Goodbye Delta Center! Hello Retirement!

Ok, maybe a few kids....

After 10 years with the Delta Center/Energy Solutions Arena, Judith R. has officially retired! Woo hoo! Way to go Mom! We had a big bash tonight at Emily's and Andy's which was great fun-(NO children allowed!) We ate lots of wonderful food such as Holly's HOMEMADE egg rolls and Erin's 3 different pies. We all forgot to bring our games so instead we played "Name that Movie," an all -time favorite in the Dale household. Our favorite movie for lines is "So I Married an Axe Murderer." --"Piper Down!" --"I'm a human blanket!" --"Nadia! Expand, Contract, Expand, Contract." --"S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y!"-- Anyway, we love you Mom and are proud of all your hard work! Have fun doing all those projects you've been dying to do! And, a lot of R&R, of course!

One Girl Who Wants to Play Soccer

Yesterday, after soccer practice, Jenna decided to try on Noah's soccer cleats and shin guards. She did this all by herself then told me she was ready to play! It was so cute! Usually she likes to put my shoes on but she is realizing how cool soccer is and that you get a new uniform and treats after the game and now she wants to play too. She is always trying to be like her older brothers and sister and that is so fun to watch. Jenna will be three in a few weeks and she has never been more entertaining!

Two Boys in Soccer

Usually I have only one boy playing a particular sport at one time but this year they both wanted soccer and they both started this week! I will pretty much be driving and spending alot of time on a soccer field for the next year of my life! (What am I saying? For the rest of my life as a parent of 4 kids!) Noah did awesome his first game! He set up two goals! He is the youngest and smallest on his team but I think that will be a good challenge for him. Sam had his first game tonight. His game was quite different from Noah's. These little guys are still scoring for the opposing team! It is so cute to watch! Sam did kick toward the correct goal and stayed focused the whole time so that is a good game for him!!! So, here we go!

All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go!

Tonight Jenna decided to play dress up. She always comes up with very stylish, well thought out ensembles not forgetting the mandatory accessories such as gloves, hat, purse...But the boys surprised me with their get ups proving that they indeed are in touch with their feminine side and not in the least bit ashamed! They thought they were "all that" when they came prancing down stairs. I got a good laugh and so did they! You have to be a very confident, secure little man to put on lacy gloves and a boa. So, I guess there was a little cross dressing going on, but we love our boys and have them both signed up for soccer, starting tomorrow!

Back to the Books!

I sent 3 of four children off to school today after a very fun yet exhausting summer. I wasn't prepared for the bliss! I had so much quiet time and constructive time on my hands today. I guess I forgot what that felt like! AND, the house was clean for the majority of the day! I love it! The kids were so excited and a little nervous for their first day of school but everyone came home with a smile and just had to tell me every person in their class, how great their teachers are, and all the details of their day! So, I am one happy mom today! Goodbye summer, we are ready for fall, cool weather, and STRUCTURE!

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

Sponge Bob Square Pants!! Our family has an addiction to Sponge Bob, that cute, quirky little Sponge man who wears a tie and short pants. We bought the DVD's the other day because, as you know, we don't have cable so this is our only way to feed the addiction unless we get a hotel room! Today, I cried. These were tears of utter silliness. We were all watching Sponge Bob together and there was this part that made us all bust up laughing! You know the kind of laughing that leads to more laughing? Well that was it! Noah and I were cracking each other up! I know some of you might think I'm crazy for loving Sponge Bob so much but I just can't help it! Most episodes don't teach anything useful to my 4 children but hey, they have fun with it and since we don't watch alot of TV, this is our vice!

