'Bout time for a photo op.

We finally got the camera disk emptied from years, seriously, years of photos, even back to . . . well, years. So, we decided that while we were working on organizing the pattern for the christmas house lights, we would pause for a photo opportunity. Aren't these guys growing! Really, I stopped aging at 26, they just cannot stop. I love you guys, thanks for keeping me young . . . at least at heart.

Did I mention that Glen won the 'Dick Van Dyke' award at his high school reunion, for not aging a bit! Okay, so he stopped at 35, I gotta stay younger than him right? Love you too!

Basketball Season is Here!

I need to explain that for those you actually watch/follow this blog, (assuming there is anyone), that basketball season at our house officially begins tomorrow in full roar. Alex and Glen's team, TAZERS, of course, have already been in several leagues and tournaments. They recently won a Fall tournament, and last weekend took 2nd place in the Thanksgiving Tournament. Keaton is starting his big time practices with his 5th and 6th grade CRASH teams. This only means that will further my career as "van mom", as I cart around Keaton. Glen will stick with Alex's activities. Poor Sadie just tags along being schooled in basketball, sportsmanship, and how to keep her mother from screaming at the officials and other annoying parents. Honestly, I do get into it a bit much. So, if the blog is not updated often, it is only because of a couple of things keeping me busy such as: work, school, homework, piano lessons, viola lessons, practicing, basketball games and/or practices nearly EVERY night, meal preparation (seriously!), christmas shopping and its' festivities.

Nesting something fierce . . .

All I can say is that either I am nesting, you know when you are ready to deliver that 8 lb baby and getting everything cleaned, cooked, and stored . . . ready for the big day . . . or I am just displaying the manic part of my personality disorder! This weekend I have pretty much broken my record for getting things done. Cleaning was just a technicality . . . do that every weekend. But we cleaned, grocery shopped - as usual, Glen took me to lunch for two days in a row, got the boys to the orthodontist appointment, helped to practice piano, went to a lengthy YW presidency meeting (which really disturbs me to know that our YW are boldly stating they are "addicted to coffee"), and then needing to attach Alex's many merit badges without hot glue, I dove into my new hobbie - Sewing. I know what you might be thinking . . . Annette can sew? Sure I took that class from Mary Jane in 10th grade, and from Mrs. Kirby in 8th, but how hard can it be to sew a straight line. The most difficult part for me is to figure out a pattern and calculate the amount of fabric! Thanks mom for your help and encouragement.

So here is a picture of my first rag blanket . . . Sadie has already latched onto it. Then the boys were jealous and needed their own blankets. So, this morning, after playing volleyball with the women in our ward (we took 1st place in our pool - so we play again next week in a tournament), nursing my floor burns - where were those knee pads - and my aching back, we went to Joanns - my new favorite store with coupons of course. The boys picked out their opposing team patterns (Y and U), I got me some new sizzors that I am going to hide, and we headed home. Sewed the team blankets, raked leaves, Glen took us to lunch for the 3rd day in a row, and then I made Grandma Susan's cinnamin rolls and delivered some warm ones to my good neighbors.

It is 9 p.m. and we are going to start a movie that needs to be returned to Red Box tonight. Whew, I am exhausted. Good thing tomorrow is Sunday, I need a nap!

Messing Around . . .

Not much going on on the home front. Basketball is starting up, so Sadie and I will become the TAZER/CRASH cheerleaders again for a season. Not to mention the carpooling queens! Just messing around with the really cute seasonal backgrounds. Since I am not creative or computer savy at all, I am relying on others' creativity to make my blog fun. What do you think?

Halloween Parade

The school parade was fun this morning. Lots of princesses and star wars to see. Sadie was a dracula queen and Keaton, well was something scary, not sure how to put a name to it. Again, sorry for the blurry photos, the camera doesn't like the florescent lights in this school.

A Boy and His Viola

Keaton has wanted to play the violin for a couple of years. We told him that if he was able to read music by playing the piano, then we would help him to play the violin. This year, the school has a beginning orchestra class that he enrolled in. He decided to play the viola because it was more 'masculine' than the violin was. He as faithfully gotten up at 7:00 twice a week for his viola class, without complaint.

He had his first orchestra concert this week at the school. Keaton was only one of three boys on the strings, and had a grin from ear to ear. He did a fabulous job! Even when the violins seemed to be racing each other to the end of the piece, Keaton hung in there and kept up with his part. I am so proud of him, he has really got a musical knack. Way to go Keat!

Sorry for the slightly blurry photos.

