All Hail the Wii

Yes, indeed. Our house now has a Wii system. And the surprising thing is...I like it. I haven't really liked gaming systems since my pre-teen days. I get to restless sitting for hours trying to kill or runaway from things with only my thumbs. The interactive play is really fun and I've heard great reviews of the Will Fit too. I think that might be my next purchase. Maybe I will actually exercise during the cold winter months.
As for Brandon and Brayden and the Wii... well, let's just say there's no such thing as a friendly game of Wii baseball in this house.
# of times the Wii remote has been thrown into the wall accidentally: 1
# of times the Wii remote has been thrown onto the floor on purpose: 10
What was your big Christmas gift this year?

A CHRISTMAS LETTER TO ALL

Well, because I didn't get my Christmas cards out again this year, here is an update that I would have sent in them.
Merry Christmas One and All. Here is our year in a nutshell:
Big B - Went on an awesome geese hunt to Canada this year. I think he enjoyed himself and brought home some beautiful birds to mount.
Laurie - Started working again, full-time in Salt Lake, then part-time and then part-time from home. It's been nice helping with the income and having my own paycheck.
Brayden- Was baptized in the fall. Played Little League baseball for the first time and made the all-star team. Earned a league championship in football.
Maddie- Hated every minute of T-ball. Now does gymnastics and loves it. She keeps us entertained with her little comments and drama.
WE hope you have a wonderful New Year.

RANDOM THINGS THAT CAN BE HEARD AT OUR HOUSE

"I'm hungry"

"Mom, your armpits smell good"

"Daddy's butt is hairy!"

"I'll never stop drinking Pepsi, it tastes too good."

"Did you know cream of chicken soup has 7 grams of fat in a serving?"

and finally, my personal favorite: "Cheese is so gooooood"

*** Note from blog administrator: B is in a competition with his buddies at work to see who can loose the most weight by the end of the month. He's quite serious about it if you can't tell.***

PHENOMENON

Definition: 1. Observable fact or event. 2. Prodigy

Behold the 2008 Grantsville Black Gremlins. Ute Conference Eastern Continental League Champs! (In other words... shutout every team they played this year, went as far as was possible in the league)

Want a sampling of what it felt like to be an Alta Hawk in the championship game?

It was like that all year long. Our X-men were in the backfield, our running backs marched it down the field with authority and our wide receivers made high percentage catches.

You can't dispute the facts/stats:

21 Grantsville vs. Alta 0

39 Grantsville vs. Riverton 0

40 Grantsville vs. Copperhills 0

55 Grantsvillle vs. Cyprus 0

48 Grantsville vs. Brighton 0

18 Grantsville vs. Bingham 0

35 Grantsville vs. Jordan 0

35 Grantsville vs. Olympus 0

45 Grantsville vs. Woods Cross 0

35 Grantsville vs. Olympus 0 (Playoff game)

35 Grantsville vs. Alta 0 (Championship game)

Points for=400 Points Against=0

Please observe all the great offensive line blocking, #66 in particular, as evidence of the reason why we were able to score often and regularly. It's a beautiful thing!

Four against two? Never a good thing (#3 is carrying the ball)

It's so sad that the season is over!!! When I washed his uniform for the last time I thought about what it will feel like in 8 short years when he plays his final high school football game. How depressed will I be then? Saying that these boys had an awesome year is an understatement. Especially when you think back to the fact that last year they only won 1 game and got shut out more than a couple of times. Of the 14 on the team this year, 8 were returning players from last year. We gained two great running backs from a different team, but these boys really turned this year around and worked hard to put up the numbers they did. I hope Brayden remembers it for a lifetime.

Maddie's House of Hair Strikes Again

Maddie decided dad needed to look cool so she gave him a faux-hawk. How sweet!

OH THE CHANGES A YEAR CAN MAKE!

What happened to my precious little daughter???? One year of living in Grantsville and look what it's done to her!!!!
Brayden and Maddie 2007

Maddie and Brayden 2008









I tried to remind Brayden that Halloween means dressing up in something you don't usually wear everyday. When he told me he wanted to "dress up" as a football player, I suggested he wear a cheerleading uniform and Maddie wear his football stuff, but he was having no part of it, I don't know why!!! I thought my idea was AWESOME.

