Lindhorst Inc.

Winter Basketball Comes to an End!

2011-03-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

Sydnee played on the 6th Grade Basketball Team for Clear Creek Middle School. They ended their season with 9 wins and 1 loss. They took the Championship!! Whoop whoop! Sydnee averaged 3 pts per game and was the top rebounder with an average of 8 per game! Coach John Gordon with the team! They played Reynolds Middle School for the championship and won 38-25 PRESLEY'S Team, the Thunderbirds, finished the season with 6 wins and 3 losses.

Presley was fortunate to have a great coach, Laurie Henkel. She taught these girls alot about Basketball! They learned the postitions and a few plays and good defense. presley was one of 2 point guards for her team. She averaged 4 points per game, 3 rebounds and 4 steals per game.

Of course the end of Season party and getting the trophy is always a highlight! I had the privelege of helping coach her team. Thanks again Laurie for your time and knowledge in the game of Basketball!

Madelynn's Winter Basketball teams

2011-03-30T15:22:00.000-07:00

Maddy played on the Gresham Communtity 7th and 8th grade teams from November 2010- February 2011. This is a picture of both teams combined. Coached by Jamie DeMarsThey had a good season. The girls played alot of really tough teams and it only made them better! Back on Feb. 27th, Maddy's Coach DeLong, for the Clear Creek 7th grade team took them to the Blazers hoop camp at the Rose Garden. They had several different drills and competitions and Maddy was in the finals for all of them. She finished 1st in 2 and 2nd in another. They then got to meet the Trail Blazers and even score a few autographs and photos. They are getting their pic taken with Armon Johnson in the above photo. And below is Gerald Wallace, the newest member of the team. The girls finished their regular season undefeated 10 wins 0 losses! They went into the tournament as the #1 seed. They continued on winning and took the Championship! They ended the season with 13 wins 0 losses! Way to go Wildcats! It was a great game. At Half time we were down by 9 points and came back to win 47-34. in which Maddy scored 32 of the points!

Maddi P., Maddy L. and Kaitlyn were the 3 scorers of the game!

Maddy averaged 26pts., 6 rebounds, 9 steals and 4 assists per game for the season!

Maddy you are a Rock Star! We Love you! You are so fun to watch!!!

Spring Break @ Florence Dunes!

2011-03-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

We actually made it down to Florence. The weather looked gloomy but we went despite the forecast. Sierra and Cole had their first track & field meet the night before, so it was a late night getting everything loaded and ready to go. Steven and Cole drove the truck and pulled the trailer . They left almost 2 hours before us girls did. It was nice, when we arrived they already had the buggies unloaded and the quick shades and tent set up. Along with the camp stoves. We got there just intime to roast wienies over the fire for lunch. Filled the buggies with fuel and we were ready to go. Syd was the only one brave enough to ride with Cole driving. (besides Mom and Dad) Are we hot or what?

So our first ride out, Steven came up on the edge of a razor and the sand was extremely soft and gave way, with all the rain we have had there were lakes everywhere in places that there never use to be so we had to approach with caution.

I had to let out a scream!

These girls look thrilled! I was driving but pulled over and switched with Cole.

Syd in her many layers!

Presley

Sierra!

I took a picture of them before they took off. Ya never know if they were going to come back alive with Cole driving. For sure it was a given that you would be covered in sand! ( and they were!)

Same if you rode with Steve! Sierra's friend Cassie came with us and this was her first time in a buggy on the sand. It was priceless to hear her scream! Awhhh such great memories!

Cole's hair looks awesome, spiked bangs from driving!

Presley, Maddy, Cassie, Sydnee & Sierra just returning from a nature walk

The girls sleeping quarters

This is a rare pic, one of Cole not turning his head when he sees the camera.

Thanks again Sierra and Cole for roasting lunch!

The firewood we had was just awful, it was damp and just smoked! It seriously had the worst smell and the smoke had everyone in tears! Literally!

Steven was good at keeping the wood chopped and ready to go on. Thanks Hun!

This is what I usually get when Cole sees a camera

We had a blast! Rode inbetween rain showers , went on nature walks, made a music video in the bathroom and decided to braid all the girls hair on the last day! We were SMOKIN'!

BTW we have been home for a week and everything stills stinks of camp fire. Including our clothes that have been through the wash twice already. (still finding sand in places that it shouldn't be too)Can't wait til the next trip! Fun times!

SANDLAKE SAY WHAT?

2011-03-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

Steven and Cole have spent countless evenings getting the buggies ready to go. Time for a test run down at Sandlake for President's Day. It has been over 2 years since we have taken the buggies out. Far too long!Cole has been a huge help. He is quite the mechanic. We couldn't have been ready to go without him.
When we left home it was forcasted to rain or snow and be very windy, we chanced it and went anyways. sure glad we did because for a February Day at the Beach it was quite beautiful. It was still cold but the rain , snow and wind stayed away. We drove through the snow to get there and then again to get home. But as you can see in this pic below, The sun even came out. We are looking out at the ocean. So pretty.

Cole got in alot of drive time. He tries out all of Fast & Furious moves out on the sand. Drifting, power sliding, using the emergency brakes for turning on a dime.

Sierra even got brave and took her turn driving. She got more and more confident on each turn. apparently cautious and slow are not in her duning vocab.

This pic looks like Sierra is picking Maddy's nose (obviously she really isn't)

Sydnee, what a sweety, she had layers upon layers on to stay warm. The 2 in this buggy would be the first to complain if it got too cold! LOL in fact Steven was so confident that when we got to Sandlake it would be so yukky that we would turn right around, "Eat" then go home. so he did not even bring a heavy jacket. Just the sweatshirt he was wearing. Thank heavens for Jeromy, a co-worker of Steve's, happened to be at Sandlake and had an extra coat for him to wear. (Of course Steve refused to ask him, out of embarrasment so i did) Thanks Jeromy you were the day saver!

Syd was done riding in the 2 seater, she wanted to switch to the 5 seater. A photo that speaks many words. Dang I love this kid! She is just sooo awesome!

After we got back to town we stopped in at Chicago's pizza for some dinner. Good times!

I know you can't see it but our waitress could,I have major "sandruff" Oh the price we pay for a good ride in the sand!

Now we have Spring break to look forward too! Headin' down to the Florence Dunes for 4 days

Seventeen Baby!

2011-03-01T13:43:00.000-08:00

My baby is now 17. Seriously where does the time go? She has grown up to be a beautiful young woman. Last week was finals for the 1st semester and Sierra got all A's in all of her IB classes. What a huge accomplishment. I am a very proud Mom, for all of her acheivements! Sierra is a very caring and compassionate person. Not only is she gorgeous on the outside she is equally as beautiful on the inside. I was thrilled when she let me take pictures of her even at breakfast. She usually refuses but she was all smiles. French toast her fav! The start of a 3 day celebration! Sierra had to share her birthday with Maddy, she had a basketball game. Afterwards we had red velvet cake with chocolate mousse filling and whipped cream frosting.
Day two I tagged along with her and a friend to the new self serve yo-cream pico-berry

That night her dear friend Cassie threw Sierra a SURPRISE Birthday party! I made another cake for it and Cassie's Mother picked it up before Sierra got home from school as to not ruin the surprise.

Sierra was genuinely SURPRISED!!! Over 25 of her friends were there to celebrate with her! Thank you Cassie for being such a good friend!

Day three, Cosmic Bowling at Mt. Hood lanes! Several of her friends joined her at the bowling alley for yet another Party! This time I made cupcakes! Sierra even let her little sis Maddy and brother Cole tag along. (Cole took this pic, good job at centering it Cole as to not cut anyones face out of the pic)

Thank you to all of Sierras friends that came and celebrated with her!

And to finish off the week of "Sierra" she went on a date with Caesar (spelling?) I thought they looked nice, especially for playing arcade games at Wunderland.

The intent was to go to a Valentine's Dance, but upon arrival they felt out numbered by "old people "and decided to go to the Arcade.

19 years & other Stuff

2011-03-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

On Valentines Day Steven & I celebrated our 19th wedding Anniversary. Wow has it ever gone fast! Can I blink back to 1992?Being a school Day we opted to go our for lunch at Claim Jumper.

I Love you Steven. Thanks for the best 19 years!

