Good times!

The boys 1st grade concert: What can I say. We've come a long way from the Kindergarten concert where ear plugs were almost a necessity and you wondered if any of the kids were actually even paying attention to the music instructor. Big change this year! I was so proud of Connor and Tyler. They looked so handsome and sung so well. I loved that they both got into the actions too. Too bad I haven't figured out how to get them to follow commands like that at home. My sweety pies are sure growing up. After the concert, one of Ty's little friend's mom asked if she could take a photo of the the two of them together. I think someone has a crush on my Ty!!! Of course we couldn't leave the school without taking dad to visit their classroom one more time. I love how excited they get to take daddy around the school.






Happy Birthday Amanda!!! I don't know what I'd do without some of these girls in my life. They keep me young!!! Hmm, can you tell who is the oldest in this bunch? I can say it's not the birthday girl!!!

The ugly turned good: Basketball season!

So this week the boys got to celebrate the conclusion to their 1st basketball season. We were questioning whether there would be a second season as it was a bit amusing to watch those first couple games but in the end, they surprised us. They love the sport and improved DRASTICALLY! To the point that Ty got the award for being "Most Improved Player" and Connor got the award for "Best Defense". I think the Coach was right on. I don't think anyone that Connor was guarding ever got a basket and we were amazed with Ty's sudden agressiveness to get the ball in his possession and make baskets. We were proud of them both! I also have to laugh because when we learned their team name was the Penguins, all the parents were laughing wondering who would name a basketball team that. As it turned out, Ty had actually picked that name (not the coach) and his team mates had agreed up on it. That was until the 3rd game when it got changed to the Huskies. We are in Husky country out here and when you wear purple, it is a given that that is your team name... :)

Winter Break in Utah: Feb. 11-23

What was supposed to be our wonderful annual ski trip to Utah started out on a bit of a bumpy ride...literally. Me and the kiddos flew down to Utah on the 11th to get an early start on the winter break. We had my brother Gary fly up to Seattle so he and Jack could drive our truck down to Utah that weekend so we'd have a car to use. Sounds like a lot of work just to avoid a rental but after we were done using it on the vacation Gary was going to buy it since it was an extra car that we don't really need. I was nervous about them traveling across the Blue Mountains in February but had checked the weather daily before their scheduled drive. On Saturday I called Jack every couple hours on their drive to make sure things were going well. He assured me that the road conditions were perfect and they were making great time. Of course as it got darker and they reached the Utah boarder that would all change. Somewhere between Snowville and Tremonton, Ut they hit black ice and at 75 MPH, black ice isn't a pleasant experience. They did a 360 and rolled a few times. It truly is a miracle that they were both able to walk away with just a couple scratches. I will never forget the feeling I felt as I picked up the phone at my parents home and heard Jack on the other end, extremely panicked and asking me to call 911. (And yes, he called me to have me call 911...some things never change!) Poor Gary was screaming the whole time "I'm so sorry Jack" as it kept rolling. Thankfully Jack just kept responding to "brace yourself" which I think helped both them as they both have so far seemed to avoid any back or neck injuries. As anxious as I was to be rid of the truck I will forever be a fan of it as it saved their lives at the expense of being "totaled".

We had just taken this before photo of the truck for Gary shortly before the trip.



The truck was placed on a flat bed and taken to the local salvage yard. Aside from Jack's Blackberry, IPod attachment,and a mattress set and chair that we were giving to my parents, nothing else came up missing or broken. Unfortunately we didn't have time to get back up to Ogden where it was being stored to take some better photos. So for now we just have one that my brother Paul took at the scene with his mobile phone.

Poor Jack had to jump on a plane the next day to return for meetings at work but he returned a couple days later and we spent the remaining part of the trip having our typical fun filled time! I captured this photo the morning after the wreck to prove he's still in his perfect, handsome shape!



Here are some of the highlights:

1. Sledding near my parent's home at the "bowl". The boys love this place. I was winded after walking back up the hill once. They must have done it several dozen times over the three days we went. Connor only likes to go down backwards on this thin saucer type sled. Sometimes the result of that wasn't too pretty. The boys also tested out Jack's back to make sure there was no major damage to it as a result of the accident.




2. Skiing. What can I say...I'm a huge fan of ski school. Thankfully the boys love it so this way Jack and I can enjoy the morning skiing together and then the boys show us all they've learned in the afternoon. We've done this the past three years each day we ski and sadly, they are now way faster than us. Their favorite thing to do now is race to the bottom. Good thing Uncle Paul was able to join us one of the days because we'd have him race down with them. Also take note of Jack's awesome helmet. Acutally it's got to be the ugliest helmet out there but that's what drove him to buy it. I can say I think he'd fit in perfectly in Iraq...





