When I turn 16?????

Today we decided to go to the Auto Show at the South Town Center in Sandy. My Dad loves this car show and goes to it every year. Travis had never gone to a car show, so we decided since the kids were out of school today (Martin Luther King Jr Day) we would all go together.

Jake and Jackson had about as much fun as my Dad. They were so excited to see all the cool cars, and were even happier when they could sit in them. I kept thinking "This day is coming soon!" ScArY!!

I have been to many car shows in my life, and have seen alot of different kinds of cars. I could relate to Jake and Jackson as they looked at all the fancy paint jobs, and the many DrEaM cars that they had in the showroom. It was alot of fun to share this experience with my parents as well as my own kids, and to watch the excitement they all had.

Although we did not drive any of the new cars home today, we all picked our favorites, and who knows, maybe one day we will be driving that car of choice!! Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun day at the Auto Show.

Winner and #1 in Tournement

This past weekend we spent some time watching and cheering for Ronnie Wardleigh as he wrestled in a Tournament in Box Elder. Jake and Jackson love to spend time with Ronnie and were both so excited to see him wrestle.

Ronnie is probably the best in the State of Utah in his weigh group, and rarely looses a match. He won the 2 we watched on Friday and so on Saturday he had a final match (which he won 17-2) before his Championship match.It was real neat to watch him at the Championship match. They turn down the lights and it is just the 2 wrestlers on the mat. Ronnie won this match with a PiN!!

Jake and Jackson were so happy for Ronnie. He did so GrEaT!! As soon as Ronnie came over to sit with us after he had won, Jackson ran up to sit with him. It was fun to get such a cute picture of them both. While I was waiting for the match to end, before the trophy presentation, I took some shots of the group. Fun Memories!!

After the trophies were handed out they announced the awards for the Tournament Wrestlers (which are awards that are given by all the coaches at the match, they all vote on which wrestler they feel is the best in each weigh class) Ronnie was awarded that honor for his weigh class. It was awesome to see. Ronnie is such a humble and grateful kid. He is such a great example to my boy's as to what a young man should do, how he should act and speak, and what kind of respect you should have for everyone. He is one of a kind, and we are so lucky to call him our friend.

Congratulations Ronnie!!

Basketball Year #1.....

This year Jake has decided to branch out and give basketball a shot. He is a baseball kid for sure, but his friend Jeron Johnson's Dad is the coach of there Junior Jazz team, and he had mentioned to Jake that he should come and play on their team.
Today was the first game, and for many of the kids on Jake's team it was their first year playing. Well when we showed up at the gym for the game this morning their was the other team. They were HUGE!! They seriously looked like they were in High School, and they were really good.


Well needless to say Jake and his teammates were a bit intimidated and although they did their best, they did not win this game. I asked Jake after the game if he had a good time playing today. He said that he had, and I then told him that was why he was playing. It isn't always about winning, but going out and having fun moving, and running and playing ball. He agreed and said he was real excited for the next week to practice and get better at this new sport.

He will be great, I am sure. I am so grateful that he has the desire to get out and play. I can remember playing sports and having so much fun with my friends and team mates.

What a great start to the new year.

I LoVe My PuPpY.....

Jackson has had so much fun with his puppy "Gus"! It is cute to watch him take care of Gus, and cuddle with him, and just pet him. I have to admit it is real good for a little boy to have a dog. I think it is not only something to love, and be affectionate with, but also it is teaching Jackson how to take care of another living thing.

There is a flip side to this though. Gus is a puppy, which means he likes to play (and puppies play different than little boys, they nip and bite) . Jackson has been nipped and bit a few times, which is not fun. I get to remind him that he is glad he is nipped and bit now while Gus is a puppy, because one day soon, Gus will have his adult teeth and those would really hurt. I am praying that all the training will pay off and that this CrAzY DoG will learn that it is not o.k. to bite. I am just grateful that Travis, Jake and Jackson are all involved in this training process, because I have no idea what to do, other than yell and tell Gus "NO" almost all day.

I know there will be a time soon when this wont be an issue, but for now this is it. I am crossing my fingers that this to will pass, soon!!

Happy 28th Birthday Blake

Happy 28th Birthday to my Little Brother Blake today. We all got together at Mom and Dad's for Birthday dinner tonight to celebrate. We came early because it is also the same night as Jake's Priesthood Preview at our church, but we knew we could do both.
Blake is an Awesome Brother, and such a Great Uncle. Blake is the reason Jake and Jackson have such a priceless memory of Disneyland. Blake took us on a once in lifetime trip and we are so thankful for that. He could have asked some of his friends to go, but decided to ask Jake, Jackson and me to go with him. I will say that this was one of the best trips I have ever been on in my life!!
Blake is a great example to Jake and Jackson as well. He would do anything for them, and I know that they know that as well. He is and always has been alot of fun to have as part of my life. He will tell you how it is, according to him, and if you don't like it TUFF!!
Blake you are a great brother! We love you so much!! Happy Birthday Brother!!

An "Award of Excellance" now on to Region

Whoot, Whoot!! Way to go Jake, you never cease to amaze me.

It was so exciting to go to the Council Level Reflections Contest Awards Night tonight, and hear them call out Jake's name. He won the Award of Excellence (1st Place) in the 3 Dimensional Art category and is now moving on to the Region level of the contest, where he will be judged with all the Weber County and Ogden City projects in his age category.




This has been such a GrEat experience for Jake. He has seen that he has talent and that others feel he does as well.
I am so proud of Jake and happy to see him do well. He is such a talented little guy. It will be exciting to see what is to come from the next level.

Jackson turns 7!!!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you!!

I can hardly believe that Jackson is turning 7 years old today. He is so fun, and such a little sweet heart. Jackson really makes our house happy. He has such a big heart, and is always looking out for everyone.

This year I surprised him at school with a fun balloon and some treats to share with his class. Of course Jackson wanted to take one of his birthday treats to Jake in his class, so Jackson and I walked over and found Jake, so Jackson could give him one of his birthday treats. (a nerd rope) He was so excited to have such a special day at school. I do give my boy's the option to either go to school on their birthdays or stay home. Jackson didn't even consider staying home for a minuet. He wanted to go to school so he could have his special day celebrated their also. His teacher makes the kids birthdays very special for them. Jake on the other hand jumps at the chance to stay home, and when Jackson said he wanted to go to school, Jake volunteered to stay home for him. Unfortunately his plan didn't work.

After school we had some family over for cake and ice cream. Tiffani, Sarah, and Sage came, as well as Giff and Erin with their kids, Uncle Blake, Uncle Troy, Grandma Cleo, Grandma Bott, and Buddy. It was a really nice night to have everyone their for Jackson. He really enjoys his birthday, and was so grateful to everyone for coming to celebrate.

I love your Jackson! You are my PrInCe, my T-Money, my Snuggle Bunny, my Little Man, and my Son!! You are so special to us as a family!! My this next year be GrEaT and HaPpY!!