Back on Jan. 24th, Steven took me to the Portland Trailblazer game
Got to see Michael Jordan! If you look at the picture below, he is 3 over to the right from the man in the grey jacket standing on the corner of the court(under the budweiser sign)
That to me was the highlight of the game.

January 28th, 2011 Clear Creek Middle School had a Winterball Dance at night for 7th and 8th grade students. Maddy and her friends had been looking forward to this since before Christmas. They all went dress & shoe shopping together. We lucked out and found this dress for under $10. so she got new shoes too. She let me curl her hair and put make-up on her. What a treat for me!!!

Her friends all got together before the dance and had pizza and a photo shoot

I don't think any of them actually danced with any boys. Oh to be 12/13 again!

Mexico in January!

2011-01-31T12:06:00.000-08:00

Steven and I were very fortunate to get to take a 5 day 4 night trip to Puerto Vallarta Mexico, January 10th -14th. Thanks his his Mother,AKA Grandma Judy, for taking the week off of work and taking care of our children and their busy schedule. We greatly appreciate and love you MOM!!!

Getting to Mexico was easy travel. We had a 2 1/2 layover in LAX, we passed the time celebrity spotting. We saw Avril Lavigne, and P Diddy! I scoped out the gate that seems to be for the elite...

Awhhh.. the beautiful warm weather. Leaving home it was in the low 30's and forcasted for freezing rain/snow.

ABC Supply company sponsored this trip for all the roofing companies on the west coast. So there were around 300+ of us on this all inclusive trip. The first night we arrived they had a meet and greet dinner out on the beach. AMAZING!!! Also happened to be the night of the BCS Championship game Oregon vs Auburn. They had a huge screen set up pool side facing the beach to watch the big game. It was nothing short of spectacular of course except for the unfortunate loss to Auburn :(
This is how we passed the time... relaxing at the beach.
Then Steven spontaneously decided to kayak. Yeah fun if you know HOW to kayak
(I quickly learned not once but twice that I DONNOT know how) I also learned that when ocean kayaking it is good to be in a kayak with someone that is close to the same weight as you. paddling out into 5+ foot waves when the 100 lb person is in in front hitting the waves first and the 200+ lb. person is in back = flip kayak over on top of you!!!
Steven assured me that someday I will laugh at this..... everyone on shore already was. aside from a huge bump on my head, a scraped up back and knee it was a great experience.
Oh, we never made it out.. so I still have not officially kyaked in the ocean.
Next day... hung out at the resort... took in the warm sunshine.

The sunset each night was absolutely gorgeous!!

each night just before sunset they would release 100 baby turtles. they let us hold one before the release, but the release never happened. Too many birds swarming over head and they had to cancel the release.

They had some of the most amazing shells at the resort

on Thursday we decided to take a cab into town to do some souvenier shopping. Now that was quite an experience. The cars have zero suspension and the roads are made of cobble stone... it seems there is not really any traffic laws there either... I am thankful we made it there and back alive. A little sick to our stomachs but alive.

These were a few of the construction workers on lunch break.. they were so kind to offer for us to join them... They put hot sauce on all of their food.

When we got back to the resort we hung at the beach until it was time to get ready for the farewell Dinner party

The Dreams Resort was just that... a Dream

They made the bar out of ice for the party... it was so cool

They served a delicious 4 course dinner, had authentic Mexican entertainment, a live band and dancing. After the party we walked around the resort.. they had bananas growing all around the grounds.

This is the view to the north from our room

This is the view to the south

This sweet lady is Maria, her and her sister make these beautiful dresses (The orange dress is one of them, I am wearing in the sunset picture above) She was such a delight to talk with each day as she walked up and down the beach each day. I bought 3 dresses from her to take back for a few of my girls.

Our last breakfast on the beach. The food at all of the restaurants here were amazing. The staff were so friendly and the whole experience was unforgettable.

We checked out of our room before noon but the bus to the airport wasn't until 2:30pm so we hung at the beach under the palms

Steven checked in with work and enjoyed a mango daquiri (virgin of course)Me, this was probably my 15th virgin daquiri of the week... I tried every flavor and was never dissappointed. They were so good at keeping your drinks refilled... endless

So that was the last thing I ate (drank) for the day.... We figured we would eat something at the airport since our flight wasn't until 5:30pm....

Yes, we look very happy and rejuvenated from a week of nothing but 80 degree weather and relaxing by the beach. Little did we know that our travels home would deminish all of that and bring the stress level back up.

We stood in the check in line at the Mexico Airport for the full 2+ hours..only to move 15 feet and be told we were too late for our flight. Then they proceed to go through our luggage right there at the check in counter.. piece by piece... everything lifted up and displayed for all to see. They were so kind to hold the plane for us, as we run to get on it and then it sits on the run way for 45 minutes due to our load being over weight and they have to readjust the luggage to meet weight requirements. When finally in the air, Steven and I opted out on purchasing their in flight meal, we figured we had another 2 hour layover at LAX and would grab something then.

We arrive at LAX, late, and others land early, then customs losses power and their server, with over 3,000 people speaking several different languages all trying to get thru customs. It was a nightmare!!! Well it took us the whole 2 hours to get thru customs only to have to run up stairs then back down 2 flights of stairs and switch terminals to go thru security again... in which I apparently look like a terrorist because they put me in a plexi glass holding cell that I must say reaked of stinky feet, and call for a bomb residue swab! SAY WHAT??!!! Yes, we are already late for our connecting flight, I HAVE NOT eaten (which anyone who knows me, knows I get a little irratable when I have not eaten) then I stand in this cell for 10 minutes, only to be swabbed down for bomb residue... the run the cloth they wiped me down with through a computer to read the findings. Shocker... no bomb residue.

Steven and I are the last ones on the plane and did i mention that on all 4 of our flights we were not seated next to each other... so again, we are apart.. I am exhausted (from only getting 2 hours of sleep the night before) very hungry and a bit irritated after being held in a smelling cell. So at this point Steven says lets just pay the $6 bucks for the in flight meal. GUESS what? There is no in flight meal.... good thing I had a couple granola bars in my bag. Our plane doesn't land until midnight.

Aside from the traumatic travels home, it was a very amazing time. Puerto Vallarta is Beautiful. It was so great to leave behind our cold winter weather and bask in warmth and sunshine.

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY MADELYNN!

2011-01-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

Maddy turned 13 on Sunday January 23rd! It's official, another teenager in the house!

Maddy is such a joy to have in our home. She is devious and loves to pull pranks but is she also the first one to give me loves and snuggle up. I LOVE that about her.For her birthday she gets to choose what we have for meals. Breakfast, Dad made french toast. For lunch it was chicken quesadillas and dinner.....LASAGNA! Cake, CHOCOLATE of course! ( She had basketball practice too, so I took chocolate cupcakes to her team)
When it came to her gift she kept telling me that there is only one thing she wanted! A ticket to go to Hawaii this summer. I got her a CHI hairstyling iron and her own brush instead. With 4 girls with long hair, waiting their turn to use my iron is time consuming. Maddy has done well doing her own hair so I figured she was old enough to have her own and take care of it.(fingers crossed) As for the brush... Syd seems to break all of the brushes with her thick hair, can never have enough of those around.

Being that her Birthday landed on a Sunday, the tradition of taking the Birthday girl to lunch had to be pushed to Monday. Which worked out well. The Middle school had no school so her Friend Maddy Huff hung for the day with us. Panda Express and some shopping at Pacsun's clearance rack! Found Maddy a cute dress for her school dance this Friday for under $10 and for that price she got new shoes too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY & I LOVE YOU MADDY!!!!!

Presidential Academic Awards!

2011-01-25T09:16:00.000-08:00

At Clear Creek Middle School they continue with their tradition of honoring students for their academic achievements. Based on their current grades, state test scores and combine it with their previous 3 trimesters they recieve: Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals.

Madelynn recieved another Gold medal. She has maintained her 4.0 GPA and exceeded on all of the state tests. I am proud of how well she manages her school work along with her busy sport schedule. She is currently playing on The Gresham Community Basketball 8th grade team as well as the 7th grade team. And starting this week she is also on the YMCA Competitive team for her school as well. (along with her year round softball ) Maddy is a very focused and determined young lady.Here are a few of her friends that also recieved awards: Next to Madelynn is Madison Halberg, Madison Huff and Delaney Jackson.
This is Sydnees first academic achievement award. She earned the Bronze medal. Sydnee currently has a 3.8 GPA and has wiggled her way comfortably into the 6th grade. She as well is a very determined young lady and works hard in all of her classes.
Sydnee made the 6th Grade basketball team at her school and we are looking forward to watching her play!