P.S. I have to make a clarification to the Sodding post below. I did NOT lay all that sod in the backyard by myself. Brandon came home from work at 2 p.m. and helped and then our neighbor/hometeacher and his two boys came over and helped us finish it up. I'm still amazing though right?

HAZARDOUS

My wonderful mother sent me an article today. I'd like my readers input. Who feels like they are targets? Should I put a password on my blog? How do I make my blog unsearchable?

Staying Safe: Dangers in blogging
November 3rd, 2008 @ 10:08pm
By Nadine Wimmer
A growing number of Utahns are discovering serious drawbacks to a popular pastime: blogging. But we found some cases that may change the way you blog.

Lainie Ottley
Blogs help families share memories, but they can also make families a target for harassment, even stalking. But there's little law enforcement officers can do. It's simply post at your own peril.
A crazy birthday haircut documented on a family blog. His mom never dreamed their Mohawk memory would end up making him look like a member of the Hitler Youth on someone else's blog.
"We were really upset," blogger Lainie Ottley said. "For me, it's a huge offense."
She not only felt violated, but afraid of the association with neo-Nazis.
"Given the verbiage with the picture, we felt like it had created a pretty dangerous situation," Ottley said.
But when she called police, she learned there's not a thing they can do.
"That's some of the frustration, almost daily, when I take these calls," said Rhett McQuist, with Utah's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. "Right now, the laws haven't caught up with technology."

For another blogger, who did not want to be identified, the peril came not from pictures, but postings. "We had had no idea who it was," she said.
Degrading comments turned into more than a dozen threats and insults a day posted to her family's blog. "We just felt harassed and started to feel unsafe because of what was written," she said.
She and her husband eventually hired an attorney, filed a lawsuit, subpoenaed Google and were shocked to discover their stalker was a close family member. "It wrecked my trust in people, still does. And it makes you question everything," she said.
Those tough experiences get at the heart of what appeals to most bloggers: posting pictures of your children and making them accessible for family and friends. But how much information is too much?
We surfed blogs and found first and last names, birth dates for an entire, a countdown to the family Disneyland vacation, information on a husband's deployment to Iraq and a slide show of the inside of someone's house.

All this makes it easy, in many cases, for us to go from blogsite to blogger's doorstep in a few computer clicks.
It's just not worth the risk for these bloggers. "If you're going to do it, just know there's no way to keep it completely safe," Ottley said.
Criminal investigators say to Stay Safe, bottom line, don't post pictures of children online. You should also protect your blogsite with a password.
They also say guard information like your address. We saw pictures where the house address was visible.
Finally, adjust settings on your blog that protect your identity and make you unsearchable.
For more safety tips, and for help in tracking who visits your blog, click the related links to the right of the story.
E-mail: dwimmer@ksl.com

Adventures in Sodding

We (Brandon and I) are not sure how it happened. Maybe he measured wrong, maybe our multiplication (length X width) was off, but somehow we ordered and received (and consequently paid for) twice as much sod as we needed for our front yard.







Lucky me!! While Brandon was at work I had to scramble to prep the area in the backyard to receive the sod. Which means clearing away rock and debris, hauling and spreading about 5 tons of topsoil and then hauling the sod from the front to the back of the house... and then laying it. Oh the fun I had.

I was in a heck of a mood afterward, but I did feel very strong and accomplished when it was all finished. I'm wondering now how I will ever find an exercise routine that is comparable to that.

Vanessa's Birthday

One of my best good friends from high school is having a fabulous giveaway. Plus, she always has other people's giveaway's posted on her blog so help yourself out and check out her blog. Happy Birthday this week lovely Vanessa :)

GRANTSVILLE 18 - BINGHAM 0

I have been asked by a couple of people to report on the football scores this past weekend. Did any of you really doubt that Brayden's team would win? It was exciting though. With a torrential downpour, fumbles, penalties and lots of cold shivering players we came out victorious! YAY cowboys!! And now for the real contest... bragging rights.... Grantsville "A" team will scrimmage Grantsville "B" team (that's us) tonight.

