Merry Christmas

Christmas is Coming...

Yep, although it just doesn't seem like Christmas could possibly be only three days away, it is coming, like it or not. Perhaps it's the moving for the past week straight, perhaps it's the constant rain for the past week straight, perhaps it's the fact that I still need to wrap all of the presents, perhaps it's because half of my Christmas cards are still sitting in my car waiting to be delivered, (should've just mailed them) or perhaps it's because we have minimal Christmas decorations scattered around the house and no Christmas tree set up yet that it just doesn't seem like Christmas could possibly just around the corner. Oh well, it will come and I will be ready, even if it takes staying up until the early morning hours for the next two nights. So now it's back to moving...what am I doing taking time to blog anyway!?!?!

Terrified Little Girl

Poor Kenz is terrified of her shadow! Although it's kinda funny, it is SO sad. She just discovered it today, and the first two times she started crying hysterically, I couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. Then, on the third time, I ran to her to try to figure it out and the only thing I could see that was making her afraid was her shadow. Sure enough, that is what it was. Now the big kids are trying to get her to face her fear, but it's not working. She screams, and shakes, and trembles, and just can't get over the terrifying "ghostie" (that's what Ky says she calls it) that is following her around everywhere she goes. Poor baby!

The First Snow Fall

We decided it would be fun to go to Pine Valley to see some snow and try out the new sleds that Dad bought for the kids. Well, there was plenty of snow, but it wasn't packed quite enough to make for good sledding. We still had fun, though it didn't take long before everyone was wet and cold and ready for the car and some hot chocolate!

The Face of Defeat

This was after the play off game when we lost to Dixie in a crazy, defensive game, 2-0. After our amazing defense played how they did all year and held Dixie for four downs on the one yard line, we got the ball back and ended up with a game deciding safety. It was heartbreaking for the boys, and as you can see from this picture, Ky was crushed. We were the only team to beat Dixie in the regular season, and Ky had a key interception to keep them from scoring in that game. That day we went home the victors, but when it came time for the big dance, the tables were turned and it was our turn to cry. Not a fun way to end a great season. 

When the regular season ended, Snow Canyon formed an all-star team, and we played in a tournament with teams from around the state. We ended up taking 2nd, and although it wasn't fun to lose the final game again, at least they got to come home with a trophy.

My Warrior

When Ky came home the first night after football practice all geared up in his football pads and helmet, I really couldn't believe that my little boy was big enough to play tackle football. Well, he was, and he did. The Warriors had a great season, only losing one game (their first), and ended the regular season in a three way tie for first place. Kyler played safety and receiver and found a new love for a sport that he had never played before. It was fun watching him play on the high school fields, and made me realize that my little boy is growing up, like it or not. 

Dancing Queen

After taking a couple years off from the dance scene, Kambrie decided that she wanted to take dance lessons again this year. She is taking ballet and jazz at Westside Studio and she is loving it. It was parents day the other day, so I was able to go and watch her classes. It was fun to see her dancing and listening intently to her teachers and trying to do just what they say. The real fun came though, when we cruised home in the jeep, with the top off, wearing our winter jackets, trying to stay warm. :)

Kolter Wins Big

We were all so excited when we got the call from Albertson's saying that Kolter was the winner of their Halloween coloring contest. It was a big deal for Kolter, and he was even more excited when he went to claim his prize and it was a plastic pumpkin full of candy! He was so cute when he was coloring his picture, trying his best, but not really thinking he would win. It was a fun surprise for him, and definitely made his Halloween.

Learning to Read and Ride

In the past month or so our little boys have had some fun milestones. Karsten learned to ride his bike, and Kolter is learning to read. They both are so excited about these accomplishments and because of that, so am I.

When Kolter first started Kindegarten he wanted to learn to read so badly. After the first week or so he said he was going to quit school because he wasn't learning to read there. I told him that in order to learn to read he had to first learn the letters and the sounds they make, and then gradually he would put it all together to learn to read. After thinking about it for a bit, I guess he decided that this is what he would do, and soon he started to be more willing to practice the alphabet and sounds. Then, after many learning sessions with his teacher Ky, (he loves to teach his little brothers and sisters just about anything)Kolter has started sounding out words and feels like he can read now. I guess maybe that means he'll stay in school ;)

After Karsten left his bike behind my car and I ran over and bent one of the training wheels, we decided that was a sign that it was time to learn to ride without them. All it took was a bit of practice with Dad, and before we knew it, he was off and riding and asking non stop if he could ride his bike. He'd ride down the driveway, up the street, around the cul de sac, back down the street, up the driveway, and turn a cirlce and do it all over again...and again...and again.