Here are a few of Sydnees friends that also recieved an award.

Halloween 2010

2010-11-17T13:50:00.000-08:00

Every year Gresham Town Fair and Gresham Station have trick or treating for the kids. The local merchants dress up and hand out candy and other goodies. It has been a tradition to take the kids . This year it was on Friday the 29th from 3-5pm and so it was just Presley that got to go. She felt lost without all the others. Maddy and Syd dont get home until 4pm and Syd has a Volleyball game at 6pm so I had to take Presley right at 3pm so there was enough time before Cole was done with Football. The weather was perfect. Sunshine and mild temp of 68* Fingers crossed it lasts until the big night of Trick or Treating. She makes a cute Bat!!!
Pumpkin carving time, while the older 3 went to a haunted house Syd and Presley carved the only 2 pumpkins i got this year.

Presley picked the biggest one... it was too heavy for her to lift before she gutted it out.

It was so nice, They did it all by them selves. I just set them up and they did the rest.

All lit up on Halloween

Cole was sad that I did not get him a pumpkin so Syd was nice enough to let him carve a face on the other side of hers

A 2 sided jack-o'-lantern... nice to have, no matter which direction you are coming from you could see it

Presley

Okay.. before I go on. I had told the kids that I was not spending any $$ on costumes this year. They had to use what we have and be creative. Syd picked out this shirt at the Duck store and decided to be a Duck fan.

I love her face in this picture!!

It turned out to be in her benefit. She got twice the amount of candy! Alot of Duck fans out there!!

I painted Ducks across her forehead and put O's on her cheeks..

I know it looks like she is making a triangle but it is supoose to be an "O" ( and that is what she is saying in the other picture)

Maddy wore one of Cole's older Football jerseys and the pants.. well i found those at Ross last summer for $1.99... yes... adidas football pants for $1.99 ,Makes a great costume!

Sierra wore Coles game day football pants and his other older jersey, and her friends Savanah and Cassie wore Coles game day jerseys...

The weather did not disappoint. It was absolutely perfect! No rain, No wind, No cold... just right!

Couldn't ask for a better night to be out getting loads of candy!

Family lunch @ Fuddruckers

2010-11-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

Saturday October 30th, after Syd's Volleyball game we drove over to Lake Oswego to eat at Fuddrucker's. Now this is the only one in the Portland area and it is not exactly close. Back in August on our way home from a day at the Beach we stopped in and ate dinner. The Burgers were sooo good that it was worth driving across town for their fabulous Burgers.

This is the best I could do to get the whole family in the picture.Syd and Sierra patiently waiting for their burgers
Presley, Maddy and Steven sippin' their sodas waiting..

Cole got a strawberry milkshake... He was afraid to go play video games in fear of someone drinking it while he was gone...

So as a joke I poured it in another cup and had Sierra pretend to drink it all.

(he did not find humor in this)

I did! And that's all that matters!!!

After eating we stopped at the Duck Store in Down town and then went home and watched the game!!! GO DUCKS!!!

Junior Varsity Football Season Ends

2010-11-16T13:35:00.000-08:00

The Gresham JV Football team had a strong season. They played a tough schedule. Starting with 3 out of league games against the toughest teams. Winning 2 of them and lossing the 3rd by a point after kick. Then in the Mt. Hood conference our boys won 4, tied one, and for their final game of the season came up short by 1 point. They played Centennial at Centennial and in the final play of the game Gresham went for the win with the 2 point conversion , in the hands and out... rain didn't help.. their field was a mosh pit.

Cole does not like me to take pictures of him... but I insisted, it was the last game day and I had not gotten any pictures of him wearing his jersey... He looks beyond thrilled huh.

Here is the team picture. They had their awards ceremony last week and The coaches call each of them up and talk about them. They had only praises to say about the JV team and are very optimistic about the strength they will bring to the Varsity level next year.
Already looking forward to it!

Syd's 6th Grade Volleyball Season

2010-11-16T13:10:00.000-08:00

November 6th was Syd's last game. Their team played 9 games this season against 3 other schools. They started the season with a win and finished with 8 straight losses. It was discouraging to the girls to continually loss but they still managed to have some fun. Sydnee and the coaches daughter, Candace, were the only 2 girls with any prior experience. The rest of the 8 girls made huge improvements especially by the last game, being able to serve the ball over the net. Here is a few pictures of some of Syd's biggest fans.

Dad Sierra
Grandma Judy, (even Cole)

The Team

Out of Order and backwards!

2010-11-13T11:29:00.000-08:00

I decided to post events from the most recent and work my way back . I know this is not the correct way to do it but I was so far behind and I really wanted to post Presley's Birthday. So my apologies for things being backwards... I hope to finish the rest of my postings later today but no guarantees. For now.. there is Maddy's Volleyball tournament, Sierra's XC awards and Presley's Birthday. Coming soon is Syd's Volleyball, Cole's last football game, A family lunch at Fuddruckers and Halloween.

Clear Creek 7th grade Volleyball Champions!

2010-11-13T10:42:00.000-08:00

Saturday November 6th, 2010. An early start.. warm ups 8am at Walt Morey MS. The girls Believe they can win this tournament and remain undefeated!Coming into the tournament Clear Creek is 10 and 0. A perfect season...

Our girls blinged up for the tourny... they all had their hair in side ponies( if u know my Maddy, she ALWAYS has her hair in braids for ALL sporting events... she was relunctant but agreed) Trisha made them matching hair ribbons, Mary's mom made them sparkly head bands, and they wore long socks to complete the look!
Bring it!!!

They played Alice Ott the first game, won easily
Serving was exceptional...

Maddy is the main setter for her team... she did not disappoint

Played Dexter McCarty for the semi-final game.. it was a well matched up game, we won 25-19, and 25-21.

And no one can jump like Maddy and dink the ball over the net!

so fun to watch!

Grandma Judy was there for the championship game vs. West Orient MS. We were all on the edge of our seats... it went down to the 3rd game... we won the 1st 25-18, lost the 2nd 23-25 and won the 3rd 15-7

Maddy jumped up at the net and spiked the winning point at an angle across the court, it really was so awesome!

The team from left to right: Kaitlyn, Maddie Huff, Mary, Brooke, Elizabeth, Kayla, Maddy L., Maddi P. , Maddie Halberg and Coach Trisha Huff!

A little shout out for Trisha.. she is amazing! So patient with the girls and she just knows how to utilize the girls strengths and put a line up that is unbeatable!

Thanks Trisha for your time as the best Coach!

(my Maddy and her Maddie are also lucky enough to have her as one of their awesome softball coaches too!)

XC Awards Banquet Nov. 9th , 2010

2010-11-13T10:17:00.000-08:00

I actually took the video camera to Sierra's award banquet so I asked Steven To take pictures with the digital. I was so impressed with what I found on the camera that I had to share.

Presley found it amusing when she noticed all of the random pictures he was taking. I was clueless for most of the time.

This is about when I realize he is taking way too many pics and not of what he was asked to take them of. His finger.... REALLY!

Shoes... back of our heads...

Presley and Maddy's shoe's (Maddy needs new boots)

Oh here is a good one.

Yes, take a picture of your daughter getting her awards. Recieving her Varsity letter.Or better yet, get her picking her teeth

Picking her nose, (not really, but it looks like it)

Steven, I love you! You are simply Amazing! ( I am smiling inside ,really)

Sierra recieved an honorable mention from the Mt. hood Conference District Meet for finishing in the top 20.

Presley's 9th Birthday!

2010-11-13T09:48:00.000-08:00

Happy 9th Birthday Presley!Presley, my baby, is not a baby any more. She still has the same round cheeks she was born with. Oh how I love them too!!

I love to make each of my children's birthday special. Knowing that we had Sierra's XC awards banquet that evening, I decided to get Presley out of school at lunch time and take her to Red Robin. She was thrilled. She loved the attention as the staff sang to her and she got her birthday sundae.
Then instead of taking her back to school, we took her to see the movie MegaMind. She did not mind that at all!