Top Ten Thursday

Okay Okay so it's really supposed to be "Top Ten Tuesday's" but as usual I am behind the curve. So here are my top ten reason I am so happy that it's fall. (in random order of course)

1. Football!!!! This is hard to admit, but I almost love watching Brayden play football as much as I love watching him play baseball. I know, I know, yes that did really just come out of my mouth. He is so cute and big and strong. He is understanding how to play his lineman position better and so he is really having fun "smashing" the other team.

2. Brandon is helping coach his team this year. And boys and girls, this is something special because I have been begging Brandon for years to volunteer/help coach Brayden's athletic teams, but he just wouldn't do it. This year some people got to know him and wrangled him into it so I just can't be happy enough about it.

3. It's not so freakin' hot outside that I can't load a wheelbarrow of dirt without sweating a gallon. It's actually kind of nice working outside.

4. Labor day is the last day that the local pool was open, so like Vanessa, I am so glad not to be donning a bathing suit and having all the little teenager softball players I coach make fun of me at the pool.

5. School is back in session. As much as I hate sending them to be bullied, put down, and made to feel less than important, I can't deny the benefits it gives them also. Maddie gets to be a little social butterfly and listening to her learn to read is amazing. Brayden gets to play football three times a day with his friends and can't get enough of his science class.

6. Did I mention football? Brayden's team is 6-0 on the season so far and looking to upset their rival this Saturday... BINGHAM, who is also 6-0. Want more stats? Brayden's team has shut out every team they have played in their league. Bingham: 0 points scored against them. Grantsville has averaged 45 points a game. Bingham: 23. I ask you friends, who will be the winner this Saturday? Stay tuned!

(It's hard to see, but Brayden is #66. Far left lineman)

7. Halloween decorations!! I love the holidays because it actually looks like I have a decorated home.

8. All the beautiful scenery of the leaves changing colors! Can't get enough of that.

9. Halloween softball tourney in St. George. This is one of the only weekends I actually get away from the hubby and kids and do something just for myself.

10. The grass in the front yard is finally in!!! Oh my goodness what a back breaker that was!!! I thought I was going to fall over dead when the last piece was placed.

(It doesn't look like much sod, but there is twice as much in the backyard. More to come on my adventures in sodding.)

Maddie's House of Hair

Maddie decided I needed a taste of my own medicine. We spent an afternoon doing my hair in piggies. She puts the elastics in soooo tight!! She learned that from her dad. She thought I looked so pretty and said I had to leave them in the whole day, so I did. Through football practice and a quick stop at the grocery store. Yikes!

"EVERYBODY'S GOT A DREAM. WHAT'S YOUR DREAM?"

Here is my dream. A beautiful front yard and approach to my front door.

What does my front yard currently look like you ask?





As you can see we have a lot of work and money to put into it before it will look so good, but I am up for the task. I have already spent a good amount of time clearing away weeds and debris and spreading topsoil. Curbing is scheduled for Wed. and sod will be coming on Thurs. Wish me luck!! :)

P.S. Can anyone name the movie that my title/quote is from? Hint: The quote is from the very end of the movie.

FREE STUFF (for me anyway)

I have added a little sumpin' sumpin' on my side bar. Yes, oh yes, it is an advertisement.

http://www.babyblissaccessories.com/index.html You know I just had to take Ally up on this offer, considering I spent $26 at her boutique a few weeks ago and only got half of what I wanted. (love your stuff Ally!) So here is a shout out for her wonderful little business.

Here is Maddie on the first day of school sporting one of Allison's pretty flower clips! Nice pose eh?

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - 1995

As one might suspect there was a time in mine and Brandon's life when we were of average weight. Feast your eyes on these two love birds.

Vanessa, please don't kick my trash, but I just had to include this flashback in honor of the days at Southern Utah University. Love ya g/f!

Walker Family Campout July 2008

In July we went camping at Mirror Lake for five days with my side of the family. I love this annual camping trip and am grateful for my quirky family and all the problems we seem to have. In comparison, this year was relatively problem free.