Meet Bell

Bell is a darling cat that has adopted our family. A few months ago she started showing up on our doorstep and meowing for food. After about the fourth day of it, I felt so bad for her and I decided to buy her some food. Well, that was all it took, and she has been around ever since. She's a great cat, doesn't need a litter box, and is nice to the kids, even Kenz and Karst when they try to pick her up and haul her around with them.

The kids named her Bell because she wore a collar with a bell on it. It makes me wonder what happened to her original family. Someone had to have owned her to put a collar on her. We have asked around though, and nobody seems to know who she belonged to. So, for now she is ours, at least until we move again. Then I don't know what to do with her because we can't take her with us. Anyone want a sweet cat?

Tough Guy

This is Karsten with his new scar just before he got his stitches out. Poor little buddy got a pretty good cut that required ten stitches when he hit his chin on the metal bumper of my jeep after jumping up real fast from hiding under it.

There was quite a bit of blood and it really upset him so he cried a lot at first. After we got the blood cleaned up and his clothes changed, we took him to the doctor to be treated. From then on Karsten was so super tough. He didn't cry at all when he was getting his stitches, not even when he got the shot. Dr. Chamberlain was quite impressed and so was his mama. He sat completely still and made it really easy for Chamby to sew him up. When we went to get them out, he was equally as brave. That's our Karsten, one tough little guy!

Our Little 18 Month Old

Yep, our little Kenz is a year and half old now. The little darling is a joy to have in our family. I would have to say that she is still proving to be the hardest of all our kids, though her pretty blue eyes and unique red hair that help her super cute personality be even cuter, make it hard to ever be mad at her. She screams when you change her diaper, she screams when you wash her in the bath, she cries when you comb her hair, she fights when you brush her teeth, she insists on always feeding herself and hates to be cleaned up afterward. Kenz lets you know what it is she wants, and if she doesn't get it she'll let you know that she's not happy about it. If you want to really upset her, just tell her that she can't have her "go go" (pacifier). It doesn't really matter what kind of pacifier it is, but she still loves her binki. Many times a day she will go to her shoe drawer that she can barely reach on her tiptoes, and get out one of her shoes, bringing it to you to put on for her saying "sues, sues." Despite Kenzlie living up to the reputation of a fiery red head, she brings many smiles each day to all of us and we love this little girl so much.

The First Day of School

Kolter ~ Kindergarten

Kyler ~ 4th Grade

Kambrie ~ 2nd Grade

The summer came and went all to quickly and before we knew it, it was school time again. It's hard to believe that we have three kids in school now. Kolter a big Kindergartner already? How did that happen? On the first day of his school that actually started a week after the older kids, Dad was filming him and he asked him if he wanted to say anything. Kolter looked around and thought about it for a few seconds and then all of the sudden he said "I hate school!" It was pretty funny. I don't think he really meant it, but rather, was just trying to show off for big brother Kyler that was standing there. Yeah, Ky has said that many, many times. Kambrie on the other hand, LOVES school. She has decided that when she grows up she wants to be a teacher, and she is already practicing in her room that she has now turned into her very own classroom.

The 6th Man is on the Way!

Yep, it's true...I'm pregnant! We're very excited to be expecting our sixth child, and are finally to the point where we can feel good about saying we are done. Although I've been super blessed to have not had as bad of a sick pregnancy as I have in past pregnancies, it still hasn't been easy with moving and having the craziness that summer always brings. The good thing though, is that it has gone by so quickly so far, and it's hard for me to believe that I'm almost half way done. We have decided that we aren't going to find out if it's a boy or girl...why not have a surprise for the last one. As for the name, well, it's hard for me to think that I'm gonna have to come up with another "K" name, but I just don't think we could go with any other letter and have the baby be left out. So, we'll probably stick with the k's, but I really don't even want to think about a name right now. If you have any good ideas, feel free to share.

Losing Teeth

Well, our girls lost a tooth on the same day! Yep, Kambrie and Kenzlie both lost a tooth two days ago. Kambrie's tooth was ready to come out, but Kenzlie's, of course, was a bit premature. She had a little fall, and believe it or not, it knocked out her tooth. Poor little baby girl. I'm just glad it's on the bottom and not the top since she's gonna be without a tooth there until the permanent one grows in about six years from now.

These pictures were taken the morning after Kenz fell, the day I took her to the dentist.  It was so cute to see her in my new favorite Matilda Jane outfit, not even 17 months old, little itty bitty thing, sitting in the big dental chair.  She tried to be so brave, but yes, she did cry when they took the x-ray, all five of them, cause it was so hard to get a good shot in her teeny, tiny mouth.  When she was all done though she didn't have a problem going with the assistant to pick out her prize...two boucy balls.

Tournament of Champions 2010

I would have to say the highlight of my summer was the Tournament of Champions. This is a tournament where only the bests teams are either invited to play or have earned their spot by winning a previous tournament. Winning the President's Day Tourney gave the Sliderzz a bid to this year end, big tournament. It was held in Heber City over the weekend of the 24th of July. Staying at Park City with other families of team members was just the beginning of a fun filled three days.

