Basketball Is Here Again

It is that time of year again. Cameron is once again playing for Desert Jr High. I always get so nervous during the try-out process. It must be a "mom" thing to do!!

The starting line up is just about the same as last year. Of the 5 starters last year, 4 of them are returning. We do have a different team this year including a different coach. We haven't started the season off any better, but then again they have only played 2 games. It does take some time to find a comfort zone with one another....at least that is what I keep telling myself.

Cameron started the season as starting point guard, but now has been moved to starting shooting guard. We are really excited for this move. The kid taking over Cameron's position is a great point guard and can get the ball up court.

Hopefully, we have a great season. I am really hoping these boys can continue to play basketball together after the season is over. Chances are they will be playing together for a long time in high school. Wait....What....? Did I mention high school...? I can't believe that next year we enter the high school scene!! Can someone tell me when and how my kids got to be this age?

Go Rattlers!!!!!

Thanksgiving Fun Part 4

Thanksgiving Fun Part 3

Marc and I have always thought Kaelyn looked a lot like Ardell. Not only do they look a lot alike, but they can do "funky" things with their fingers too. It was really fun to see Kaelyn so giddy realizing that she had a twin :)

Thanksgiving Fun Part 2 Trampoline Fun

Thanksgiving Fun Part 1

I know we have just celebrated Christmas and here I am finally writing about Thanksgiving.... I have been busy (and didn't realize Marc had downloaded these pictures even though I am sure he told me 100 times or more).

In October or so we got a call from Lydia informing us that her and Ardell had been talking about everyone getting together for Thanksgiving. Marc and I thought it was a GREAT idea and were really excited to head up to Page for the holiday. When we finally talked with Lydia we were then informed they all wanted to gather here at our house. Ok, so we weren't going to be going to Page for Thanksgiving, but we were still excited to see everyone. It had/has been way too many years since Marc was together with his sisters' for any holiday.

Although, it was a lot work hosting everyone..I would do it again next year!!!! We had a lot of fun!!!!!! The adults played games, the kids played games, our house turned into the war zone for nerf gun wars, our backyard became a basketball court... It was a lot of fun.

Ellie's Birthday Fun

We celebrated Ellie's birthday with a birthday party again this year. We give our kids the option of getting some cash or having a birthday party. The only one who has taken the cash these last few years is Cameron. Everyone else still enjoys the birthday party.

Birthday parties are so hard for me. I am not very creative in thinking of things to do. I have always enjoyed hosting the party away from home for so many reasons; they do all the work, they do all the set up/clean up, they entertain all the kids for however many hours. The best part of all....we just show up!!! Ellie didn't want to go anywhere for her party this year. She wanted to stay home and play games. Oh joy....... After a few days of thinking and starting to feel a little overwhelmed (remember I am not creative) I came up with the idea of playing "Minute to Win it" games. There is a game show on TV called this. They play these random corky games, but they look like a lot of fun.

Some of the games we played.... balance a cookie on your forehead and try to eat it without using your hands, try and blow plastic cups off a table using the air you blew into a balloon (you only have 1 minute to do this), try and stack 5 red delicious apples on top of each other in a minute and they have to stay standing for 3 seconds.

I think the party was a lot of fun...Everyone seemed to have a good time. Ellie at the end said, "I think next year I am going to take the money." Best thing I had heard all day :)

Emersyn Christmas Program

Gotta love the school programs. I think they do the same program every year. Since we have a couple kids...we have seen each program 2-3 times.....It doesn't matter though.... All of our kids are different and you never know what show THEY (themselves) are going to perform for you.

Emersyn is really coming out of her shell. She is in 2nd grade and finally feels like she could handle a speaking part in the performance. Hats off to these teachers who teach our children. Let me just say....I COULD NEVER BE A TEACHER!!!!!

The 2nd graders performed two times. During the day they get to show off their talents to the rest of the school and any parents who are able to attend. The evening performance is mainly for parents and any other relatives who would like to watch. Both Marc and I were able to make it during the day.... The evening performance....was a production in itself just to get Emersyn there. Kaelyn had ballet this same night which ended the exact same time the performance was due to begin. Cameron had his first basketball game (photos soon to come) which, with our luck, was played away. No big deal...dropped Kaelyn off early to ballet - check, get to Cameron's game - check, Emersyn is dressed for her performance - check.... Cameron's game starts late!!! WHAT!!!!! I am suppose to have Emersyn back to the school by 6:15.....I believe it was 6:15 when Ellie, Emersyn and I ran to the car....(no jogging here, nope we ran as fast we could....in flip flops....I might add)

Thank heavens we made just about every light green on the way there. Emersyn and Ellie jump out of the van. Ellie gets her (Emersyn) to the stage in time for the performance. I run and pick up Kaelyn from ballet. Glad my mom was coming to watch Emersyn sing...she brought Cameron and Marc with her. They got there in time to see Emersyn's big moment!!!! Man, that was an exhausting night and I am exhausted relating it all to you :)

Sometimes I wonder how I make it through all of this sometimes......

Christmas Card 2010

I can hardly believe it is that time of year again. Seems like we were just doing this..... BUT here we are again!!!!!!

Visitors

Thank you to everyone who came out to support my girls'. It was great to see everyone there :)

The Nutcracker

Last weekend was fun and busy. My girls' have been taking ballet from Robbin @ Studio R for the past 3 years. Robbin had decided this year she was going to put on The Nutcracker. I had no idea the amount of time and detail would or could go into a production like this.

In Sept Kaelyn and Emersyn started having practice on Saturdays. It was a little challenging to fit everything into our schedules but we made it work.

The most amazing part of this whole thing is my dear friend Robbin. To watch the performance on Sat was amazing. To think that she did 90% of the performance. She taught her ballet classes during the week, have practices on Sat, took care of her 3 boys and husband, full-filled her church calling, embellished all the costumes, made the headboard for the stage, my list of things she did could go on and on......

This was a great opportunity for my girls' to perform in front of so many people at one time. Marc was enlisted to be the narrator of the performance. Sonny was enlisted to being Mother Baffoon. What a hoot :) It was so fun!!!!!! I loved watching my girls!!! I loved seeing the smiles on all the families faces!!!!

We are super excited for next year.

Lady Bengals Wescon Cheer Competition

It seems like our kids are always on the move. We get one thing accomplished just to realize there is more awaiting for us. It's ok, our kids enjoy it. Hopefully, Marc and I are being good parents by helping our children develop the talents Heavenly Father has blessed them with.

A few weeks ago we attended the Wescon Cheer Competition out at Cardinals Stadium. The end of Oct the Gilbert Bengals participated in the State Cheer Competition. The top 2 teams were invited to the Wescon Cheer Competition. The Lady Bengals took 2nd place, therefore, we had a date with Regionals Nov 20, 2010. The girls' and coaches worked very hard in perfecting their routine.
We had to be at the Stadium a very early 6:45am (and yes, it did take us only 45 mins to get there). The girls were scheduled to perform @ 8:20 with awards being handed out @ 12. Like most cheer competitions, they ran late. The awards were handed out around 1. However, it was worth the wait!!!!!
Ellie's squad competed against 11 other teams from Nevada, California and Texas. As they started reading off the top 5 they called the Gilbert Bengals for 4th place!!!!!! They are the first team in Gilbert Pop Warner history to place within the top 5 in the Regional competition. Not bad for their first appearance there.

Congratulations Lady Bengals!!!! Let's do it again next year!!!!