She wanted me to decorate her cake like the bag of skittles(her fav candy)

She loved opening her gifts... she had been looking forward to it all day.

Grandma Judy gave her the newest bop-it toy.. you bounce a ball on it and it counts how many times you do it consecutively. (A big hit with all the kids)

A couple weeks ago Presley saw a R/C car at the store and really wanted me to buy it for her right then. I told her to add it to her Birthday list. She honestly reminded me everyday to go buy that R/C car. She was more than excited when she opened it. She has already drove it off the ledge upstairs and it crashed landed downstairs. It doesn't work as well as it did but she has not complained. I Love you Presley!!!

Mt. Hood Conference District XC Meet

2010-10-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

The day has arrived. Very fortunate that the weather took a break from the wind and rain for the day. Still cool, 56 degrees with high clouds. Sierra was sooooo nervous for this day.

The meet was held at Centennial High School. I had to pay $6 per adult and $4 per child to see my daughter run. It was totally worth it!

Gresham Varsity XC Girls: Haley, Kennedy, Sierra, Diana, Hannah, Moriah & Laura
They introduced each runner before the race

The sound of the gun... all 45 Varsity girls from 7 schools take off

Sierra kept a good pace.. clearly ahead of her personal best

She sprinted the last 100 yards...

As her Mommy, I couldn't be more proud! Sierra ran so hard, she threw up after her race. Nerves probably had something to do with it too.

Sierra ran it in 21:08!!!! She came in 17th over all and 3rd from Gresham. They take the top 2 teams to State. They combine the place that the top 5 runners from each school come in, to get the score.

St. Mary's took 1st place- 23 pts

Barlow High School took 2nd place - 75 pts

Gresham took 3rd place - 76 pts....

Can you believe it we lost out by 1 point!!! 1 stinkin' point! Soooo disheartening. To add to the disappointment, the 8th girl that had ran Varsity all season (A freshman) ran the JV race and ran it in 21:54.. her time was faster than 3 of the upper class that ran Varsity. With her time we would have taken 2nd place by 3 points and would be going to state.

I suppose at this point there is always next year!

Again, I just want to say How proud I am of Sierra and her continuing improvement throughout the season! It has been so much fun to watch!

My Sierra and her world!

2010-10-22T16:32:00.000-07:00

Nike Pre-Nationals Invite @ Portland Meadows Sept. 25th, 2010

A beautiful sunny day. A little too warm to run in though. Over 3000 participants in this meet. 350 in Sierra's 11th and 12th grade Varsity Race She was hot and exhausted when she finished. Grandpa Lindhorst was right there for a shoulder to lean on
A few of Sierra's fans that came to cheer her on
Syd, Maddy, Presley, her Daddy, Grandma Judy and Cole
I hung up our snuggies to get a little shade for the team

Saturday October 2nd, 2010 Gresham hosted the meet at Rooster Rock State Park along the Columbia River Gorge

There were 12 teams at this meet. Sierra ran so well.

Getting more aggressive in passing other runners

Here is a group picture of all the JV and V Gresham Girls

The Varsity girls took 3rd place with their combined places!! Woo hoo!! Sierra came in 3rd from her team. Set another personal record of 23:08

Third Place! Dang!!

Westlinn XC Meet Oct. 6th, 2010

5 teams at this meet

This is one of those meets where the girls literally run into the woods and then reappear after 10 minutes. Sierra said a chipmunk ran in front of her on the trail. It was very narrow and made it difficult to pass when in the wooded area

Here she is coming out of the woods and her coach Kylee Hutchins(in the black to the right) telling her to go catch the girls in front of her

And she did just that she finished in 15th place over all, 2nd for her team with her new personal best time of 22:37

I am soooooo proud of her!!!

From what all of the coaches say this is one of the hardest courses to run! And she PR'ed!!

Sierra and Cassie!
Wednesday October 13th, 2010

Field trip to Pioneer Courhouse Square

A class trip to observe society for an Anthropology Report

took the Max

Downtown Portland has some interesting art....???

It was a gorgeous fall day full of sunshine

Then that afternoon Sierra had a XC meet at Fernhill Park in portland hosted by Central Catholic High School

I love her Coach kylee.. she is right there cheering for the girls and telling them to go pass the girl in front of them. Great motivation!

Sierra was lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa Merrill here to see her run. Grandpa took a picture of her on every corner and turn... well almost every one.. he missed a couple

Sierra tied her person best at this meet.. despite her left spike coming untied at the beginning of the race and having to run the whole 5k with it untied.

Sydnee's Volleyball Game

I gave my camera to Sierra and asked her to take pictures, this is one of them

Monday October 18th, already time for Grandma and Grandpas visit to end. Sierra walked in the door just as we were headed to the airport. I snapped one last picture

XC Meet @ Barlow High School 10/20/10

It is only one week before the District meet and their coaches do not want any injuries so she had them run together as a team for the first 2 miles of the course then finish strong the last mile. Surprisingly they all had decent times... Sierra still ran it in 23:26. poor girl has huge blisters on the arch of her feet and caluses on her toes and even a missing toenail. Her feet are pretty beat up to say the least.
As her parents we couldn't be more proud of her!!!

Yeah.. still sunny and 70 degrees and october 3/4 over!

LOVE IT!!

Faces of Cole (when we can get 'em)

2010-10-22T15:44:00.000-07:00

Cole is a difficult kid to get a picture of. If he actually looks at the camera he pulls a face. As you will see in most of these photos.Example #2
his back is too me so he doesn't mind me taking a picture. He is doing his Parade wave to all that are watching as we go by.
This is Cole with Morgan Benson. Sierra and her group got together at our house before going to Homecoming(Cole did not go) however he decided to do a muscle pose... random.

I will take any picture I can get of Cole, it is not easy.. Steven took these with the telephoto lens. He had no idea

Here he is cheering for Sierra at her XC meet @ Rooster Rock

Cole on offense. Gresham vs Reynolds a win 33-6

Cole running the ball. Cole averages about 15 yds a carry

Gresham current record for 2010 season is 5 wins, 1 tie, and 2 losses

their toughest loss was to Central Catholic last week. They played under the lights at Hilsboro Stadium. Grandma and Grandpa Merrill were here for that game. Cole was upset that they lost. He refused to get a picture with them after the game. He played a great defensive game. in this picture below he is making a dive tackle on #30

So the next day at Syd's Volleyball game I had Sierra take pictures. She got a couple of him

example #3

This is about the best I can get of him at Maddy's softball games

Oh here is another of him that he had no clue was taken

This is what i usually get when I try to get one of him!

THE HAND

So I made him a deal! He wanted a blizzard from DQ, I agreed to TCBY! He had to sit by me and get his picture taken without pulling a face.(BTW we are at Barlow High school cheering for Sierra at her XC meet)

By looking at him it appears that it is torture!

Dang I love this kid! He better! I bought him a triple scoop waffle cone!

Cole on kick off for their game against Barlow

This game ended in a tie 21-21 unfortunately they do not go into overtime for JV because varsity soccer has games immediately afterwards on their field.

Coles #1 fan! Presley. She talked her daddy into buying her a cup of hot chocolate at the game.

Coles other #1 fans MOM and DAD! one game left of a great season!

Life with Maddy!!!

2010-10-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

Group picture at The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island A few of the Lindhorst Cousins and their cousins The Bradshaws. We came straight from Maddy's softball games. We only had about 15 minutes to hang before we had to get Syd back for outdoor school. Our whole group rode the cows, Maddy rode "Alfalfa"
Maddy's Team "Riptide" had their annual Applebee's Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser. Always a fun one!
Her 7th grade Volleyball Team: from left to right; Elizabeth, Maddie Huff, Maddy P., Maddy L.,Mary, Maddy H., Kayla & Kaitlyn
They have played 6 games thus far. They are currently undefeated!!! The teams they have played: Alice Ott, Damascus, West Orient, Gordon Russell, Ron Russell and Dexter McCarty. Maddy serving the ball .

Grandma Merrill and Grandpa were able to come to one of Maddys games while they were visiting.

And they were able to watch Maddy's last 2 softball games of the season. I had to put this picture in. It is Maddie Huff tagging a girl out that was trying to steal 2nd base. The umpire called her safe! This picture says otherwise.

