Recap of 2010

So ... looking back on the year at a glance ... Grayson started a new job with Havenhill Homes, ran his first FULL marathon, went on two bike trips to Moab and ran a couple dozen derbies. Jen started blogging (140 posts for the year) and making muvees again. Landon got his braces off, started 9th grade, and is now totally acting like a teenager with constant texting and crushes on girls. Callahan got braces ON this year and kept busy with basketball all year round. Keaton tried his hand at baseball, and is enjoying basketball too. Cooper had a run in on the playground and broke his arm. He played soccer spring and fall, and is OBSESSED with basketball. Colton played soccer in the summer. He started his second year of preschool and needs constant playdates to keep him occupied while his brothers are in school.

2010 was a year without diapers, hurray! Colton finished up his potty training at the end of 2009, and after 15 years straight, we are done with diapers. There was lots of swimming in the summer ... we discovered Kearn's waterpark and bid farewell to the West Jordan Middle School pool. Dad and four boys vacationed in Seattle and Moab.

Jen discovered PIZZA ... ok still not regular, tomato sauce pizza, but just a white sauce with cheese. It's a family favorite now (was Mountain Mikes until they closed down, but Dominos has a good dinner deal). The Ipod TOUCH hit the family ... fun apps and texting ... and we can't forget to mention the introduction of Netflix to the home, which changed the way we watch (or rather, don't watch) tv.

In the extended family ... Maga moved! We've enjoyed more space in the new house when we visit. Clay and Courtney moved too. Grandma Henry passed away. Grandpa Norman passed away, Uncle Chris is going through a divorce and Derek and Danielle gave the boys a new little cousin.

A Blackham Christmas

...well ... I did NOT get Christmas cards out AGAIN ... I may still try to, sort of a New Years thing, we'll see *Ü* With Facebook, I have reconnected with many friends from high school and college, and have connected with their blogs, so I've been able to see their families grow throughout the year, not just in the annual Christmas card. But, I also DID receive a few cards from long lost (non-FB) friends and I was thrilled to see their family photos. So if YOU are one who actually got cards out, I commend you, and just want to let you know I treasure them (even if you don't get one from me in return).

I have to say, I've had a difficult time getting into the Christmas spirit, for many years now. Keaton was the one who got out all the decorations, and we only got about 1/8 of the ornaments hung on the tree. I did get into the holiday baking ... and consequent eating ... I did NOT go overboard on the presents, just ask the kids! I don't really think they were disappointed, but they were also not overly impressed. Colton however was THRILLED with a gift I received ... and Ipod Touch. Even though there were FOUR already in the home (Dad and brothers) the poor little guy didn't get enough "Angry Birds" playing time, but now he will. Basketball stuff, electronic Monopoly, Legos and Toy Story stuff seemed to be the theme of the gifts this year ... that and underwear ... Landon and Callahan were happy with their new underwear and undershirts (and Keaton was sad he didn't get any!).

We always have a PreChristmas party at Pammys. Christmas Eve is spent with the Westra clan. We play "The Candy Bar" game at both activities, but they are different versions. There is always a family slideshow recapping the photos from the year. The pictures are also featured on a calendar, an annual gift to Mom&Dad. We usually dress the kids up in nativity costumes ... but we didn't get around to that this year.

Christmas morning we awaited the kids bursting in ... 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 ... seriously? Sleeping in until 8:00? Unheard of! We finally opened presents at home, then went up to Maga's for a few more gift exchanges. We presented Maga with Apple TV ... Grayson would very much like it for OUR house, but we need to upgrade the television first.

And there it is ... another Christmas season come and gone ... Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, next up ... New Years ...

For Santa

... left out the night before,

looks like Santa had his little snack before moving on ...

Neighbor Gifts

I wasn't sure we were going to get the traditional "neighbor" gifts out this year. Our gift for the past several years has been a roll of wrapping paper, but I didn't have a stock of them this year (although I had a few). Gray suggested gingersnaps (I'd already made several batches a week or so earlier, and we had given several plates of them away already). I ended up making a couple batches of "cookie press" cookies and some candied popcorn. So, Daddy and the boys loaded up with Santa hats on head to deliver the goodies. Landon had introduced "Skookie" to his friends earlier in the year, and we had picked up some pans to give to his best buddies. Callahan picked out (and paid for with his own money) some little presents for his friends at school. We weren't very organized, giving out our hodgepodge collection of things, I'm sure we missed some ... I guess I'm just glad we got SOMETHING out at all. The boys actually really like this activity ... they hang on the side of the car (outside) with the back open. As Dad stops, they hop off and run up to the door for the delivery. This all makes Mommy nervous ... she usually stays home ... Thanks to all for all the yummy treats and holiday gifts we received... I know I ate too much. Merry Christmas to all!

