Jingle Ball 2008

We went to the Jingle Ball concert in Sacramento. This was Tanner and Taylor's first concert. I took them along with 5 friends. The highlight of the night was David Archuleta's performance.

Digging our way out..........

Where did the last 6 weeks go? I can't believe it is already December 15. I am not even remotely ready for Christmas, I still am trying to catch up on November. In one quick breath, this is what we have been up to: soccer, football, upstage, Thanksgiving, wrestling, play auditions, flag football, some more wrestling, more upstage, and a bit more soccer. I have many photos and some video that I will share over the next few days.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Utah and enjoyed our time we had to spend with Megan and Brandon, Tate and Coy. They came up from Dallas and we tried to make the most of the time we had. Our trip through Nevada was quite eventful and after a long day on the side of the road, a night in Reno, and a rental car for the week we finally made it to Utah. We picked up the Suburban on the way back with a new fuel pump. Our life is never dull that much is for sure. We ran non-stop while we were there enjoying movies, indoor surfing, pizza, go-karts, football in the bounce houses, and hanging out with cousins and family. It is always sad to leave but we were glad to get home. We will spend Christmas at home in California and we are looking forward to that.

The kids have been very busy. We finished up Football and Flag Football and went straight into wrestling for both Tanner and Riley. Riley is wrestling for the middle school that he will attend next year and Tanner is wrestling on the Varsity team for Whitney High. Taylor auditioned for the winter musical "Beauty and the Beast" at Whitney High and was cast as Lumiere (the candlestick). Quite an accomplishment for a freshman. There are only 2 freshmen in the cast and to have a lead role is exciting. It will debut the end of February for a couple of weeks.

Check back for photos and video of the last month. I am going to try to be more diligent with the blog. Leave us a comment so that we know you have visited.

Merry Christmas!

Apple Hill

We finally found the time to sneak away as a family and went to Apple Hill. We had a good time wandering around, enjoying a beautiful afternoon and smelling all of the wonderful apple scents. Sadly, we never made it to the pumpkin patch this year. I think that is the first time since we moved here (mom, I blame it on you, you never made it out!)The rain has finally found us and I think it is time to pull out some warmer clothes. That can be a difficult task at times with the rate the boys are growing. It looks like we are going to be rained out this weekend. The thought of a relaxing day at home sounds wonderful! Hope the Trick or Treating was good for everyone!

Happy Halloween

Zach dressed up like a Whitney Football Player for halloween this year and it is fitting since it is Whitney's Homecoming this week. It has been a fun week, watching the boys involved in the activities and watching Tanner play in his first homecoming game. They came out ahead against Eldorado High School 38-0 and continue on their quest to be undefeated (just two more games). Zach is a miniature Tanner even from the back.

Hope you have a great weekend!

We're Back!

What a crazy couple of weeks. I wanted to find more interesting things in our lives and we had that chance. Chris took a new position with Pathway Medical Technologies based out of Seattle WA. For those of you close to the situation, you understand what a BIG deal this is :). He is looking forward to this exciting opportunity. That is the really big news in our life. Thanks for everyone's support!

Sports!

Sometimes I wonder if I have anything more exciting to report on besides sports, but as I look through this week that seems to be the only thing we do. We move from baseball to soccer to football and slide homework in. I feel lucky when we can all sit down and have dinner together. At the end of the day everyone is happy and tired and I guess that is what matters, right?

So here are the highlights:

Baseball wins: 1
Soccer wins: 1
Flag Football wins: 2
Whitney football wins:1

losses:2

Not bad statistics, huh?

Taylors sport is Dancing. In his Upstage group they are swing dancing and preparing for their December show (which is on December 20 for anyone who would like to come visit). He loves every minute of it. I wish I had a photograph to show, although it wouldn't do him justice, you have to see it. They are also preparing to perform the pregame show at a Sacramento Kings game in February against the Utah Jazz.

Whitney High beat Bear River High School tonight in a VERY close game. The final score was 15-14. Tanner hurt his ankle in practice on Monday so he didn't play much tonight. The are now 6-0. It is pretty exciting football, we would love to have company (hint hint).

Once again we have a full line up for Saturday. Sometime in this month I would like to find a time to head up to the pumpkin patch. Hopefully this week. We are enjoying beautiful fall weather and I am especially enjoying the cooler weather.

This week I am going to look for more exciting things that happen in our lives. I am sure they are there..........somewhere. Check back!

So that I can post a picture, here is a favorite from a summer trip to Monterey.

We could sure use some relaxing beach time, how about you?

I know that you all wish you had a pair of glasses like Taylor!

Conversation at Whitney Football Game 10/9

me: (with expression and a gasp while watching the game) look at those two players punching each other!

chris: yeah, that would be your son.

For clarification purposes: the play was actually legal (meaning Tanner didn't really punch him). They were away from the play and the Colfax player was coming at him so Tanner "laid him out". What I saw was the take down.

