Border Warz

Our football season ended with a couple of heartbreaking one point losses, but that wasn't the end of these seventh graders. We got entered into the first annual Border Warz tournament which includes three games against teams you don't play in your normal league. Last Saturday, we played a team from Pocatello, ID and beat them. Last night, the boys got to play Springville in the Rio Tinto Stadium where the Real soccer team plays. They got to use the locker rooms and run out through the tunnel as they announced our team. We had a 6:30 game so they got to play under the lights. We couldn't have asked for a funner, more exciting game. We won   in overtime by one point. The boys were so excited. We were going wild in our seats. This is something the boys will always remember.  This picture is of Mike and Dal walking off the field for half time. It's not easy being the coaches son.

This is the boys after the win. They all huddle together and jump up and down saying something. My tired brain can't even remember what they say right now.

I love to see them get emotional because most of our

 boys don't show their emotions on the field.

This is my favorite picture and my kid isn't even in it. We have twins on the team, Alex and Nick. Nick hurt his knee the last game of the season (he is he one in the front of the pic with levis on and a brace). Alex got to play and Nick cheered from the sidelines. You can see Nick giving Alex a big hug here after the game.

So Busted!

Do you see anything wrong with this picture?  Look closely.  Besides the dust and the sconce not being hung straight, look at the glass holding the little decorative pebbles and candle.  I was vacuuming yesterday and noticed a few little pebbles on the carpet and went to put them back in one of the sconces. I looked at them both to see which one had more so I could even them out and I thought, what the heck. They aren't the same size. About a year ago, the kids broke one of the sconces throwing a ball in the living room and so I had to buy a new one from Home Interiors.  For half a second, I thought, crap, I got the wrong size and never noticed it and all this time they haven't matched.  As I looked a little closer, I noticed that if I turned the glass sconce it had a handle on it just like the little glass mugs I have in my cupboard.  Oh, someone is so busted!  I knew right away it was probably the oldest kid in this house because he is quite ingenious. I started laughing because he was pretty darn smart to use this mug and I could just picture him panicking when it broke and trying to figure out what to use so I wouldn't find out. If he wouldn't have left some of the pebbles on the carpet, I probably never would have noticed it because the handle was facing back so you couldn't see it. I couldn't wait for the kids to get home from school. I knew he had some partners in crime or someone would have tattled by now. When they got home, all at different times, I asked if they had anything to tell me about. Reagen wasted no time telling me that Dallon did it and gave me full details. The other two giggled when I asked them and they realized I knew. I tried to be mean, but I started laughing and then gave them some lecture about how not telling about something is just like lying. I don't know how seriously they took me. As for the mug, I just turned the handle back around and eventually I'll get another sconce or use another mug so I have a matching set up there.

Blessing Mix

If you haven't done your visiting teaching this month, I found a cute idea for a "Blessing Mix" that is perfect for November on this blog http://chicnscratch.typepad.com, a most crafty lady. Actually, my friend Kass found it and shared the goodness with me.  

You need pretzels, bugels, peanuts, candy corn, and orange slices. Mix them up and throw some in a cellophane bag and print up the tag. I think you can read the saying in one of the pictures. If not, let me know and I'll get it to you.

Hello...my name is Gail.

I feel the need to introduce myself. I use to be a blogger, but lately I really suck at it. I can't even seem to squeeze in a "Thankful Thursday". Pretty pathetic.  I wish I could say it's because I've been too busy, but that wouldn't really be the truth and I'm always asking my kids, "Is that the truth?", whenever I think they may be fibbing. I give them the look of death when I say it, like if I look really scary, they'll for sure tell me the truth. Anyway, I just haven't felt the mojo lately. I sit on the couch eating bon bons (not really, it's usually cheesecake) as my need for stretchy pants grows and my chance to write about what my kids are doing while it's still fresh on my brain passes me by.

Football ended and I didn't even post about the last three games. Michaela has become a little career woman and babysits at least a few times a week. Then there's Reagen. The other night when I told her that she needed to bath, she explained to me, "Mom, I don't mind smelling like trash". Priceless. I don't want to forget all these great times so I'm going to do better.

Proud of these three today.

