January Odds & Ends

We started the year off with the nasty flu/cold bug that has been circling the world lately.  No official diagnosis but we knew enough to know everyone felt lousy.

New uniform required
for the sick & afflicted.

Take a picture!!!
I need to see why it hurts.
I guess mirror's don't work as well as taking
a picture.

They love each I am sure.
However, they love to torment each other.
Or maybe tease each other just a little.

Is she saying a prayer??
That it won't hurt or
Wow!!! 2 years flew bye in minutes?

January has officially ended and now we march forward to February.  Is there any way of slowing down time?  Even maybe freeze time dang if only we were super heroes and that was our super power.  

February does mean the Olympics are coming and a lot of fun stuff to watch.  

Reganne & Braces

The time has finally arrived for Reganne to visit the orthodontist..  She was excited and maybe even a little scared.  First up getting the evaluation done and see what type of work needs to be done.  The verdict is full on braces with bands for two years.  She had been hoping he would say she was great and didn't need any additional work.  Her teeth aren't that bad but her bite is bad enough that her teeth don't meet.  How has she survived 13 years this way???

She has a week to enjoy all foods she won't be able to eat for two years.  She really didn't go too wild with the chewy sticky stuff.

Tuesday morning arrived and with it getting checked out early from school.  It was a busy morning for them with 4 kids sitting side by side all getting their new hardware installed.

Last crooked smile!!!

Taking a break
from all the stuff they put in her mouth.
She can move her tongue.

All Done!!!!

The pain hasn't started yet she could still smile.  It was time for the tradition of after the appointment ice cream at Culver's.  She ordered a Peanut Butter Milkshake they brought her a Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake which required chewing.  She tried but soon lost interest and decided to give up all eating for the next two years.  A couple of Advil and cottage cheese got her through the afternoon.

Let's hope we can all survive this journey.  She is determined to eat everything she wants to no matter what everyone tells her.  Just a quick reminder do not tell her she can't eat it because that is exactly what she will do just to show everyone she can!!!!

2018 Snow Melt Swim Meet

It is the final swim meet of the season and we are back at the WCCC.  He  has 5 events but we aren't sure if they will mostly be on Friday or Saturday.  We arrived early so he could get in the zone.  This meet I brought him a lot of snacks and we found a good seat.

The water looks peaceful.
All swimmers are checked in
and finding their coaches.

The water begins to vibrate
as the swimmers jump in
to begin warm ups

Warm ups if over and time
to wait for his events.

First event
getting into position for back stroke.

Didn't like my snacks.
Instead found goldfish in the bottom
of his backpack.

Only two events tonight.  We were able to head home, eat dinner, and get plenty of rest for tomorrow and swimming 3 more events.

It was an early morning at the pool.  We arrived just in time to start warm ups and me to find my spot as a volunteer timer.  Timers have the perfect spot to catch all the action.  Even better no dirty looks when you step up to watch the event since that is were you are supposed to be.

Checking in with his coaches
and hanging with his team.

Waiting for the whistle to get into position.
He was swimming in my lane.
Able to do close ups.

Finished!!!!

Father & Son
together across the pool eating.
Once again not my snacks...Concession food instead

There were only a couple of events left that I needed to stay for to complete my volunteer hours.  Dang!!! it was the mile event which is the second longest event.

We headed home realizing they would post the final results until Tuesday at the earliest.  It was time for lunch and a movie.

We were finally going to see "The Greatest Showman".  It lived up to the hype and everyone really enjoyed it.  The girls were talking about seeing it again.

Another busy Saturday comes to an end with smiles.

Final Results:
50 Backstroke, 42.11, 2nd Place
50 Breaststroke, 54.62,  6th Place
50 Freestyle, 38.19,  2nd Place
50 Fly,  49.41,  1st Place
200 Medley 3.36.65, 2nd Place

Saturday Family Fun Day!!!

The let down from the holidays left us needing something fun to do.  One minor problem everyone had their own ideas on how to spend the day and all were different.  We set off towards Las Vegas for a little shopping with the Christmas money they received.  Everyone was starving so lunch was first on the agenda.  

We were soon headed back toward home but not without stopping in Mesquite for the annual car show.  Each casino parking lot was full a variety of cars.  The only choice was which one was going to be our first stop.

They can't agree where to start.

Reganne knows where she is starting.

She would photo bomb Rylee

She loved this car
and would have loved to take it home
if only she had her license.

This boy was all about taking
pictures of every car he loved.
Memories!!!!

I am always bringing up the rear.
They are all way to intense for me.

Burnout Time!!!
I may need a gas mask before we are done.

Found them watching
very intently.

Of course when Ryder & I caught up with them all the good spots were taken.  Ryder ducked down to watch everything.  Me I just waited for an opening or the smoke.  