Maddy did well during the Fall season. Her team lost their opening game that was at 8am and it was 42 degrees outside... they played the same team again at 10:30am and won by a considerable margin. It had warmed up and so had the girls. They continued to win all the rest of their games. finishing the fall season in the 12A bracket @ 7 wins and 1 loss.

One of the Team Mom's made scrapbooks for each of them.. compiled with pictures that Steven had taken through out the year at all of their tournaments. Which they took home 2 first place trophies in the gold bracket, 1 first place in the silver bracket, 2 second place trophies in the gold bracket and 1 third place trophy in the gold bracket. out of 8 tournaments. Not too bad for a first year 12b team. They will be playing as a 12A/B team this year and playing in a few 14U tournaments.

Group picture after the games!

We all got a little sun.. sitting in it for 4 plus hours will do it.

Maddy had the most going on while Grandma and Grandpa visited. Thanks for coming to all of the kids activities!

Sydnee's Happenings in the past few weeks!

2010-10-22T12:48:00.000-07:00

Sydnee has had alot going on the past few weeks. Quick trip to Sauvie Island to ride the cow train with cousins, only to rush back to get to the School to head to Outdoor School for the week.Sydnee with a couple of her friends, Shakayla and Shianne before they boarded the bus headed to Camp "Marijuana " (Arrah Wanna)
Here is a couple more friends, (I am not certain on names, I think one is Angie?)
Then 5 days later, the bus returns! We missed our Syd. It was very quiet at our house while she was away.

I was sooo happy to have my Syd back! I love my Syd! Sad that she never recieved the letter I sent her :( I made sure I sent it before she left so she would get it while she was there. I spent almost an hour on her letter... made it all colorful with markers and decorated it with starbursts! And it broke my heart when she said she was the only person that didn't get a letter from her parents. Dang U.S. Postal Service! Not very reliable!

First Volley ball game the day she got back from camp. They actually won their first games vs Dexter McCarty!!

Their coach has them stand in this position... they look more like they are ready to wrestle rather than return a volley?? LOL

Grandpa & Grandma Merrill got to see two of Syd's games while they were here.

Sitting with them at Madelynn's softball games

And a final goodbye before they headed home.

Sydnee has Volleyball games every Friday night and Saturday afternoon thru the first week in November. Go Wild Cats!!

life with Presley in the last month!

2010-10-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

Presley being the youngest gets dragged all over the place! She LOVES getting to hang with her cousin Elise, so any opportunity we can squeeze in 15 minutes for them to "hang" we do. Sunday Oct. 3rd.. after Maddy's softball games we had just enough time to meet up with the cousins at Sauvie Island at the Pumpkin Patch, take a group picture and ride the cow train, which was exactly 15 minutes...then rush to get Syd to Outdoor School.Elise, Presley and Brielle
Presley rode Spotty

Presley really enjoys art. She has been drawing all of the Disney characters, just by looking at the picture. No tracing. She is doing remarkable!

Presley With Grandma & Grandpa Merrill, Sydnee & Cole @ Sierra's XC Meet.

Maddy, Steven, Presley, Grandma & Grandpa at Sydnee's Volleyball Game

Presley & Grandpa Merrill cheering for Maddy at her Volleyball game

Presley pouting as you can see by the look on her face. Saying her goodbyes before Grandma and Grandpa head for the airport to fly back to Arizona.

Riptide vs Sluggers

2010-09-24T14:04:00.000-07:00

Presley is becoming quite the photographer! Us watching Maddy's softball games
I know you can't see it but Steve is wearing a Riptide t-shirt also. Team Spirit!!! Go Riptide!
Maddy thinkin' bout stealin' home... If you look closely Maddy has a few worn holes in her favorite pants! on her knee and bum from sliding... she does wear sliding shorts and says she will wear these pants until the holes are too big. I laugh only because she has another pair of pants that still have the tags on them but refuses to wear them... I am sure by the time they finish fall games she will have no other choice.
Riptide wins both games 11-1 & 13-2 over the Chehalis Sluggers

Gresham JV Football

2010-09-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

Going back to last weeks game, Thursday Sept. 16th, We traveled down to Kaiser, Oregon. It is near Salem, 70 miles from our house. Gresham played McNary High School. We got there 3 minutes til game time and noticed a line to get into the stadium. Can you believe they charge $3 a person for JV games and Freshmen games too! I was glad i had put a $10 in my pocket. The weather was ideal. 73 degrees @ 6pm start time and by the end of the game is was 68. Gresham played an amazing game. They won 22 to 0. Cole got to run the ball for one down and gained 26yds. (He mostly played defense.)
Cole and one of his team mates, Sawyer. Telling him good run Cole!

fist pump!!!

Now the hour drive home at 9pm on a school night. This is going to be the earliest football night so far. (the last 2 weeks it has been 10:30 and 11pm)

Gresham vs Clackamas @ Gresham! 9/23/10

say what? A home game! What is that? And it starts at 4pm! wow! We might actually get to sit down as a family and have a meal tonight!

Presley took this picture of us in the stands!(@ half time)

in picture: George Fornos(Dad to Dylan #56) Grandpa Don, DeLona, Maddy, Steven, Grandma Judy, and Presley

Syd took this one!

and I took this one! (after the game)

Thanks Grandma Judy and Grandpa Don for coming to the game!

Gresham wins! 21-6

Cole had a great defensive game!

Notice the snuggie... Steven is wearing one backwards and Syd is holding the other! Thanks again Rachelle! The Snuggies are a big hit and a great conversational piece! Everyone asks where we got them! I smile and say my sister made them!!! She's amazing!!!

Gresham XC 3 Meets in the last week!

2010-09-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, I had a bit of a problem uploading my pictures in the right order so I apologize that I started with her most recent meet and went backwards. I do backwards better than forward.. anyone who knows me can attest to that.

The most recent meet was Wednesday Sept. 22nd @ Centennial High School against 5 other schools. It was an absolutely gorgeous day! A few clouds with sunshine 68 degrees! (yay! no rain!)This is the Varsity girls doing their prelim warm up. Notice their smiles... and probably Sierra's embarassment... Because Cole was loudly cheering them on proudly wearing the Gopher snuggie! Which my amazing Sister Rachelle made!! Holler!!! She is so totally awesome!
Sierra ran her best race yet.. she dropped even more time off. She sprinted the last 100 yds and finished with her best time of 23:25

Sydnee hooked her up with her water right after her race. awwhhh hydration!

And her daddies favorite part.. the hug of exhaustion and satisfaction!

Saturday Sept 18th we drove to Salem, to Willamette University for the Saxon invite. Sierra's race was first, and she was glad because it hadn't started raining yet.

and I do mean yet...

We cheered for her on the sidelines sporting the amazing snuggies Rachelle made!

Steven motivating Sierra to pass the girl infront of her

Again.. Daddies favorite part, the hug! Sierra ran this 5K in 23:59!

Sierra and Cassie after their races... eating PB&J posing as Bond girls!

Wednesday Sept. 15th XC meet @ Clackamas Community College in Oregon City

a three district meet... in the rain :(

Had to put this photo in of Presley and Cole, notice the shoes! Twinners!

They cheered Sierra on and kept her going! In the rain! Sierra's time 24:04

We love big umbrellas! In the rain!

Sierra we are so proud of you and your endurance. It is amazing to watch you run and improve your time each meet! We love you! Keep up the hard work!!

12A Fall Ball @ Delta Park 9/12/10

2010-09-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

To add to our already eventful week and lack of sleep, Maddy's team had their first 2 games of the fall season. game times: 8:30am and 10:30am. The Riptide team has had a long history of not playing well early in the morning. It was obvious as they lost their first game 3-17. They played the same team for the second game and won 9-2. Grandma Judy came and cheered for Maddy! Such a treat!
Presley and Sydnee loved getting to sit by Grandma in the bleachers! Thanks for coming Grandma and for taking Presleys pants home and mending the seam.

Maddy played 2nd base the first game and she did her part.. nothing past her and caught everything in the air that came her way. She played shortstop the 2nd game and again caught everything in the air even if it wasn't her way.. she went for it and made a few amazing catches. Maddy is so much fun to watch. She runs so stinkin' fast around the bases. She has the most stolen bases and runs scored on her team.

