A Wise Ole Man Once Told Me . . .

The wise ole-man is my Father in Law - He told me shortly after Sam came to our home that Micah and I should make new traditions for our new family by each Christmas going to Temple Square to see the Christmas Lights.  The first year Sam submitted my parents names to the Sister Missionary's - the following year my parents were with us at Temple Square as new members (they were baptized in June 2010) and this year we were able to introduce it to youth who had never been there before.

I love this tradition and I love the ole-man who suggested it to me - despite his son who hates the over crowed front runner, waiting in line to take treks and the large number of people :)  It's part of our family tradition and each time I go there it feels like I am seeing it for the first time.

Those were just some of the pictures I took that evening - Sam brought a friend with him, Megan and the others boys were just being goofy.

Nothing like a self taken portrait to make you question what the heck was I thinking?!!?  Oh well better luck next year :)

Family Wii Competition

As part of our Countdown to Christmas this year we held a week long Wii Competition - this night we did a Just Dance and the boys had a great time.  So much in fact I went out and bought a country version of it.

• Down Hill Jump
• Bowling
• Just Dance
• 3-point Jump Shot
• Wakeboarding
• Mario Brother - Coin Battle
• Family Choice - Just Dance Take Two

Utah National Guard - E1 Private Samuel C Mower

This moment is bitter sweet . . . I am truly excited for Sam's new journey, but at the same time I am able to count on ONE HAND how many nights I have been away from him in the last 2 1/2 years (Four for anyone of you asking).  And I know he is 19 years old, but for me it is like having separation anxiety for parents who have a new baby.  I found out on Tuesday (Nov. 1st) night that he was enlisting Thursday (Nov. 3rd) afternoon . . . I wanted to strangle him, but what could I do I had already told him to sh!t or get off the pot with his life. 

Sam is scheduled to ship out on February 13th, 2012 - and I am forewarning anyone and everyone it will not be a good day!  He will be completing his basic training in Fort Jackson So Carolina and completing AIT at Fort Lee, Virginia. His MOS is a 91-Echo and in civilian terms a machinist.

Micah and I are very proud of you, Sam and are looking forward to seeing you at graduation in May 2012 from basic training.

Capital Theatre - Dracula

Tonight we went to the Halloween showing of Dracula - Sam, Albert and I were so very excited, however, Micah, Dylon and Alex were a little apprehensive.  The best part of the evening came when Micah turns to me and says '"Are they ever going to say anything?"  it was not until the intermission that Micah took the time to read his program and was able to figure out what was going on.

This was a first for Alex who has never even heard of a ballet and at the end of the evening said how much fun he had and how much he had enjoyed it - that was the reviews from the rest of the boys, as well.

Snap Shots in Morgan, Utah

Here are a few of the pictures I took along the way . . . I have been wanting to take pictures of this bridge since the first time I saw it and finally I got a chance to do it :)

Saturday Family Fun Day

Left to Right: Sam, Dylon, Albert and Alex

Not much to post about . . . However, here is an update of the boys in our home.  This morning after haircuts and a quick lunch at Sam's club we headed up to Morgan and Snow-basin so I could take some pictures of the season change.

Welcome Alex

That had to be the LONGEST car ride home . . . We couldn't get him to say more then Yes or No to any question we asked and when we tried to feed him we found he eats like a bird.  He is gonna be forgotten and starve  - hopefully the rest of the boys will help bring him around. :)  His mom assured me that once he feels comfortable he will talk more and I will wish he would stop talking.

Fun Facts about Alex:

• Birth date: April 15th, 1997 ( I feel old now, I was almost a year out of high school when he was born)
• Age: 14 years old 
• 9th Grader
• Hometown: Vernal, Utah
• Favorite Sport: Shooting a bow and arrow
• Favorite Color:  Red
• Favorite Movie: Resident Evil
• Favorite Book: Harry Potter Series
• Hobbies: Drawing and Fishing
• Favorite Food: Tamales
• Favorite Holiday: Halloween
• Least Favorite food: Lasagna
• Favorite Season: Fall - its just right with no mosquitoes
• Favorite Subject in School: Sign Language
• Favorite TV Channel: Si-Fi
• Favorite TV Show:Full Metal Alchemist

Way to Go Zach!!

