defenses battled it out and the offenses tried to keep up. We thought the game was over when TCU got into field goal range (we are used to Louie afterall) and they lined up to kick. We couldn't believe it when the ball hit the goal post and didn't go through. We still had a chance to win with a touchdown! But then they got into position to kick again. And we figured, again, that the game was over. However with about 2 1/2 minutes left on the clock the unbelieveable happened. Their kick went wide right and they missed the field goal- again! Everyone went crazy!

And then we knew.

We knew that we could win.

We knew that we could take it all the way back down the field and score. I'm not sure how to describe the feeling- but you could feel it- it was going to happen.

The team was feeding off the energy of the crowd and everyone in the stadium was on their feet cheering and yelling. Our QB Johnson- who always comes through in a clutch- was amazing! If you didn't see it- find someone who recorded it (we did!) and watch it. You should see it. The plays were beautiful and Freddy Brown was the target-twice. Once for a crucial 1st down and then for the best touchdown ever!

The stadium was rocking!

Our offense had come out and played like there was no one on the field with them. They were incredible! The score was 13-10 but there were still 40+ seconds on the clock though and TCU wasn't ready to give up either. They headed back down the field and were almost close enough for another kick attempt (We felt so bad for their kicker at this point -a freshman- who I knew must be just dying on the sidelines) but he wouldn't have to endure a 3rd attempt. We picked off the ball with just seconds left and it was over.

We won. We beat TCU!

In a stadium full of people wearing black to cheer on a team wearing some really cool black uniforms.

Like I said before- it was AWESOME! Fans immediately rushed the field yelling and screaming and the announcers had those of us left in the stands laughing as they very calmly asked them to be careful with the goal posts and be cautious entering the field. Trevor took off with Eli for his very first field rush. They had a blast meeting players and taking pictures with them- Fotu even gave Eli his helmet to hold in the picture with him. (Unfortunately Trev didn't take the camera out with them so the pictures are all on his phone. I'll post those if I can get them off of there.) Here are a few until then...

Eli wearing black.

Rushing the field. Trevor and Eli are in there somewhere.

Holding down one of the goal posts.

Lizzy, Eli, Leif & Trevor

10 and 0!

Next week- San Deigo

Then that blue team.

Afterwards it looks like we'll be headed to a BCS Bowl Game- again!

GO UTES!!!

Eli's Update

Eli's team had a rough game Wed. night.

But, they ended up 2nd place in their division.

I am proud of them, but of course they were very disappointed. In Eli's words- "The only thing worse then coming in last, is coming in 2nd." It was a cold game and my camera was acting up so I didn't get pictures, but this...

Is what we woke up to that morning.

Thankfully it had melted off the field by game time but it was by far the coldest game we had.

Goal for next season- 1st Place!

Practices start in July. See ya in 8 months.

Championship Game

Eli's football team had an awesome season! They only lost 1 of their regular season games. They won their first playoff game and tomorrow night at 7 pm will be playing for the championship against PG.

Good luck guys!!! We know you can do it!

PS- If anyone should happen to want to watch the game, we would love to have you come. This game willl be on PG's home field and they can bring a crowd. We want to bring one too!

Noah's 1st Football Season

This time of year is we are surrounded by football at our house.

Season Utah tickets, Eli plays and for the first time this year Noah played too.

Noah played on a flag football team and had a great time. Before their first game of the season they were trying to decide on a team name. Their shirts were gray. I happened to get a glance at the sheet of paper with the name suggestions from the kids. There were things like- the bullets, the cougars (thank goodness they didn't use that one!) the green something-I-can't-remembers

and then I saw the name "The Silver Raisins."

I knew it was Noah's suggestion. Just knew it!

I asked him about it at half time and he denied it.

Then after the game he owned up to it.

We were all cracking up.

The team went with the name "The Bad Boys"

but we still call them the Silver Raisins.

And they were so much fun to watch while they played a great season.

Here are some pictures of the fun...

Noah lined up ready to go.

Noah running the ball (in the red hat).

Sporting his medal.

The Bad Boys -aka- The Silver Raisins.

Halloween Fun

We LOVE Halloween!! Here are some pictures from the last week or two...

***Ward Halloween Carnival***

(Trev couldn't resist the hair and had to try on Zach's cool hat.)

Noah & Mrs. W at his class party.

Very nice teacher ~ Very creepy costume

This amazing costume was at Witches Night Out.

(I was having to much fun to take pictures of anything else. Oops!)

