Time to post again . . .

Well, school has started for the kids and the parents just keep going to work. I don't feel like there is a lot to post by I'll try.

Payton - loves going to school and REALLY loves her dance class on Mondays. I cannot wait to see their winter program in December. I believe it will be their tap show. She has lost a few teeth so she has had the award smile, but they are coming in. She is always singing around the house and at times can carry a tune. What will she end up doing when she gets older?

Garrison - well, he's a boy. Wanting to do his own thing. We are waiting to see if he will be on a basketball super league team, but if not, we will sign him back up for Jr. Jazz which will be just around the corner. He is becoming an artist and at times I think he is acting on stage. (I'm wondering where that is coming from!)

Greg and I go to work every day - which we are fortunate for having our same jobs still. We go up to Logan at times to see the kids in their sports and watch them excel at the things they do.

I'm Still Around - - Somewhere

I know it's been about - - - that long since I've written. Between work, kids, church, holidays, facebook, etc. I'm not on this blog all that much. It's been a crazy summer with the weather and still today no telling when it's going to rain. I love the rain but no so much the humidity that comes with it.

The kids have been at Boys and Girls Club all summer and for the most part have actually liked being there. They have tons of friends and it seems like they are always going on some sort of field trip.

We've been to Moab, Lagoon and Bear Lake this summer. I'd still would love to take off at least one more time before the end of September. I'll have to keep wishing for that one.

In the meantime, I'm trying to relax and enjoy life more and worry less about how the house looks. It's hard. . .but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it.

SNOW?!

WOW. . . only in Utah during springtime will you have 60 degree weather one day and the next you're in teh 40's and two inches of snow on the ground. It happens every year so I shouldn't be surprised, but you never know when it's going to hit. aarrgg. . .

About a week ago Garrison was running to the basketball cout with some friends and their feet got tangled up. He fell and put his left hand out to stop the fall. He ended up with hairline fractures in both bones on his left forearm. SO, that means he is missing baseball until the beginning of May. BUT for some unknown reason, they have two weeks of preseason games that DO NOT count towards the standings!!! That is good for Garrison. Now he will only miss 6 games before getting back and showing the other teams what he can do. (don't think this is a ploy to fool the other ball teams and to get Garrison's arm ready for pitching. it's their team's secret weapon!!!!)

Then not to have sister left behind. . .she was at the club the other day playing ping pong with some friends. One of the kids accidently hit her right between the eyes with their paddle. Yes, the spot was red and a bit swollen. We're doing better now, but it's still bruised.

You know it's BASEBALL season when your child is out at practice - it's raining hard - and they keep on going.

Nothing like muddy shoes and remembering there is a towel in the back of the car.

How much fun to get the mud, now dirt, off his good white everyday shoes.

Only a mom can love a son like that.

Only a mom can love a daughter who SHOULD be in bed at night trying to sleep come out to show you that the front tooth that has been loose forever is now bleeding, but still in her mouth.

Knowing that her daughter will not try to sleep until she's had that 'bedtime story' read to her - now matter how short the book is.

Listening to a 6 year old slowly read a Dr. Seuss book before bedtime to stay awake a bit loner.

Gotta love kids!

Happy 6th Birthday Payton !!!

I cannot believe that Payton is 6 years old today. She was born six years ago at 3:21 p.m. After arriving at the hospital at 7:00 a.m. to hook me up and get me started thanks to my blood pressure rising. I don't recall being in labor that long and once I started pushing she came really fast. She weighed 6 lbs 13 ounces. (5 ounces more than Garrison- then again, they both were delivered early.)

I have to laugh because in this picture Payton wanted to 'POSE' and wouldn't let me take the picture until she was ready. It's so fun to see that she loves to be in front of the camera.

If anyone could have a job at being a PRINCESS when they grow up - she would be at the top of the list. She is in kindergarten and loves to color and read. She has 2 new teeth coming in and 3 that are lose and on the way out. She is usually pretty happy and hugs everybody that she knows. Don't get me wrong. . .she DOES have her days! (must take after mom)

She loves to get up and dance to music, play with barbies, color and loves to watch the Utah Jazz play so she can see HER player - Kyle Korver. We did go to the Utah game a week ago and got to meet some of the coaches through the Boys an Girls Club. The kids received a yearbook of this years players. She wrote on Kyle Korver's page that she likes him and then when he was close to us while warming up shooting she called out to him and held up her page. Kyle came over and then wrote that Kyle likes Payton. He was cute with her. Who could resist that smile of hers?.

