Solution by Sadie

Sadie's Solution to making cinnamin rolls . . . supervision. Sadie helped to direct Keaton in making his first batch of cinnamin rolls. The kids just ended a week of 'Drug Free' activities at their school. Sadie and Alex were talking about some of the activities that they had and what Sadie had learned. Alex was talking about the recent drug bust of 7th graders at his school and smokers that hang outside the school. When asked Alex about what he would do if someone offered him drugs, Sadie immediately piped up and said "That's simple Alex, just tell them you are allergic"!

Sadie's Solution to end the world's issues. . . make her the news anchor. She and good friend Kate headed to the Children's Discovery Gateway to have a girls night out. I surprised them with a fun night out, dinner, and ice cream. We had a blast, it was "the best GNO ever" according to Sadie. Sadie's Solution to watching ANOTHER basketball game. You can see her dancing to the tunes on her ipod on the far side of the court during the basketball game. I love that she is still uninhibited. You rock Sadie and I love you!

Sadie's Solution to a good time with her sweet cousin Anna. Anna asked Sadie if they could hang together one day. They got their fingernails painted, walked around the mall, and then to have some yogurt. This was especially fun because Anna is the only female cousin nearby for Sadie and Anna made her feel extra special. Doesn't Sadie look just like Anna? I think so! Wasn't it yesterday when Anna was little? Thanks for a great day! We love you Anna!

Family comes to Sandy

Last weekend we had some basketball games, what else is new. But fortunately for us, Bear River was also playing in the State championships. Grandma and Grandpa Anderson brought down Shaylie and MaKenna for the games and stayed overnight for their championship. We had a lot of fun together "hanging". Grandpa busied himself at Cabella's - didn't even get lost, and we hung at the mall for a bit before the games.

Sadie, Grandma, and Keaton take a relaxing moment at the mall massage chairs. To bad we didn't have a dollar to make them work ;)

Alex, MaKenna, Shaylie & Keaton right before Keaton's game. Keaton played a great game and they won!! Aren't they cute together? They are growing up. I say that a lot now days.

Looking good Shaylie. She was busily texting all of her boyfriends ;) A good sport to hang out with the younger cousins. Alex then played his own championship game and WON!!! It was a pretty amazing feat but the TAZERS pulled it off. Because of Alex's championship, we weren't able to go with them to the BEARS game, but they won too!!!

GO TAZERS & GO BEARS

Power of One Award

Sadie was honored by her school teacher for "doing well in all subject area, and being kind to others". Ms. Larson says "I enjoy having Sadie in my class." She received recognition from the principle and parents, along with a Power Of One pin. Sadie is always thinking about her friends and how to make them happy. She loves to involve everyone in her activities and worries about others' feelings. She is loving math and is a great reader. She is super great at writting notes to her friends and family. We find them everywhere. We love you so much Sadie, keep up the good work!

Happy Valentines Day

Sadie and I woke up to a Valentines gift from the boys in our life.

Thanks guys, we LOVE you too!

Sadie and Jr. Drill Team

Sadie had the opportunity to participate in a Jr. Drill Team Camp at Alta High School. She loved it! She performed at the Friday night halftime with the other campers. Take a look, she is the one in the middle that steps over the half court line.

CRASH DEFEATS RAGE!!

Yes, you read right, and it was about time. This 5th grade basketball team has been CRASH's competition for the year. It doesn't help when you consider that they have been dishonest in allowing older 6th grade players to play (and mostly dominate) over our truely 5th grade team. We have had some very good games with them, and only one bad one. Actually, if you ask me, it is not their players that I have a hard time with, it is their parents who continually are rude and unsportsmanlike, and rude, and completely lack court manners, and rude, and just have no class. They don't like us as much as we don't like them I am sure, but at least CRASH parents have a little style if you ask me. We don't tell the players to trip (yes they have yelled this openly during a game), or 'use your elbows', or heckling when a player is at the free throw line. UGH nothing drives me more insane!! Once, a mom from their team made some comments to me about our team, and I'll tell you what . . . Glen had to escort me out. I have now resorted to sitting far far away from the parents, listing to my ipod while watching the game so I don't have to listen to THEM HECKLING! I was so so thrilled for our team when we won them this week, it was a huge win, and it got our spirits up. Okay, it got my spirits up, but the team was pretty pumped too. I, admittedly was very 'giddy' after the game. Silly, perhaps, but it was sweet!!! Way to go Keaton's CRASH team!! Do it again, and again, and again.