Ode to Edward

I'm in mourning today. Last night I finished Breaking Dawn, the final book of Stephanie Meyer's vampire series. I read BD as slowly as possible to extend my reading enjoyment but it wasn't enough. I absolutely LOVED this book! Since some of you haven't read it yet I can't give too much away...but I will say that I was completely surprised and content with the way things panned out. So, for all you obsessed women out there, I feel your pain and I, like you, am just holding on for November 21st. I added a Breaking Dawn soundtrack to my blog so sit back, relax, and dream of Edward! Let me leave you with a quote or two to ponder, Alice: "No one will dare to call you plain when I'm through with you." Bella: "Only because they're afraid you'll suck their blood." Bella: "Why am I covered in feathers? " ... "You bit a pillow? Why?" Jake: "Hey, do you know what you call a blonde with a brain?... a golden retriever." Rosalie: "You. Got. Food. In. My. Hair." Alice: "You don't mind if I sit here, do you?" she asked. Jake: "Guess not. Stinks anyway." Emmett: "Did Edward tell you how many houses Rose and I smashed?" Bella: "Let's go hunt some stinking herbivores." Jake: "Someday, Beauty Queen, you're going to get tired of just threatening me. I'm really looking forward to that." Bella: "No. I think I got it all, sit, look around, blink, fidget." Bella: "I had found my true place in the world, the place I fit, the place I shined." Last but surely not least, Edward: "I am purely full of joy, because I am missing nothing. No one has more than I do now." ... Could he get any more romantic?

Girl's Weekend!

Read-a-holics

Hot Springs

5K

Wendy, Andrea, Julie heading for the finish line!

Raspberry Days

No, that's not really Andrea's hair!

I just got back from a fabulous weekend with my sister-in-laws, mother-in-law and nieces. Every year the girls get together at "grandma's" house up at Bear Lake. This was my first year and I must say, I absolutely loved it! We met up in Park City and did some quick shopping at the outlets, went to dinner, and then headed for the lake! We got in at 2:00 am, settled and crashed. Friday was the Raspberry Day's Craft Fair. We spent most of the day looking around for a unique gift or trinket for Christmas presents etc...One favorite booth was the glass blowing booth. I personally loved the homemade shoes for little girls and the hand painted parasols. We ate some great food, had some raspberry treats (the chocolate covered raspberries were delish) and had fun running into people we knew! Later, we all got dressed up and went out to dinner at a steak and seafood restaurant. After getting our fill of sumptuous crab and steak we headed for home to complete the night with art projects, recipe exchange and reading. Pam, Julie and I were all reading Stephanie Meyer's latest book, Breaking Dawn all weekend long! We tried not to spoil too much for those waiting to read it but there was alot of jumping up and OMG's! (It is REALLY good by the way! And no, I only got half way through-Guess what I'll be doing when the kids go to bed?) Saturday morning, we got up at 6:30 to go run the Raspberry Day's 5K in Laketown. It was really fun except for the fact that there was a major hill that wasn't paved and I struggled running up it! I lost some time there but I figure it was better than running in snow (like the Solitaire race in April!) Every year the Boy Scouts do a fund raiser at the church where they cook a big breakfast and lots of people come partake of pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns and homemade raspberry syrup-yum. It was sooo good after running! After finishing our big breakfast we went back to the house and some of us headed for beautiful Bear Lake. I vegged on the sand with my book, of course, while Tiff and Lisa played domino's and played in the water. It was perfection-perfectly peaceful and I did fall asleep for a good 20 min. It was nice not to have to worry about anyone drowning or interrupting my book! After the beach we went out to the hot springs and soaked our aching muscles with some "interesting" campers. We enjoyed watching the sun slip behind the clouds and then give us a beautiful sunset. Later, we BBQed and did a craft together. We watched "Fool's Gold" and then fell into a deep sleep from our busy day. We left Sunday afternoon and took with us some raspberry ice cream that is now a tradition-Chad's for any one who wants to get some. You can get it at any store-soo good! I'm back and I have many people at home who missed me-especially Kelly who was a great sport with the kids all weekend. I can't wait for next year! We are already planning new, exciting activities! Thanks ladies!

Bear Lake

This past weekend, some of my sisters and their families came up to Bear Lake with us for a get away weekend! I always love coming to Bear Lake-blue water, sandy beach, blue sky, and perfect weather! We got up there Friday night and stayed through Sunday. Saturday we spent all day out on Ryan's dad's boat, tubing, and wake boarding. Jenna took her first ride in the tube which she really liked. She didn't want to get out! Bailey tried wake boarding. At night we played board games, ate lots off great food, treated ourselves to the famous shakes, (voted best flavors-Banana, Jumble Berry, and Peach Raspberry), watched movies and did alot of R&R. Saturday evening the guys went out and shot clay pigeons-- the women went to the gift shops with the little girls. The guys also went fishing and caught alot of rainbow trout! It was a great time!