Going into the tournament we knew that the teams we would play would give us good competition, and Danny and I were probably more nervous than Ky knowing that we would have to play tough all weekend long if we were going to come home the champions. Well, to make a long story short, that is exactly what we did, and the Sliderzz earned the title of the Tournament of Champions Champions, making them the best 8u team in the state. We didn't lose a game the whole tournament, and even came from behind to win a couple close games that were needed wins to get into the championship game.

In the final inning of the last game, Ky was playing first, and he made a huge out, that basically, if he hadn't, could have cost us the game. We were up by one, tying run on 2nd, two outs, and the batter (winning run) hit a hard line drive right up the first base line. Ky jumped with all his might and stretched out to catch it, but he didn't. He knocked it down though, and was able to grab the ball and get the out at 1st to end the game. Oh my gosh, it was so intense and exciting!

The Final Out

Every boy played great baseball that weekend, definitely earning the well deserved title of the CHAMPIONS of The Tournament of Champions. 

Trophy Bat

Summer Days

Moving was not the most exciting way to start off our summer, but we did it, and now we're passing the days in this temporary rental, anxious for the day when we can move out.

Changes came in the new house...the dishwasher doesn't work, so the kids are learning to do the dishes by hand. Also, not having the built in pedestals under the washer and dryer makes it very easy for Kenz to climb right in along with the clean clothes! Karsten is still our Karsten though. A cute, fun, loving, little guy that LOVES to play baseball and will hit and hit until you get too tired to pitch him another ball. I guess going to all the Sliderzz games has probably made him want to be just like the big boys.

Winning the Gold

Stuart at Bat

The Celebration After the Big Win

 SC Sliderzz Baseball Team
Gold Medal Winners
Utah Summer Games
9u Age Division
June 2010

Ky Stuart #12

One of the big tourneys for the Sliderzz this summer was the Utah Summer Games held in Cedar City. We played up a year in the 9u age division because there wasn't an 8u age division. We were all pretty excited about the prospect of taking home a gold medal, but we knew we would have to play great baseball three days in row in order to make it happen. There were a few teams from Northern Utah that we hadn't played before, and a good Rebels team from St. George that we hadn't beaten yet, as well as the Cedar Stix that we had split with in the past.

So, we went with optimistic attitudes, knowing that we really had nothing to lose, being the underdog as an 8 year old team. The outcome though, couldn't have been any sweeter for us. The first day brought two great victories over a couple Northern Utah teams, and winning both games on day two secured our spot in the championship game. Kyler had some great pitching those first two days, and when we played the Stix he pitched his first no hitter, in a Sliderzz victory 10-0. Our boys really were playing some great baseball and it was exciting and fun to watch.

The championship game proved to be the toughest match up to that point, and we were going head to head with the Rebels, a team that we hadn't beaten in the last handful of games. It was a battle, but we came out strong to put the pressure on them. After a few innings, they had their rally, and we were behind at one point. Then we came back and the score was tied 6-6 for an inning or so. I could barely handle the stress! It was so fun though, especially when we took the lead and pulled ahead enough to know that we would probably win the game. That we did, and the celebration was exciting and great. I was so proud of our boys and their determination to play baseball like champions, like gold medalists, and that is what they were.

Kanab Heat Stroker

       

We kicked off the summer playing baseball at the Kanab Heat Stroker Tournament. Let me tell you, heat stroker was an understatement. It was a good weekend though, and we won the tourney without much competition. Sometimes I like those games though. A little less stress for me! Ky pitched great with the wind up that Uncle Spike practiced with him while we were in Pennsylvania. The highlight for Ky though, was probably his at bat when he batted left handed. He hit the ball up the middle, but got out at first. It was still fun for him to "switch hit." 

The little kids tried to stay cool with the neck wraps that we bought, and the coaches were nice enough to let them hang out in the dugout so they could have a little shade.

Trip to Pennsylvania

We have been trying to sell our house for two and a half years now, and finally we had a buyer and were just waiting for a close date. We pretty much knew if we planned a long awaited trip to Pennsylvania to visit my sister, Taralie and her family, it would probably move things along, just because it wouldn't be the most convenient timing. Sure enough that is exactly what happened.

Nevertheless, we went to Pennsylvania, just Danny, Kenzlie and I, and we had a super fun time with the Jensens. It was great to get to see where they live and spend some time hanging out and relaxing with them. We had fun playing "horse," going to soccer games, eating icees with ice cream, swimming in the river, eating lunch at a shore side restaurant and taking a sunset stroll over the bridge.  Thank you Kim and Kyle for taking such good care of the rest of our kids so we could have a little vacation.