FB ... Food Banks and Facebook

Just sharing a little contest going on right now ... SLC is in the running for a million dollar prize to feed the hungry in the community. Vote here ...

http://fightinghunger.walmart.com/

It's for a good cause ... all you have to do is push a button and "like" it ... go and like it, and when your friends like it, you like that and it counts as another vote! Let's get lots of liking going on :)

... and an update ... Salt Lake City WON ... a million dollars!

Columbia Christmas Program

During December, the kids at the elementary school are busy practicing songs for the annual Christmas program. Callahan was quite excited, saying that the sixth grade portion was fun. Keaton had been filling our home with the sound of "Jingle Bells" on the recorder, and Cooper said he knew all the words to "Up on the Housetop" ... so like all the other parents, I went to go see our kids perform. Now there is congestion at the school when parents are just dropping off and picking up kids ... you can imagine what it is like when all the parents come at the same time and stay! There was NO parking, I actually had to go down to the Arctic Circle about a quarter mile away to find a spot. The snowy weather didn't help. But I did pull out my trusty camera and captured a bit of the show on video ... I reduced the hour plus program to under a minute *Ü* They started with the 6th graders, so Callahan is up first, Keaton is in the middle (as usual) and Cooper is last.

Happy Birthday Colton!

December birthdays are hard ... they tend to get lost in the hustle and bustle of Christmas prep. It was December 20th when Colton decided to enter the world. Personally, I was more than willing to keep him in until after Christmas ... even until after January 1st, but I guess he had other ideas. His actual due date was Dec24 ... Christmas Eve, but our little lump of Christmas Coal Colton (well, if you call nine pounds six ounces LITTLE) came a few days early ... AND in the middle of the night. Luckily we had gotten the ok from our babysitter to call at any hour, and at least there was no traffic on the slippery roads at 3:00 a.m. We were admitted to the hospital and called the grandparents, waking them and having them come out, only to have the labor slow. Colton didn't make his appearance until a little after 9:00 in the morning.

Now Colton is FIVE years old, such a big boy! Of course, I still call him my "baby" and I probably always will. If you look back through pictures, you'll probably see a little blue blanket and a binky in many of them. Even though Colton was four years old, I just hadn't gotten around to forcing him to give them up, and he was still quite attached. Daddy told Colton that he couldn't turn five years old if he still had his binky and blankey ... Colton promptly turned them over to Daddy (and Daddy hid them away, not telling Mommy where in case she had a weak moment). So far so good, Colton quit them, cold turkey.

Colton got a cool digital camera from Maga, some money (he has multiple banks and wallets) and a flashlight from Grandma and Grandpa, some MoonSand from cousins. We had a cake and sang Happy Birthday both Sunday and Monday night. Colton also got a noisy gun, a bow and arrow, some legos, the ToyStory3 game for DS and some candy. Colton had been to a couple birthday parties for friends this year and wanted to know when his "friend" party would be .... hmmmm, next year?

Basketball Begins

Basketball season has begun ... with Callahan playing basketball year round, basketball never really ends for the Blackham family. But during the winter months, it's ALL the Blackham boys, and Callahan plays on TWO teams. Saturdays are busy with Jr. Jazz games. There are several practices during the week ... Friday nights have been taken over by basketball practices ... Mom and Dad had to move their date night to Thursdays.

Cooper's Game

Cooper had played a lot of basketball out front during the summer, so I had planned on signing him up for Jr. Jazz when the time came. As the deadline drew near, I asked Cooper if he wanted to play basketball. He said no (he just wanted to play soccer). So ... I didn't sign him up. That week, a transformation took place and the kid became OBSESSED with basketball... playing it, watching it ... he knows all the NBA player's names. The registration date at the rec center had passed, but I checked with them and they had a team with an open spot, so we were able to get him signed up after all. He got his cast off the week of his first game, but he's still wearing a protective brace while playing sports for a few weeks. Cooper's had three games so far, and he's really been a star player each game.

