Blast from the Past...

Or rather a toy from the past Rockem Sockem Robots!!!!  

Let the battles begin.....

Dave's latest find

Father & Son
Friendly competition. 

Which quickly turned into a deadly competition between family.  Ryder soon had everyone wanting a turn but only if they would play him and he won.  He begged me to play with him and begged a little more.  Time to play and I quickly knocked his block off.  He wanted a rematch because Mom's can't win.  One more time for the a quick win!!!!!  He found other things to do and hasn't asked me to play with him again.

Waters' Sports Update

Saturday morning dawned to another basketball game.  This week's game didn't start until 11:00 for an 8 year old that was four hours away.  After a quick stop at Dave's store we made it with time to spare.  Once again he was the second one to arrive so he was starting the game.

Tip off and the game started.  

Give me that ball!!!!

How about now??

Who is going to get it?

They played with everything they had but came up short.  After many attempts Ryder scored a basket,  He also showed a new skill of stealing the ball.  He made a few breakaways that stunned us all.  One mom commented that he was sure was a hustler.  The game ended with more smiles there was treats this week.  The sad news there is only one more game of the season.

On our way home he reminded me that he wants to continue to play so I need to find out where and get it done now!!!!

Literacy Night at LVE

After Thanksgiving LVE announced a challenge to the whole school.  They were going to ready 10,000 books by the middle of January.  Each grade was given their chunk of the reading goal and they were off.

January arrived and they were getting really close to making their goal.  Another challenge was issued to the school.  Write a magical story for a chance to win lunch with a teen author MaKenzie Wagnor from Utah.  14 years old with numerous books available for the kids to enjoy.

Ryder went to work on his story.  His was on Super Lizards that love to play video games.  He wrote and rewrote his story convinced that he could win this.

The day finally arrived to turn in the stories.  Mrs Wilson had each one read their story to the class and then called for a class vote.  Ryder won!!!!!  His crew came through for him.

These kids not only made their goal but surpassed it by an additional 3,000 books for a grand total of 13,000 books.  It was time to party and have fun.

Pizza and treats for lunch and ask questions to MaKenzie.  Come back to school tonight for an autograph and get your prize.  It started at 5:30 and Ryder was determined to be there right on time and get his prize.  We were in fact 10th in line.

She signed his book
and encourage him to keep writing.

Photo booth w/Captain America
He refused to pose with Elsa & Anna

Gold Medals & Popcorn

It was a fun night a great reward for these hard reading students.  I hope they do this again next year all the kids loved working towards a goal.  The benefit better readers.  A win win for everyone.

Ryder is determined to read the new book and as of last count he has read 15 pages.

Waters' Sport Weekly Update

Basketball started early this week with a 9:00 game.  The coaches have been begging the boys to show up early with not much luck.  This week they threw in a wonderful incentive starting the game.  The first ones to show up got to start the game.  

Ryder was convinced we had to be there by 8:30 maybe 8:00???  I had to talk really hard to stop for breakfast @ McDonald's for his favorite Sausage McMuffin.  We even convinced Dad to join us be for work.  We made it at 8:35 his response "We are way to early".  The good news was all the boys were all there by 8:45.  They were ready to play.

Something new....Tip off

Defense is important.
Notice the other pink band Ryder has to guard...A whole head taller than him.

Keeping track of the ball.

Do we help?
Mr Plaid Shorts will fight to the end to get the ball.
He doesn't care who has it

It was a tough game with only 2 baskets but they played with everything they had to give.  If that counted the would have won by 50 points.

Ryder announced the he loves basketball more than football.  Can we please find him more games.  He isn't sure if he wants to play baseball after all this year.

Soccer practice started this week with a new coach for Reganne's team.  She is anxious for the season to start and get her goalie on.

Pizza Night

A new year and a new activity PIZZA!!!!!  Homemade in fact.  Who knew it was so easy to make and enjoy.  We are already in week 2 and my help is quickly disappearing.  Rylee thinks cooking is gross.  Reganne will help if I remind her.  Ryder however sticks like glue and wants to do everything I will let him, more if my back is turned.

We had a pizza adventure on Friday who knew you can have more than one topping on a pizza?  Not my kids!  The adventure continues and maybe we will have 3 toppings?

Adding the sauce
Oops!!! we put too much it was still yummy.

Three crusts rising with rolling pin standing by.

It was still a hit everyone dug in and devoured the slightly slimy concoction.  It was fun cooking together  and if possible learning together as well.

Next week maybe we will add a movie and popcorn.  

Waters' Sports Weekly Update

The new years starts and with it a new edition of "Waters' Sport Weekly Update".  We are really lucky that there is only one sport going on right now.  That won't last for very long soccer is knocking on the door.  

Ryder's basketball team had their first practice on Wednesday and you could feel the energy sizzling around them as they played.  

Saturday arrived but the game was scheduled for afternoon.  Ryder wasn't going to wait until then to start playing.  He and Dave started a pregame game in the driveway with one eye on the basket and the other eye on the clock.  12:30 finally arrived and we were off to the WCCC.  As we pulled in the large parking lot was full to the brim with very few empty spots.  Lucky for us we had plenty of time and were the first to arrive from his team.

Game time!!!!!

Let's Play

Concentrating & Nerves!!!
Dead give away with his hand in his hair.

Guarding his player

Pizza Party

This was a closer game with the teams more evenly matched.  Ryder scored one basket and a couple of others each scored one as well.  The coaches treated the boys to pizza which they quickly devoured in about 10 minutes maybe less.  Four games left this season there is still more fun to come.