This one for getting up yesterday at 5:30 am to go to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. Not one complaint from him, he was actually excited to go. It may have had something to do with the all you can eat breakfast buffet after, but I'm still proud of him. 

He also got set apart as the Deacon's President today. He's becoming such a young man...still goofy, but a goofy young man.

This one for memorizing her part in the Primary Program and being brave enough to do it.

This one for speaking on family today in the Primary Program. Of course we had to make a deal that the hair could stay in a pony instead of being down. She said if it was down, it would be in the way and she wouldn't be able to see her talk and that would be disaster.

A girl and her cat.

Boo to you.

Amy, Kristin, Michaela, and Reagen.

My little vampire. She said that next year she wants to be a cheerleader. (Yeah!)

There's a long story behind this, but the condensed version is

that this was pretty much a dare. I never dreamed as I pulled old 

costumes out of the bin, that he'd actually wear them. The belly

shirt is from when he was a ninja at age 4, the red furry cuffs are from 

a lady bug costume and his hair piece is from a Spiderella costume, 

and to top it off, a pirate robe. This is soooo not Dallon. I guess that ended

up being the not so short version of the story.

When good Halloween costumes go bad...

Thankful Thursday

1. As the football and soccer seasons come to a close, I am thankful for coaches. These wonderful people volunteer to coach. No paychecks involved. They teach them the fundamentals plus all the extra stuff they need to know. Way more than I understand. I love to watch my kids come off the field and be given a high five and a big smile. I love that they are making friends on the field and learning how to win and lose with grace. 

2. I know I've used this one before, maybe even twice, but I can't say how much I love this beautiful fall weather. It sounds like this is the last week of it so I am trying to soak in all of the sunshine I can.

Of course that's where it is.

On Saturday, Reagen and I were driving into Salt Lake for Dallon's football game and I asked her where her missing DS (video game system like a gameboy) could be.  It's been gone for over a month and we've scoured the house and still haven't found it.

This is what she told me without even thinking about it. "It's in no mans land. It jumped on the magic flying blanket and flew there."

Well, no wonder we can't find it.  That explains where a lot of our missing stuff is.

Week in the Life - Day Seven

Hip Hip Hooray, this is my last day! Posting this project has been the very toughest part of the whole thing. If I was a little more computer literate it would have helped.

Thursday, October 16th:

1. Finally Thursday, my last work day of the week. I start out with a breakfast of pretzels and peanut butter. I'm sure I had something for a snack later because that definitely wouldn't hold me over until lunch.  2. Me and my cute prego friend Kass riding to Cafe Rio for Boss's Day. We always look forward to an outing. It was not easy to get this picture. I used the self timer and put the camera on the dash. Again, I do not recommend taking self portraits while you are driving.  3. Cafe Rio sweet pork salad. I am normally not a salad person, unless it's a Cafe Rio salad.  4. Most of our contracts department enjoying our yummy lunch. My boss Kirk has his back to the camera. He is a good man to have to manage 14 women and never complain.

1. Since we are SO close to Michael's, we run in real quick to check things out and I need a birthday present for a party Michaela has been invited to.  2. Get back to work and need some help making it through the rest of the day from an old friend. It's been a couple weeks since I've done the Dew and I even resisted caffeine at lunch and had water, but I could resist no longer.  3. Rush home from work and Reagen has her last soccer game of the season. Mike has football practice so I'm on my own again tonight. She plays in Tooele again. It's been a fun season for her and she had awesome coaches.  4. Fill up the car on the way home. 

The odometer on my 1995 Honda Civic. Thank goodness for this car and it's ability to just keep running.  (Knock on wood)

1. Catch this dude eating my leftover Cafe Rio salad. Not really - I told him he could have it, but he sure looks like a deer in the headlights here. 2. Soccer in the house...yes this is my life.  3. Michaela had her first babysitting job.  If Tiff is going to pay this well, I'm going to start babysitting.  4. Every time I look, my sink seems to be full of water jugs from soccer and football.

Week in the Life - Day Six

Wednesday, October 15th:

Arrive at work at 5:42 am. Oh Joy! I tell myself I am halfway through the week.  I can make it.

