Season of Halloween

The usual kickoff for a busy Halloween week is the YM/YW Carnival.  This year with Reganne in YW she got to help out with a booth.  That left Ryder to find his friends and play the games.  First we had to fill up on yummy chili & cornbread provided by the women of the ward.  We have awesome cooks who love share.  My Jiffy Mix Cornbread stuck to the muffin pan so we had nothing to share.  Someday I will figure out how to make the yummy stuff we used to get from Marie Calendars back in the day.

The kids were lining up at the door ready for treats and games.

Black Ninja with a mustache

Black Cat with pretty curls & smile

Flapper Girl dressed in all black.
Photo bombed by little brother

Everyone had a great time and it was a great dress rehearsal for the big night.  The kids are growing up and we don't go to as many activities as we used to.  The girls would rather hang out with friends at the corn maze.  

Costumes are ready, stocked up on candy, and spooky decorations are all set out.  It will be time to party and have fun tomorrow. 

Soccer in Motion...Cima

The game this week was like a moving target.  Each day a different field was listed for the game.  Finally, on Friday night confirmation came they would be playing at the high school.  I thought the girls would be excited to play there but that was not the case.  The field is too big, it's artificial turf, anand it's going to be so hot.

We arrived early enough to watch the 2005 Rage Boy Teams game.  It was an intense game full of action.  The first time watching the Goalie come out of the box a little bit too far and the other team ran around him straight to the goal.  The goalie was running behind him but couldn't get back in place before he ran the ball right in.

The girls were ready to play and without any subs.  The whistle blew and they were off.  This week Reganne started as goalie and quickly found herself on the receiving end of a few to many balls.  She did awesome with 25 attempts and gave up 4.

Got it!!!

A good kick high and long.

Another great kick.
She has developed a good hard kick that makes the players cringe.

Half time couldn't come soon enough.  The girls were tired, sweaty, and needed a break.  The whistle blew way too soon.  They were off once again trying to take control of the ball.

This half Reganne was playing mid defender and she had her work cut out for  her.  The girls made it down the field for two attempts at the goal.  However, Cima was ready to take control back and they were soon pounding on our goal again.

Trying to protect the goal.

It was even a harder 2nd half with another 4 goals scored.  We needed a few more high and far balls to get them away from our goal.  The girls were not pleased with their performance but players with bad attitudes and really tear a team apart.  They have one more game this season.  The girls want to bad to win one more.  They are willing to put in the work this week.  Lets hope the bad attitudes don't appear and they will get their chance. 

Tuacahn Final Play....Hunchback of Notredom

Fall Break finally arrived.  The kids were more than ready for a break from school, homework, and getting up early.  Thursday we headed off to Tuacahn to watch our final play of the season.  Rylee went a couple of weeks ago and loved it.  She couldn't wait to see it again.  I knew the story was going to be really dark and Ryder would probably not enjoy it but refused to stay home.  Off we went with a quick dinner at Freddies we found our seats.

Amazing set

Found our seats and tried to get settled.
Ryder tried a couple out before deciding on this one.

Really Mom!!!
No more pictures.

Oops!!! Who am I?
He tried all the spots, but the pictures wouldn't transfer over.

The play was amazing between the acting & singing.  The man playing Quasimodo was truly amazing in his performance.  He made the whole show for me.

Ryder was not impressed and was ready to go to sleep before intermission.  Rylee loved the whole thing.  Reganne still loved Peter Pan the best.  Dave it would have been better and shorter without all the singing.  It was a great show, but my favorite this year has to be Tarzan.

It was the second to last performance of the season and the amphitheater was full.  We made a mad dash to the van and were home by 10:30.  We were all tired and ready to sleep in tomorrow.  All except Dave who had to go to work.

Good night Tuachan until next year when will can experience culture again.

Another Soccer Monday

We started this week out once again with soccer.  This time was going to be different since we had to travel south for the game.  We were headed to Mesquite for the night.  However, Dave & Rylee had to work so I was in the drivers seat with my co-pilot Ryder.  We found the fields hidden back in the hills south of town.  It was going to be a great night for soccer not a rain cloud in sight.  No need to wear the jackets I forced us to bring.