***Halloween Night***

A creepy guy, some Jedi's and a witch.
Jonah wanted to use the giant cauldron as his treat bucket. Funny kid!

The food.


The good stuff!

A sweet thank-you kiss.

Happy Birthday Eli

Eli is 13!!!

Happy Birthday E!

From the sweet little baby with the crazy hair

to the most fun-loving, anti-cougar-Utah-fan around...

you've always made us laugh.

You are such a great kid!

We are so glad that you're in our family!!

We love you!!! You Rock!!!!

Happy Birthday Christopher

Today our sweet little angel would be turning 16!

Christopher-we love and miss you so much! We think of you everyday and can't wait to see you again. Did you see all the balloons we let go for you last night?

Happy Birthday little man!

Hugs & Kisses and lots of Love always!!!

Love, Your Family

in a rut.

I am in a major blogging rut.

It's not that I don't have anything to blog about- it's just that I haven't felt like blogging.

And my background was bugging me.

But I can't find anything I like right now.

So- white it is.

I need to post about Hannah's 2nd birthday.

And find a cute new background.

Maybe tomorrow.

Eww- Yuck!

This week has been crazy.

(We get that a lot around here!)

Here's the quick story...

2 years ago-little lump in my ear lobe, didn't hurt, I ignored it.

1 year ago- little lump started to hurt, skin felt weird over it, I called Dr.

10 months ago- Dr removed little lump.

A week or so later- Dr called, lump was benign, rare, and she didn't get it all. I was in hospital with other problems so I told her I would come back in 'later'.

Last month- noticed little lump was back, called Dr, she removed the notaslittlethistime lump.

A week or so later- Back to Dr's, benign, rare and still some there- referred to a surgeon who specializes in skin cancer removal.

Last Thursday- 7 hours of Moh's surgery=really nasty open wound covered by huge bandage.

Last Monday- more tissue removed, another big bandage and referral to plastic surgeon for

repair of yucky ear lobe and cheek with a big hole in it. Original diagnosis was wrong- something even more rare. Still benign, but locally very aggressive and destructive. Trevor of course took nasty pictures, but I will spare you.

Two days ago- Plastic surgery. Not to make anything pretty- just to try and look normal.

Thanks to everyone who has helped with my kids, brought in food, called to check on us or helped in any other way. We appreciate it!!!

My results came back clear of all tumor.

My ear is repaired and though I will have to have it re-pierced in a few weeks Dr. Chick did a great job. Thanks Dr. Chick!

Moral of the story: If any of you ever find a little lump anywhere that a little lump shouldn't be- don't wait to get it taken care of!!!

Football!!!

It's here! Football season has officially started- and we are loving it!!!

Eli's team is awesome this year. They have great size, speed and some really talented kids. It has been so fun to watch. They have won their first 2 games and had a great time doing it!

Go Pioneers!

Oh- and how about those

UTES!!!

Beating Michigan, at their house, even though we had some first game jitters and made some stupid mistakes. WooHoo!!! We can't wait to get into the stadium this weekend and kick things off at home. Having season tickets with our good friends and family makes every game even better.

GO UTES!!!

Silly Girl

Hannah has started doing this big, cheesy grin complete with saying,"Cheeeeeeese" whenever I get out the camera. She was wearing her "pitty pincess" shoes in this glamour shot.

She also has us laughing with some of the new phrases she is saying. When she is looking for something and finds it she says, "Oh here ya are." If we are looking for her she says, "Oh here I am."

And ever since Papa Lewis tought her how to play catch, she wants to catch all the time. It doesn't matter what you're holding- she'll stick out her arms, wiggle her fingers and say,"Throw it, throw it, I catch, I catch!"

Primary lessons

Noah's primary lesson today was titled, "We believe in obeying the law."

It started with the kids each making a farm animal out of play-dough. The animals were then all put on the table and a playdough fence was put around them to keep them safe. The teacher then talked about how just as a fence keeps animals safe, rules and laws keep people safe.

After the class was over they headed into sharing time.

In sharing time they talked about the word 'Remember'. They started by asking if the kids knew something important that they should remember.

Noah raised his hand.

When he was called on his answer was-

"You should remember that even if your animals are made out of playdough, they might still need a fence!"

(Thanks Bro. Norby for a great lesson and for sharing that story with us!)

Karma

Or is it 'opposition in all things'?

There is no picture with this post for a reason. You would not want to see what I saw when I walked into Hannah's bedroom this morning.