College of the Canyons defensive lineman Zach Eaton tackles East Los Angeles College quarterback Mike Oliver for a 5-yard loss during the first quarter on Saturday at Cougar Stadium. COC won the game 42-17.

Winner stays, loser goes. It’s a popular rule on playgrounds all across the country, but on Saturday night at Cougar stadium, those were the stakes for College of the Canyons quarterbacks Chris Rini, Chris Owens and Tyler D’Amore during their 42-17 victory over East Los Angeles College. The team scores a touchdown and you stay in. The team doesn’t, and you rotate. That might mean a lot of pressure, but for the Cougars (3-1), it was a way of getting all three experience in a non-conference game. And it worked. All three quarterbacks led scoring drives for the Cougars who effectively put the game away when D’Amore led a 3:43, 75-yard drive on 12 plays to put COC up 21-10 with just 34 seconds remaining in the half. “Everything just fell into place tonight,” D’Amore said. The Huskies’ offense did its best to stay in the game, as Aaron Cantu replaced starting quarterback Mike Oliver early in the first quarter. Cantu would finish the game 14-of-22 with 184 yards and one touchdown. “You’ve got to take it to the Cougars, they played a good game,” said East L.A. head coach Lynn Cain. Coming out of the locker room to start the third, it was a chance for Rini — the usual starter — to go under center. And he knew he couldn’t repeat the mistake he made on the team’s opening possession. After forcing a punt on the opening possession of the game, the Cougars, led by Rini, drove to the East LA 13-yard line before Rini fumbled and the Huskies jumped on the ball. After the fumble, Rini didn’t return to the field until the first possession of the third — and he was determined not to hand over quarterbacking duties again. “He told me he wasn’t going to come off the field (in the second half),” said COC head coach Garett Tujague. “I told him, ‘you better score, and field goals don’t count.” To start the third quarter Rini led Canyons on a six-play, 47-yard drive culminating in Rini’s 7-yard scamper into the end zone to give the Cougars a 28-10 lead with 13:03 left in the third. The Cougars came back on their next possession as Rini hit wide receiver Chris Rivas with a 15-yard pass to end a 10-play, 82-yard drive. Rini finished 12-of-17 with 144 yards and one touchdown and two fumbles. The next drive, though, didn’t work out as well for Rini, as he lost his second fumble of the game after running 20 yards down to the East LA 32-yard line. Later in the quarter, D’Amore got another shot and ended a 45-yard, seven-play drive with a five-yard run to give the Cougars the final margin. He went 13-of-18 with 103 yards and a touchdown. Owens ended up 6-of-8 with 58 yards. While each quarterback played well during the game, there was no doubt the “win or go home” mentality of the rotation added pressure to each player when he took the field. “That’s what it’s all about, “Tujague said. “No matter what we do in life, there is always going to be adversity.”

http://www.the-signal.com/section/2/article/51688/

Winner stays, loser goes.

It’s a popular rule on playgrounds all across the country, but on Saturday night at Cougar stadium, those were the stakes for College of the Canyons quarterbacks Chris Rini, Chris Owens and Tyler D’Amore during their 42-17 victory over East Los Angeles College.

The team scores a touchdown and you stay in. The team doesn’t, and you rotate.

That might mean a lot of pressure, but for the Cougars (3-1), it was a way of getting all three experience in a non-conference game.

And it worked.

All three quarterbacks led scoring drives for the Cougars who effectively put the game away when D’Amore led a 3:43, 75-yard drive on 12 plays to put COC up 21-10 with just 34 seconds remaining in the half.

“Everything just fell into place tonight,” D’Amore said.

The Huskies’ offense did its best to stay in the game, as Aaron Cantu replaced starting quarterback Mike Oliver early in the first quarter.

Cantu would finish the game 14-of-22 with 184 yards and one touchdown.

“You’ve got to take it to the Cougars, they played a good game,” said East L.A. head coach Lynn Cain.