Marist Invite @ Alton Baker Park 9/11/10

2010-09-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

Sierra's first cross country meet. She had to be at the school before 6:30am for the 2 hour drive to Eugene. The park is on the University of Oregon's campus.Syd giving her a good luck hug before her race. Sierra was so nervous that she hardly ate anything. I was so worried about her collapsing from hunger.
I was so proud of her... she ran so well. There were over 140 Varsity girls and Sierra came in 55th with a time of 24:11( I am pretty sure they got her time mixed up with her teamate 23:57)

She was very tired after running 5K. The GreshamVarsity Girls took 7th place out of 17 teams.

Cassie and Sierra

McDonald's was our only option for food on the way home... not the best choice, but when you're hungry.. even McDonald's sounds good.

After 2 nights of late activities.. Thurs Cole's football game, we didn't get home until after 10:30pm, then the Concert on Friday we got home at 1am. Steven was too tired to drive so I did. I had Sierra take a picture of him sleeping. I bet he will think twice before asking me to drive again. Scarry thing is i had had less sleep than him.. thank goodness for a Dr. Pepper and the girls playng loud music to keep me going.

We got home about 4pm.. long day but so much fun! Good job Sierra, and all of Gresham's XC team!

SURPRISE!!! Brad Paisley H2O Concert Tour! 9/10/10

2010-09-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

Thursday evening Steven asked me to go out on a date with him Friday night. I naturally said Yes! I asked what we were doing and he said it was a surprise. So I asked what should I wear? He told me we were doubling with Mike and Krista and that we were going to be outside and to wear something nice but bring jacket for when it cools off. Before he told me to wear something nice I was thinking we were going paintballing. So by Friday early afternoon I had guessed a concert at The Clark County Amphitheater but had no idea who?

I was beyond estatic when he told me Brad Paisley, and Darius Rucker! Justin Moore opened the H2O concert.... If He looks short in this picture, it's cause he is!
Darius Rucker.. formerly known as" Hootie" & the Blow Fish! He is an amzing talent. His songs have such great meaning and he sings them with such passion.

Oh did I mention we were 7th row!!!!! It really was just spectacular!

Brad Paisley! He is such a good person. He really puts on a great concert!

He brings his humor to the stage and real life and makes great music. His talent on the guitar is amazing!

We were entertained not only by the performers but also by the drunken spectators... I can't speak for everyone else but as for me.. I had a blast!!! And I was genuinely surprised!

Thanks Babe for the awesome night out with you! And Thanks Mike and Krista for getting the tickets and inviting us!

Football and Cross Country!

2010-09-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

Gresham was not able to hold on for the win last night. They had some great defensive plays... holding Glencoe on the 1 yd line for 4 downs! Way to go Gresham Defense! Final score Gresham 15 Glencoe 26

(BTW Cole is #21 with the White helmet)

Can you say VARSITY baby!!!!

Wednesday the cross country team held time trials to see who would be varsity and JV! Sierra did very well... I think she surprised herself! I am soooo proud of you sweetie! Go get 'em tomorrow!!!

Sisters Weekend In Vegas!

2010-09-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

So my sisters and I decided it was about time we hooked up and hung out with out our everyday life worries.. so we met up in Fabulous Las Vegas!Our first picture on the strip!

We were so excited that our elevator was pink that we forgot to hit our floor button and went all the way to the top. LOL come to find out all the elevators are pink...
Saw Donny!!

Went to The Cirque De Soleil Viva Elvis! What can I say... it was fabulous!

Awhhhh.. Elvis!

The strip is dirty=dirty feet

especially when you walk barefoot!

Hung out at the pool!

Got pooped on by a bird... its a curse!

Okay I swear I cropped this picture... oh well.. sorry

Angelene on the phone...again..

Did I mention we stayed at The Flamingo.. it was in the middle of the strip.

Ate dinner at Planet Hollywood and loved their color changing Disco Ball!

It was cheaper to buy a large cookie personalized than it was to get small cookies.

It was a great way to commemorate our weekend!

Attempted to reel in something at Margaritaville Restaurant

Angelene And Chelle super models on the strip

Our final walk down the strip until its off to the airport

Our final picture in the airport before we parted ways and I had to go to one end of the the terminal.

Thanks Angelene and Rachelle for the best weekend! I love you both so much and it meant alot to me that we got together!

p.s. I am also thankful for the intoxicated people that got kicked off the airplane and thus I was able to get on and come home!

Back To School!

2010-09-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well here it is... time for the kids to go back to school and I am further behind than ever on my blog. My intentions are to post these first day of school 2010 pictures then do a medley of pics from our busy summer. Presley is in Mrs. Seltzer's 3rd grade class! She has absolutely loved her first few days of school!
Sydnee is in the 6th grade this year. She is on team Sharks at Clear Creek Middle School. So far it has been nothing but smiles and excitement. ( Her team will be attending outdoor school in a couple weeks and she came from the first day of school and said, " Mom, our team gets to go to camp Marijuana" She was close.. it's called Camp Arrah Wannah) :)
Syd is on the 6th grade volleyball team!
Madelynn is in the 7th grade this year, still on team Explorer @ CCMS. Maddy is playing fast pitch softball and their first fallball game is this weekend! Go Riptide! She is also on the school volleyball team.

Cole is a sophomore this year @ Gresham High, He is playing on the JV Football team.. they had their season opener last week against Sunset High and won 29-27. Their 2nd game is tonight vs Glencoe High... Go Gophers!!

Sierra is a Junior this year and is taking all IB(international Bachalorette) classes.. she has a tough schedule ahead of her but she is amazing.. I know she will have a great year. Sierra is also running Cross Country this year... her first meet is this saturday in Eugene. Go Sierra!!

Cole!!

2010-07-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

Cole just finished his Freshman year at Gresham High School. He is in honors classes and did well. Cole also likes to stay busy doing fun stuff! Not so much into the whole chore thing! He got his stitches out the first day of no school.
This picture is a little blurry, sorry, he would not hold still for the picture. But they put strips on it because it was not quite healed and they chose to remove the stitches to minimize the scaring from them.

He is playing on the high school Summer team. That is cole at 3rd base...

They had a Wooden Bat Tournament at Barlow High, Friday night game they won, Cole is playing Center Field. We parked behind the field and sat in the back of our truck to watch the game.

Now in this Game Cole is playing left field.

It was actually a pretty warm weekend. In the 80's.

Sierra brought her friend Cassie.

They were able to get some sun at the same time as they "watched" the games

The kids all played kick ball in the park !

From left: Sydnee, Cole, Devlynn(on coles shoulders), Maddy, Sierra, Presley and Charmaine

Let the games begin!!!!

Madelynn Elsie!!

2010-07-08T14:57:00.000-07:00

Madelynn survived her first year in Middle School. She averaged 97% in all of her classes and has a 4.0 GPA. Madelynn was the only 6th grader and 1 of 7 students from a student body of over 800 (consisting of 6-8th grades) that earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. This is no small task. It consists of everything from running the mile in a certain time, a certain amount of sit-ups, push-ups, the sit and reach and more. She was pretty excited that she earned it! It was one of her personal goals for the year. Way to go Maddy! YAY!! Schools out for Summer!

Maddy has plenty to keep her busy. Softball, a basketball camp and girls camp all in the first few weeks of summer! She likes to stay busy. (with fun stuff, not cleaning house or doing chores)

Summer Sizzler to Drizzler -dash- Father's Day Classic

2010-07-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

The Summer Sizzler Softball Tournament @ North Clackamas June 5-6th, 2010

Saturday was a warm day upper 70's. It was gorgeous! The Riptide played 3 games. won the first game easily, lost the 2nd game by 2 runs, then won the 3rd game against the Mojo Angels 3-2. It was a phenomenal game! From the games we went to a good friends Luau Birthday Party.The family!
This is after their 3rd game against the Mojos (the girls have friends on that team)

Then Sunday the weather turned to drizzle, and rain and just plain nasty. They moved the games to the Turf fields. Riptide finished in 9th place in the gold bracket. The only comfort that came from that was the win against the Mojos, that ended up taking 2nd place.

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy ever!!! New ball caps, always a good gift. T-shirts, and a new watch. Love you Steven! You are the best!

The Riptide had another tournament that weekend "The Father's Day Classic"

@ Wilsonville High School (Turf Fields)

The girls put together a goody bag for their daddies!

