Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween!

Max had his last football game of the season this morning. They lost...again...

They played Viewmont and the final score was 39 - 0. He still enjoyed learning how to play and said that he would like to play again next year. Markus had a hockey game this morning and had a great time playing at Steiner. Morgen is at a Pokemon tournament at Hastur's and after I go pick him up I am going to teach at the rink. Then I might try and get a bike ride in before all the little goblins come out for Trick or Treating tonight...

Sheri

My younger sister Sheri's birthday is today. In years past we have had a party for her on Halloween at my sister Marilee's house, since her husband Bill's birthday is the same day. But since Marilee and Bill divorced, she doesn't have the party anymore.

Halloween Parade

Max dressed up as his favorite hero...Brigham Young - today for the Halloween parade at school. The entire fifth grade was given the assignment to research a hero from history and after writing a report about them, dress up today like that hero as well. There were a lot of Abraham Lincoln's but I only saw one Brigham.

Markus wanted to wear his hockey uniform today, since his costume that he is wearing for Halloween has a mask and they don't allow them at school. I wore my usual witch costume since I was helping with Markus' class party.

Little Amelie was in the parade as well and I had to take her picture, she looked so cute as Cinderella.

Markus with some of his friends as they were walking by in the parade.

Markus sampling some Witches Brew at the party that followed the parade in his class. I did a little game with the kids and another mom decorated cookies with the children, while another mom did a craft. They were all loaded up on sugar by the time school got out on early day. Then we went to the rink and I taught skating until it was time to go back up to school for Morgen's dance performance tonight.

He did a great job and looked like he was having so much fun.

Football in the Snow

Football is great in the fall...but not so much in the SNOW! Max had a scrimmage game tonight against Park City and man was it ever cold out there kiddies!

By the time they were finished, I couldn't feel my fingers and I am sure all the boys were frozen as well. In fact, whenever they weren't playing they were wrapped up in a couple of blankets on the sidelines and when coach R would call them out to play, he would say, "Are you going to play football or stay wrapped up in the blanket all night?"

Markus was fine since he was wearing a hat, coat and gloves while he was running around playing and doing somersaults. He asked me to teach him a cartwheel, and when I demonstrated one I couldn't believe how funny it felt. I haven't done a cartwheel in years.

Ballroom

I went to Morgen's ballroom dance dress rehearsal today. The actual performance is on Thursday night, but I went today and it was entertaining to say the least to see Morgen dancing with a girl on stage in a clown costume. He is the clown on the far left with the crazy rainbow wig!

He is enjoying himself... he's had rehearsals for the past few weeks during school.

Feelings

My niece Kailey was still at my house this morning after spending the weekend with me. She is a great conversationalist and I enjoy talking with her. She was telling me what I need to do to make my blog more interesting and suggested that I share my feelings more often and not just give the details of the days events. Which is interesting because that is exactly what the counselor that I have been going to said I need to do as well. It is just hard for me to put my feelings out here for the world to see, when I can't even talk about them in private very easily. I am willing to work on it though and I'm reading a couple of books that are supposed to help as well. So thanks for the constructive criticism Kailey, I will take it to heart.

Max's Game

Max right before he scored his goal yesterday in his game against the Badgers.

Facing off

Knights won 6-2!

I'm Ready

Markus had hockey in West Valley this morning at 9 a.m. so I was up and at it early this morning. Max had a game against Olympus at the same time so we divided and conquered yet again. Markus played great and really did some good passing for the Badgers to win 11-5 against the Penguins. Max played some great defense, I heard, and they came up close - 13 to 6 for Olympus. One more football game next week at home, maybe it will be the one...

My nieces Kailey and Aria came over to spend the night last night. Monet went to St. George with Rocco for the weekend so they are hanging out with me today. They are pretty excited, they haven't ever been to football, hockey and Pokemon games!

Halloween Show

The Annual Halloween Show

Amanda and her friend Chelsea did a duet to "What is this feeling?" from Wicked

Toni was in the Monster Mash production

"I'm Blue" girl group skated great

L to R: Victoria, Kristen, Annie, Sabrina, Heidi & Mercedes

Ava was in the Martian Hop number, complete with her alien head bobbles

Callie (center) skated in the "Wild Thing" number and was so animated I might just have her do the same routine for the Winter Games competition in January.

You are not alone

My sister Monet sent me this email today.


The Clock

God doesn't give you the people you want; He gives you the people you NEED... to help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be. I LOVE YOU!!!!! NOW, YOU'RE ON THE CLOCK!!!! IN 9 MINUTES SOMETHING WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY, BUT YOU HAVE TO TELL 9 PEOPLE YOU LOVE THEM INCLUDING ME. GO!!!!

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men..... They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideas. They give moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Love this time of year

I love being outside this time of year...the smell of the air, the crisp mornings and beautiful leaves all make it pretty great to be alive. I really want to go up to Silver Lake and walk around the boardwalk. UEA weekend, my friends and I would try every year (we didn't always get it planned in time) to take the kids up to see the leaves, hike around the lake, have lunch and take photos. I think the first year that we went Morgen was 3 years old (photo on the left). We didn't go over UEA this year though, so I would like to still go up there soon.


Silver Lake 1998

Silver Lake at Brighton Fall 1998

l to r: Jessie, Abbie, Chloe, Jackson, Morgen, Weston



1999

2000

2001

2002

2005

Zumba

I have been reading about this fitness class on Facebook from my cousin that teaches one up in Oregon. So today I went and tried it out at 24 hr. fitness. I had such a blast and the time flew by, since I was just dancing the entire time, it didn't even feel like I was working up a sweat. But by the time I was finished I was dripping sweat. You can check out a clip of that type of class here.