Keaton's Game

Keaton has played Jr. Jazz for a couple of years now. Last year was a bit rough, we had actually considered NOT putting Keaton on a team this year, but he said he really wanted to play, so ... he's playing. He's had three games so far and has done great every game. It will be interesting to see how he handles a game when (if) they do NOT win and he doesn't get multiple baskets in.

Callahan's Jr. Jazz Game

Callahan's Superleague Game

Callahan is continuing with his same team for Jr. Jazz (although they lost a couple players, so they'll just have eight on the team ... more playing time?). They will be playing in the more competitive "team" division. Unfortunately, the location the 6th graders were slated to play in had some scheduling conflicts, so they did NOT have games the first couple weeks (much to Callahan's dismay!). Luckily, Superleague has started on time (basically the same team as last year, lost a couple kids, gained a couple others). Callahan did AWESOME in both his first games ... gave Mom plenty of video highlights *Ü* Between the two teams he usually has four practices and two games a week ... Callahan loves every minute!

Landon is reffing again. This year he's over the 4th grade team division. When it was time to pick him up from his shift, I went a little early to see him in action. Whereas many of these kid refs are very hesitant and quiet when it comes to making calls, that wasn't Landon. He was confident and self assured (he had great training last year). I was very impressed with him (I could be a bit biased, but I really think he did a wonderful job).

Basketball is just beginning ... looking forward to a great season!

Making Movies

In 2004, I found some software that helped me take our home videos and photographs and make them into short little movies set to music. We had a link from the computer to the television, so the kids could watch the movies over and over, and they did. Ultimately, there were equipment issues, (the computer crashed) and while the movies weren't lost, they did disappear for a bit, as did my movie making software.

Fast forward five years ... I repurchased my Muvee software (several different new versions available, from basic (less expensive) to advanced (more expensive) ... I bought the mid-priced one) and I started taking more video and making movies again. I've posted several here and I'm sure now that I'm really back in business I'll be posting even more. Callahan LOVES my Muvees of his basketball games ... it is a great way to capture them (I edit out all the misses and just show all the great shots).

I started uploading them to YouTube, as a bit of a backup, and so that they could be easily accessed and shared. As I pulled out the old muvees from years back, the boys gathered around the computer and watched them all, laughing and pointing and it was wonderful to see.

Muvee had a little contest on their site, calling for sports videos. I submitted the one I made of Colton's Summer Soccer and won first prize, which was a $20 Itunes GC and the latest Muvee software. I do get stuck in my ways though, I can see me still using the old software out of habit. As I looked over the muvees from four years ago, I can see the changes in the software that give me more options (captions, focusing on parts of the photos) ... it's just hard for me to try NEW things, even if they are better *Ü* Grayson did get me a new computer last year ... and I've already filled it up. I need more space for all my music, pictures and video!

Being in a Muvee Making Mood, I went ahead and took the video and pictures from Cooper's Fall soccer season. I had put off making the movie, thinking I'd get a little more footage, then I'd forget to charge my camera, then Cooper broke his arm and missed the last game ... so here is the belated Kicking it with Cooper Muvee production (below) ... and a list of ALL the Muvees to date (and there's a link to the page in the column to the right as well). I'll try to keep it updated as I keep making muvees! *Ü*

Playing Spanish

Landon is taking Spanish in school, and each week he is supposed to do an hour of "work" outside of class. I downloaded some episodes of Sesame Street in Spanish for him to watch, found a free application for his Iphone, and bought the "Spanish for Dummies" audio book for him to listen to. I also picked up a "Go Fish" game, that had the words listed in both English and Spanish. I figured with it, we could get a double deal, working on his Spanish, and entertaining his little brother! We did play "Go Fish" (or "Pesca" in Spanish) for the first time the other night. Then last night, Colton wanted to play again, and said to Landon "Please will you play SPANISH with me?"

Done Derbies

Gray is done with derbies for 2010 ... I used to try to make it to several each year, but it's getting less frequent for me to go as there are always things to do at home. Gray always takes at least one son to help out though. Sometimes it's a struggle to get one to go, other times they are fighting over the opportunity (and the cash payment that comes at the end of the night). Hopefully in the future this could be a good little side-job for the boys. Here's a list of the dates Gray did derbies this past year ...