Riptide went undefeated and took First place in the Gold Bracket! They only allowed 5 runs scored all games combined, and they scored 49 runs total!
The team recieved their tallest trophy this season and each of the girls got their own! The team Dads all agree that this was the best Father's Day gift!

Sydnee!!

2010-06-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

Sydnee's last day at Highland Elementary. Next year she will be in the 6th grade at Clear Creek Middle School! Sydnee received 4 awards for her academics in Reading, Math and Science. She improved all of her scores on the state tests and met or exceeded in each area. Math she improved more than 7 points and was honored for that! Sydnee had a fabulous 5th grade year in Ms. Johnson's class.
The last day of school the 5th graders got to walk to Skateworld for their end of school year field trip. As you can see the weather was not so lovely!
Maddy did not have school that day due to Parent Teacher Conferences so she joined us on the field trip.

Aren't they cute with their skates on!!

Their favorite part.. getting an icee!

I took a lot of pictures of the girls skating and they were getting mad at me for doing so. I just can't help it!

The first day of no school! Yay, the sun came out!!!

Sydnee bought a cruiser and a helmet with her birthday money! I think she will have a blast riding it around this summer!

The unfortunate part is now she is the only one with a bike. All of the others are in need of a new tire tube or a seat. Sydnee likes to have someone right beside her doing things or it is no fun! I will have to check craigs list for any cheap cruisers for sale!!

Presley!!

2010-06-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

So school has been out for 2 weeks now for Presley. This is a picture of her the first day of summer! Presley had a great 2nd grade year. Her teachers Mrs. Heath and Ms. Conan were awesome! Presley excelled in all of her school work. She received 4 medals for the Math club and also a certificate for reading more than 90% of the school year! She excited to have a fun summer before she starts the 3rd grade.Had to throw this one in of her at the parade wearing a pair of Sierra's shades!

The Rose Festival Parade June 12th, 2010

2010-06-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

Thank you Grandma Judy for taking all of the kids to the parade! They loved it! Sierra looks forward to it every year! This is one thing she does not complain about getting up early on a Saturday for! Their cousin Brady, came up from Arizona and spent the weekend with Grandma and hung with everyone at the parade!Sierra also brought a friend, Cassie, in this photo is: Sierra, Brady, Maddy, Cassie, Cole, Sydnee and Presley on the Burnside bridge.
Ta dah!!!

They had fun with the chalk....

all of my kids came home a bit kissed by the sun, which finally decided to make a full on appearance. I failed to put sunscreen on them and they all paid the price.

Thanks again Grandma! We love you and we had sooo much fun!!!!!

Shoulda Been at Football Practice!

2010-06-10T10:28:00.000-07:00

So Tuesday June 8th, starts like most any other day....Cole asks if he can go riding at the MX Track after school. I ask him if he has completed all of his microtypes for his Bridges class. He sadly tells me not quite. So I tell him he needs to stay after school and finish them. He relunctantly agrees. I also told him that after that he needs to go to Football practice. They are already conditioning every day after school. Well 2:23pm arrives and Cole calls me. Mom I completed my microtypes during lunch can I please go riding at the Track... I told him no that he neded to go to football because I was going to be helping Sierra make a pinata for one of her class projects. He relunctantly said.. OKAY! Well then 5 minutes later he calls me back and says he doesn't feel like going to Football today, and he will go tomorrow. I battled with him to stay and he said his stomach was still not feeling 100%. (he had a 24 hour stomach flu the day before) By this time Sierra was already home so he walked home. While Sierra and I dipped strips of torn newspaper into the flour and water mixture, Cole got out his motorcycle in the back yard. He got on it, started it up.. reved the motor a few times, then turned it off. The next thing I hear is "That's Disgusting!" I looked at Sierra and we both asked him "what's disgusting?"

See, we were up on the deck and he was down below and we could not quite see what had happened. I went down the stairs and I see blood dripping down his leg. As I get closer i am realizing how deep it is. I had him sit down, he wanted to go in and shower.. insisting that it was not that bad! UHHHH, no buddy.. I am calling your Dad. As Cole sat there and looked at it he became very pale and more sick to his stomach. I told him to not look at it.
As I am looking at it, I am thinking "where is the skin?" It appears to be missing!
After calling Steven, I called the Pediatrician. They told me to bring him right in.

We got to the Pediatricians office by 4:30pm, they got him right in.

I asked the Dr. what that chunk was hanging out on the left, he said "fatty tissue, looks like we found the only fat he has in his body!" His Doctor came right in and after tugging at what skin was left he then sent us right over the ER

So here we are now in the Legacy Mt. Hood Emergency Room. They got Cole in a room with in 15 minutes. I looked at the clock and it is now 5:30pm. I was commenting on how quick they got him in a room and Steven says "I waited 3 more hours from the time they put me in a room!" I was like ohhhh.... well I guess we have some waiting time. No more than 2 minutes later in walked the Doctor!

A couple different nurses came in and cleaned and flushed out the wound with alot of liquid, preped it for the Doctor! The Doctor, Dr. Samuel Richard had him all stitched up before 6:40pm! The nurses were so nice and witty! Dr. Richard was a very kind man.I think it all went pretty quickly considering!

Here it is all stitched up. BTW I did video the Dr. stitching him up. During which I did get a bit queezy and had to sit down for a bit. All of that tugging and pulling got to me. He had to cut out 2 chunks of dead skin and really had to pull the remaining skin down to meet up with the other side. So The Dr. put 3 stitches inside the wound and then 10 on the outside! A total of 13 stitches!

If you look at it from a different angle it is in the shape of a "C" I told Cole I should use a sharpie and write the rest of his name!

Wednesday morning I was cleaning it and getting ready to redress it before he went to school and you can see the bruising around it now.

After he went to school, I decided to go look at his Motorcycle foot peg and see if any of his missing skin was on it! Sure enough, there it was! So, since I have a backwards brain, I am realizing I never did say exactly what he had done. His motorcycle is tall and heavy and has no kickstand, so when he goes to get off (usually wearing the proper riding gear and boots) he holds onto the handle bars then jumps off to one side so when he comes down all of his weight is going down. He happened to catch the side of his leg on the foot peg. can I just say OUCH!!!

The weather forcast around here has not been to kind, but they are predicting 80's for this weekend. Perfect for riding on the MX Track! But The Doctor said absolutely no sports or extra caricular physical activities for 2 weeks! OUCH!! AGAIN! He has already been scheming on how he can go riding this saturday. "MOM, I promise I will put on the shin guards and wear all of the extra pads that go in my riding gear!" Cole just doesn't realize that that is not enough. All of that stuff will rub against his stitches and further irritate it or make it worse. I feel just terrible that this freak accident happened. But if he would have listened to me in the first place he would have been at Football practice and not home playing with his bike! Tough Love! Gotta admire that he thinks he is invincible!

Wednesday May 26th to Wednesday June 2nd, 2010

2010-06-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

So Finally we had the proper papers and documents and Cole received his Driver's Permit!! Woop Woop! He even looks happy!!So I let him drive home! I have to say I was a bit nervous but he drove very well. He is very verbal at reading signs and talking about his surroundings. Great Job Cole!!
Sierra came home with an award for Exceeding on the Oaks State Math Test! Way to go Sierra! This is no small task... I am very proud of her and her academics!

Wednesday Evening for Young Women's, I was on my own ( meaning no other leaders) So I taught the girls how to make cinnamon rolls.

The girls did a great job rolling them out. I was very impressed!

While they were raising the girls got their groove on! Madison Taylor brought her iPod and dock and they had a good time. After they came out of the oven they frosted them with Cream cheese frosting! If you look at Madison she made a mustache with the frosting.
The aroma filled the building and we had many visitors coming in asking for a cinnamon roll. The girls were very generous and shared. I have to say I was just so impressed how well they did!

Thursday May 27th, Sydnee's 5th grade class was chosen to draw abstract art on the walls at the Aspen Highland Park directly next to the school. They were interviewed by the local news channels about the graffitti problems that have plagued the park for years. Surveys show that if the walls have art, they are far less likely to be vandalized or tagged with graffitti. They each got to draw their own design.

With all of the rain that we have had, it has been difficult to get to work on the project. Thursday the weather was dry long enough for them to start on their paint.
This is Sydnee's design... an abstract elephant. I am Looking forward to seeing the finish art! If the stinkin' rain would stop!!!