3. Tubing the lazy way at Soldier Hollow in Midway! This place alone makes me want to build a cabin on our lot there just so I can have this place in our backyard. What a cash cow this place is. Brilliant idea. Uncles Paul and Sean and cousin Teagan were also able to join us. Sadly, Grandma wasn't feeling good since Sage and Connor contaminated her with their colds upon arrival to Utah. So Grandpa and her stayed home. We also missed having pregnant Aunt Brooke join us but she decided to play it safe at home!





4. Back country sledding at Sundance! Connor decided to stay back with Grandma for this outing.




Our curious, adventurous, busy boy TY!



5. An early birthday surprise! Grandma and Grandpa wanted to give the boys their presents before we left. They LOVED them. Aside from causing a stir at the airport as I went through security with them in my carry on which required me to go through extensive screening, I think they are pretty cool too! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa. You always manage to pick winners!!! Grandma, we'll capture a photo of you with the kids in April. I know you'd kill me if I put up the only one I got with you in it! :)



6. We also made it through the Draper Temple with the kids. That was such a great experience for the boys. They loved carrying their brochure around and matching the photos from the brochure with the rooms as we walked through them. It was their first experience being in a temple before it is dedicated. It was beautiful. Both the artwork and woodwork inside made me want to rethink my own home. I didn't have my camera with me so didn't capture any photos of the temple but it wasn't a particularly nice day either so I don't think I could have gotten the boys to stand still long enough to even get a photo. My mom and I couldn't believe all the vacant, abandoned homes for sale directly across the street from the temple. It was so depressing to see this beautiful temple surrounded by all these for sale signs. A clear sign of a terrible economy where builders way overbuilt on speculation.

Well, we are now thankful to be home safely in our home but look forward to returning in April for another getaway!

Days of our Lives and I'm not talking the "Soap"

The other day Ty comes racing home from school asking for some empty boxes. Of course at the rate they go through snacks and cereal, there are always plenty lying around. An hour later he had put together his own City and him and Sage were driving cars around it. When he was done and I asked if I could toss it (bad idea), he insisted that we display it so here is our newest addition to our art collection... I love his creativity. He's always asking for tape, glue, etc. to make some sort of something. I must say that his drawings are amazing. He created a book the other day of all his favorite sharks and fish. He definitely has artistic ability and it definitely DIDN'T come from me. I need to take a photo of some of his work because seriously Jack and I can't believe how detailed and awesome they are.



I'm amazed at how much Sage copies me. She now insists on picking out her clothes each day. To this day I still am able to pick out the boys clothing without a peep. No chance with Sage although I have figured out that if I bring out a couple of options for her to select from she's ok with that but if I only hold up one option she insists on dragging me back to her closet to select something else. She also MUST have her purse whenever we travel and once she hears that we are going somewhere she finds mine also. She will look for a cd to bring in the car and now she insists on using her Barbie keys to open the car and gets really angry if I push my button on my keys before she pushes her button. I guess I should feel happy that she's turning into such an independent young lady but it makes me sad to see the sweet toddler years quickly becoming a distant memory.



One of the sweetest things we continue to witness is Sage's adoration for Ty and his continued desire to play with her and protect her. Granted they have the exact same personality so naturally they gravitate toward each other but it does make me sad at times to see Connor watching them interact from the sidelines. I'm sure over the years her "favorite" brother will switch. I guess I should just be thankful that they both enjoy her so much. I feel really lucky now to have this gap in age between them. Completely unplanned but certainly preferred.

In the meantime, here are my two "busy" children.



I can also add that Basketball is going much better. Ty made his first basket during a game this past Saturday and had several that hugged the hoop. He was very excited. He's made plenty baskets while practicing but because they put the 1st and 2nd graders together on their team, the 2nd graders tend to control the ball most of the time during the games. Ty has become very aggressive though and doesn't let that prevent him from doing his best to get the ball. Connor is awesome at 'defense' and makes it impossible for anyone he's guarding to make a basket. We have to just help him understand that he doesn't need to worry so much about hurting someones feelings by taking the ball away or feeling that he always has to pass it.

And finally a photo from our game night this past Saturday. We missed so many of our friends who were home sick or out of town but we'll do it again soon! I hesitated to include this photo as it is TERRIBLE of me but since everyone else looks good I decided not to be so selfish. I guess that's what happens when you decide to finally shower 20 minutes before the guests start arriving. Thanks Rachel for getting things ready while I got dressed! :)



Now we are counting down the days until our trip to Utah. We leave on Wednesday and I can hardly wait.