Doing what they LOVE!

Well, the basketball season is upon us! Sabrina is on Ms. Hoem's team for Adobe Middle School. Landon made the JV team for Elko High School. These two kids of mine LOVE their sports, basketball being their favorite.

Thanksgiving in Springville

We headed off to Springville, Utah to have Thanksgiving with my family at Nick and Alyssa's home. All siblings and spouses were acounted for and most of the grandchildren were present. We missed Cenni and his family, Travis, Zach, Caleb and Landon. We were finally able to get some pictures with all of us together. Meranda had a cold sore an opted out of the pics but Payton and Tessa happily joined in!

Thank you!

The kids wanted to rake up the new fallen leaves in our yard, but before they did I had Courtney capture some moments of them playing in them first. As Thanksgiving approaches us, I am reminded of my many blessings. While working full time has been an adjustment and I have been frustrated with not having the laundry done or the house cleaned, I came across this poem that really hit home.

Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;

We have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry;

We have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds;

They were so warm and comfortable last night.

I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom,

Complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory;

They are so convenient.

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so badly;

It has served us faithfully for many years.

It is full of cold drinks and enough leftovers for two or three meals.

Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today.

It has baked so many things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing,

The lawn that needs raking;

We all enjoy the yard.

Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming screen door.

My kids are healthy and able to run and play.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says

You have richly blessed my family.

I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

The Holiday's are upon us!

I cannot believe it is almost the end of 2010! Halloween has come and gone already! The kids enjoyed going to our annual Trick or Treat Street. Matthew even had his picture taken and made the front page of the Elko Daily Free Press. However, he wasn't too sure about some of the costumes. Matthew dressed as "Ironman" for the Trick or Treat Street and a "BYU Football player" for our Ward Trunk or Treat Party. Tara was a "skeleton". Matthew when talking to Tara would call her Skeleton and not her name. We also attended our Annual Soup Fest at the Bates' home. We are eagerly looking forward to Thanksgiving as we are fortunate enough to spend time with both sides of our families. However, I think I am most excited to spend almost 4 days with our college girl!!

Catching Up!

Well since the school year has started, we have been busy with all kinds of sports. Landon made the JV Soccer Team for Elko High School. Although his first love is basketball, he has enjoyed playing soccer. Some of the photos Courtney captured of him crack me up. Sabrina has been doing track for Adobe Middle School. She does the 4x200 and the 200 yd dash. She has taken 1st and 2nd places. Tara has been doing P.A.L. Basketball. Her team is the Blazers. She has made a few baskets this year! She is quite the little defender. She makes her Dad and I laugh. Although, I don't have any pictures of Whitney, she is doing intramural soccer at BYUI. Matthew has enjoyed going from sport to sport. You can tell by his pictures, how he makes the time go by! Our weekends are very busy from running to track meets, to soccer games and basketball games. We love to watch the kids engaged in their activities. (Note Landon's cheeks right before he kicks the ball!)