Jan 26

Jan 27

Jan 28

Feb 23

Feb 27

March 16

March 23

March 30

April 20

April 22

April 27

April 28

April 29

May 11

May 20

May 25

May 27

June 17

June 22

Aug 7

Aug 21

Sept 21

Sept 22

Sept 30

Oct 20

Oct 27

He's already booking for 2011 ...

Preschool Indian

Even though the kids have had a couple different preschool teachers, ALL the kids have made these cute Indian outfits as part of their Thanksgiving celebrations at preschool. When Landon needed an Indian outfit for the church Halloween activity, I suggested he just make something like this!

November Notes

I've gotten behind ... on my journal, on my blog ... here's just a few things that have happened in November. Gray and I both celebrated our birthdays. I turned the big 40, Gray and I were both 40 for nine days, they he turned 41. Are we old? We went to dinner with the parents downtown at "The Roof" and the next night went to see "Welcome Back Potter" at Desert Star with my folks and S&A (that could be my brother Scott and his wife Amy, or my brother Shane and his wife Alicia ... guess which one came with us to the theater ...)? Then we went to Hale Theater to see "The Drowsy Chaperone" with Maga, Rex, Ana and Adrian. The kids had their primary program and they did great. We had four boys in it this year. More on the homefront ...

Keaton fell at school, hitting his eye on the corner of a desk. He was SURE he had cracked his head open (his good friend at school actually had a skull fracture a couple of months ago, so that was definitely on Keaton's mind) ... lucky for Keaton it was just a bump and black eye. As I met with Keaton's teacher at Parent/Teacher conferences a day or so after, she said she had been approached by some of the other teachers at the school, wanting to make sure that the little boy in her class wasn't in an abusive home ... sometimes I'm GLAD things like this happen at school, not at home, so we're off the hook!

Keaton's class was having a chocolate party, so we were asked if we'd bring in our chocolate fountain again. This was our first fountain FLOP ... the chocolate would NOT melt properly to flow through the fountain. The kids were still ok just dipping where they could, but Gray wasn't very happy about it!

And we got hit with a HUGE snowstorm. The Saturday of the basketball championships it was a weird windy day ... it was the precursor to the storm that hit that night. Sunday morning we woke to a good foot of snow! The kids had a blast playing in it before church. Gray got the snowblower out ... but couldn't get it started. A few days later everyone was stressing about another storm ... the BLIZZARD of 2010 ... which didn't amount to much at all. The kids were hoping for a snow day, but no such luck. Hopefully we'll get our snowblower up and running again by the next storm!

Turkey Cookies!

Turkey Cookies

Gobble Gobble .... a few years ago I saw these CUTE cookies in an advertisement. They have since become an annual Thanksgiving treat. They are just basic sugar cookies ... I'll use a Betty Crocker mix if I just need a few, and make a batch of dough from scratch if I'm trying to make more than a dozen. The cookie cutter is actually a "pumpkin", basically just a circle, with a little "stem" at the top. I just turn the cookie upside-down and the stem is now the turkey's feet! As I snack on my candy corn throughout the Halloween and Thanksgiving season, I try to set aside the candy corn without the white tip ... these I use as the beak, cutting off the yellow or brown top and using those for the feet. Mini chocolate chips are the eyes, and the little decorator frosting finishes the red waddle. I just add a little brown food coloring to a basic butter cream frosting for the base. The basic design also works for cupcakes!

Turkey Cupcakes

Fall Ball

Fall 2010 - 1st Place

They did it again! 1st place for the Fall season. So many of the kids and coaches play year round, so we really get to know the other teams. Callahan loves it when he gets to play against friends ... Andre and Cody on one team, Cole and Hunter on another, this season we were combined with the Taylorsville Rec center, and so we also played against Reggie's team, which had several friends on it too. Then there's THE team to beat, we've gone head to head with them both Spring and Summer ... we had tied when we played them this season, so both teams were coming into the championship game undefeated. Our boys (and Callahan especially) had a GREAT game and were able to get the win *Ü* ... Dad doesn't make it to all the games, but we're glad he caught this one (Grandpa made it too!).

Generally, I jog the track during the games, but this only works at the Gene Fullmer Rec Center. Two of the games were at the Taylorsville Rec center, so while there I took pictures and video and then condensed them to just the highlights *Ü* The Nov6 game video is a little long ... there was just SO much to showcase ...

