Weekend Highlights

Just a few Highlights from our LONG but good weekend!

Friday morning we got up early after a late night of riding and roping. We headed to parent teacher conference. It was mostly good. As a mom it is always a little nervous going to parent teacher conference... You just pray that they are acting the way you want them to and that they are learning and trying their best. After getting good reports from both teachers I climbed in my sisters truck with tears in my eyes. I had a really hard time leaving my family behind. I knew I needed to go be with my sister Stefanie but the torment of not being with Zeak at State wrestling was awful. I fell asleep on the way up just to help with the emotion and exhaustion. Dan called to let me know that him and the boys were in good hands. The little mother was already covering my job while I was away. Kaci followed him into the bathroom and he told her she had to leave while he was getting ready. She told him, "no dad I have to make sure you wash your bum." This helped me feel better about being away. Looks like she has learned well and will take good care of the boys while I am gone.
My sister Stefanie and her family went through through the Twin Falls Temple and were sealed for time and all eternity. Once I was there I was glad that I made the sacrifice to be there. The temple was so pretty the murals are amazing. The feeling inside the temple is one that can not be explained it just has to be experienced. You just know that things are good and right when you are there. I really never thought this day would happen for my sister and it broke my heart. On Saturday as I watched her children enter the room dressed in white the spirit was SO strong. I know with out any doubt that Families can be Together Forever when sealed in the temple of our Heavenly Father. The only way to describe my feelings of joy was I felt like my sister was on vacation and I hadn't been with her for a very long time, when I gave her a hug after the sealing I felt we had been reunited! It was awesome. Stefanie thanks so much for letting me be with your family on this special day. Zeak thanks for understanding and not holding it against me for missing State.
After the sealing and dinner we started our journey to Fielding to stay with my grandparents. There was snow and fog so we took our time and drove cautious. When we pulled into my grandpa's driveway I couldn't believe all of the snow. Let me just say I am grateful for the mud and brown patches on my lawn. This shot was the sidewalk to the back door.
3rd place Junior High State Wrestling Champs. Awesome Team Juab!
Zeak has only wrestled for 2 months and when you compare the first of the year to now it is awesome. He has learned so much and come so far. We are proud of him! He wrestled tough!
Now back at home everyone under one roof. There is no place like home. I had fun playing a few games of Snorta with the kids and relaxing before starting another crazy week.

And the Winner is . . .

Tonight was Zeak's last pinewood derby. This was a pinewood derby like I have never been to. Last year Dan and I were privileged to put on the 6th ward pine wood derby and I am feeling really bad and want to apologize to them for not giving them a more professional deal. Ours was a handmade bracket that Casey Winn helped us with. There was no timers or laptop just a couple of Priesthood leaders as judges. I had no idea there was a computer bracketing system that did all of the figuring for you. I had no idea there was an electric eye used for anything besides barrel racing. Like all pinewood Derby's the dads were still more involved and competitive than the boys. Funny thing about the Woodlands is that Monday night while in Walmart. The Kay's asked if the car was ready for tonight. OOPS no car even started. So plan A just paint the block of wood yellow put wheels on it and turn it into a school bus. Plan B was to use the truck from last year and modify the wheels. Last night was weigh-ins at 5:00 pm so I being the good mom took the old truck with the wheels not attached and weighed in the truck. Today at lunch, "Did I say TODAY?" "Yes," Dan borrowed the Internet and looked up how to make a fast pinewood derby car. He then left with out much more than I will be home to help Zeak get this ready. At 5:30 Dan walked in with sand paper a drill and started shouting out orders. Get this do that ect ect. Pretty soon I am saying we need to go it is time. At 6:40 ten minuets late I finally get the family in the car and head to the church. Well whatever Dan read worked. We had 3 heats the first heat he won and his time was 6 secs the 2nd heat he took second and his time was in the 5 secs the 3rd heat he won and moved to the 4 secs. So here we are in the finally heat to determine the placings. Zeak came in 1st with a time of 3.407. They were really excited and the Kay's were wondering how we got a winning car built so fast. Well the secret is . . . it is a truck not a car and it has something to do with 3 legs are better than 4. Tyler, he swears it has nothing to do with KY jelly! If you want tips and advice talk to Dan I am just the mom that makes sure we get to where we are suppose to be fashionably LATE! Camera in hand only to document it from her point of few. Glad you were successful tonight Zeak. Just remember, Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success. -Henry Ford

May I suggest procrastination is not the key to success. Trust me I know.