I also went to look for a new mixer. The one I have isn't nearly big enough to make bread in, and the flour always spills all over the counter when I do. So I went to Orson Gygi to check out the kind that my friend Laurie uses (pictured here) and to Trolley Square to see the Kitchen-aid at Williams-Sonoma. But I saw the same kind at Costco for a little bit less. I think I may check E-bay as well to see about getting a better deal. They are kind of spendy but I think they are a must have for making bread, cinnamon rolls and other yummy stuff to smell baking this time of year.

Groceries

After I dropped the boys off at school I went to Wal-Mart. Now I need to go and put all the groceries away before I start cleaning the house...again. I am going on a run later as well.

Sunny Day

It almost seemed criminal to stay inside today. After Stake conference this morning I just wanted to be outside.

Monet invited us out to her house for dinner tonight and we had a fun time playing games and the boys had a great time running around and playing with with the Star Wars toys again. My parents were there and my dad told me that he is running the outdoor rink in Midway this winter. I already had heard about it, from someone else, but I am glad that he will have a job again. My mom seemed a lot more at ease.

Bring it on

Max had football this morning against Bountiful. Their team lost...again - 28-7. They really hustled and tried so hard. Beautiful day for a football game though. He stayed out after his game was over to watch his friend James play. His team is undefeated and they won again today. Then he watched James' brother, Justin's, game as well and got a ride home with their parents.

Meanwhile I took Markus to his hockey game and he is getting so much better at handling the puck. They didn't keep track of the score of course but I think the black bears scored a few more goals than the badgers.

Morgen had a Pokemon game at Hastur's, so Ben shuttled him around. Then I had a few lessons to teach, so Markus and Morgen came with me. Morgen hasn't skated with me for a couple of years, but he actually did pretty well, considering.

My friend Sharon texted me that she wanted to go for a bike ride today, so I went for a quick spin up Porcupine hill before Max's hockey game. It was a perfect day for a ride too.

Max had a great game and scored two goals. The Knights won 5-2 against the Eagles. It was really an exciting game to watch. Markus invited his friend Bryce over to play afterwards and we had pizza. I took Morgen to Game Stop to buy a replacement game for one that he had lost. Max is watching the U game. How is that for a busy day?

Lost my marbles

As I was riding my bike this morning I was thinking about the jello salad that I had committed to take to a funeral in our ward today, and totally spaced it. My marbles are completely gone -




When I came home I was looking for some training tips for the next season of triathlons, since I didn't do any this year and came upon this article from my friend Debbie, of Salt Lake Running Co. You can read it here but I really liked the part about being able to lie on a beach somewhere...sounds like a great idea to me.

Hip & Humble

My sister Monet texted me to join her for lunch and shopping today at a little store on Ninth and Ninth called 'Hip & Humble'. So I did...I had driven by the store before but never been inside. It was a very fun and clever store with some fabulous smelling soaps, fabric softeners and flirty aprons. We both picked out our favorite scent of softener - mine was lavender and hers was beach, then went to lunch at an Indian restaurant called Mazza. She also bought these beautiful flowers for me...just because she liked them.

Morgen was studying for his Pre-Calculus math class tomorrow when I went upstairs to take a photo. He loves to study late at night...better late than never. He has been home all night while I was gone teaching and at Markus' hockey practice. He had time, he just prefers to leave it until bedtime.

Thunder & Lightning

After school today I stopped to get the boys haircut. They have picture day on Friday.

When I came home and checked my email, I found out Max had made the Lightning hockey team. Markus was excited and ran upstairs to tell Max. It sounded like thunder, as Max came running down the stairs. All I could see was the big grin on his face.

Then I took Max and his friend Easton over to football practice.

Just In Time

I just came home from picking the boys up from school and now I'm running over to the rink to teach Amanda and the club group number for the Halloween show. I am supposed to finish the choreography on both of the routines, so I am glad that I feel like dancing today. Thoughts just keep popping in to my head. Love it when I feel like that...

Then Max has one more night of try-outs for the Lightning team. It is fun to watch him try his best. Hopefully, he makes the team, but even if he doesn't I know that he will have tried his hardest. Got to run...

Best Day

I have been having the best day today...I have so much energy. I finished everything on my list for today and even went to teach an extra lesson to Callie (that I forgot about) on top of that. Luckily her mom drove by and reminded me that Callie was waiting at the rink.

Running Max to hockey practice after I finish making dinner. Ciao...

Keeping Busy

Max had a football game yesterday morning against Taylorsville. The game started out well but the Taylorsville team kept getting touchdowns to have the final score be 28-7. Three more games... maybe we can win one game this season.

After football was over, I drove Morgen down to Provo to his tournament and Ben took Markus to his hockey game out at Accord. I came back from Provo to take Max to his hockey game just in time for him to get dressed. He scored a goal and had one assist to win the game 3-1 against the Pioneers.

The Knights were pretty excited that they pulled off another win.

When I went back to Provo to pick up Morgen, he was excited as well. He took 4th place in the tournament today and won two packs of Pokemon cards. Whoa!

Birthday shout out to my brother Adam

Feliz cumpleaños

Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu

Joyeux anniversaire !

Wish I could say this to you in person, where ever you are and what ever you are doing today, I hope you have a great day. You deserve it!