Turkey Trot 2013

Thanksgiving 2013 will be one I remember for a long time.  It started with a brisk 5K race.  Yes that's correct.  A 5k race.  3.1 miles of race.  Michelle, McCall, McKenna, Blake, Maureen, Brooke and Abi participated in the race.  Martin was actually the organizer and he had to work and save lives instead so he couldn't run with us.

So, Brooke and Abi and I have been training.  We had been running at the gym 3-4 times a week.  I just never thought I was getting faster or better.  I could never run a full mile without stopping.  We did train much better than I thought we would.  So race day comes.  We arrive abt 20 minutes early.  Lots of energy around.  People are fun and ready to race.  Every size was there.  Some even bigger than I am.  (Yes hard to believe). There were over 700 racers.  We got to the starting line, and we were off.  Brooke and I stayed together (she could have been faster if she went ahead of me). We ran the first mile - which was right to the front of target store our favorite store - and I looked at my phone and we had a 14 minute mile!  Okay so not that great for most of you, but it was my fastest mile from training.  I never could get under about 16 minutes.  Brooke I think had been faster than I had been in training!  But SUCCESS!!

Second mile was uneventful.  We did make a loop and saw Blake and Michelle.  They were ahead of us - surprise!  We kept running and around back of the Home Depot and Walmart by the dumpster part of the course and we are making another loop and we pass Abi going strong.  She was on her last bit to the finish line!  I thought we must be almost finished.  NOPE we had to make another loop and then come back around the stinky dumpsters!  finally we were at the same place as we saw Abi!
Then we looked up and there was Abi and McKenna who had finished and come back to jog us to the finish line!  Brooke and I finished strong.  Personal goal met.  I wanted to be under an hour and NOT last!  Success on both account!  Not even close to being last!  I think at least 100 people finished after we did.  Everyone did great.

Abi finished 11th place in her division in 30:09.  It was 117 place.
McKenna 7th in her age, and 38th place.  25:27.
Maureen finished 13 in age division in 44:30.
Brooke finished 34 in her division and in 44:15.
McCall was 31 in her age and 35:11
Michelle finished 13 in her division in 40:11.
Blake finished 34 in 40:10.

Super fun wan to start our thanksgiving!  I think we are all game for next year.  We may even run the st Patricks day race!

McCall, Michelle, Abi, Maureen Blake, Brooke, McKenna

Brooke, Maureen and Abi

Abi, McCall, Blake, Brook, McKenna

Birthday 2013

I had such a nice Birthday!  I went to get tires for my car (thats not the nice part) and then Brooke picked me up and we went treading.  THEN when I got home, my kiddies had cleaned up the entire kitchen.  The dishes were done and the floor swept!  That was all I needed for my birthday  (almost as nice as no fighting)  Then we had pizza and I got a gift card to red lobster, a gift card to Old Navy, money, donut holes and some nice notes!  Wow.  It almost makes it worth it having another birthday!

What Goes Around

So, my children were asking me what I want for my Birthday.  I said I just wanted them to not fight.  I really can't stand the fighting.  That is all I want.  And funny thing, is that is all my dad wanted his entire life.  Just for us to not fight.  After all these years, I understand how much he disliked our fighting. 

Car trouble :( and a bad attitude

So, my car has been shaking on the freeway. people said alignment... So had an extra five minutes yesterday so I dropped it off...now I need a new tie rod (which it seems like I replaced every tie rod I have..) and an alignment AND 4 new tires....for sure two tires but the other two could only go about one month more...
Now I'm awake at 2:00 in the am writing this because I can't sleep. Always something with money...not sure how to pay for this. I need four tires but only got two... Still need two more which is soo dumb to not get them (dumb but got to figure out how to pay for them). Then I read blogs and everyone has plenty of money and nice husbands and no one has to work and therefor, has time for cleaning, manicures, decorating, Church, exercise, AND they all seem to have money for stuff! Nice laptops, boats, MORE than one car, house that is bigger than a postage stamp blah blah blah!!
Oh and did I mention go on trips? What is that? A trip? Can't even think of the last time we went on a family vacation. But read a few blogs and people are sure goin on trips...Just cancelled the only trip I have ever thought of going on in about 10 years...guess I would rather stay home and fix my car. Then we can sit around and stare at each other on spring break and eat Mac and cheese cuz it is cheap. (Not to mention my cholesterol or blood sugar) and we can just get fatter an fatter. I'll be fattest at work in no time! Now I'm only 3rd fattest... But give me a few months and I'll move right up to first!

