Fall Ball Is Over

Monday night was Kelsey's last softball game for the year. As busy as it kept us, and as much as we need a break, I will miss it. I love being there watching her play. Her second game was so neat - we were down a few runs and had 2 outs, and Kels (the Hammer) was up to bat. The girls were having a hard time hitting off of the other teams pitcher - I think she was new at it. Anyway, as Kels looked to her coach for her hitting signal, he told her, "C'mon Kels, it's Hammertime!". With the biggest grin I've ever seen on her face, she swung and hit the ball. That's my girl - going out in style!

These are a few pics that one of the other girls' mom took throughout the summer.
Granstville All-Stars 2008
(Kelsey is 2nd from the right)

Here she is running to first.

Kelsey with her softball buds....

Great job Kels! I hope you had a great year!

We are so proud of you!

Bewitched!

Friday, my mom and I took the girls to Gardner Village to see their annual display of the witches. Kelsey was very excited and wanted to wear her new princess costume for some "photo ops" with the witches. She looked so cute, I couldn't resist.

The famous Witchy Poo.

This fishing witch was my favorite! (Notice all the "TNT".)

And here is Kels puckering up to the Kissing Witch.

We all had fun - but we learned something... NEVER, NEVER go to Gardner Village on UEA weekend! There were SO many people, it was almost impossible to go in to all the little shops.... which may have been a good thing... I didn't spend any money this time!

Black Rock

Last week for our young women activity, we took the girls to Black Rock. (For those of you who don't know, Black Rock is the big rock that USED to be surrounded by water on the shores of the Great Salt Lake.) Unfortunately, the sun had set before we got there, but the sky was still lit up, and it was beautiful! Aly and her friend, Kiley on the climb up.

The moon was full and looked SO big. After taking in the view and getting some great pictures, we had hot chocolate before heading back. I love that I get to do this with Aly!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

It was my Dad's birthday a few weeks ago - he turned 62, and thanks to my brother and I, he has the gray hair to prove it! I am so blessed to have him for my dad. He has the strongest hands I've ever known - from fixing cars and building houses to teaching his kids the gospel and taking such gentle care of my mom during her brave battle with cancer. He loves and treasures his family, and can't get enough of the grandkids. In fact, he is usually on the floor with the kids being used as a trampoline or a rocket. He is always willing to come out on a moments notice to help with anything. Thanks for everything you do for us dad - we love you!

Jeff, Dad, Kels, me, Steve

Jayce, Jayden, Jaxson, Grandpa, Kelsey, and Aly.

Mmmm..... Cheesecake

I have to catch up on a few things - it's been a while! A few weeks ago, Steve's sister invited us over for lunch. (Thank you Nat, it was awesome as usual!) However, it was dessert that brought out the competitiveness in my sister in law DeAnne, Steve's dad, and me. We had little cheesecakes that we decorated with different toppings. I'm all about the caramel and cherries, DeAnne is chocolate and cherries, then there's Chef Boy-R-Yates who was just out to beat us - which he did. Good job Yates Sr.!

I don't think we'll be hosting a food show anytime soon, but, we had fun.

Aly and Kels with their cousins Whitney and Amanda.

Looking for Elk in All the Wrong Places...

Last Thursday, Steve and I headed south for the elk hunt. We pulled into camp around 1, where my dad was already camped and saving our spot. The fall colors were out, and it was absolutely beautiful!

Friday afternoon, we decided to go for the little ride in the Jeeps in hopes of spotting some elk. Well, we didn't find any elk, but we found a big mud hole. My brother was the first to dive in, get stuck, and be towed out.
As soon as Jeff was out, Steve's cousin, who was so excited to find mud for his new Rhino, drove in, got stuck, filled up with water and mud, and then had to be towed out. Through it all, he kept a smile on his face. Way to go Dave!
Then, there's me. Being the only girl (aside from Dave's daughter), I couldn't just stand by and watch, I wanted in on the fun. So, after my brother dared me, I jumped in the Jeep and headed for the mud hole. My family knows that there's pretty much nothing I won't do, especially if "girls aren't supposed so".

I dove in, got stuck, and had to be rescued by my brother. It was still worth it!

Trying to give it another shot, my brother tried again to no avail. But, that was my glory, I rescued him and towed him out. Opening morning of the hunt, it was cold. Steve and I drove up to the skyline where there were blizzard like conditions. We had hoped for snow because it's easier to track the elk, but this was a little too much! We did find alot of tracks, but the snow covered them up quickly.

Monday morning the weather was getting better. There was still snow up on top, which fine, but made for a LOT of mud! Here's my great white hunter hoping to see something besides deer.

Beautiful view from the skyline.

I had 5 layers of clothing, plus my coat and orange fleece vest. I felt like the Pillsbury dough boy, and looked a lot like the oatmeal kid.

Even though the hunt was unsuccessful, I had such a great time hangin' out with the 3 most important guys in my life - Steve, my dad, and my brother.

Kelsey's Red Ribbon Week

This week, it was Kelsey's turn to dress crazy. She was kind of relieved, because that meant Grandma wouldn't have to do her hair while I was gone elk hunting. Tuesday was hat day (big save for G-ma!), Wednesday was good ol' crazy hair day, of course the most exciting day of all for her. I left the camera with Steve when I came home, so, the only thing I had was the video camera. I obviously don't know what I'm doing when it comes to picture taking on it..... at least we can kind of tell what she looked like.

Thursday was camoflauge day! Thank goodness we have PLENTY of that - all sizes! Kelsey was so excited to dress up in that stuff- she's going to be Steve's little huntin' buddy soon. AND, she's quite the spotter when it comes to wildlife.

(Yeah!, my camera and my hunter came home Thursday afternoon!) Friday was wear red day. She got to take one of her teddy bears for an activity in her class, so, she dressed her up in red too.

Kelsey's doctor called yesterday. It turns out her x-rays weren't quite as good as we had thought and hoped for. So, we are in for another test. It's hard to believe that so much is going on inside her happy little body. I'll keep you posted.

From CrAzY HaIr to oLd GeEzEr DaYs

Last week, Aly's school had spirit week. Each day of the week was something different for them to dress up. Monday must not have caught her attention, but wouldn't you know it, crazy hair Tuesday sure did! I'm thinking that it's purely due to the fact that neither one of my girls ever left the house without their hair being all done and beautiful. I've always cringed if I'm not around to make sure that their hair is perfect before school. I remember when Aly was in second or third grade, and I went to Hawaii with my mom. She made sure I showed Steve exactly how to do her hair. Well, apparently it wasn't quite like Mom did it, and her teacher asked her if her mommy was out of town. She was devastated! I'm so glad she does her own hair now - and she does a beautiful job! (Even on crazy hair day....)

Thursday was Old Geezer day. She came up with this number all by herself - which I thought was very creative! (I think she's my moms FUTURE "mini me"!) Steve and I couldn't stop laughing - she made a great old granny!

One of our Missionaries Return...

Last Wednesday, one of the sister missionaries that taught Steve, (Tiffany - otherwise known as Sister Kearl) came out for a visit ALL the way from CANADA! We were very excited, especially the girls, because we haven't seen her in almost 3 years. It was so good to visit and catch up and show off our newest wedding album from our sealing. I still remember the day Steve called to tell me that two cute sister missionaries came to the door, and that he'd made an appointment to visit with them and that I needed to hurry home. Steve and I will always be thankful for the two sweet little missionaries that changed our lives forever. We love you Tiffany and Angie!