Coming out of the locker room to start the third, it was a chance for Rini — the usual starter — to
go under center.

And he knew he couldn’t repeat the mistake he made on the team’s opening possession.

After forcing a punt on the opening possession of the game, the Cougars, led by Rini, drove to the East LA 13-yard line before Rini fumbled and the Huskies jumped on the ball.

After the fumble, Rini didn’t return to the field until the first possession of the third — and he was determined not to hand over quarterbacking duties again.

“He told me he wasn’t going to come off the field (in the second half),” said COC head coach Garett Tujague. “I told him, ‘you better score, and field goals don’t count.”

To start the third quarter Rini led Canyons on a six-play, 47-yard drive culminating in Rini’s 7-yard scamper into the end zone to give the Cougars a 28-10 lead with 13:03 left in the third.

The Cougars came back on their next possession as Rini hit wide receiver Chris Rivas with a 15-yard pass to end a 10-play, 82-yard drive.

Rini finished 12-of-17 with 144 yards and one touchdown and two fumbles.

The next drive, though, didn’t work out as well for Rini, as he lost his second fumble of the game after running 20 yards down to the East LA 32-yard line.

Later in the quarter, D’Amore got another shot and ended a 45-yard, seven-play drive with a five-yard run to give the Cougars the final margin.

He went 13-of-18 with 103 yards and a touchdown.

Owens ended up 6-of-8 with 58 yards.

While each quarterback played well during the game, there was no doubt the “win or go home” mentality of the rotation added pressure to each player when he took the field.

“That’s what it’s all about, “Tujague said. “No matter what we do in life, there is always going to be adversity.”

Dirty Boys, Sam and Zach

Welcome Dylon

 

Dylon joined our home August 16th . . .  this guy is by far the quietest kid we have had in our home, but mom and dad assure us that in time we won't be able to get him to stop talking. 

• Birth Date: January 29th, 1995
• Age: 16 years old
• 10th Grader at Syracuse High School
• Hometown: West Point, Utah
• Favorite Sport: Wrestling
• Favorite Color: Red and Black
• Favorite Movie: Batman
• Favorite Book: Paper Town
• Hobbies: 4-Wheeling, Air Soft Guns, Video Games
• Favorite Food: Pizza, Pizza and Pizza!!
• Favorite Holiday: Christmas
• Least Favorite food: Canned Spinach
• Favorite Season: Summer because he can be outside  more often and its warm outside.
• Favorite Subject in School: Seminary
• Favorite TV Channel: Food Network - Cupcake Wars

Sam & Albert Rafting at Lava Hot Springs

Camping Day # 3

I 'stole' this collage from Tiffany - I love the picture of Micah hanging with Bronx and Bently (lower left corner) - This was just before Tiffany and the kids headed back home and we had one more day at camp.

Camping Day #2

Sam and Jared were dare-devils . . .  We spent most of the day here at the pool and those two were the only ones willing to dive from the high dive and go down the speed slides.

The rest of us, Micah, Tiffany, Bronx, Bentley, Albert and I stood by soaking up the sun and relaxing in the pool.  It was an amazing summer vacation.

Camp Site at KOA Lava Hot Springs

Just a few snap shots of our camping journey to Lava Hot Springs - Oh and by the way I was in LOVE while we were gone.  It was such a nice time to get away from home and the everyday life 'things' you do.

Micah, the boys and I left Syracuse about noon to stop for lunch and break the drive up.  I think I took about a dozen pictures along the way and posted them to Facebook I was so excited!! 

Our first camp visits was AMAZING, however, there was no way we could fit six adults, two kids and Boozer - So the camp host was nice enough to let us use the Small Group Camp site that put us closer to the restrooms, showers, the store and easy access to the Water, including the Water Fall.

I think I packed enough food for 25 people, but we ate so well and I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE with camp stove potatoes Micah made each day. (Ingredients: Potatoes, Red Onion, Green, Red & Yellow Bell Peppers and seasoned with Ken's seasoning.)

Happy Fathers Day, Micah!

Zach's All Star Game

 Our Family outing tonight was to Alta to watch Zach play in the No. vs. So All-Star game.