There have been a few times that I can remember hearing other people's stories of their kids decorating their cribs or walls with "diaper art" and laughing to myself (an evil laugh) and thinking, "I am so glad that my kids have never done that."

Ok. I shouldn't have done that. Karma.

Who would have thought that after having a bunch of dirty, stinky, mischief loving, (but totally adorable) little boys that my little girl would be the one to do something so disgusting. The little girl with the pretty blonde hair that can bat her eyes and smile and melt your heart. The one that loves shoes and chocolate and wearing my jewelry. Why would she do that?

The worst part-

it's the 3rd time it's happened in the last couple weeks.

Yuck.

I think it's because she has always slept through the night.

From the day she was born.

I just thought I was lucky or blessed or something.

But I think it was a set-up so that I could learn the 'opposition in all things' lesson.

Just because she looks cute and sweet and innocent, doesn't mean she always is.

There are a lot of things in life like that aren't' there?

Like the fact that when I was a kid I couldn't wait to be a grown up.

Why? The freedom is great, but the bills aren't.

I guess I didn't foresee the cute little blonde with a disgusting habit of taking off her diaper in bed either.

Yuck again.

And this brings me to another thought...

Do you ever look around and wonder, "How did I get here?"

Not like Alzheimer's or anything, more like where has the time gone?

I am in a weird place right now.

I know it is just the timing of lots of things happening at the same time, but it's weird.

My birthday was two weeks ago.

It usually doesn't bother me at all- but doesn't 35 sound so much older than 34?

And then there's the fact that Eli will starting junior high in 2 weeks. Just remembering how much I hated being in the middle of that awkward age makes me nervous for him. And now I'm the mom of a teenager. That makes me nervous for me. I don't want to be the un-cool, lame-o, embarrassing mom. But how exactly does one be the cool mom? Ugh. I still don't like Jr. high.

I also can't believe that Noah will be starting 2nd grade. Already?

Then I realized that Jonah will start Kindergarten next year. Next year!!

And Hannah will be 2 soon.

There is also the fact that won't leave my mind that if Christopher were still here, he would be ::::whispering:::: starting high school and getting ready to get his drivers license. Ack! I can't believe I'm old enough for that!

My kids are growing up too fast.

I am growing up too fast.

How did I get here?

I've been reading the 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' book series about a group of girls in their late teens. It's only added to this weird thing I'm going through right now. I used to be the 18 year old going out with friends at 1 am for Ben and Jerry's. What happened to that?

I still feel like that 18 year old, maybe a little wiser, but now I could almost be her mom.

Scary.

Sorry for the rambling. Thanks if you made it this far reading.

It's just been one of those mornings.

Father & Sons

This year Trevor took all 3 boys to the Father & Sons Campout.

They went to Salamander Flats in AF Canyon.

They had a great time that night and went on a long hike the next day.

It was fun to spend time with friends.

McKay W., Jonah, Noah & Hinckley M. ~ Zach S. & Eli

Snow in July?!?

They came home very wet and muddy!

One of the highlights was the massive marshmallow fight.

The bishop getting even with the kids ~ Dave W. & Chris S. with the big gun

Fireworks!

This year we went with the Summerhays' to Clearfield City's fireworks. They put on an amazing show! And we of course had a good time with great friends!!

Jonah with his "spy glasses"- (apparently glowing in the dark somehow makes you invisible to the enemy)

Ninja Noah.

Fun stuff.

Watchin' the show.

Lizzy & Eli.

*~*4th of July Parade*~*

We LOVE the 4th of July! We love spending time with family and friends, barbecuing, fireworks- all of it. One of our favorite parts of the 4th of July is Kaysville City's parade. My kids (and hubby) look forward to this like it's Christmas. Seriously. It is so much fun!

Little Miss Hannah in her red, white & blue tutu.

Waiting to go to the parade.

Once she got there she spent the longest time just playing with the straps in her stroller.

Sarah, Noah & Jonah.

We wouldn't let Hannah walk along with the parade. This is her fake cry to let us know how upset she was.

Hannah & Daddy

Trevor & Leif- fighting water with water!

The refill station. Gotta keep those water guns full!

After getting a "pretty" (necklace), Hannah was content to sit in a chair and munch on candy for the rest of the parade. Even when one of the huge water trucks came by and sprayed us.

Sarah & Noah showing of their haul- stuffed animals and about 47 pounds of taffy.

Eli & Leif and lots of other people. Notice the water truck in the background? It's hard not to get wet here. That is why my kids love it!