I start the day with a fairly healthy breakfast and I only go down hill from there. (don't know why this is underlining)

I'm a list maker. I usually have a list in my pocket and I'm always adding to it or crossing something off. It helps me feel in control. This week I have quite a list.

This is my wall of fame (and why I work).  I am faced with tough decisions all day long...apple or chocolate.

This is what I usually see when I get home. Either backpacks or sports gear in the rocking chair.

I get home in time to change and then run to Reagen's soccer game. She has treats and of course I forgot about it until now so we have to make a couple of stops.

She runs fast and plays hard, but really enjoys the time on the sidelines comparing water bottles with her teammate.

Rush home from soccer and make visiting teaching treats for tomorrow. I think we sat and watched the end of Biggest Loser after that and then headed to bed.

Thankful Thursday

I almost forgot about this because I'm in the middle of making cupcakes for the Pumpkin Walk tomorrow and it's 10:00 at night. 

I'm so grateful that the price of gas is going down.  It makes me feel hopeful.  Now, if we can just get groceries to drop a little so we can quit living off of ramen noodles.

I'm grateful to have a job and for the friends I've made there and the whole social aspect of it all. 

I'm grateful my last batch of cupcakes just finished baking so I can go to bed. Have a great Friday, everyone.

Week in the Life - Day Five

Lots of pics on this one. If you'd like to see it larger, just click on it.

Tuesday, October 14th:

1. Up at 5:00 for work and this is the only little face I see in the morning before I get to work. He looks as tired as I feel. 2. Mindy has Halloween candy out on her desk. This is not good for someone with absolutely no willpower. 3. Try and drink lots of this during the day because for some reason when I'm home, I forget that I need water. 4. The only problem with drinking lots of water is that it leads to lots of trips here and I HATE public restrooms. 5. Work on my least favorite account for most of the day. Major spreadsheet and major headache. 6. On the road home. I spend approximately 4 hours a week on the road. **disclaimer - I would not recommend taking pictures while driving, but for some reason I took a lot today. 7. I think this rock would be a cool place to come and take pictures, but I've never done it. 8. Bored in the car so more pictures. 9. The exit I take everyday. I've been making this drive for over eleven years and sometimes I don't even remember driving home.  10. Welcome to Grantsville. 11. Check the mail. I love to get magazines, not so much love for the bills. 12. Check homework. 13. I got home right as Mike and Dal were walking out the door for football, but Mike had this yummy hamburger ready for me. I wolfed it right down. Michaela stayed after school to play soccer with her friends. 14. Reagen drew me a lovely picture. 15. Michaela home and I made myself go for a walk and when I downloaded these pictures, I realized that I don't exercise as much as I thought I did...hmm. Michaela watches Reagen while I'm gone. 16. Reagen wants to be a vampire for Halloween, no a witch, no a vampire...look through the Halloween costumes. When Mike and Dal get home, we all watch one our fav shows, Heroes. Then the nightly ritual of telling everyone to get ready for bed 10 times before they actually do it.

Week in the Life - Day Four

Monday, October 13th:

1. Monday means back to work...argh. This is where I spend at least 8 hours a day, 4 days a week so your going to see a lot of work pictures. They may be a little boring, but this is my life. 2. Lots to do today. Monday's are always busy because I am off on Fridays. 3. It's nice to be appreciated. I received a huge planter from my Big East district for Customer Service Week. That almost made my Monday bearable. 4. This little instrument reminds me every day that I haven't walked enough. Some days I don't know why I keep wearing it. Maybe I like feeling bad about myself...ha! 5. Done with work and on the road to meet Mike and the kids at Flying J's to come back in to West Jordan for Michaela's soccer game. 6. Froze our fannies off a the game. I had told Mike to bring blankets and he brought the two littlest blankets that we own. With the wind chill, it had to be 10 below zero. 7. Drive to work in the dark and drive home in the dark. This is the sun setting over the lake. 8 & 9. This is what Mike does everyday without fail along with 100 other things. If it weren't for him, none of us would have clean clothes.

Week in the Life - Day Three

I have to thank my friend Chelsea (photoshop princess) for giving me a crash course session in photoshop. I spent over three hours the other night trying to figure some things out with no luck. She spent ten minutes with me and taught me so much. 