Quiet

Sitting here all alone.  It was nice while I got a quick nap....but now it's just lonely.  I Need to remember this when it's total chaos around here and loud and about a million places to go that I would much rather have it crazy with my family all around!  Just love them so much!!

The girls are at the store and the boys are at the park playing football.  This is not a long term quiet but thinking this is how it will be when they all move out and onward with their lives!!!

Football Banquet

Andrew had his Football party on saturday night.  It was over at Pizza Pie cafe.  I didn't go so I dont' have any pictures.  But he was awarded the most expensive play.  That was because when he sac'd the quarterback in the last game, the coach gave him $20 for it!   And he was also awarded the most playing time.  Congrats!! 

Jack playing football on the sidelines

Jack in the red shirt playing on the sidelines

Championship for Nick

Nick's team took the Championship for the 9 year olds this year.  They had a fabulous season and he had a great time.  It was fun to watch a winning team.  He worked hard.

 

nick on the far left with blue shirt

 

jack and some random kid playing during the game

 

Football Andrew

Andrew had an awesome season.  In his last game, he sac'd the quarterback!!  It was the play of the year according to the Coach.  This is Andrew's last  year playing Ute football.  (Little league)  Next year, he will be a sophomore so he will have to play on the High School team.  He faithfully went to practice and worked and worked.  I didn't get to many of his games this year because I was in charge of Nick and Abi and Jack and it usually ended up with at least one of them having a game during Andrew's game.  I did get to a few.  Loved watching Andrew play football all these years.  I can't wait to watch him next year play for Bountiful High which is my alma mater. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was from last year but he did sac the quarterback in the final game this season

 

 

Nick and more football

Nick's first year of football has been great.  His team has made it to the play offs.  They have had one loss all season.   His playoff game was in West Jordan.  He had quite a few fans come to watch.  THANKS Michelle and McKenna.  However, Practice tonight is at Bountiful High School football field under the lights.  So Cool!!!

Michelle, McKenna and Brooke

Nick

Nicks team

Jack and Soccer

Jack played his first season of Soccer.  He has had 11 games.  I haven't gotten to all of them because of football and Abi's soccer.  We have to travel and be early for all our Football games and Abi's games so Jack sometimes gets left with Brooke or Grandma to take to the game.  He has LOVED it.  He was looking at the video camera and wondered why there wasn't more footage of him playing soccer.  So here's his footage!!! 

 

 

 

 

Bestest Halloween Party 2013

Michelle had a Halloween Party at her house.  We carved pumpkins, played the donut game and ate pizza.  It was totally fun and super good food.   The kids loved it and so did the Adults.  We love going to her house!! always hospitable and super fun.  Those attending were, Michelle, Marti, McKenna, McCall, Brooke, Abi, Jack, Gma and Gpa.  Andrew didn't come because his bud Blake wasn't t here, and Nick didn't come because he was having Attitude.  They missed a GREAT time!!!!

McKenna and Brooke

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Our pumpkin carving results

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Our donut game

Jack

Abi

The whole gang carving

Jack

Just the Girls

Brooke

McKenna

The donut game in action

McCall

The whole Gang

Yummy food we ate

Way cool cupcakes

 

Halloween 2013

Halloween is my greatest holiday.  It requires how ever much effort you want to put into it.  If you want an elaborate costume, great.  If you want less than that, great or no costume at all.  Halloween this year, cost me $36.  $30 for candy, and $6 for wrist bands for Jack.  Andrew and I went to the Halloween parade at  Boulton Elementary.  Hayley, Brooke's friend and Brooke took Jack and Nick Trick or Treating.  Andrew (the Chicken) and I sat out on the porch and gave out Candy.  It was soo fun to see all the Kids and people we knew.  It was also fun to see people we didn't know.   Everyone was super nice and friendly.  If you don't like halloween, then stay inside with your lights off.  That's why I love it.  However you want to participate that is okay.  Abi and her Friends went as Old Ladies.  they got ready at her friend Tillie's house.  So I didn't get a picture of them!  They were terrific though!!

Nick as Football Player

Jack as Basketball player

Audience at the Halloween Parade.  Gma, Gpa and Andrew

Brooke, Hayley and Andrew

Jack decided he would join them

All the candy we had left from 370 pieces

Our Halloween Table.  thanks to Michelle for doing this for years

Andrew's chicken costume.