Pumpkin Search

Off to search the vast pumpkin field for the perfect one. Keaton and Alex took off to the far reaches of the field while Sadie, Glen, and I knew there was a good one nearby. Here are a few of our pictures.

Trampoline vs Movie Night

We invited cousin Tyler and Michelle over for movie night. Keaton and Sadie found themselves a kosy place to snuggle while eating popcorn and watching National Treasure. All this after Michelle fell through the trampoline (it's really okay Michelle).

You've Been Tagged!

A) The rules are posted at the beginning. B) Each person answers questions about their sweethearts. C) At the end of the post, the person then tags people and posts their names; then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment, letting them know they have been tagged. 1.What is your husbands name? Glen Proctor 2.How long have you guys been married? 16+ years, can you believe it? 3.How long did you date? Glen is better at remembering and especially remembering dates - I am guessing that we dated 5 months, engaged for 3 months. Is that right Glen? 4.How old is he? 47 I think, I always have to literally do the math. But I insist that he doesn't look a day over 33. He hasn't changed much - he says that he is only grayer. ME TOO! 5.Who is taller? Him - we don't have superior genes for 'tall' in this family. 6.Who can sing best? Honestly, I would say it is a toss up - but he does very well - has even passed it onto Alex. 7.Who is smarter? Of course I think it is me, but he can hold his own. 8.Who does laundry? Both - he can outclean me in no time! 9.Who pays the bills? Both 10.Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Depends on which way you are looking at the bed. Mostly, I sleep all over the bed. He tends to stay clear on the left side, or completely clear. 11.Who mows the lawn? Glen and the boys. 12.Who cooks dinner? Dinner? What's that? When real dinner is planned, it is usually me, however, Glen has been known to cook a mean roast and is a huge contributer to parties/gatherings! 13.Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Not sure, he probably is the one, I tend to hold grudges for a couple of days. 14.Who kissed who first? Glen kissed me while sitting in his car outside of my BYU apartment, it was the first kiss of the rest of his life! 15.Who wears the pants? Again, my stubborness would say it was both, but when the pavement hits the road, it is Glen I tag Heather, Amy, & Jacque.

Saturday is the day we get ready for . . .

Our Saturday's are jam packed. Here are some highlights from today. Keaton's flag football game was looking like it would be a pretty close one during the first half when the other team took the lead. Keaton caught a beautiful pass and ran in for the first TD. Then, fortunately, we pulled ahead with another Keaton TD (he scored 6 last week - the poor opponents had to be encouraged by out team to keep running). They finished with another solid win, muddy muddy cleats, and a big smile. Still UNDEFEATED!

Sadie's soccer team was a little less fortunate, but nonetheless had fun and smiles when it was all over. They are a new team that focuses on playing 2 quarters, rotating positions, and gaining experience. I keep asking her if she is liking soccer over the other activities that she has participated in, and she keeps saying yes, so I'll keep going to the soccer (not my favorite sport yet) games. She does look cute in her uniform.

Alex helped me do some cleaning in the kitchen - imagine Alex vacuuming behind the refridgerator? Me either. Don't think that this is my usual cleaning, it is just that I had a great helper, and boy what lurks behind a fridge is something to behold. He played video & computer games, played with Keaton, and even practiced the piano. He is really bored - he will probably suit up - for tonight's basketball game, but we will be careful. The team will miss Alex's 100% on the court tonight. Glen got a hair cut, and then began working around the house, grooming the trees for fall, and harvesting the final fruit off of the apple tree. We didn't spray that tree to well and so there were only about a 1/2 bucket of good fruit. The peach tree was fabulous, about 10 (5 gallon) buckets were picked, eaten, and given away. I love fresh peaches. He and Keaton mowed the lawn - Keaton is getting into that - of course if there is a monitary incentive, that helps.

All the while, Sadie decides that she wants to take up baking today. So that is exactly what we did. I sat down and she did the baking. She made Oreo pie, and zucchini bread ALL BY HERSELF with exception of the oven, and grating the zucchini, she honestly did it all. She was talking and smiling and having a great time. We will call her Betty from now on ;) I love teaching her to do these things and she loves doing them. Forgot to mention, she even offered and completed cleaning ALL of the toilets! Where did she come from?

We still have another basketball event tonight. That really seems like a calm Saturday to me, or maybe I am just used to the running around. It is nice to know that we have such awesome kids that are healthy and strong, and enjoy the many events and activities that we have together. I couldn't imagine being any busier than we are now, but I would'nt have it any other way.