Every evening we gather to have dinner together. Look at all the little ones! How sweet!
This is my absolute favorite place to fish when we go to Mirror Lake. This is a little pond area across the highway from the campground and a short hike off the highway. Please note the look on Brandon's face and then turn up your speakers for the following video.


I'm not sure why Brandon was so onry-- maybe it had to do with the fact that I was catching fish on his fly and he wasn't, or maybe it was because the kids kept catching fish and didn't want to let them go. They wanted to keep them and cook and eat them, which we do and then they eat two bites and say "that's all I want." And then we have stinky fish in our garbage for the rest of the trip. Or maybe because the kids got to do more fishing than he did because we caught so many all he had time to do was unhook, rebait, unhook, rebait, argue about keeping fish, unhook, rebait, argue.... etc. etc. etc.
Although after seeing this bad boy, he did feel a little better.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

WHAT JOB?!?!

I quit. The end. I'm done. My boss offered me a full-time position as an A/P processor (which is a step up from my current title) and I turned it down (this was in June). She then proceeded to tell me that at some point, around August, they would no longer need a filing clerk because we were buying the software to become a completely paperless office. So I started to think that I needed to look around for a new job. Then my daycare sent home a note saying that they were closing their doors for good. That they were not able to keep their facility up to Utah code. So that kind of put the nail in the coffin and I laid my employment with Boart Longyear to rest.

Now I will have time to make my blog smokin' hot!!! And post like everyday!!! Just kidding, no promises Vanessa and Jarvie.

4th of July In Cowtown - Try not to be jealous

Check it out y'all!! Brayden was chosen to be on the Little League All-Star team and got to ride in the Grantsville 4th of July parade. I am in love with this "parade entry" for many reasons:


1: I'm so proud of Brayden!

2: To heck with traditional wagon wheels, bring on the all-terrains

3: The horses hooves have been sprayed with glitter!

I have titled the following "parade entry"

COMMITTED to excellence in taxidermy

And finally... the crowning jewel and pride of this years Grantsville City 4th of July parade....behold

THE ABSTINANCE FLOAT

It may be hard to read but the float reads "Abstinence=Independence". This float was sponsored by the Tooele Teen Pregnancy Protection Team. And what would you think they were handing out along the parade route? These wonderful bracelets

It reads "True Love Waits"

The good news is that Shery, Quin and family came out to BBQ and see the parade.

Maddie helped Jensen stragically place stickers on his body.

And we rounded out the evening by going with Jen and her boys to the Bees game and watching the fireworks afterwards.

Woooo HOOOO!!! GOOD TIMES!!!!

MEMORY LANE

I got this from Nance Macedones' blog (a friend from Lehi) and thought it was cute and way more fun than tagging!


1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.


It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments. I would love for everyone to play along. Don't be shy leave whatever memory you would like.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

It's a little late, or a little early... which ever way you want to look at it. Here we have a fine picture of, no, not Brayden, but Brandon in 1981. How sweet are these two boys? I love them!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

I HATE BASEBALL

"I hate baseball". Words straight from Maddie's mouth!!! My worst nightmare come true!!! I am so sad that Maddie did not have a great experience this year! :( The sign up sheet said T-ball ages 5-6. And she being just barely 6 I signed her up for T-ball. Well first off, she hates hitting the ball off a tee. She is used to Brandon pitching to her. Secondly she was the only girl on the team, and thirdly, she was one of the tallest and probably oldest players on the team. All her friends in kindergarten signed up for girls fast pitch softball (ages 8 and under according to the sign up sheet). Which was coach pitch for the first half of the season and then girls pitching to each other the last part of the season.

She has pretty good form when fielding the ball, but if you'll look closely, the ball is by her foot, not in her glove.

I told her to slide at home, this is what I got. Beggars can't be choosers.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

THANK YOU - GRACIAS

Just wanted to make sure and thank the stamp club girls for coming out to g-ville for stamp club this month. It was so great to have friends at my house and bake and entertain. I have missed it so. And espcially thanks to Shannon and Vanessa for the wonderful belated birthday gifts! You can't beat stamp essentials, candles and homemade cards! My FAVS!!! You guys are awesome! Love ya!

P.S. Jody - you can forget my paper anytime!! I love the new stamp set!!

