Bodychecking, Goals, and Grizzlies

Bodychecking Definition: Using the body to slow or stop an opponent.

You know, shoving/slamming against the boards/taking the other guy down. Why the hockey lesson on the blog? Because this sweet boy:

is officially old enough that it is LEGAL to CHECK in his hockey league. Nothing takes a mom's breath away like the sight of your son's face mask pressed against the glass right in front of you (2nd game). Nixon is pretty much the smallest person on his team. So he needs to learn to play heads-up-hockey, and he needs to be fast, and he needs to strengthen his core which will help him absorb hits. He has had his bell rung a few times in practice, but the first game of the season, he scored a sweet breakaway goal, so we think he's going to be OK.

In other hockey news, Geoffrey is coaching Easton's team and on Friday all three boys got to skate out on the ice at the Utah Grizzlies home opener. One of the players came in the locker room and talked to them before the game,:

they were on the ice for the pre-game stuff and the National Anthem:

they played a scrimmage game in between the 1st and 2nd periods (Easton in the red helmet celebrating his goal with the Grizzlie Bear:

and they got to pick up the foam pucks that people threw on the ice in between the 2nd and 3rd periods!

Just because Nixon and Easton thought this was the funniest thing ever: The headless hockey players:

The Grizzlies tied the score with 14 seconds left in the game and won in overtime, so it was a great game! Feel the excitement:

As usual, more pictures then you have time to look at can be found here.

Sweet Deals!

The wonderful, amazing, full-of-great-stuff scrapbook store here in Park City, is - sadly-going out of business. RIP Gone Scrappin'.

Sad for those of us used to waiting until the last minute to do big projects, not having what we need, and running into the store to get just the right ribbon or paper or embellishment. Good for all the bargain hunters!

Everything in the store is 60% off! Don't think that means it is all picked over and the good stuff is gone. I am AMAZED at how much is still there - great Making Memories ribbons and trims and tons of brads and paper flowers and sooo much paper still. The store carries most brands of scrapbook supplies.

Oh, I almost forgot the best part - want to organize your scrap area? All fixtures for sale! Wire and Wood paper racks - 12x12 and 8 1/2x11 ...slat wall and all the hooks and baskets to go with it. Sooooo much stuff.

Sorry my California friends! Hurry on up my Utah friends - you can hit the outlet mall too, maybe we can have lunch!

Last day is Friday, November 2!

It's A Utah Thing ...

when your daughter gets asked out on dates by elaborate things. Here is Sara's Homecoming ask this year ...a perfect replica of Napoleon Dynamite's sketch-ask, (and the really good part!) a box of YUMMY cookie flowers wrapped all pretty and topped off with a pair of pink Skullcandy headphones:

Her answer? A big sign in his yard that said: YES, I'd be a Dum-Dum not to go with you; and a yard full of Dum-Dums stuck in the ground (harder to push into a lawn then you would think!)

And the cute couple on dance night:

Tyler is a darling boy in our ward, Sara said it was so fun to go with someone she is friends with and has hung out with a lot before - they had a great time!

I'm sure you're shocked to know I have more pictures here!

Sara's had a crazy schedule lately - she has a solo part in Ballet West's nutcracker - and as a result did all of her dress shopping on her own. I love that she knows modest is hottest!

Feel free to share any clever dance ask/answer ideas you have in the comments. Someday I'll be helping with the boy half of all of this!

Trekkin'

So I spent the weekend with some other stake leaders at Martin's Cove for trek training. We are taking our stake next summer and so we were REQUIRED to attend this training. We really had to trek with handcarts, cross the Sweetwater, see Martin's Cove, do a women's pull and camp out. We got a taste of wild Wyoming weather - a big rain/lightening/wind storm all night long!

I am sooo excited for trek! What a great experience to walk and camp and be right where the pioneers were. There was a special spirit about the place and the couple missionaries who are serving there were DARLING and having so much fun. What a great place to serve a mission!

We left with some strong feelings about what we want our trek to be like for our youth and some goals we have for them. It's going to be great!

So did you trek as a youth (or as an adult)? What do you remember as the most powerful parts? Any advice?

There's Always Room for One More Flanders!

That's what comes out of the Ned Flanders toy that this darling boy loved playing with at our house. I wanted them to take the toy with them, I can't figure out why Robyn and Dave didn't take it?!

Have you ever seen such cutie?

Robyn, Dave, and Trent stopped by for the afternoon. We were all so thrilled to see them and hope they can stay longer next time.

We lunched on Main Street, visited a miner museum, and went to the zoo.

My boys think Trent is so fun, it was a great day! More pictures here!

Git Yerself Ed-you-cated

Almost a month since my last post! Where does the time go?! Fall is here and for us, winter is creeping up, it's already down in the 30's at night. We've all been working on our educations!

The first day of school!

Stephanie came for Education Week! We had soooo much fun! Here we are with Lesa and Holly. The week went so fast and I was so sad when it was time for her to go home. I left inspired to be better, which is what anything we invest our time into learning should do for us.

Fastest 11 years EVER!

I can't believe this boy is 11!

He had a celebratory week - we went Lazer-tagging, to TWO waterparks, bowling, school shoe shopping, and Sunday will be the big birthday dinner (his choice? hot dogs!).

It's a joy to be Nixon's mom. People just love him. He is polite, thoughtful, smart, and funny. He thinks a lot about spiritual things and takes his responsibilities very seriously. He is a good example to all of us in the family. He can be be a worrier at times, but he's always the first to trust in Heavenly Father's plan too. Thanks for being great Nixon, we love you!