Reganne was starting as Mid Field Defender.

Check out the field... Perfect of a soccer game.

Kick Off

Running their legs off.

Protecting your Goalie

The first half was pretty intense we had plenty of subs, but couldn't quit make it down the field to score.  Second half found Reganne back at Goalie trying to contain them.  Two weeks off didn't help us much.  The final score was 7 to 0.  Everyone worked so hard and tried so hard.  They have improved so much and will continue to improve if they keep working hard.

The drive home in the dark was another adventure through the Gorge.  We made it home safe, sound, and very tired.  

Happy 12th Birthday

It's time to celebrate another birthday at our house.  Reganne's big day arrived and she also had big plans for the day.  Breakfast must be scones!!!!  She has to leave for school really early so I had to remind her that she had to get up early enough to eat and enjoy them.  She made it and ate 3 before running out the door.

There was soccer practice before party time.  The girls all wished her a happy birthday and we were off and running.

Dinner at Pasta Factory with the Wheelers was great, but the service was slow.  They brought her a piece of cheese cake with chocolate sauce.  She wasn't too impressed and quickly passed it around the table for everyone to enjoy.

Photo Bombed by Ryder

Time for candles
Dacoda & Reganne trying to get the candles in the frozen  cake.

Love that smile...what is she thinking
Can she blow those all out?

Almost

Dab!!!
These two crazy kids trying to out do each other.

Finally presents
Another favorite phone of the sisters actually enjoying each other.

BAM!!!
My skateboard....It has a tiger on it.
Perfect!!!!

All the presents opened, cake devoured.
The day was ending.

Did she have a great day??  Yes!!! it was the best day of her life were her exact words as she headed off to bed.  

She has many changes coming this week and we wish her the best.  Watch out Young Women's here she comes ready or not.

Look at me!!!
She got her skateboard out and along with Dacoda's encouragement.

Go Reganne!!

She was smart this time and found her elbow & knee pads along with her helmet.  She had a few mishaps but was all smiles knowing she accomplished this.

We love this girl to the moon and back.  She keeps us guessing everyday on what she will be doing.  Her favorite thing to do right now is watch Anime on her Kindle, play soccer with her friends, and snuggle with the dogs in her room.

New Toys & New Skills

We finally got around to getting new batteries for the motor scooter that Dave bought last year.  Once he started working on it Ryder eyes lite up and he was eager to give it a try.  I wasn't as excited to see him ride it all I could picture was more broken teeth and maybe a broken arm or leg.

Dave loves to teach the kids new things and the best is when they are excited to learn.  Ryder is adventurous and maybe more so that we would like at times.

Dave showing how it works.
The important stuff of where are the breaks and throttle.

They are off.
His reactions are a lot like me.
Put your feet down to stop.  It never crossed his mind to use the actual break.

Mom!!!! Look what I can do!!!!
He worked on learning how to ride his skateboard
all afternoon.

BAM!!!

He did it and was all smiles when I came home.  He was anxious to show me that he could do it all by himself.  I was looking around for that bubble wrap instead I had to settle with his helmet.  He did it!!! He continues to ride it in the driveway maybe we will let him venture further out next week.

General Conference Sunday

I love General Conference Sunday it is a slower pace since we have 8:30 church each week.  Fix a nice breakfast and listen to all the talks.  We had a surprise visit from Uncle Brandon & Aunt Kim with Nate & Breeonah coming to town as well.

We spent a fun night with them eating at a restaurant that we haven't tried before.  I thought it was yummy, maybe I was really hungry.  Dave wasn't impressed at all.  They left their boat in the driveway overnight so we knew we would see them again before they left town.

They came over during the morning session and the fun began.... They got to meet Ginger.

I am as small as Dexter.
If he can climb on your lap so can I.

Thank goodness they love dogs.
Ginger can be a little overwhelming.

Nate the Marine
Showing Ryder pictures of him job.
The boats, guns, and the ocean.  Ryder was so curious.

The General & The Count
After they left Ryder wanted to get ready for
Halloween.  He wanted to find the perfect
costume for  him as well as the dogs.

The General must have his hat.
It lasted about 30 seconds.