For those who are following............

The thursday night football update is:

Whitney 29 - Colfax 22

This puts the Wildcats at 5-0

You can check out some pictures of Tanner here (even order them if you would like):

http://thewinningshot.exposuremanager.com/p/frosh_vs_colfax_oct_9-2008/d30_745843

http://thewinningshot.exposuremanager.com/p/frosh_vs_colfax_oct_9-2008/d30_813650

Stay tuned for more highlights.

Have a great weekend!

Edited Note

If you click on the pictures they will come up larger. I fixed the glitch that was preventing this. Enjoy!

Weekend Wrap-Up!

Here are the weekend statistics from the Hughes World of Sports:

Games scheduled: 5
Games played: 4 (Riley had a baseball game that was rained out)

Games won: 1......Zach Flag Football
Games lost: 3......Riley Soccer, Zach Soccer, Riley Flag Football

Touchdowns scored: 1 (Zach had his first ever touchdown in flag football)
Soccer goals scored: 0

Games officiated: 3

MVP: Zach......he debuted in his first flag football game. He had some great flag pulls, a touch-down and a "nearly" completed pass among other things.

As you can see we had a busy weekend. We enjoyed the rain that came in on Friday and Saturday morning and then had a beautiful Sunday with the bluest skies that we have seen all summer.

Taylor chose not to play soccer this year and took the certification course to referee soccer games. It's a great way to make some extra cash when you are 15. He has already done 14 games this season.

Riley's 4th place win in his soccer tournament last weekend.

I cannot get any video to upload off the camera so a quick football picture of Tanner.

Although baseball was rained out, enjoy a picture taken last week. This hit would be a double for Riley. If you look close in the background you can see me enjoying the game.

Thursday Evening Football Update

The Whitney Wildcats did it again! They beat Lincoln High School tonight 48-20. They are now 4-0. Tanner had a good game although they did not have much of a passing game. He had some great tackles both as defensive back and on special teams. I will post some photos and video soon.

I also have photos from Riley's Soccer tournament this past weekend. They took 4th place which wasn't all that bad considering they lost their first 2 games. Because of a big win in their third game it put them into the consolation game. The game was a 0-0 tie at the end of regulation so it went into overtime. After two 5 minute overtimes it was still tied 0-0. The game went to penalty kicks. They lost it 4-3 in kicks. It was a tough loss because they dominated most of the game.

We have a full schedule again this weekend. It looks like we might see some rain (which we have not seen for 7 months) on Saturday so that could alter our game plan. I can't say that I would be crushed if we had to spend the day at home while it rained outside.

Stay tuned for photos and video.

Happy Birthday Tanner & Taylor!

15 years ago our lives were blessed times two. Tanner and Taylor entered the world 11 weeks early and only 3 pounds each. Each of them was a fighter and very determined. These same characteristics are with them today.

15 is a "unique" age. They both are starting to stretch their wings and have some independence but at the same time are comforted in knowing there are guidlines and expectations for them.

Tanner & Taylor have always been the best of friends. Rarely did you ever see one without the other. As they first started school, they became their own person, each with their own personality, interests and friends, but the bond between them has never faded. They disagree with one another, they encourage each other and they certainly love one another. "I've got your back" certainly is reflective of their relationship.

Being a twin doesn't come without its frustrations. They will both tell of the questions they dislike the most. Here are a few:
*Are you a twin? (while standing right next to each other)
*Which one are you?
*Where is your brother?

But there are some perks that come along with it as well:
*There is always someone to talk to (even late into the night)
*Although people may not remember "which one" you are, they always remember you.
*It's a great conversation starter :).

So..........Happy 15th Birthday Tanner & Taylor!

21 days old

7 months

3 years

7 years

11 years

15 years

Trail to Eagle

Tanner and Taylor have been working hard and are ready to start work on their Eagle Projects. We have a great scout troop and some very dedicated leaders that have helped these guys along. The trail to eagle will be a challenge but one we know they will be able to do. Riley is coming up in the ranks as well. He received his 2nd class advancement and is working on several merit badges. Zach is getting ready to finish his wolf rank in Cub Scouts and really loves the program. Someday.....we hope to have four Eagle Scouts.

Football is in the Air!

Tanner is playing freshman football for Whitney High School. He is the starting left cornerback. Although tired, bruised and battered he is enjoying every minute of it. Said tonight at the dinner table "I love football, I just wish I didn't have the school part". This came as he headed up to do his homework. Tanner and Taylor have a heavy load of classes this year and they both are doing very well. With early morning seminary starting their day at 5:40 each morning and going to bed later than we do on many nights, they are handling it with ease. By Friday they are beat but it doesn't seem to stop them from heading out with their friends.....Here are some football photos to enjoy. Tanner is #21.

Testing 123.......Testing 123

Here is our first blog post. I am testing the settings to see how things are working.