As we left the WCCC Ryder told me he was hungry.  How is that possible he just ate pizza?  Mom, I only ate 2 pieces.

Welcoming 2016!!!!

After a busy Christmas it was time to unwind and have a quiet New Years NOT!!!!  Let's have fun and let the kids enjoy the night.

Getting Toilet Papered
Can't really see it with this picture, but Dave's Sunday School
Class had to go out with a bang.

Let's Party with the Wheelers & MacPhersons
The kids begged for sparkling cider.  How did we end up with 5 bottles?

Some loved it and some hated it.
How about the 5 year old bottle....Too many chunks it went down the sink.

Can't tell which way Morgan voted.

Watching movies and
waiting patiently for the count down to begin.

5...4...3..2..Happy New Years!!!!

What better way to start the new year than with family.

There is no better way to start the new year than with our family and friends.  What crazy things will come our way this year I guess you will have to stay tuned to another wild, crazy, fun, and adventurous year.

Another Celebration!!!!

Morgan's Birthday!!!!  We were excited to have the MacPherson Cousins stop for a visit on their way to California.  We were glad they included us in celebrating  Morgan's 11th Birthday.  What better place to eat dinner that the kid favorite Chuck A Rama.

Singing Happy Birthday

Time for presents

Quietly watching a video
until...

The others noticed that all was quiet and then everyone wanted to join in.  It was a late night but hanging with the cousins trumps bedtime any day,  We look forward to their next visit on their way home.

How did Reganne, Brinton, and Morgan grow up so fast???  Where did the last 11 years go too??  What will the next 11 years bring for these three??

Merry Christmas

Ryder was up and ready to get started at 6;30.  Reganne & Rylee wanted to sleep awhile longer.  We had to compromise and wait until 6:45.

Santa had found us with presents under the tree. 

Rylee found her new cell phone.
Santa came through but will Mom with the service???

Brother using his head to get his last present
from the very back of the tree.
Dang!!! He found the metal detector that he had been begging for.

Santa brought him a Zoomer Dog
Thanks Blake for getting it to work.
This will be the only puppy we get for awhile.

More presents with the Wheelers

Everyone got what they wanted and then some.  It was a perfect afternoon with friends & family eating and watching movies.  There were even a few snow flurries later in the day.

We are so blessed this Christmas season with friends & family to share this special day with.  

Dave reminded us that is is 364 more  days until next Christmas.  The loud groan could be hear all through out the house,

Christmas Eve and Family Traditions

Christmas Eve finally arrived and Ryder was ready to get the show on the road but the girls had other plans that required more sleep.

The presents were all wrapped, treats were made, and everyone was hungry.  Time for lunch and tradition speaks loud and clear for Chinese food at Dave's insistence.  

China Palace was the destination for a family style dinner.  Our waitress didn't speak English very well so when I ordered Dinner A for 3 people she countered that there were 5 of us.  Yes, there are 5 of us but we will only eat enough for 3 and the kids would only eat a little bit.  She wrote down for 5, smiled, and walked away.  Dave & I looked at each other and crossed our fingers that all would turn out ok.

Nope!!!! She returned with enough food to feed a family of 10.  2 large platters of each dish for a total of 8 platters.  10 minutes passed and she came back to our table and gave me a weak smile and said dinner for 3 would have been plenty.

All smiles

5 seconds to snap another picture.
Let's go home and have a sandwich.

Gingerbread Houses or village
While waiting to go to the visitors center.  Thanks to Mrs Wilson
for sharing her frosting with us.

Blurry selfie on the temple stairs.
I was hoping for a good one to hopefully use for our Christmas card.

Nice clear night with a full moon to
brighten the way.

Christmas cookies
Begging & pleading for everyone to frost them.
When that doesn't work a few threats do the trick.

Christmas puzzle
Who's idea was it to get a 500 piece puzzle that didn't
fit together.

The puzzle wasn't the best thing to get us into the spirit of the night.  Frustration reigned and by midnight I had to concede that it couldn't be finished.  Time for bed so Santa will come.

A Perfect Picture

This picture was a perfect moment full of helping, laughing, sharing, and more laughing.  I wish for many more moments like this.  However, we all know they are fleeting moments in between the teasing, screaming, fighting, and torturing each other.  No amount of screaming, threats, or crying from me seem to help.  Instead I can have my perfect picture posted and near by to remind me of those fleeting moments when there is peace, quiet, and a few giggles.  That is all I can ask for.

Waters' Sports Update

Saturday finally arrived after a very busy week which was topped of with a Christmas party which was a movie night for the family.  We got to see the new Star Wars Movie on opening night.  We loved it and it was the best way to end a crazy week.  

Saturday morning came in with a bang or rather the alarm clock rang early for as Saturday.  It was time for basketball at the WCCC.  I talked Ryder into stopping at Einstein Bagels to try a gingerbread bagel.  They were yummy dripping with frosting.  No time to stop and enjoy instead the game started in 15 minutes.

This week the first game started late so our game was delayed.  This isn't a good thing when the boys are ready twitching with excitement to start.

Who will get the rebound?

Ryder setting up for the shot.

Swoosh that is 2 points!!!!

Where did it go??

Time for a cheer and a pep talk from the coach.

Once again the score was really lopsided but these boys all worked hard and never gave up.  Ryder scored 12 points and was all smiles.

There is no more basketball until next year.  That hasn't stopped Ryder from practicing with whomever he can find.  

Time for errands and other Saturday activities that need to be completed before Christmas.