Star Wars Christmas Party

It's time for my department's Christmas Party and once again we are headed to the movies.  We missed opening night of Star Wars but went on the 2nd day.  We were all excited to see this one for sure.

We love character photos.
Ryder wasn't so sure though.

20 Selfies
With or Without 3D Glasses?

I love both.
However, 20 pictures of them poising was a few
to many.
Will the show ever start?

Glasses, popcorn, and drinks
We are ready to get the show on the road!!!

It was a good show.  Maybe a little long and drawn out in parts.  Or is it that I am getting older and the movies are getting longer.  Either way when my butt and legs go to sleep from sitting to long it's time for the movie to be done.  Everyone had a different opinion of this one.  My new favorite character is the little furry penguins.  They will give the little bears a run on who is cuter.

SRIS Christmas Choir Concert

Thunder & Lightening Choir's Christmas Concert arrived.  These kids have been busy performing this month this was to be their final one before Christmas Break.  I was happy to see they had moved it into the Little Theater instead of the gym.

Reganne came home from school not feeling very good.  I convinced her to rest up until the time of the concert to see how she was feeling.  Good enough to attend.

Mr Payne accompanying them
with his guitar.

Getting the audience involved

No smiles for me tonight.

Santa doing his dance

The kids did great and had fun in the process.  Reganne was ready to head home and get into bed.  Christmas Break starts next weekend let's hope that the sickness doesn't follow us home and stay for the whole vacation.

Red Butte Pinewood Derby

Wait a minute?  Didn't we already have one of these this year?  The boys didn't care they wanted to race!!!!  The track was setup, the computer was programmed. and all the cars had been weighed.  

Time to RACE!!!!

Listening to the instructions.

Look at those faces.
They are so excited to get this started.

So fast that I missed
getting them in the picture.

Fastest Looking?
Not fast enough he didn't make the top 10.

What a smile

The boys continued to race each other and have a great time.  This is his last official Pinewood Derby as a cub scout.   He will turn 11 before next years event.

The boys all had fun and there were no tears this year.  I would say it was successful.

2017 Dart IMX Meet

Ryder was really excited for this swim meet.  His team has been working so hard on all their strokes, jumps, and even turns.  Ryder was so excited that we had to arrive earlier than everyone else.  That would be 30 minutes early!!!  This was going to be a fun meet @ the SHAC.  We "patiently" waited for warm ups to begin when they announced that all swimmers must sign in or be scratched from tonight's events.  Ryder quickly went and signed in and found Coach Becca for further instructions.  

Its Alive!!!
with swimmers of course.

Tonight's Heat Sheet

Two events tonight

Getting ready
and on the blocks.

I wasn't quick enough to snap any good pictures and of course the clock wasn't working correctly on his lane but he came in third & second in each of his heats.  There was so many kids running all over the place with teams from Park City to Las Vegas.  8 years old to high schools plus parents, and grandparents.  He was finished for the night and time to head home, eat, and get good rest for tomorrow.  Check in was at 7:45 am.

7:45 check in time as being held up due to the pool not being open.  Swimmers, parents, coaches, and even officials had to patiently wait outside in the cold.  Finally, the teenagers were able to let everyone in.  Teeth chattering and a lot of shivering things got setup.

/Drinking Gatorade
and waiting to sign in.

Smiling selfie
instead of stressing out.

Event #30  Boys 100 IM
Could we be patient until 10?

There was a bit of bad news.  The judges gave all the coaches their swimmers DQ Slips from last night.  Ryder received two one for each race.  One was for only a one handed touch and the other was not being vertical on his breast stroke.  He listened as his coach explained them to him, smiled, and told her that he would work on it.  We know had 2 1/2 hours to wait until his final event.

100 IM
Watch the judges hands!!!

No arms or comments from the judges.  He finished and looked up at the judge standing over him "Did I get DQ'd?"  She smiled at him and assured him that he did a good job.  He was all smiles as he came  over to us and assured us that all was good.  Once again the time clock didn't work right so we have no idea of how he did.  The meet still had 3 hours to go but we were done.  Time to head home.

Tuesday he received a 2nd Place Ribbon for 9-10 Boys 100 Yard IM  1:39.76.

CVE Christmas Choir Concert

Time for the final choir concert of the year.  Ryder was really excited to perform and show off all the actions they had learned.  He was a little nervous since a couple of the songs they only had worked on them a couple of times.  

Love the glasses & shakers.

More actions

Good looking group.

They sounded amazing and loved the Little Drummer Boy with a little help from the school custodian playing the drums.  As they sang their last song and wished everyone a Merry Christmas it was announced no more practices until January.

Dickens Festival

It was a busy weekend full of soccer that we almost forgot about the Dicken's Festival.  Trying to find time was going to be difficult but when I suggested not going I was met with 3 hostile looks.  My mission became to make time.  Surprise this meant getting up early and being there right at 10.  The second surprise of the morning a long line at the entrance.  I paid admission and sent the kids on a mad dash to get a number for Father Christmas.  I ran to catch up and found them patiently waiting for me at the entrance to Father Christmas.  Rylee handed me the ticket for out spot we were number 8.  How??  There was a lady getting ready to toss her number she didn't want to wait in that line and asked Rylee if she would like it.  Yes, gladly and we waited.  The real Father Christmas was back this year and looking great and full of conversation.  He talked to each one and remembered them.  Or at least he acted like he did.

Official Christmas Picture

It was time to run to the soccer fields for Reganne's 2 games.  We will have time afterwards to shop, get  our pictures, and enjoy the start of the Christmas season.