We love her and are glad she is part of this family.

MOM, he loves you. . .

Last night I was standing by the stairs in the basement waiting for dinner to finish cooking and Greg was watching TV with Garrison. I said, Greg, I love you. Then I hear from the side in a whisper, as Payton is coming down the steps, "Mom, you don't have to tell him. He already knows you love him." I was laughing. It's good to know that Greg and I have told each other how we feel vocally so that our children know we love each other.

What's Up With The Utah Jazz????

Nothing like a late start game Sunday night in Portland. You start watching the game and the Jazz have only scored 14 points in the first quarter. At half time the Jazz haven't even made it to 50 points . By just after 10:00 p.m. I'm beat, the Jazz are down and I figured they were going to loose one game to Portland. Where is my faith in this team????

Then to wake up Monday morning to work out - I turn the TV on to ESPN. . .and I see scrolling across the bottom with the leagues scores. . . Utah Jazz beat Portland 93-89 in overtime!!! Who would have thunk it??? That will teach me to stay up and watch my team. . .no matter how tired I am. Thanks team for making my day!

BIRTHDAYS

Well, Greg is now the proud father of twins who are 16 years old. Nathan and Rachael turned 16 on February 16th! How lucky are they. They were down this weekend and we had a great time. Garrison had another basketball game Saturday, and lost, part due to the officiating (like always)but I do have to admit his team started coming together
After Garrison's game we went and signed him up for baseball. We're always so busy between basketball and baseball the first half of the year that by the time July comes he is already complaining he is bored! Go figure.
Monday we all went and saw The Lightening Thief. Very good movie, even Payton stayed focused the entire time. All the kids in the theater were way excited when advertised as the movie coming out in the spring. . .Diary of a Wimpy Kid. We then went out to eat and then spent time watching the Olympics and whatever else was on tv until the kids had to leave to go back to Logan.
The kids were very excited to have a short week this week in school since Monday was Presidents Day. Who wouldn't be.

JAZZ PLAYER

This past week for Junior Jazz we had a chance to go and see a Utah Jazz player. Every year different players will go around to the different areas in support of the Jr. Jazz program. As always, there is some hype as to who the player is. In the past we have seen Memo Okur. This years player was none other than Andrei Kirilenko. The kids had fun listening to him and watching him make at least two baskets from half court. (okay, we were at a junior high school). It was fun to see him balance two balls on top of each other. Garrison tried it and then stated it was hard to do. That is to help with the balance. Payton, being a girl, did not enjoy it as much. Give us a dancer and she'd be right up there.

Sunday, Payton was brave enough to get up by herself in church and bear her testimony. When she told me she wanted to go up I thought, "great, she'll want me to go up with her." She got up and sat on the stand until it was her turn. Way to go girl.

This weekend the kids got their Valentine cards and put them together for school. Now they just have to wait until Friday until they have their parties all day long.

I cut my hair shorter and am enjoying it more. It was down to my shoulders and now it's a bob cut with the front longer. It takes some getting used to, but it's so much easier to take care of.

We had Nathan and Rachael down for the weekend and all the kids had fun just hanging out with each other and then watching the Super Bowl (whether or not their team won.) Now we'll be counting down the days until Saturday when it's the NBA All Star Weekend.

IT'S FEBRUARY ????

Where in the heck did January go? I think it just flew by. Garrison has started Jr. Jazz basketball. . .and to say the least. . .the other kids on his team like to play for fun which is a bit frustrating for him since winning is on his mind. Garrison is letting that go for now until he gets to at least junior high and more competition. In school he got all A's and one B. . .pretty good for 4th grade.
Payton has lost two teeth as of now and she has about 3 more that are getting loose. She loves kindergarten and no matter where she goes and has friend she has to give each one a hug. We keep telling her not to "life" anybody up that is shorter than her. We gave her bike away to a great girl in our ward. Payton was excited to give it away and Addie was excited to receive it. Now we have more room in her bedroom at the moment. . .until the next bike comes. Payton is waiting for tee-ball to start so she can play and wear a "pink" helmet. We'll see. . I think she's more apt to being a dancer and singer (although off tune at this stage of her life).
Greg has been busy at work and still loves to get out and play ball with the "younger" men.

I'm still doing the same. . .working. I do have a new calling in church. I am now a relief society teacher. It's only a year calling and have 11 more lessons to teach. Getting ready to plan 2 birthday parties for kids who keep changing their minds of what they want to do and where to hold the party.