Mike's New Toy -

After putting in over a half acre of grass, Mike knew he would need a riding lawn mower to save a little time on Saturday's. Last year we thought we could handle it with Mikey now mowing the lawn, but this year we decided to bite the bullet and get this new little toy for Big Mike. Yah, he loves it so much he thinks he needs to mow the grass every couple of days. When he isn't doing that he is giving the kids a ride in the trailer, which they can't get enough of! So I guess its EVERYONE'S new little toy!

A simple Candy Gram...

One of my dearest friends did the KINDEST thing for my little Dallin this week. He loves soccer and up to this week our team had not lost a game (won 3 and tied 3). He was a bit restless going into this weeks game because I was not going to be there to coach (Natalie is my AWESOME friend and assistant coach and was taking over for me) and his best buddy was not going to be there as well, whom Dallin really plays well with.

It ended up being the "Black" team which we had played before and it was one of the rudest teams I have ever had my kids play against. #4 in particular is very grouchy all my kids on the team know about him and can't stand him. Dallin is a really aggressive player and so is #4 and so the last time we played he really saught Dallin out to try and get in his way. I usually don't get fired up but that was an exception. That other coach got my spicey side that day!!!!

We tied that game and so this time around #4 came back with a vengence and was just awful. He kept taunting Dallin on the field and saying rude things to him. The last straw was when he grabbed Dallin's shirt and shoved him down. The ref's are just kids so they don't see alot of things - so of course no foal was called. Mike ran out on the field and had a word or two with him about it. But regardless, my sweet Dallin was just hurt inside. Most everyone knows that Dallin is a busy little thing but has the most tender heart in the world and he just couldn't figure out why some strange kid would be so nasty over a soccer game. We ended up losing the game too which really added salt to the wound (we have a long road to go if we are ever gonna do High School sports...Dallin needs to get tougher and I need to SHUT MY MOUTH!!!!).

But anyway, my whole point of writing today was to talk about my dear friend who coaches with me. I am so blessed to have her as a neighbor and she keeps me sane through all of lifes ups and downs with neighborhoods. She knew Dallin was so torn up about the game and has 4 boys of her own so she really has soft spot for my boys. The next day I opened our door to see this candy gram on our porch specifically for Dallin. She had gotten some of the teammates together and made this for him to boost him up and help him feel better! I left it on the table so Dallin could see it when he woke up and I have rarely seen him more touched than that. He carried it all around the house reading it over and over, not even wanting to touch the candy. When I told him who did it he nicely said "I knew it was her!" Which really made me happy that he feels a safety and love from her like that, knowing she was capable of doing something so kind for him.

Anyway, life always goes on but it is sure nice when someone gives you flowers along the way...or candygram. We love you NATALIE!!!!

We love the Zoo!

We took a quick trip to the Zoo the other day with some buddies in our neighborhood. I snuck Mikey out of school for a little date and he had a blast. Our favorite part was watching one of my buddies twins run down a hill to the penguins and he got going so fast he flew right into the bushes, and with no ounce of crying, got back up and kept running! That's a little boy for you!
Karly fell in love with the awesome giraffe's and kept saying "hi GIRAFFIES!!!!!"





Mikey was so amazed by the bug collection the Zoo had. He keeps begging me for more animals in our house but I am sticking with the birds (did I tell everyone I got new birds?!!! That a whole nother post!)

Windows rolled down...

I was driving all the boys home from school this week and rockin out to "Pocket Full of Sunshine" (Joey's favorite song) and had a wonderful realization! My windows were rolled down and I wasn't getting hair tangled all in my face!!!!!! It sounds so silly but it was a very magical moment for me. I have never loved my windows down for the sole reason that it took me an hour to brush my ratty hair afterwords. So it always was the sun roof or air conditioning for me, UNTIL NOW!!!!! When I realized that I could sit in my car and feel breezy wind everywhere without one bit of hesitation I immediately fell in love. So, now you know my new favorite obsession...my windows rolled down.

Loving my short hair -

I finally did it!

Well, after 20 years of wondering what I would look like if all my hair was chopped off, I finally did it! I used to honestly say if I moved on from this life without ever taking the plunge and chopping my hair off I would be bummed. I have been so happy with it all! I love the new style and all that short hair brings (less shampoo, no pony tails at night, less hair falling out, quicker brushing, you know - that sort of thing). I was so worried I would look really odd (and one of my neighbors kids did tell me I looked weird, but I am taking it as a compliment!) but feel like it is a fun change and told Mike that it didn't really matter if I looked ugly or not cause he was stuck with me anyway. Thank goodness he liked it though - he has too!

Anyway, cheers to short hair!!!!
I have been preparing to run the "RACE FOR THE CURE" with my dear family in honor of my wonderful Aunt Mary Ann who passed away a few months ago from breast cancer, and decided donating my hair would be another way to honor her. Even though the donations go to children who have permanently lost their hair, it was still a wonderful cause. So on a whim and with encouragement from some dear friends, I just did it.

p.s. Karly loved my pink bandana that I wore in the race and just had to have it on!