Nov06, 2010

Sept25, 2010

The Junior Jazz season starts in just a couple of weeks. We're losing a couple of our players who are going to play on other teams with friends, so we'll see if we can keep the winning streak alive without them. Keaton and Cooper are going to be playing too ... and Landon will be reffing again! Bring on the basketball!

Army Boy

November 11, Veteran's Day ... to help remember, Colton's preschool class made these cute little camouflage army hats (and the shirt he just happened to wear that day matched too!). Colton loved his little hat and wore it for the rest of the day ... except when he took it off and poured some cereal in it ...well it was a little paper dish before it was a hat! Landon got into the patriotic spirit as well, wearing red, white and blue to school. I loved to see all the flags flying throughout the neighborhood. Thank you to all the troops!

Bowling Buddies

So we hit our first off-track time of the new school year. With Cooper's broken arm, we had initially planned on him sitting out this session. But then, buddies Ryland and Ridley asked if they could catch a ride and go bowling with our boys (we've got the room in the car, so why not?). Well, if Cooper's best buddy Ridley was going to be bowling, then Cooper wanted to go bowling too, broken arm not withstanding! It actually went great! Cooper says maybe he'll still bowl with his left arm even when the cast comes off. He even won the coveted "trophy" (bowling pin) again (yea, now we have three bowling pins around the house).

It was very fun bowling with friends. Allstar Lanes also redid the arcade section, making it bigger, and using a "credit card" rather than tokens. You can even count your tickets and upload them to your card (rather than saving them like we did in the past). The kids LOVE playing in the arcade, and they are given a few credits as part of the session, so they always spend the last few minutes playing until they are picked up. Once, as I walked in to get them, I found Ryland surrounded by a PILE of tickets ... he had hit the jackpot. The older kids tend to save their tickets for a big purchase, while the little guys usually would spend that day's winnings on small items each day.

Thanks again Allstar Lanes (and Ana, the teacher!) for another fun off-track bowling session.

It's New, It's BLUE

Cast update ... after four weeks in Cooper's initial "long arm" cast we went back to the doctor for a checkup. They removed the cast and x-rayed the arm, then recast it. This time, Cooper chose blue, and they went ahead with a smaller cast, below the elbow. It's a little strange for me to see the BLUE cast, ALL the previous broken bones (Keaton's arm, Callahan's arm, Landon's arm) were all RED. Four more weeks in this cast and then Cooper should be good as new.

If you look at the picture above, you might also notice bandages by Cooper's eye ... he took another tumble, hitting his head on the table in the den. I took him into the Kid'sCare just to get it checked. It didn't need stitches luckily, they steri-stripped it and said it should heal fine.

Some of the bills are starting to come in ... $50 copay each doctor visit (three so far ... NOT including the trip to the Kid's Care), and the first cast cost us over $400 (we have a $1000 deductible). Unfortunately with Gray's job change we no longer have our flexible spending to help pay for these costs (but luckily we DO have insurance and overall we're pretty healthy, so I'm not really complaining).

Cooper is excited to have everyone sign his cast ... again ...

Missionary Week

The final week of the quarter, Landon's seminary class held "Missionary Week" ... and during that week, the kids were to try to live as a missionary would (no texting, no pop music, no television, video games or Internet ... white shirt and tie for the guys, etc.). The kids received points for each portion they were able to accomplish (extra points for preparing a lesson or giving away a Book of Mormon). Monday through Thursday, Landon wore his Sunday best to school. He TRIED to give up texting, music, television and video games ... but it was a little too hard (he caved after about one day). I liked missionary week *Ü* even though Landon wasn't perfect, I could tell he was trying a bit harder than usual. And the brothers took advantage of it too ... if Landon did do something inappropriate, they would yell "missionary, missionary" ... we'll see if that reminder sticks even as "missionary week" comes to a close.

Costumed Kids

Halloween 2010

Last year I went a little overboard on costumes ... I bought ALL new (Lugi for Landon, Mario for Cooper, a Basketball Box for Callahan, BumbleBee for Keaton, Buzz for Colton ... and Woody for Cooper, even though he already had the Mario costume). The kids do generally get several opportunities to wear their costumes other than just Halloween night. This year, I didn't buy ANY new, the kids just went through the boxes of costumes from previous years (although Landon's was purchased last year AFTER Halloween on clearance, so it was new, just not purchased this year) ...First up is the Halloween party at school (see the Halloween Party Post for pictures and a video) where the kids dressed simply in their Sesame Street hats for costumes. Colton had his preschool party the Thursday before Halloween ... here's a picture of him and his teacher (isn't that the CUTEST costume?)