We didn't win, but it was nice to watch one last high school football game with a few of Sam's friends playing; it is still pretty un-real that Sam won't be playing football next year. 

What Were You Thinking??

I know how this little girl Con's me into everything, however, how in the Sam-Heck is she able to Con Sam into anything? 

I would suggest that she has her Nana's sense of determination, but I also believe that she has everyone believing that if they do not give in to her that she will become an evil child - Perhaps her head will even spin out of control just before . . . well you get the picture.

This is the second year in a row where Kayla has asked Sam to do something only later leaving Sam asking the question . . . WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!

Spring is in the Air . . .

Finally, it feels like we are getting to get some warmer temperatures and maybe just maybe it is starting to feel like Spring is here!  It was so nice after a super busy week to wind down and spend sometime with family and good friends.  My brother in law had made Slopes for dinner the night before (the Mexican version of a Navajo Taco for people from Utah) so it seemed only fitting that we had Navajo tacos for dinner before they headed back to California the next morning :(  

As a side note - You never realize how much you enjoy having company until they are gone.  I love getting to spend time with 'the girls' also known as Rebecka, McKayla & Hailey and I can't believe how grown up they are. :(

I Love Water

I love our neighborhood and the people who live in it . . . I don't know many kids that would see a neighbors house with kids they do not know or have never met and just RUN to join in the fun.  I am glad that the Mills kids feel welcomed and safe at our home enough to come over and hang out.

SlipnSlide Fun

Spending four hours at the water park must not of been enough for these California Girls - of course in California you don't have snow capped mountains in June either.  Ever mentioned how much I love and miss these girls?!?!?!?

Sam - Syracuse High School Class of 2011

Pre Graduation Celebration . . .

The day has finally arrived . . . .  I am so glad and relieved to have the stress of Sam's Graduation coming to an end.  It continues to be bitter sweet for me and I have made a promise to myself NOT to cry tonight.  Wish me LUCK!

Both of 'my boys' are home today; Chaze has spent the last couple of days with us and what a WONDERFUL and GREAT feeling it was to wake up to them this morning!  In fact yesterday, after sending Gray and Albert off to school Micah and I took Chaze and Sam with us on our Thursday Morning treat to breakfast.  This mornings stop Jeremiahs in Ogden - this was the first restaurant we ate at their FIRST SUNDAY in our home.

Family Fun Morning . . . .

Graduation 2011

Sam's Graduation - Class of 2011

What a bitter sweet moment this has become . . .  Last year at this time Micah and I had just taken legal guardianship of Sam and were looking forward to what the new year would bring us all.  

This Graduation Agent as Sam likes to call me is happy to report that Sam has graduated from Syracuse High School and is a proud member of the Class of 2011.

I on the other hand have mixed emotions and anxiety about what that really means!    I am so excited to see what Sam decides to do with his future; whether he is a Fireman, a Construction Worker, an EMT, a Missionary, a Full Time Student, a Part Time Student and the list goes on, but what I do know is that whatever he decides to do I know he will be GREAT at it - Since we all know when Sam puts his mind to anything he can accomplish great things!!

There is also a part of me NOT LOOKING FORWARD to him moving out; moving away for school or a mission.  I am going to miss telling him time after time to clean his room, and do his laundry - whenever will I find the time that I can sit on the couch and have a long conversation with him about life and making sure he is doing his homework.  I am NOT excited to think of him living out on his own wondering is he is eating a balanced meal or surviving on cereal, cold pizza and protein drinks!

Stay tuned to see what and where Sam will be doing . . .

Steven Henagers College - Class of 2011

 

FINALLY we are done - Okay the truth is that I have been done since the end of January and Micah will be done in August, but any who!  We had our Graduation Ceremony and are so thrilled to be one step closer to achieving our next set of goals.  Micah and I both were certain that we did not want to walk in the ceremony, but decided that we needed to set the example and let the boys in our home see what you can do when you work on your education.

Micah's mom came and we had the MOST AWESOME surprise ever when I got a text message from friends (from California) showing me a picture of the inside of the Dee Event Center at Weber State.  They needed to come to Utah and made sure to come during our graduation - THANK YOU Nancy and JT we were so glad to have you two there.