We came, we saw, and it was time to head towards home.  I believe everyone had a good time and enjoyed the variety of the things we did.

Welcome 2018!!!

After the long drive home from Grandma's house it was time to get our party one.  The kids hung out downstairs playing games, watching movies, and trying to stay awake.  The adults had the upstairs with a lot of treats, watching movies, and some of us trying really hard to stay awake.  

The ball dropped and the neighborhood came to life with a lot of fireworks.  Who knew our neighbors are all fascinated with fire and blowing stuff up.  

Reganne was in heaven with BTS singing on one of the holiday specials.  She refused to go to bed until she watched all their performances and even recorded it.

Oops!!! we forgot one thing that Ryder had begged for Martinelli's Sparkling Cider.  We can still celebrate the next morning.

Not so sure

Taking a big drink.

Judging by his face I am not so sure it was all that he wanted it to be.   He did share with Reganne and is glad she really didn't like it.  There will be more for him.  Or Not!!

Crazy December is Done!!!

December started with soccer games and swim meets.  It was followed closely by Christmas parties, concerts, and school activities.  We ended the month with a wonderful Christmas and a little bit of vacation thrown in.  2017 has been a crazy but the best part is being a family.  Found additional pictures to wind down the month and year.

Sister Selfies

Waiting patiently all day
for his game to download.
Finishes just in time for bed.
Mom!!! fix our internet it's so slow.
We have way to many devices.  What to get rid of?

Cole, sharing his Christmas Spirit
with this awesome suit he found
at JC Pennys.

Ryder's primary class building
gingerbread houses.  The doing service by
delivering food to Switchpoint.
They also visited a teacher that was
suffering from Cancer.  Hoping to make her holiday'
a little brighter.
She passed away 2 weeks later.  So thankful for teachers who let these
kids have a great memory of her.

Due to Amazon shipping delays.
Christmas kept on giving.
Ryder received a cool camera from a new cousin.
He can't wait to go somewhere fun and try it out.

Winter Purging
or
Spring Cleaning
Dave decided to clean his closet. 

The new year is banging on the door whether we are ready or not. 

Time to Party

Better late than never for our family Christmas Party.  It is always fun to get together and catch up with what everyone has been doing since the last time we got together.  

Amber, Kayla, and McKade

Grandpa Chris
Giving his annual Christmas speech.

More visiting
and even a little teasing.

The room from a different
angle.  Catching up with
more family. 

Love watching these
kids play with really old toys.
They were new for me way back when.

Rylee found a new little friend.

Andrew found his way
to Rylee and didn't leave her side
until it was time to leave.

Grandpa & Reganne
Bonding time

It was a fun to spend time together as a family.  We missed the ones that couldn't be there and look forward to the time that everyone can get together again.

Ryan took the kids to the mall so spend their money from Grandma & Grandpa.  He always amazes me with his patience and willingness to spend the time with them.  Ryder talked about the crazy things he and Jaxson & Josh did.  They spent some of their money but more important was the memories they made.

It's almost time for New Years.  What can we do to bring in the New Year and to start it right?

More Christmas...

We weren't done celebrating the Christmas it was time for another road trip North to celebrate with family.  The weather was great it was hard to believe it was actually the end of December.  

This boy is excited to see
his grandma.
Please hurry Dad.

Would Grandma like
her present??
Of course!!! it's a piece for her village.

Inspecting the new addition.

Official snow picture
Maybe we can try again with the snow
finally arrives.

What are you looking at?

Whatever it was
was soon forgotten with
the wrestling that followed.

We had a couple of hours to relax before the family party was to begin.  Time to help Grandma & Grandpa get ready.

Merry Christmas

To bad we didn't follow through with our threats of duct tape, benadryl, or locking his door.  Ryder was up much earlier than any of us wanted.  He tried to wait patiently but nobody was willing to move until 7.

Moving??
Not quite they preferred to snuggle down
in their blankets.

Ryder convinced them to check out
their stockings.

The paper started to fly.
Smiles soon followed.

Reganne loved her gift
from a new cousin. 

Dave loved this coat of arms
from Rori.

Only 8:00
All the gifts are opened
Everyone went back to bed except for Ryder.

Explaining to Spencer why
he should like BTS.

Exchanging presents with
the Wheelers.
It is fun trying to surprise each other
with things they really wanted.

Look who is playing
with Ryder's Drone?

Thank goodness Ryder loves his gadgets so Dave can play along with him.  It was a great day once again spent with family.  We enjoy a lot of yummy food, watched movies, and relaxed.

My only regret is the day is way to short and the magic of the season runs out before midnight.

The good news we have 365 days to work towards having another Merry Christmas.