My shopping partner

The games are over and Ryder was the only one willing to go back with me.  We found the pictures and a few yummy samples to try.  Ryder also was able to sneak some Christmas shopping in as well.  

I love the smells and sounds at this festival.  If you can brave the crowds without going crazy this is the place to be to start Christmas off right.

Friendlies Soccer Tournament Day 2

Saturday morning at the fields it's warmer than last night but I still needed a jacket.  We were playing another local team the CIMA 05 Girls.  Wait a minute!!! The girls on the other team looked familiar former teammates from Rage.  This was going to be a fun morning.

Role reversal
Cheyanna playing defense & Reganne
playing offense.

Playing full throttle

We had a minor problem with the refs.  He decided to let them keep playing instead of calling the game.  We won the game without much problem.  We have on 40 minutes before the next game starts.  Reganne is starving!!!!  Time to lunch at Jimmy Johns on the run.  We made it back with a few minutes to spare.

Game 2 against Copper Mountain (Salt Lake) this game was going to be a little rough for us.  We haven't had much rest time and these girls were ready to play.

Right wing again.

Running  all over the field

More Running

We played hard and came out on top once again.  This was a fun set of games to play.  We went through most of the seasons in 3 games.  Game one winter, Game 2 fall, and Game 3 summer.  Who would believe that it was December and we are running around in shirt sleeves and a touch of sunburn.  Time to have some fun this afternoon.

Friendlies Soccer Tournament

Reganne's team was ready for another fun filled weekend of soccer.  They were participating in the Friendlies Tournament @ Little Valley.  This could be a fun one to play on our home turf and only minutes from home.  However, the we are hoping for nice weather.  Our first game was at 7:30 which means playing under the bright lights against the 05 Liverpool Team.   

Schedule

Friendlies Greeting
Our coaches splitting up
due to they coach both teams.

Reganne playing Right Wing again

Game Face
and full game mode

We won the first game with 3 to 2.  The girls played hard and had fun playing against these girls.  It was also really cold.  I was given the suggestion of bringing a sleeping bag for warmth.  Ryder laughed at me and told me that I looked real funny.  He refused to use the one I brought for him.  One hour later I was still toasty warm and glad for the helpful hint.  Ryder however was pretty frozen and ready to go home.

Time to head home and get rested up for tomorrow's 2 games.

Wrapping Up November

As we get ready to step into December I found these quick snap shots of quick moments that deserve to be seen.

Perfect place to read.
On the heat vent and the Christmas Tree Lights.
Makes everyone smile.

Shivering Reganne
and the Cedar City Temple

Finally larger tomatoes
So sad they didn't ripen.  Better luck next year.

The Beehives @ Cedar City Temple
These girls are amazing.  They all get along
and are truly friends.

Ryder writing this special message
to Rylee who is going through a
rough patch.

It has been a busy month and another one is getting ready to start.  It's time to pause and give thanks for all blessings we have been given.  I hope that the next month will be filled with new memories, service, kindness, and of course fun.

Dixie Power Tree Lighting

One more night and one more tree lighting ceremony.  Two years ago was the last one due to construction last year.  Little Valley Choir including Reganne sang at that one  This year it's Crimson Views turn to enjoy.  It sure is getting dark earlier each day.  Tonight it seems really dark with the street lights turned down low to set the mood.  Dixie Power was serving doughnuts & hot chocolate which really hit the spot.

Time for the program to start...

Kids singing at the top of their lungs.

Flipping the switch..
Can you see Santa climbing the pole?

A few more songs.
Ending with Santa's Coming to Town

Ryder & Jace
Finding Santa and his treats.

It's not as cold tonight but could enough to want to snuggle up in a blanket and drink more hot chocolate.

St George City Tree Lighting

The Christmas Season is starting off with a bang.  St George City was the 2nd place to turn on their lights.  The temple always goes first on the Friday after Thanksgiving.  Reganne's choir was scheduled to perform.  Get there by 6:45 and find us by the cement stairs.  We arrived by 6:50 and nobody was by the stairs.  The one and only stage was setup by the river and archway.  The program was running a little behind.   7:15 they were on stage and ready to sing.

Do they look cold?

If they aren't the audience sure was.

All of a sudden a gust of wind came rolling through and the music stopped.  However, the kids didn't stop singing.  They sounded amazing and loud enough to hear.  Their choir director has planned more performances in the next couple of weeks.  The kids are good sports and follow all his instructions.

I think it's time to for some hot chocolate or some hot soup.

Happy Thanksgiving...

Everyone was looking forward to sleeping in for Thanksgiving.  However, the dogs had other ideas and got me up for a quick bathroom run.  Time to dig into the Black Friday Ads and see what I could find for gifts this year.

Nice, quiet, and only 9:00

By 9:15 Ryder was writing his list.

Everyone was soon up running around.  Dave & Ryder decorating outside, Rylee more sleeping, and Reganne watch BTS on YouTube.

Time to eat with the Wheeler Family.  This is Reganne's least favorite holiday.  Why you may ask?? She hates all the food that is prepared.  There is nothing good to eat!!!!  What do you want to eat? 

Hot Dogs!!!

Everyone ate, played, watched movies, and even snuck out for some after dinner shopping.  It was a great day.

Ryder's First attempt!!!

Dave and the kids did a little Black  Friday Shopping and it was now time to decorate the tree.  The girls had other things to do so they left it up to Ryder.  He was determined to get it done his way.  His first attempt left the house pretty trashed.  Reganne & her friends helped him out now if only they would do the rest of the house.  I can get that done over the next couple of days.  Christmas isn't too far away.