Happy Birthday Keaton

Keaton officially turned 11 this month. I think he has wanted to be eleven for several years now. I remember him saying that it was so cool now that he is in the 'double digits' of age numbers. I don't know if that makes sense, but it makes sense to him. Here are 11 reasons that we love Keaton 'Goober' Proctor.

1. Darn good lookin'!

2. Beautiful eyes

3. Sneaky smile

4. Probably the more responsible one of the bunch.

5. Wanted his own room to keep it clean . . . AND he does a fabulous job!

6. Awesome CRASH basketball player #15 and has 12 championship tee-shirts.

7. Extra sensitive and tender heart.

8. Clever, clever, clever

9. Has a way of restating phrases that make them so funny.

10. Always keeps me aware of the recent drop or hike in gas prices.

11. Because he is our 'goober' and we love the heck out of him!

Keaton's birthday was on Martin Luther King's birthday this year. So the kids were out of school, and I decided it would be fun to be home with them. We made Keaton the usual traditional breakfast in bed consisting of waffles. He was surprised to get a game for his DS and one for the Wii, and a guitar for the hero. Yes, we live in an electronic world, I am sad to say so. He had previously invited a couple of friends over for games and party before we went with the whole gang - Glen met us - to the Mall Cop movie. It was pretty cute I guess, the kids enjoyed it and laughed. The boys had a jalapenio eating contest on the way home that was a riot. Keaton decided that dinner would be at Sweet Tomatoes, and I surprised him by inviting some of the Proctor family that would be available. He was very surprised to see them show up for his birthday dinner. When I look at Keaton I can't help but think that he is my little goober baby, I think he still has some 'little' in him that I can sneak a peek at from time to time. He is a sweet hearted boy that is turning into a young man. He 'mothers' Sadie sometimes, but other times he is right there playing her 'girl' games with her. He 'keeps up' with Alex and enjoys feeling a little older. He takes his tasks and assignments seriously and enjoys the rewards of a job well done. Sometimes I wish he was still a screaming baby with his 'jamas' and left thumb in his mouth, but when I talk to him and sense his thrill with life, I can't wait to see what he will come up with next.

My List . . . not necessarily in 2008.

Thinsgs I have done I highlighted in Blue

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars, I am in fact the camp director. . . again.

3. Played in a band --

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland--need to return soon

8. Climbed a mountain - If hiking to the Y counts

9. Held a Praying Mantis--

10. Sang a solo--some that I am very embarrassed about

11. Bungee jumped - That is bad and wrong and must be stopped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - not at sea, but over the sea in a plane - or was that a lake?

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning - I am sure I did it to myself

17. Been to the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa at the Louvre

20. Slept on a train - Does TRAX count?

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked--nope, I'm a wimp

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort--Built a pretty mean one as a kid to protect myself from mean brothers.

25. Held a lamb--

26. Gone skinny dipping--What happens in Lake Powell stays in Lake Powell.

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run - HECK YEAH! against the Jokers team on a beautiful hot afternoon in Cedar City in 1991 July at the Summer Games wearing an orange shirt and black shorts, my favorite and beloved mit was put to rest following that game, right over the fence too, BEAUTIFUL!

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - My Grandfather Great was born in Draper.

35. Seen an Amish community - only on TV with Indiana Jones (what's his name?)

36. Taught yourself a new language -

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied--

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke - party with the 'gang' in Cottonwood Heights! Gavin and Tyler's Xmas gifts. Good Times.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - Artic Circle in the car behind ours.

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight Tampa Florida with Alex when he was 4.

46. Been transported in an ambulance - Softball back injury.

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person-

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Been scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud-

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business - I started and ended Simply Fun Games, got all that I wanted, and moved on. Love Games.

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen-- NO, But I ate at the Soup Kitchen Restaurant that makes a mean breadstick.

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies-

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason - Glen used to ALWAYS give me flowers for no reason, delivered them to my office, until I told him they were 'expensive earth' - no more flowers, why did I say that?