Love You Both

Date Night

Last Night Dan took me on a date. He opened my door (which he hasn't done in years.) He held my hand. I was really nervous. We went the church and participated on a dating panel. Normally the youth don't make me nervous but being on the dating panel made me extremely nervous. We were introduced as the old couple??? What I am not OLD am I? I guess when looking at some of the questions and our discussion maybe I am older than I think I am. Cell phones were not a problem in my dating years. We didn't have them yet. By the time I was in college we had them but there was no such thing as txting. I was comforted to know that there are still rules and etiquette when dating. If you do txt when on a date your date is included. Most kids just don't txt while on a date. Some of the questions were what are some fun dates? How should I ask someone on a date? What should I wear on a date? Is it ok to hang out? What is the difference between hanging out and dating? I was relieved to know that kids still want to date. That they still want to get married and have families. They still have values and morals. It was fun to relive our dating years. And share our experiences both good and bad with the youth. Most of them were not impressed with our first date. Dan picked me up early before sunrise and we went coyote hunting. It was a lot of fun for us but I can see how it was not a first date for everyone. They wanted to know our worst and best dates. Dan's best date was our first. Mine was when we went to the football field made snow angels had a snowball fight then we went back to the apartments for hot chocolate with candy canes. My worst date was my Junior Prom, I was asked out by a friends but I had just broke up with my boy friend all night long my date would say, man he sure doesn't know what he is missing? How stupid is he? It just made my heart break even more because I didn't really want to be at the Junior Prom with anyone else. Dan's worst date was a prom date as well and the girls stole the silverware from the restaurant. Dan wasn't impressed. Although it was so fun to revisit the dating years I for one am glad I have found my true love! I am glad that we can go on dates and enjoy ourselves I think one thing I learned is that even though we were the old couple on the dating panel we are not to old to go on dates. We need to go on more dates and we need to do more of the simple dates. Snowball fights, a walk, going to the park. Thanks for the date and trip down memory lane, Dan I LOVE YOU!

Friday Nights

Friday nights we have been roping in the barn. Last week it was 27 degrees and it is cold!!! My kids don't seem to mind the cold as much as I do. When pondering this I realized that they are so busy running and playing that they don't get cold. Me on the other hand I get cold so cold that I have to take a Tylenol to help with the pain when my teeth start to defrost. I inherited sensitive teeth from my father. It is hard to eat ice cream and ice because my teeth are so sensitive. I hate to go to the dentist just the air hurts my teeth. While pregnant I did train myself how to crunch ice with out hurting my teeth. None the less it still hurts to be in the cold for long periods of time.

Kaci traded her bumble the bull head for a new bull and cow. So not only did we rope but we branded the bull and cow as well. The bull is Kaci's so she got to brand him. I wonder why we do this? It is cold, cows stink and it is a lot of work. Dan reminds me we are raising kids. It makes them tough, they learn to handle hard situations, and they learn to work. We are together spending time as a family. So that is why we do this week after week. Rain or shine we are together raising kids and spending time together.

Someday I am going to have my own indoor barn with my house attatched that way we have the kitchen where we can cook and entertain, the bathroom right there so we don't have to run to Aunt Brenda's, and I can watch from the window when it is 27 degrees!

Support

Carson getting his Award from Mark Eaton

Greer Kids with Grandma Nelson

They were going to Mexico???

Woodland Kids with Grandma Nelson

We seem to have been doing a whole lot of wrestling lately but last weekend we got to support Carson and spend another weekend with cousins. We wrestled in Payson that morning and Lance and Shannon stopped to watch Zeak they got to see one of the few wins he has had all year. Then we were finished in time to go watch Carson compete in a Fitness contest sponsored by the Jazz. He did awesome! It is so great to support each other. Even though we live so far away we really have been able to support Shannon's kids and they have been able to support ours. It is so fun to see the kids grow and develope. After the competition we went to lunch and then Shannon and Lance took all of the older kids and Dan and I got Brinley and Kaci. At first I was thinking we got the bad end of the deal. They were so cute they sang and drove to Mexico the whole time we were in Home Depot. Brinley was suppose to stay with us the whole week but turns out she was getting sick on top of being home sick for her mom (or her mom for her) so we sent her home early with Aunt Kathryn. I was hoping she would still be my friend and she was. Dan and I asked her where she came from and she informed us she came from Jesus, "Not St George but from Jesus." What fun personalities our nieces have. We love having Kaci's Friends (cousins) be with us. After some shopping we left the kids in Mona. This was a little scary since we were going to the movie in Payson. The last time we left them all together we were only a few blocks away and Kayla called crying that no one would listen to her. This time they did great. Lance, Shannon, Dan, I and his mom went to the movie Blind Side. Highly recommend anyone who hasn't seen it already to go. If you don't go just buy it when it comes out on video. It will for sure be purchased for the Woodland house. I loved it! So refreshing to see a good movie with a good story and good morals. When called home to check on the kids Zeak said, "so your not coming home your going to dinner aren't you?" I guess our kids are growing up!

