Hangin' with the Smacks: February 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

Wrestling has begun. . .

I wasn't too gung ho on the idea of wrestling especially since we had just ended the football season. I also worry about wrestling due to the "Oh no how much do I weigh" issue. Well, I must say I was pleasantly surprised (other than taking your Saturdays and 'wrestling" a one year old in the bleachers for hours on end) and it was fun to watch Ted get so involved in it. I didn't understand all that was involved in the sport of wrestling, i.e., determination, hard work, discipline, core strength, endurance. Well, that probably sounds like a lot of sports but wrestling takes it to a whole new level. It was hard, though, for me to watch my boys get beat and Joe cried through all his matches. During one of them I thought he was going to turn the match into a UFC match. But by the end of the season I couldn't believe how much improvement they made. Joe joined 3 weeks late, Tate joined on a Saturday at a meet (and still finished 2nd!) and Ti joined after that. So they started the season late and still did great.

Tate's first day at wrestling and he placed at the meet.

Joe and his coach- he finished 3rd at a division meet.

I don't have super good pictures because most of the pictures we were going to take off of film footage but I can't figure out how to do that. So maybe more pictures later.

FOOTBALL!!

The boys played their first season of TACKLE football this year. Every time the word football was mentioned it had "tackle" attached to it. Of course, what that really meant was they were going to get pads and a helmet. The day finally came when they were going to get their gear and I thought Ti was going to hyperventilate with anticipation. Then to top it off we put their names on the back of their jerseys and life simply couldn't get sweeter.

They both loved football and my sweet natured Tate couldn't wait to tackle someone. Something in him came alive on the field that I was not expecting. It was fun to watch.

I had to include pictures of the girls because it shows that we were all there to support the boys through the whole endeavor. They were mostly very good sports. I couldn't have asked for them to be better. Of course it helps that it's outside and they can run and play and scream and not cause too much trouble. Emma makes a friend at every place she's at so she was always well entertained.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Boy Adventures

This is a buddy of Ted's who took him way into the back country of Colorado bow hunting for elk. Ted said that he had found heaven. They took this donkey and a mule and hiked way back into nowhere land. They had a great time, although there were no elk to be found. Ted loved it so much that he decided to take the boys to the same spot the next weekend over Labor Day.

Labor Day with dad. Way back in the woods where there is no one to see or hear or smell; they could be as rude, crude and socially unacceptable as they wanted. Boy paradise!!!

sling shots

mountain house- the best backpacking food ever!

Heart shaped moss- they thought of me when they saw it. Isn't that sweet??!!! :)

First Day of School

I love the first day of school. I love that it brings a schedule to my life. I love the kids school and that they have a great place to be most of the day. I love that they are excited to see their friends and that they have pretty good friends. Joe has Miss Gray. Tate has Mrs. Thallot because Mrs. Williamson had another baby with a cleft palate and lip so she is taking the year off. Ti has Mrs. Benson who in my opinion is the greatest teacher Ti could ever have. She has been a Godsend for him. He loves school and he loves her. She makes him want to be there and brings out the best in him. He wants to do the best he can on his projects and get the best grades he can. The most important thing to happen this year though has been his ability to see that if he doesn't do well the first time on something (fractions!) he can try again and she will help him. Monumental achievement!

Ti's shirt is classic him. It says, "100% awesome. No artificial awesomeness!"

Next year there will be another little face in the picture. Yet every year when school starts we say- Where did the summer go!!??

Post Family Reunion

These pictures are in reverse order but we went to see my friend Kay in Kaysville and then to see ELMO!!

Elmo's house:

Amy sleeping in Emily's round chair. Perfect crib for her.

Slumber party with Emily- just like old times.

Emma and Taycie. Emily's tiny little dog only weighs about 5 pounds. She's a Yorkie. Totally cute.

Kay's house:

Kaysville was having their Founder's Days when we were there and so we went to the park for the celebration. They had so many different things for the kids to do such as: bounce houses, a bouncy velcro thing, rock climbing, all kinds of food and treats, rides, etc. Bu,t of course, their favorite thing was the Reptile Man!!

Tate holding a snake

Emma wondering what she has got herself into. (Emma was wanting the face painting and fairies would be nice about now:))

An ANANCONDA!!!!!

Mr. Tortoise

monitor lizard

Finally. . . face painting and McKayla

Slumber party on the tramp even in the lightning storm. At what point do you bring them in?

The True Emma

Total and complete goof ball!:)

Family Reunion

August brought us to Utah to a family reunion planned by Becky. It was so fun, of course. We had pirate activities, talent shows, SWIMMING! and the lake. We were even able to help dad divide up the spoils from our youth. We had a lot of fun in those three days which never seem long enough. The kids thoroughly love being together and it is a joy to watch them act as if no time has passed. What I didn't get a picture of was the first night when all the boys slept in my room. It was awesome and they had so much fun. Talking, laughing, joking. Seriously thought they were older than they were. By one in the morning, though, I was telling them to go to bed. I hated to break up a good thing.