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - Regularly

65. Gone sky diving - knew a lady that died doing this for her 40th birthday.

67. Bounced a check - unfortunately yes.

68. Flown in a helicopter - yes for high school homecoming football game, I delivered the game ball.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar--

72. Tied a quilt - those good old days in Young Womens.

73. Stood in Times Square - sang with my High School Choir

74. Toured the Everglades - where are the everglades, thought that was an airfreshiner

75. Been fired from a job--

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - in DC twice

77. Broken a Bone--

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle--As a teen with cousin Lisa and Burnhope girls, have a scar to prove it.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person- on a plane

80. Published a book -

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car-

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper-does the Leader count? or maybe the high school newspaper 'Bear Fax', I was a rare bear.

85. Read the entire Bible - not since seminary

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating--fish

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury--

91. Met someone famous-Marie Osmond, but would die to meet Carol Burnett

92. Joined a book club - but never read the books, went for the lively discussion AND refreshments! YUM

93. Lost a loved one-- many

94. Had a baby- YEP 3

95. Seen the Alamo in person--

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee - btw mud really doesn't really help

100. Visited Italy-- Boy I need to get out more ;)

Basketball Photos

Alex takes the point guard position and can really handle the ball.

Keaton shoots for 3 pointer. Take a look at his form. That's my boy!

Keaton, power forward, lobs the ball to #11, the big guy.

Alex: "What did I do?" - his usual "are you kidding me?" stance.

At the end of the day/game, win or loose, we're still family.

Holidays in Review

While holiday celebrations and gatherings are now over, I thought it might be a good time to review our activities and add a few photos for your viewing pleasure. Of course, it would go without saying that the holidays were full of fun, family, friends . . . and basketball. Alex and Glen's TAZER team has been playing very well. Their blog is at http://www.tazersball.blogspot.com/. Tazers came in 2nd place during the Holiday Tourney against Bear River (imagine that - my alma mater - did I spell that right). They played hard and Alex did very well at the point guard position. Keaton's teams, CRASH 5 and CRASH 6, also entered the tournement. Their blog is at http://www.crashbball.blogspot.com/ . His 5th grade team didn't make it into the final round and Keaton is trying to find his 'game', but he worked hard and didn't stop. His 6th grade team made it into the finals and took the Championship for their division. Yep, another t-shirt for Keaton. He, however, didn't play a lick of that game (he is being groomed for the 6th grade even though he is only in the 5th). Regardless, he was pretty proud to be a part of that winning team. Sadie and I went to countless games and cheered.

Actually, Sadie could care less, she doesn't even watch the games anymore, she takes her ipod and movies, and jump rope and drawing materials and usually ends up making a friend. She is so awesome. I know that the boys really appreciate her support at the games, even though she asks me at the end "did we win mom?". We had fun family gatherings at Craig & Jana's house for Christmas and with the Green's at the 'family mansion'. We also went to dinner with friends. The company was definately better than the food on that outing. Grandma & Grandpa treated us to a great dinner on New Year's Eve at Maddoxx in Perry (our family tradition), and Glen's boss treated us to another wonderful meal at a country club. Our spirits and bellies are very full.

After the seasonal school performances - Alex's Choir Concert - Keaton's Viola Concert - and - Sadie's 2nd grade Class Performance - we were all filled with the spirit of the season. I think I am forgetting something . . . Christmas Eve was cold and chilly so we opted to stay in with dinner and home videos to bring back the feelings of Christmas' past. How quickly the kids have grown, it was just yesterday when . . . I guess all parents feel that way.

Christmas Day was full of fun and surprises for everyone. Alex got a guitar and a cell phone (much to my shigrin), Keaton asked for a Nintendo DS and games, Sadie got a Stylin' Studio where she creates computerized make-overs for anyone/everyone. It is pretty impressive. Glen gave me a new camera - notice the new and improved photos. I gave Glen a rope and slippers (he loves them I promise). The family gift was a flat screen TV and a Wii. BIG surprise there.

This year we didn't travel to Tremonton, and it was a good thing because they had a big big storm and the power was out for most of the day. While I missed being in the crowd of the family and fun there, it was, however, nice to stay home during the storm and play games, puzzles, assemble items, learn about the toys, and listen to Alex messing around on his guitar - all day. It was exhausting as they all woke up early, but we had a great and blessed Christmas. New Year's Eve we went to dinner with the Andersons, then took the kids to a movie and played games and ate slush and junk until about 1:30 a.m. Yes, that's right, I did stay up very very late. Banged the pots and pans at midnight and then worked on the annual family puzzle. Enjoy the family photos (which I will post tonight) and may your new year 2009 be prosperous and bright.