Colton and Ms. Cindy

Landon also had celebrations at school ... he had a special backpack for the day ... even his shoes were a matching black and orange ... I called him Jack-O-Landon *Ü* During the day, the 9th graders got to have a Halloween dance. Landon took off his orange shirt and became a "Chick Magnet"

The Friday night before Halloween, there was the annual neighborhood party over at the church. The different church organizations (primary, young mens, young women, elders, etc.) each are in charge of a room which they decorate according to a theme. Gray and Landon were with the young men and a Cowboy and Indians themed room. Now I said *I* did not buy any new costumes this year ... but Landon didn't have Indian attire ... so hubby made a stop and $40 later, we do now have an Indian costume to add to the box (boxes) ... Grayson was able to make due with existing stuff for his cowboy costume.

After the Friday festivities, the kids went trick-or-treating in the cold and rain on Saturday night. Our house is in a little loop ... and the younger kids rarely ever make it out of our small little neighborhood, this year was no exception. The older kids did venture a little further, staying out after the little ones came home. But I think the little boys enjoy answering the door and handing out candy almost as much as collecting it! The favorites for the older boys are Reese's ... the little boys like Kit Kats and Twix. Landon said he's going on a health kick and NOT eating any candy... that's more willpower than I have!

Tricky Treats

SpiderWeb Cupcakes

When you think about Halloween, you often think about CANDY ... I LOVE the candy, and I hope that the small packaging might help with quantity control when it comes to eating it. In previous years, I've made sugar cookies and used candy corn to decorate them like jack-o-lanterns ... but I didn't get around to that this year, because I was so busy making NEW Halloween treats!

Every year at the church, there is a neighborhood "Trunk-or'Treat" (although we do NOT have the kids go from car to car, but rather room to room ... so I'm not sure WHY they use the TRUNK-or-Treat terminology). This year I was asked to bring cupcakes for the cake walk. A friend posted this spiderweb cupcake idea and I thought it was SO cute! It really wasn't very difficult either. You melt white chocolate drops and then simply follow the template from the website linked above. I think these will be an annual trick-or-TREAT each Halloween from now on. If you look behind the spiderweb cupcakes, you can also see my first attempt at cupcakes on a stick. They were a hit as well. It was the first (but not the last) time I used my new Cakesicle Pan.

We also made cookie-press pumpkins. Now the pumpkin shape did NOT come with my original cookie press. I actually hadn't seen this disk until last year. I really wanted it, but I couldn't find anywhere just the disk was sold, and I didn't want to buy and entire set just to get the ONE disk ... but this year ... that is exactly what I did. It was worth it ... these cookies will also be a Halloween (and Thanksgiving) tradition. They are Keaton's favorite.

A friend posted a darling OreoCookieCandyMold treat (seriously, follow this link, they are SO cute!) I actually made a trip to a couple of the local craft stores to try and find the mold, but I couldn't locate it. I'm going to keep looking and hopefully I'll land it before next year (I'll already have the white chocolate drops for the spiderweb toppers). Instead, I made MY homemade oreos (recipe here) and added orange food coloring to the frosting for a Halloween feel.

And then I picked up this large cupcake at the store ... I thought the idea was really cute. I did find these candy eyeballs ... I may have to work on my technique to try and duplicate the "fur" look ... maybe I'll try these critter creations next year, although looking through this post, I probably have ENOUGH tricky treats to send everyone into sugar shock ... and that's NOT including all the candy!

Volleyball

For the past couple spring and fall seasons, Thursday nights at the church have been volleyball night. It's a little bit social, a little bit cardio (a very little bit ... church volleyball rarely works up a sweat) but it's just FUN. It's for all the women in the stake area, and usually there are about 15 women who show up. It's all very low key and casual, not competitive at all. There are a couple gals with "skills" ... I'm just mediocre. I don't really remember playing much in young womens or school, but as long as there is volleyball at the church on Thursday nights, I'll clear my schedule if I can. I almost lost my wedding ring once (I had taken it off to play, placed it in my purse and then forgotten to put it back on and walked home ... the ring fell out in the church building ... but luckily it was returned to me, whew! I'm careful to leave it home now!) At one point, a pair of missionaries joined us each week ... they were pretty good and it was funny to see them playing in their suits!