Payson Wrestling Tournament

Yesterday was a wrestling tournament in Payson. Zeak has learned a lot wrestling and he is enjoying it. Since Christmas we have had some hard matches and little success in the winners circle. I am amazed at Zeak's great attitude and willingness to learn. Sometimes he doesn't understand but he never gets down and out because he looses. He is a great looser which makes him a great winner in my eyes. He just keeps his head up and goes into each match like he is the best wrestler in the world. When he comes up from a pin he never tears up and he looks to the coaches for direction and advice on what to do better next time. Thanks to some great coaches and parents who have helped Zeak. Dan and I know nothing about wrestling and so we are so grateful to so many who have helped Zeak. Coach Winn and Coach Williams are so good with the boys. I have never seen them yell or get upset at a boy for loosing they are so good to tell them what they did right and what they need to do to get out of that loosing situation. There are so many dads who have been right by Dan and coaches helping Zeak out. It has been fun to watch him learn and grow. Yesterday he took 2nd in the tournament and was so excited. Hopefully that is a good note to go to region and all of his hard work will pay off. As a mom it is hard for me to really enjoy this sport but I have enjoyed the growth and positive change it has brought to my son. I am grateful that we live in a community where it is a tribe raising a boy.

New Years Eve

Dan and I both grew up in families that celebrate baby new year. My family set out our Christmas stockings and Dan's family sets out a shoe. So every new years eve we set out our shoes and get a little surprise from the baby new year. Nothing big just something to start out the new year.

New Years Eve was not what my kids are use to. We are either with family or with friends. It is usually a big celebration and we stay up late. This year much to my kids dismay we ended up having a not so quiet night at home. We were all still on antibiotics and so we stayed home had BBQ hamburgers, homemade french fries, and sang karaoke. We established some family rules and goals for 2010. Even though we would rather hang out with our friends and family new years eve it was nice to spends some time at home and not have to go anywhere. Dan broke out the karaoke machine and the kids had a blast they just had to beat their dad away from the microphone. Dan made me promise not to put this or his bull riding experience on the web. So for now I will hold them at Ransom.

Last Christmas Party

The last Christmas Party for us was the 3rd of January. We got together with all of Dan's siblings it was so fun. The kids love being together and playing. Several times I found cousins hanging out together the girls in bed reading a book together. The boys using Grandma's easels as guns and shooting the antelope together. The older kids played ping pong and pool together. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed spending time as a family lots of good food. This year Susan said just bring your favorite dish. So she did lasagna, Shannon did a Mexican dish that was so good, I did bread sticks and green lime slush, Jessica did potatoes, we had salad and Kathryn did fresh salsa and chips and Suzanne did homemade ice cream. It was all very very delicious and fun to see what everyone brought. Fun times and memories made another succesful Holiday for our families.

Christmas Morning

So what did I Dan and I get for christmas. Everything we ever wanted and more. . . I ended up going home Saturday morning only to find out I had strep throat I am waiting for my Brother-in-law to call and thank me for his belated Christmas gift but so far haven't heard from him. I spent the rest of the holidays in bed wishing that 2010 would hurry up so I could feel better. I missed two more Christmas parties. But all is well and we are finally all healthy again at our house.
The girls of the house spent the afternoon making watches while the boys went shooting. It was a fun afternoon had by all except my sister Brenda. She is so funny when we do crafts. Everything has to be exact in her world and when it isn't she has hard time. The key to watches it to have a little variety so all of the bulk isn't in the same area. She couldn't handle it. Finally she got hers done and we dismissed her from doing anymore crafts she has to go hunting with the boys next time.
Cody and Kaci were really close before he left and they call each other snickerdoodle. She loved talking to her snickerdoodle. No one seemed to mind that we took a small break from gifts and opening presents to talk to Cody. In fact I think we need an intermission every year. Christmas lasted a little longer it was great.
The best present of all was the phone call from my little brother who was serving in South Africa. We had a hard time getting through but when we finally did it was good to talk to him. I think the sign of a good missionary is it had little to say to us. He is definitly focused on the mission.
Dan also rebuilt and fixed some saddle bags for Jake. Dan had a great time creating things for his boys.
Dan got this saddle and rebuilt it for Zeak. Zeak had no idea and was surprised and way excited.

Festival of Trees, compete with Hello Kitty make-up and animals.

Jake was surprised by vest, rope, and target for shooting

Zeak got a new rope and new overalls he was stoked.

Cousin's sportin' their Christmas Eve Pajamas. This was perhaps the best part of Christmas just being with the cousins. My kids truly love their cousins on both sides. Early in the month when I asked them what their favorite part of Christmas was it was unanimous they loved waiting with their cousins Christmas morning to see what Santa brought them. For the most part they all play well together. Zeak has girls on both sides his age but he is still friends with them. He and Kayla have a special bond that has change a bit due to their turning into awkward 11 and 12 year old kids. They are not teenagers but they are not little so what are they??? Tel thinks Zeak is better than Christmas. When we asked on Christmas Eve what the kids wanted Tel broke my heart when he said, I want Zeak to move to Dietrich. I hope Zeak can always be a good example and understands how much Tel looks up to him.