JARVIE

My friend is moving to St. George. WAahhhHHHH!!! I'm so sad!!! I'll never see her again, okay, so maybe 4 or 5 times, but still... not every week. :( And because she said she looks at my blog nearly every day, here is a post to you Jarvs.

5 reasons I love and will miss Jarvie

1. She is an awesome softball player - I have been playing softball with Jarvie for about five years, although it seems like I have known her longer. I love that she always comes to a game with a desire to perform her best and WIN WIN WIN! She will play just about any position she is asked to and does great at them all. She's super fast on the bases and has a good pop-up slide.

2. She gives me "tough love"- When I'm not trying hard, or just being a slacker, she's not afraid to say "Dude, what's up? Your like 0 for 100 or something. Are ya thinking about getting a hit sometime today?" and "Dude, why have a blog if your never going to update it!" And we can still be great friends :)

3. She's a fun drunk - What happens in St. George at the women's halloween tourney, stays in St. George!

4. She loves my kids - It drives me crazy to watch my kids climb all over her and jump up in her lap and maul her to death, but she takes it all in stride and is super sweet to them. Even when they interupt us when we are trying to talk and give her wildflowers they found when we are camping.

5. There are so many things I feel like we have in common - Our husbands play on the same softball team and have for years. She loves to camp and be outdoors. She doesn't mind being dirty and wearing a hat for days in the mountains. She is strong and can remodel, pack and clean a house nearly single handedly. Of course she loves softball and supports her hubbies love of the cubs. She plans her pregnancy around the softball season. She rarely cries. She has to have a clean house. I could go on and on......

So Jarvie, I just want you to know how much I will miss you and in more ways than one.

FINALLY-- A NEW POST!!!!

Never fear--- I am finally posting something new. I know some of you have given up on me and for that I am sorry. Playing softball/baseball/t-ball on multiple leagues five nights a week is proving to be quite hard. But this weekend we finally had a relaxing, nothing on the calender, "what should we do" type weekend. WWWOOO HOOO!!!! So how did we choose to spend it? You know it-- at the ball park. We went to a Bees game on Saturday and the new Narnia-Prince Caspian movie on Monday. And guess what baseball fans... we caught our first home run ball ever!!! Oh yes, it was hit out to the general admission area in right center field where I had strategically placed our blanket. Brayden actually almost caught it out of the air, another guy knocked it down, and Brandon made quick grab before some big teenage boys could take him out!! It was SWEEEETTTT!!! We tried to get it signed after the game by the player that hit it, but unless your willing to wait in the parking lot for a couple more hours after the game for him to come out to his car, there is no way. So we settled for the bumble bee's signature. The kids were happy anyway.

Can you believe another year of school is behind us? Me neither. How sad, my babies are growing up. Maddie had a fun year and did wonderful in all her subjects. She is starting to show a little bit more of her social side, as I had a couple of chances to watch her interact on the playground. Brayden did well, but he is usually a straight A's student, so this year when he struggled a little bit trying to find a balance between school work and recess/sports Brandon and I had to give him a couple of "talks". He just doesn't understand that it's not pass/fail anymore. A C grade shows either your level of understanding or your focus and diligence in class. He is absolutely capable of getting straight A's, he just doesn't do his work in class. Ugh! only 9 more year of this. :) I love being a mom.

I don't have any sweet pictures of Brayden and Maddie playing ball yet, because either A: I forget to bring the camera. B: I am score keeping or C: I am coaching. I will be sure to get some soon and let you see how cutey cute they look playing ball.

Maddie Girl

Maddie had her first school program. And it was the first time that I have missed one of my kids school functions :(

They did a bunch of dances including the chicken dance, which the parents and spectators were encouraged to stand up and participate in. Brandon swears that he did the chicken dance, but I have a hard time believing that! I wish I had proof :) But you know if I would have been there, he never would have participated, so I guess there was one good thing that came from me missing.

ODE TO...Petey, Cool Ranch Blanch, Beaver, Bleach, and all Other Nicknames Given to my One & Only

Tagging... Why not play along? Besides, I have decided to be nice and give B some showtime on my blog.

How long have you been together?