We just finished up the fall season with regionals. Yes, the First Ward went on to region ... why did our ward go to region? Is it because we are SO good? No ... it's because we actually have six+ women who come each week, and we are the only ward that could actually put together a team. We went to region last year ... and both years we've gotten thoroughly trounced.

I know the church puts together a softball team ... I'm NOT into softball. I don't think the women get together to play basketball (I WATCH basketball, I don't play) ... I WISH there was enough interest for some soccer games, I love soccer! I guess I'll have to wait for spring volleyball again.

Shifting Seasons

It doesn't seem so long ago that it was summer ... then school was back in session and the days started getting a little shorter. I LOVE autumn, but here in Utah it so often seems to shift so quickly from warm to cold, summer to winter, we don't often get to experience much of the fall splendor. There had been some cooler days, but the kids were still wearing shorts and t-shirts each day. After returning home last Sunday from a cousin's birthday bash, the house was a chilly 66 degrees ... so we turned on the heat for the first time (gotta love the smell throughout the house the first time the heat gets turned back on after a long hiatus). A storm rolled in that night and we woke to snow, but the kids STILL put on shorts (and the snow didn't last very long). Then yesterday, more snow. Enough that the kids wanted to go out and play. We had to look through drawers to find the forgotten long pants, dig out the boots, gloves, hats and coats. With a couple of kids from next door, they made the first snowman of the season ... he was a bit tilted (see above), and after several hours in the sun, he was even MORE so (see below) ...

Long sleeves present a bit of a problem with Cooper's cast, most arm holes aren't big enough to go over the bulk. But the coat was fine, and we even put a glove over the hand ... you couldn't even tell he had a broken arm! I noticed that Colton's pants were a couple inches too small. He sure has grown since the spring. I'll have to spend some time going through all the closets and drawers, putting the "cold weather" clothes that still fit front and center, moving items too small for one boy to the closet of the next (one of the perks of having all boys!) . I just wish I could find a good solution for all the winter wear (gloves, hats, boots, coats) that gets strewn all over after the kids come in from playing outside.

The snow has since melted, and the kids were outside playing tag and soccer again today ... but the chill is in the air ... sweater weather is here, calling for hot chocolate and chicken soup. I certainly don't mind if the snow stays away for a while ... let us enjoy the fall season *Ü*

Mr. Moab

In the month of October, Grayson has spent TWO weekends in Moab. Over fall recess, he took the boys (Mom and Cooper stayed home, we did NOT want to get sand in his cast) and went with family to Whitewash to camp and ride motorcycles and other off-road vehicles. Grandpa Rex brought his BIG camper ... Colton thought it was so cool that it had a potty that flushed! Here's a few pictures from that trip ...

Just as the family returned home, we received the news that Grandma Henry had passed away. Pam turned around and went back to Moab to help make arrangements and Grayson returned on Thursday for the funeral.

Grayson and some work friends had planned a Moab bike trip for Friday-Sun, so Gray just stayed in Moab until his buddies came down the next day. He went alone to Slick Rock Friday morning before his friends arrived, which was good as the weather wasn't too cooperative on Friday afternoon/evening. The guys did get in several different rides over the next couple days. Gray did return with a few bumps and bruises (almost went off a cliff at one point ... the bike fell about 10 feet). Unlike his previous bike trip to Moab last May (when they camped and I had no contact), the guys came back to the hotel each night and Gray was able to check in. Here's a few pictures from the trip.

surrounded by nature

if you look close you can see the guys biking on the trail ...

look REALLY close ...

see the little spec on the mountain high?

Candy Corn

MUST ... STOP ... EATING ... CaNDy CoRn!

The comedian Lewis Black says the worst thing about Halloween is ... Candy Corn ... I have to agree, but not for the same reason (he doesn't like it ... I can't stop eating it). I have a large glass pumpkin filled with candy corn and I love to just grab a handful and nibble on it. If I take just the broken ones, have some of the empty calories leaked out? Please say that is so! I love candy corn on sugar cookies (decorated as jack-o-lanterns) ... and I make darling turkey sugar cookies with them for Thanksgiving, so the temptation lasts beyond Halloween all the way through November.

Just in case you haven't heard Lewis Black's views on candy corn ... here's a little clip ... enjoy :) I'm going to go eat me some candy corn while I watch ...