The race was absolutely fabulous and watching 18,000 people just in one city come together to honor those who have had this disease is impossible to describe. It was over whelming to see so many different kinds of people who have lost mothers, wives, grandmothers, and sisters. Then there were so many women wearing their SURVIVOR shirts that walk with pride in their step and hope in their faces. I honor my dear Uncle Steve and his 3 children for their strength in participating as well.

Our 1st Chess Tournament!

Something I really love about Mikey and Dallin is that they are into LOTS of hobbies - they can hang in sports, play piano, build anything you can think of with legos and so forth. This year they discovered something new that has really interested them - CHESS!

Our school has a chess club and they meet once a week at 7:45 am all year long and my boys love going! The funny thing is that there are 100 kids a week who show up! It amazed me that Chess is so popular right now (or maybe it always has been and I just haven't noticed?). After preparing all year they got to participate in their first Elementary State Chess Championship - 8 am to 4 pm! It lasted all day and Mike was such a trooper and spent the day with them there. It ended up being a pretty intense day (I didn't realize that some kids are EXTRA serious about chess) but they hung in there pretty well and our school took 15th out of 60 schools there (not that it matters, I would have been proud of them if they took last). They were so happy when they received two medals for the year. Dallin proudly wore his at school and cute Mikey decided they were best sent home with Dad (yah, he is growing up and the cool factor is starting to matter a little bit).

So proud of you cute boys...next to our wall of basketball, soccer & football trophies, now lies 4 awesome chess medals.

Can you tell he LOVES soccer?

Seriously, Seriously - he has been talking about playing soccer for a year. He sleeps in his uniform, wears it to the zoo, and everywhere else for that matter. His first game was so cute because he was so excited to be there he could hardly hold still. These shots explain it perfectly...The best part is when his coach hollered for them to stop the ball he ran and grabbed it with his hands and handed it to the ref (even though he wasn't the goalie), as if that is what you need to do to stop the ball - feet are WAY overrated. He was so proud of himself!

My Magiver...

Does anyone remember that show? Well, ever since I have known Mike he has been MY MAGIVER - fixing anything I could possibly need fixing, especially if it seems impossible. I can't recall one thing he hasn't been able to mend in some way. Guess that's why he went to Engineering school right? Today was NO exception. If anyone knows the new world of "BAKUGAN" then you will get this. My little Dallin had one that broke and his whole world came tumbling down - poor kid. They save so hard to earn these darn things so I really understood. Then Mike says -

"Do you have a paperclip?"

I am thinking "What on earth are you going to do with one of those?" to myself. But I don't ask cause it always has a good purpose. He walks away and in a few moments returns with a few supplies and a fixed Bakugan! Dallin was so happy and I was once again SO IMPRESSED! Don't know how he did it...I wouldn't get it even if he told me.

I just love this guy...

Joey's Addictions

By now, most of you who know my dear Joey know that he becomes INFATUATED with certain things at different times in his life. I love this about him and all the passion that he brings to this world. Forever it was "sketcher" shoes (literally), then it became his BYU basketball outfit, then soccer shoes and shin-guards, then his awesome soccer outfit that we still even wore today and needs another washing (twice in one week). But one of my favorites that I had forgotten to mention was this adorable baseball cap.

You see, Mike coaches Dallin's team and the day these outfits came in Joey thought it was Christmas. He HAD to wear one of the hats (thank goodness there were extras) and he felt like he was one of the team. He wore it everywhere to prove his loyalty - including bedtime. Despite the tears that come when children are passionate about something, I appreciate so much this quality in my sweet boy and know it will add so much to his character as her matures. Love you Joey!

Movie Night with Grandma -

The other day I was thinking about my dear Grandma (whom I absolutely adore) and trying to figure out ways to spend better quality time with her. She is one of the most uplifting and caring persons that I know and her mind is still so alert and full of fantastic whit. I had the idea pop into my mind about having movie night with her but instead of going out we would all come to her! She loved the idea because she is not as mobile as she would like to be - so we (a few of our family, not even close to the representation I have on this side alone - over 50 cousins and then some!) gathered around and brought treats and began to watch the original "Pride and Prejudice" series.

It was so much fun to be together and afterwords we sat around and listened as she shared fun stories of our late Grandpa Rex. I just love being with her because any time I feel down about my unsuccesses as a mother and come to her and all she does is build me up and act like I am the most hard working mother in the world. She praises me and uplifts me. What amazes me is that she raised 10 fantastic children in a time when there was not washing machines, dishwashers, fast food, or wal-marts. Yet she never complains about her experience and this strengthens me. I just love this woman and so glad her example graces my life. Your wonderful Grandma!!!

Pinewood Derby Baby!!!

This tradition has been around forever and with 6 brothers I remember going to my fare share of Pinewood Derbies. Now that I have little boys going I actually can feel the anxiety for them!!! Even though we aren't the best derby car makers (our friend Dave who won as a kid for the entire state of Alaska helped his son for an awesome win - you deserve it!) the boys enjoy making them with their Dad and spending some good quality "guy time." Here's a few shots of the night!