Proud to say fifteen years. Married for 12 of those.

How old is he? 34 same as me

Who eats more? I do! Can't you tell by looking at me? But he has been known to drink a gallon of Peps in a day. Sad but true.

Who said "I love you" first? B of course! It was truly sweet and I will never forget when or where it happened.

Who is taller? B - but only by 3 inches.

Who sings better? I don't know, but I think we could sing some pretty good harmony on Tim and Faith's "Angry all the Time" song. Anybody who knows B knows that he is a whiz with song titles and artists. He loves to play, "Name That Tune" with anyone who's game.

Who is smarter? HaHaHa, this has been the source of many conversations, and jeering remarks lately. One day while riding in the car together, I asked B how he ever made it through college and his answer was plain and simple "I am pretty smart you know". And so the argument was started and will continue for a lifetime.

Who does the laundry? Me!!! And occasionally B folds when I dump a couple of clean loads on the bed and he is forced to to make space for himself to sleep.

Who does the dishes? Me!!! Again with exceptions. For years B watched his grandma make the meal and his grandpa clean up after. Someday he might take after one of them.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? B --always B --and he has to sleep on his right side which, of course, is facing away from me.

Who pays the bills? B makes the money and I click the send payment button on the BillPay website. Wow, isn't that great team work. It's not easy being me.

Who mows the lawn? What lawn? We believe the earth should be left in it's natural state. YEAH RIGHT! B can't wait to sod his entire half acre and buy a riding mower. Ahhh the dreams of us cowpokes in G-ville.

Who cooks dinner? That'd be Me. A chore indeed, especially now that I work three days a week.

Who is more stubborn? B. Someone we all know and love spoiled him very badly growing up. Now he thinks he should always at all times get what he wants when he wants.

Who kissed who first? I think I kissed him first. Hell, it may still not have happened if I didn't make the first move :)

Who asked who out? I'll give B all the credit for this one. Thanks hun for the wonderful day of bunny killing :) If only I had known what the rest of my life with you would be like.

Who proposed? He did! After much persuasion by me.

Who is more sensitive? Please! Not even going to answer because it is quite obvious.

Who has more friends? B

Who are you tagging? Vanessa, Nat and Jody - Good Luck girls

WARNING!?! CONTAINS RELIGIOUS CONTENT!?!

Do I really need to put a warning label on my post? I guess not.

I am so proud of Brayden and happy for the choices he is making. We have been taking the missionary discussions for the past couple of months or so. At the first of March the missionaries told Brayden that they had fasted and prayed on his behalf and felt like the 15th of March was when he should be baptized. Brayden was shocked and little overwhelmed and got really nervous, he said he wasn't planning on getting baptized until he was 10. But it must of got him thinking because when they came to see him again on the 14th, Brayden said he wanted to do "it" on the 22nd. Right after spring break and the day before Easter. He was really happy about that date and I was a little worried about getting the word out and making all the arrangements, but it all fell into place so easily that I was truly amazed and really only chalked it up to divine intervention after it was all over and I was napping on Easter afternoon. What a great week, and weekend we had. The kids were all into helping me clean the house and get the refreshments ready. Finally, the time came to go to the stake center and Brayden was all business with his little duffel bag with clean white underwear and towels in it. I only cried a little during my talk on baptism, my mom did great playing the piano, Jen's little Austin (almost 11 years old) giving a talk on the Holy Ghost, and Shery reluctantly giving the closing prayer. My dad, my lifesaver, baptized Brayden and confirmed him. He gave Brayden an awesome confirmation prayer that made me feel like Brayden has so much potential as a member of the church. I hope I can be what he needs me to be.

Many Thanks to my family for being here for me and my kids and for stepping up and making this very memorable for all of us. And thank you to Brandon's family also for being supportive. And thank you to Brandon, for making a baby named Brayden with me :)

Elder Kristola from Finland and Elder Bieber from Canada. Brayden's mentors. He thinks they are "so cool"!

Brayden showing off his new Cubbies tie. The big boy kind that you don't clip on. Apparently it is not cool to have a clip on after the age of 5. Poor guy has been wearing them for years. A close up of his CTR baseball tie tac too.