My Marathon Man

Grayson has run a few half-marathons, but hadn't yet tackled the elusive 26.2 mile race. After NOT getting into the St. George Marathon, both Gray and his brother Clay decided to try the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan. Grayson has been doing distance for a while, but didn't really do any specific training. He finished with an awesome time of 3:44 (clip off a couple minutes from the photo above as wasn't at the front of the pack for the start).

Gray and Clay went down Friday night so they could be at the starting line bright and early on Saturday morning. Pam took Colton, Addie and Aiden for a sleep over Friday night, then Courtney and Co. joined the kid crew to cheer on the guys at the finish (you can read her post on their blog here).

Back at home, Cooper had a soccer game and Callahan had a basketball game, so I was on Mom Duty back in West Jordan. During Callahan's game, I was watching while jogging around the track strategically placed directly above the basketball court. While I went around the track, I figured at that moment, Grayson was nearing the end of his long run... and I bet that even after 20+ miles, he was going faster than I was on my first one!

Next up? The guys have signed up for the Ogden Marathon in the spring ... Go Blackham Boys! Grayson even "bic"ed his head ... aerodynamic baby!

School Halloween Parties

It's Elmo, Cookie Monster and Oscar ...

"Easy" Halloween Costumes!

For kids on D-Track in year round school ... Halloween comes a bit early. The kids get out of school on Oct13 and don't go back until Nov8 ... so, any scary celebrations at school happen mid-October. Last year, I was the room mom for Cooper's class, and had offered to do it again this year (room moms are in charge of planning the parties). I guess the need was greater in the older classes however, as I was asked to be room mom for Callahan's class instead. I had to shift my thinking from six/seven year olds to 6th graders, but got busy planning some activities for the party. Then Keaton's teacher sent a note that their room mom was out of town on the date of the Halloween party, could anyone help ... I figured I was already doing one party, so I said I'd head up the one for the 4th grade too (held at an earlier hour). The first grade party was actually at the start of the day ... I considered saying I'd help out there too, but decided two parties would be enough this year.

We had several activities, divided the kids up into groups and had them rotate through. The kids seemed to have fun at all the centers ... they were

• Bag Decorating
• Cup Crash
• Candy Corn Toss
• Spider Drop
• Halloween Pictureka
• Bone Bender (Twister, Halloween style)
• Make a Mummy

For the first party (4th grade) I had enough parent volunteers that I was able to walk around with my camera and take pictures and video (and make the little Muvee above). I didn't really get any pictures of the 6th grade party because I was needed to man one of the stations.

The kids did "easy" costumes for school this year ... basically slipping on a Sesame Street baseball cap for their costume (that's the picture at the top). Colton came and "helped" at both parties and was a darling Mario. I did spend a little more than I intended, but now that I have all the materials, I guess I'll just have to offer to host the Halloween parties each year to get my money's worth! Oriental Trading Co had some cute games as well, and I actually had placed an order with them ... but it didn't arrive until after the party!

Of course there was also treat time ... donuts from the PTA, and I filled a big black cauldron with fruit punch and dry ice, which the kids loved. Both parties went well ... but I'm glad they are done!

Cooper's Cast

I had sent the Columbia kids off to school with the carpool, then I was dropping Colton off at preschool when the call came ... "Public Schools" ... across the caller id ... my heart always drops as I see that name. It was only 9:00 in the morning ... what could have gone wrong already? Cooper had tripped and fallen on his arm on the way to class. He was adamant that it was broken ... and he was right! I took him into the KidsCare for an x-ray, and I didn't even need the technician to say anything, it was pretty obvious. Both bones! Cooper got a splint there are the KidsCare and we followed up with an orthopedic specialist for his cast. It's a "long-arm" cast, immobilizing the elbow, going all the way up his arm. After about four weeks we may be able to move to a smaller cast, below the elbow.

I suggested an orange cast, as he'll have it on for Halloween and Thanksgiving, but Cooper wanted red. He's enjoyed having friends and family sign it. He still has a bit of a hard time using his fingers (writing, coloring, etc.) but he's actually just about to go off-track, so he won't even be in school for much of the time. Although, this will have an effect on our usual off-track bowling, I just don't think Cooper will be up for that :( ... but Cooper has been a trouper throughout this whole ordeal, he hardly ever complains. What a great kid!