Congratulations Chaze

Seminary Graduation

Congratulations, Gray!

This morning Micah, Gray and I headed to Salt Lake City to the Joesph Smith Memorial Building to attend the Lila Awards Breakfast for the Utah Youth Village.

Gray was one of twelve other youth who was being presented a Lila Award for the improvements with the program.  Gray was awarded the Lila GOLD Award. 

Becky's Bapatism

It's times like these that I wish Utah was only an hour away from California and we could be with our family.  A few months before this picture was taken Becky called Uncle Micah & I and asked when would we be coming back to visit because she wanted us to be there.  Unfortunately, we weren't going to be able to make a trip and insisted that she not wait, but take care of business and get it done.

Becky is the first born grandchild and niece to Micah's family and LONG BEFORE I married into his family Becky was calling me 'Nana' and had me wrapped around her finger :) So I have a hard time telling this little girl - wait she is no little girl anymore she is a young lady - anyways I have a hard time telling her no.

So Becky Uncle Micah and I want you to know how proud we are of you and the choice that you made to be baptized and I want to take this opportunity to share with you something your mom shared with me when I made that important decision:

The feeling that one receives, The one that says "I believe."
The knowledge of right and wrong, Is the thing that can bring you home.
The truth we can all receive, The knowledge we can believe.
The one who saves us all, Is the thing that can bring you home.
We can return home, To live together again, In the home we all were once in,
This is the hope to bring you home.

Written by: Sara Smith

Rebecka something else your mom shared with me is the following message: "Tanya, You are making a great step in your life. You will be blessed. I know this church is true. I know you are a great friend and a special spirit. I know Heavenly Father brought you to Paso Robles and we were meant to be friends. Best Friends."  And since your mom has always been better at words than I have been let me tell you know how grateful I am that I moved to Paso Robles, that I met your mom, your Uncle Micah and the rest of those crazy Smith's because I had the opportunity to meet you and call you my niece.  I love you Becky. <3 Nana

Lost Puppy

Micah and Gray were coming home from school one afternoon and found this little guy hiding in the fields. Gray walked right up to this scared little guy and before Micah was parked in the drive way was telling me that I was NOT allowed to keep him under any circumstances. 

'Little Dog' as he was referred to only lasted about a week with us before I had to finally call it quits - he was about four months old, not potty trained, cried, scared of everything and did I mention NOT potty trained!!  The only great thing about him was that Boozer would sleep in his kennel with the puppy.

The Hasty Heart

Randon Picture from un-Prom

These are some of the random photos I took of Zach and his girlfriend Katelin - 

Super cute couple and very photogenic.

Sam and his date, Megan.  Yes Megan has been featured before on this blog - she was his Preference Date.

This was just a fun picture while I was trying to get them to think of ideas oh what they wanted in pictures.

These are the results of playing around while I was kneeling in the grass and using Picasa to edit picture.

Dinner was Dutch Oven Chicken with potatoes and carrots, salad, and french rolls.  We left the kids to have dinner and enjoy the evening while we ran home to set up the next activity of the evening.

Here are the fabulous four . . . while waiting for dinner to finish up they asked that I take some pictures of them around the park.  And I LOVED it! 

un-Prom Date Dinner

Oh my heck . . . I never thought the weather would warm up or that the wind would stop blowing!!  This has been one of the longest days of my life by far.  Everything came together and looks pretty darn good considering it was thrown together here and there and everywhere.

Just waiting for the kids to arrive now.

un-Prom Day Date

The first order of business was to set up the day date at Layton City Park - the boys had picked a nice spot along the water that gave them some space to hang out without being interrupted by everyone.

I packed a nice picnic lunch; some deli sandwiches with all the goodies, chips, cookies and drinks.  Once lunch was over they each received a text message that would send them on a savager hunt to find a basket of goodies.  The boys had wanted to spend the afternoon in the park so I made a basket with bubbles, kites, coloring books, bread to feed to the ducks and some other silly things to keep them busy.

Goofing off with Gray