Tug of War
Battle of the dogs

After a busy day the dogs were not ready to stop playing.  They played with the rope and neither would let go.  After about 10 minutes they were still going at it.  Dexter maybe smaller but he is the boss.

This weekend didn't last long enough but we sure fit a lot into it.  We have 6 months to wait before the next one.

Soccer Monday

After a busy weekend full of soccer it was continuing on Monday.  This game was going to be another battle with the Galaxy Team.  The last game ended in a tie and they are determined to win at all costs.  The jeers and cat calls started before the game even started.  It was going to be a long night.

Our girls were ready to play and have fun.  Reganne was going to be mid defender tonight.

Angle picture courtesy of Ryder.
Determination was the game plan.

Hard work defending the goal.

Is this soccer or rugby?
This was on of the many elbows to the chest.

Rebounding..

After the third hit she came out crying needing to catch her breath and start breathing normally again.  She is one stubborn girl and had to work it out on her own.  She was determined to get back out there and defend the goal against the persistent girls.  

Come On and Try!!!

The game ended 6 to 1 and with our girls so tired they could hardly move.  This was the first time I have seen parents getting carded for unsportsmanlike conduct.  Reganne was sore and a little down hearted that they couldn't pull of the win.  However, watching what good sports our girls are in giving high fives and yelling good job to the other team.

The girls were ready for a break and recuperate.   Two weeks off to play and have fun off the field.

Cub Scouts....Wolf Badge

It has been a busy week full of activities.  Tonight was pack meeting and Ryder was receiving his Wolf Badge.  We weren't sure if this was going to happen after having most of the summer off.  Two new leaders were called in August and they were determined that each boy would earn it before moving onto the Bear Den.

We all worked together and BAM!!!! he made it.

Bro Zufelt with the Wolf Den

Pinning Mom with her Wolf Pin.
Dang!!! they don't give the Scout Salute anymore.
I had to grab him quick to steal a hug.

A Cub Scout is Helpful
The theme this month.

Making toiletry socks for
people in need.
Each boy was able to stuff a pair of socks with items
to help people in need.

They sent them home with each boy.  Giving them the challenge of handing them out when they see someone in need around town.

Later in the week the call came again for helpful cub scouts.  A neighbor needed help with yard work.  The boys, their leaders, and a few dads came together to help.  The cubs were shy about getting in and helping but with the good examples around them everyone was soon busy and quickly done.

A lost picture from a previous pack meeting this summer.  The boys love having their meeting in the cub master's backyard.

A pack the plays together
learns to have each other's backs in times of need

It was a great summer full of great pack meetings.  Ryder is onto the Bear Den with a little reservation.  All his friends are still in the Wolf Den until January.

9th Birthday Celebrated

How did this happen!!!  This boy of ours is turning 9 years old.  Wasn't it just yesterday that we traveled up north for him to be baptized?  He has had to wait so patiently for this day to arrive or should I say not so patiently.  Every day was greeted with new plans, new ideas for presents, and what friends he would celebrate with.  

His biggest complaint was that his birthday was on Sunday and to make it worse it was the primary program.  Nobody should have to have a Sunday birthday.  His plans also needed be scaled down due the soccer doubleheader in Enoch on Saturday. He was a good sport and came along without much complaining,

Birthday Dinner completed with
a saddle ride and ice cream.

Who spilled the beans??
He would have been disappointed if nobody said anything.
Dad was the person who told.

Presents..
He loves all emoji s.

The sisters came  through for him.
Priceless picture of the hugs given in thanks.

WHAT!!!! a Skateboard!!!

What were we thinking??? He has begged for months for one of his own.  We must be crazy to contribute to his craziness.  I really need to invest in more bubble wrap.  His gift box was full of Twix Candy Bars, Pokemon cards, Legos, mint gum, and black socks. 

We all sang Happy Birthday around his chocolate pie.  No cake for this boy instead chocolate pie with lots of whip cream.

There is never a dull moment at our house with this boy.  His constant chatter, crazy schemes, and his creative projects that are always in progress.  He moves around the house as fast as he talks but he has a tender heart and a hard head.  We hope that he has even harder teeth that will survive him. He is a good student, good swimmer, and a hard worker.