Monday, August 29, 2011

Woodland Family Vacation

Drum roll please... it is the night of the big Home Coming game at Juab High School. The crowd is full of energy. It was time to announce the home coming royalty. The Queen for the year 2011 is Kaci Fae Woodland daughter of Dan and Lisa Woodland of Mona. She loves ice skating and dancing. She is a member of the JHS Provita. Her date and Home Coming King is Tuff son of Skipper W and Smart Chickalena from Mona. He is captain of the football, basketball, and baseball team. Don't they make a handsome couple.



It was Christmas Eve and all Jake Woodland wanted was a goat. Yes, that's right a goat! How would Santa bring a goat? He wouldn't be like all the other toys he would need fed, and watered and what if he left little goat droppings on the toys. Jake new there was no way he would get a Christmas goat but, wait a minute. I here bells I here here hoofs they are on the roof lets have a look! What is this? Where is Rudolf? what is that leading Santa's sleigh? Why, it is Squirt the red nosed goat doing the work of the reindeer today. He is bringing toys to all the good little girls and boys with out leaving little goat droppings on all the toys. Jake Woodland got not one but two goats for Christmas this year. But, the real surprise did not come until spring when little squirts was found, a perfect example of Christmas wishes do come true.
Jake participated in the kids talent show. He sang, "Proud to Be an American" and he had me accompany him. I was shaking like a leaf and hope that I wasn't the reason he was so nervous. I decided after this experience to never give Dan a hard time for missing when he is roping with our boys. That is just way to much pressure for a parent.
Jake and Zeak are cultured they switch things up by running barrels on their bikes instead of horses.





Dan made it his goal last year to sign up for the County Fair Idol. He asked Jaron Carter to accompany him. They performed at the Mona Days Celebration and had a good experience so they decided to give the Fair Idol a go. The first night of the competition Dan had to sing 30 sec Au Capella number. He chose Good Brown Gravy by Joe Diffie. He made it through that round and him and Jaron chose "Lady" by Alabama unfortunately there was not a round 3,4,or 5. They were relieved and bummed all at the same time. After talking to the other two judges they felt really bad. I am just proud of him for accomplishing his goal and doing so well. He is already gearing up for next year.



Extreme Horseman is another fun event Dan enjoyed last year and Zeak decided to try this year Dan didn't do as well this year but Zeak ended 3rd.


After 5 years of the Ranch Rodeo Dan and his team of Jaron Carter, Mike Kajanis and Scott (friend of Jaron's) Dan finally placed 2nd and was out of winning it by 30sec. He had a blast.


The team penning needs some work that is all I have to say.


This year the Woodlands had another great family vacation. We really are rednecks who love to go to the Juab County Fair. The only part of the fair we don't enjoy is the derby, yes I know that is terrible we don't love it but we still sponsor a car every year.

Friday, August 26, 2011

A Lady of 80

Most of her great-grandchildren.
Tel Sheyanne, Kaci and Grandma
Job Jones & DeNora Fae Miller
This amazing women celebrated her 80th birthday on August 17th this year. I love my Grandma and feel so blessed to have her in my life. I have so many fond memories of her. I hope to someday become the lady she is. She was a business owner for 30+years, raised a family, sews for her family, still bottles and cans her garden, is an amazing cook, and we call her Mrs. Clean, she is organized and always busy, she loves late nights and sleeping in.

Taking a Warm Bath

These to adorable kids were being little missionaries at the soccer game last night. Jake has a friend who is afraid to get baptized and we were talking with the family last night. Pretty soon the kids caught on to the conversation and took matters into their own hands. They were asking her why she was afraid and doing their best to calm all of her fears. This morning as I was reflecting on the conversation I had a part of the conversation hit me and I had to share. First, I shared it with Nan's mom because every mom needs to know they are getting through to their kids. Now, I am sharing with all of you because it is so pure, sweet, and simple.

Jake said, "There is nothing to be afraid of it is like taking a warm bath." Then every time you take the sacrament and go back to primary you get to take that warm bath again!"

I love this analogy that baptism is like taking a warm bath but what I love even more is that every Sunday we have the privilege of taking that warm bath again. Thanks Jake for teaching me and sharing it with your family and friends. You and Nan are amazing missionaries!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Back To School 2011








I am going to be completed honest this year I struggled with sending my kids back to school. I had a goal this summer that didn't get accomplished and that was part of my hesitation. I had some serious anxiety over sending Zeak to the Junior High. It was so bad that I didn't sleep for a few nights. The day before we had a rodeo and the week before was the county fair so I was very unprepared for the first day of school. We did the necessities of school shopping 3 hours before heading to the rodeo. This made me crazy literally. Thank goodness the rodeo ended in good time or it might have been my ticket to the insane asylum. I got the kids up and ready for school the next morning in enough time for Dan to give them all a fathers blessing before heading out the door. Zeak was so independent and wanted to walk to the bus stop alone. I let him go alone but as soon as I thought he was there I jumped in the car to take photos. Then it was back home to get the other two ready for school. I was a little bit nervous about the reality of doing my little girls hair but the sad truth is she hates it when I do her hair. She will let anyone else including her dad do her hair. So I convinced her to let me at least curl it a little and put a bow in it. The next fight was that she didn't want a Father's Blessing? She is terrified of them. I don't understand because she has watched the boys and Jake even went before her and nothing happened but she through a screaming fit. Finally we were ready and out the door to get the Williams' for some traditional back to school photos. Tina was even dressed and went into the classroom with Kaci and Kyler. When we picked them up from school there was nothing but smiles. Tina and I walked up to get Kaci and Kyler and we stopped for a short visit at Delora's. We had lunch together and then played while waiting for the time to get Keanna and Jake. What a relief everyone loved their teacher and was excited about being back in school. My favorite quote of the day was from Zeak, "mom I love Junior High it is way better than elementary school I don't have to sit in the same room, at the same desk, with the same teacher all day." Yay I fill a LITTLE (very little) better about sending him to Junior High. This morning when I went to take him to the bus because we were a little late getting up. He said, "mom why did you follow me yesterday?" I said, "because I wanted photos of you getting on the bus is that alright." He said, "yes just don't do it again please.!" My kids are growing up! They don't need me anymore I am mostly alright with it but, there is a part of me that is really sad about this new stage in our life!