Sunday, October 12th:

"Is it church day?" This is Reagen's question every Sunday morning. Church doesn't start until 11:00 so we get to sleep in and still have plenty of time to get ready for church. Somehow, though, when it's five minutes 'til, we always have someone that hasn't combed their hair, brushed their teeth, or put their shoes on. We usually end up walking in a few minutes late. I am currently the secretary in the Primary and I love the job. After church, Mike took Dal to do his fast offerings. He's covering his chin because he's got a couple little pimples...bring on the teen years. Usually, on Sunday we have some type of roast, potatoes, gravy, corn, rice-a-roni, and rolls. Today, we totally went in the opposite direction and made pigs in a blanket. It was a nice change and the kids thought it was great.

After we ate, Michaela showed us a really cool thing on you tube. You put headphones on and listen to a virtual barber shop. It is so awesome, if you close your eyes, you feel just like you are getting a hair cut because of the 3D sounds. Get on and try it. Reag was so cute listening with her little eyes shut the whole time, and yes, that is ketchup on her face from the pigs in a blanket. Red reader books are due on Monday so we read through the books again. Dal decided he wanted to make cookies, but somehow I ended up making them. Funny how that works. That was about it for the day. Another weekend gone.

Week in the Life - Day Two

I told my friend Keysha she had to to this little project with me and she is totally kicking by booty at getting her pics posted and her story told. I can't let her get too far ahead of me and Sunday is one day that I'm not running around like a chicken with it's head cut off so here we go again.

Saturday, October 11th:

We woke up at 7:30 this morning to the smoke detector in our bedroom beeping every 10 seconds. I guess the battery was going dead. If I would have had something to throw at it, I would have because that was way earlier than I planned on opening my eyes. It rained and then even hailed a little. I really didn't want to get out of bed when I looked out the window.

Everyone up and going soon after. Mike gave Reagen this hat yesterday and I think she may have slept in it. She wants to wear it everywhere. No soccer for Michaela today and we found out Reagen's game in Dugway was cancelled due to the weather. She was bummed out because she was going to ride with her coach to the game.

Once a day, every day...sometimes twice a day. I'm so glad the kids are old enough to help load and unload. I wish my OCD wouldn't make me reconfigure everything when they are done. 

Before we head off to football at Deseret Peak, I jump on the computer and Reagen colors me a picture. She won't allow me to peek at it until she is all the way done. Total hat weather for both of us. It's breezy and wet.

Even colder at the game. The wind is really whipping. I am sporting a sweater, my coat, baseball hat, and then a yellow rain slicker with the hood cinched tight enough that my eyes and nose are the only things showing. I am really looking like a hottie. Reagen stayed with Amy and Michaela went to TKD. We beat Tooele 42-0. They are our long time nemesis...and the Tooele coaches are really mean, screaming people so it was good to beat them again.

Right after the game, Dal and I went to WalMart for groceries. I usually don't like to grocery shop on Saturday and now I remember why. We are both starving so we split a foot long from Subway. It was nice to have just a few minutes to sit and visit with Dal alone.

$188.00 later and I'm sure in two days, everyone will be saying, "we don't have anything to eat."

Here's the church and this is the steeple...I had to do this with Reagen about 20 times this afternoon. I think I finally distracted her with some candy or something.

Noticed this today (bottom right corner). Who knows how long it's been here, but I consider it evidence that a five year old obsessed with stuffed animals lives here and decorates even my room with them. A lot of days I open the refrigerator and find a stuffed crocodile looking me in the eye.

One tired girl and her bestest friend. It's been a long, cold Saturday and so we all  just lounged around for a while. Mike went to Bountiful to watch their game against Olympus and got home around 6:00.

Mike lost his sunglasses today (this is pretty much a daily occurrence, but today he lost them really good).  Guess who found them out in the shed? Reagen!  When she found them, she came in really proud of herself and had to call Mike right away and let him know that he owed her a frozen yogurt from Maverick. I helped her think of that because it sure sounded good. After the cold yogurt, we were all ready for a nice warm bed.