Friday May 28th, Road trip to The Coast!

As soon as I got all of the other kids off to school, Maddy and I rode with Steven to check on a few jobs he has going on in Astoria, Warrenton and Seaside.

Steven wasn't feeling too great.. thanks to me for giving him my cold. (sorry) So he ask us to ride along too keep him company. Maddy didn't have school and was not too excited to spend her day off in a truck.

It is not even 9 am and Steven is already snacking on Cheezits.. nice teeth ey!

Maddy and I entertained ourselves with whatever we could find in the truck. Safety glasses photo session... aren't we hot! (me not)

We finally arrive in Astoria.. it has been raining on us the whole drive.. no fun!

This town is a very pretty place to visit, especially when the sun is shinning.
This is the Bridge that connects Astoria, Oregon to Ilwaco, Washington. It is right at the mouth of the Columbia River where it meets the Pacific Ocean. It is just beautiful. Today... not so much. Wet and gloomy.

After Steven checked on the job in Warrenton, he treated us to Dairy Queen.

What's DQ with out a Blizzard!

His next stop was the Job Corps in Astoria, while we were waiting in the truck a deer came up grazing on the grass.

It was almost 6:30 pm by the time we got back home. It was a long day in the Truck. Thanks Maddy for giving up your day off and riding with us. :)
Saturday May 29th, 2010 Memorial Weekend Tournament in Newberg, Oregon

Our Riptide Girls came and played hard! They won both their games on Saturday and won their Pool, which placed them in the Gold Bracket for Sundays games.
Being that it is a Holiday Weekend a couple of our Maddies were gone so we only had 2 there. Maddie Huff and Maddy Lindhorst! The 2 rock stars!!

Sierra came for the donuts. Not really but it was a good incentive!
Presley loves to wear Maddy's sweatshirt at the games. It's a bit big on her but I think that is why she like it so much!

Maddy is lead batter so she always starts off with a drag bunt. On Sunday during their 2nd game it was 3rd inning and Maddy Hit a triple with 2 girls on base, double RBI and then in the 5th inning she hit a double with 2 girls on base, again a double RBI. They played the Dragon Flys from Battle Ground, WA. A second year 12U team that had up to this game, gone undefeated and shut out all other teams in their past 3 tournaments. We won 9 to 6!!She batted 1000 this tournament. Way to go Maddy!

The weather could not make up its mind. We were thinking that the Tounament was going to be cancelled because it rained so much Friday and it was still drizzling Saturday Morning... but somehow Newberg managed to not get it so bad and games started on time. The fields were a bit muddy for the first game but dried out as the day went on.

By Sunday it was sunny and warm.... Sierra staying hydrated between games.
And well rested too!

The Weather however did not hold out for the girls 3rd game, which happened to be for the Championship. Up to this point the girls had gone undefeated and played amazing! The rain came in and they played in the drizzle. we all got under umbrellas and cheered for our girls to hold on for the win. They ended up taking 2nd Place! Pretty dang good for a 1st year 12U team! They lost 4 to 7, but they played their hearts out and left it all on the field.

Hey being #2 is pretty dang great!!! It was a fun weekend and a blast to watch the Riptide girls play so well.

Tuesday June 1st, 2010

Well here it is... Cole finally got to take his bike to the track. After school he called me and asked if they had cancelled the track for the day yet... I said nope not yet... but it is starting to rain. He still wanted to go. After 4 hours this is what he came back looking like.....

He said it was all worth it! His riding gear went straight into the wash... his bike, well he got the big chunks of mud off. He only went down 3 times. The track was a big mosh pit. He said the ruts were like sink holes... but still worth it!

Wednesday June 2nd, 2010 The Mathletes reward Field trip to the Bowling Alley!!!

Presley worked so hard all year long on extra math packets and earned medals for her achievements. All of the students that received at least 4 medals were rewarded with A field trip to the Bowling Alley. I had 8 students in my group.

Presley loves to bowl!!!

For lunch we ate pizza and pop!

Here is my group of 2nd graders

Nardeen, Monica, Presley, Sierra, Angel, Andrew, Pablo & Gerald!

They were all exceptional bowlers with the bumpers on. Presley got a couple strikes and so did a couple of the other kids.. their excitement is so fun to watch! I had a great time Bowling and I know they sure did! I would have to say that that was the noisiest Bus ride I have ever been on. They let the kids pick what soda they wanted for lunch and most of the boys chose Mt. Dew. I tried to encourage them to chose a different kind but they had their minds made up. The one little girl Nardeen had her hands over her ears the whole ride back to the school because it was way too loud for her.

5th Grade Science Fair

2010-05-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 25th, 2010 The 5th Grade Science Fair at Highland Elementary School. Sydnee chose "Does Rust affect the Power of a Magnet?" She spent several weeks doing her research. Since we have had a very wet spring, pretty much everything that has been left outside had some form of rust on it. This made it easy for her to find items to use for her project. Her Hypothesis was that she thought rust would affect the power of attraction. That it would not be as strong. She concluded that she was wrong. Rust does not affect the power of a magnet. Only the north and south pole of the magnet affected its power of attraction. Each student had to make their posters at school with no at home help. She seemed pleased with her end result. Tonight when we enter the School, all 120 5th graders will have their displays set up in a circle around the room. They were told that the top 8 projects will be moved to the center table with either a ribbon or a medal placed on it. This is Christine Johnson, Sydnee's Teacher. She is a wonderful mentor. She has been so positive and encouraging for Sydnee this school year. I have really seen Sydnee blossom with confidence.
It was priceless! We entered the cafeteria where all of the projects were set up and Sydnee went over to where she had set hers up and it was not there. She then looked at the center table and saw hers there with a medal on it! She squeeled with excitement. It brought me to tears. I was so proud of her.

Sydnee had worked so hard on this project and had spent so much time doing all of the research and to see her finished display that she did all on her own, just flooded me with emotions of happiness for her. She gleamed all evening as parents and families came and honored all of the students and their efforts. It was a great evening!!! Great job Sydnee! I am so proud of you!

Happy 15th Birthday Cole!!

2010-05-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

Happy 15th Birthday Cole!! This year for his birthday he chose to go riding at Mt. View MX Track. So for the past few weeks that is what he has been looking forward too! It's written in bold letters on the calendar! Saturday May 22nd, Cole Riding @ Mt. View MX Track 9am-4pm! The day came and so did the rain :( The Track closed due to too much rain!) It was a sad soggy day. I had been sick for a few days and still feeling not so great so I hadn't even gone shopping for his gift. For the past month he had been showing me exactly what he wanted online and bookmarking them on the computer. Well the computer had more than a few glitches over the past couple weeks and then got a severe virus that shut it down completely. So I did not even have that to go on. In my mind I figured I could run down to the Yamaha Sports Plaza down the street and find it there. Well, we went on saturday afternoon and nothing :( Strike 2) By now I am feeling like a pretty rotten Mom. His birthday is tomorrow on a Sunday which means over 3 hours of it spent at Church. (Real fun for a 15 year old) I mean don't get me wrong, church is a good thing but up to this point everything Cole had chosen for his Birthday has failed. Well I had at least found enough energy to make his favorite cake. White cake with Whipped Cream filling and Strawberries. He cut his own piece of cake....

At least he left 3/4 of it for the rest of us.
He chose pizza for dinner.

Saturday after striking out at the Yamaha store we came home and he went on the other computer and pulled up what he wanted. I ordered it for him. This is what he chose, new riding gear. It should arrive by next Thursday. only 4 days late. sorry Cole.

Monday came and to try to make up for my failures I picked him up at school and took him to Carl's Jr. for lunch.

He chose Carl's Jr. because their burgers are huge

And he Loves their real strawberry milkshakes!

It also had to be someplace close to the school. He only had 30 minutes for lunch.

After school I picked him up and we headed to the DMV. Yes, to take the test for his Driver's Permit. He had been looking forward to this for basically his whole life and wouldn't you know it his birthday was on a Sunday so he had to wait a whole other day to go. Well this is where it gets even worse... Cole panics when he has to wait to take a test. The DMV was busy and we had about a 45 minute wait for his number to be called. By this time I should have known to just wait and come back tomorrow. Well we get a lady in training to help us and help is the wrong word. She did not help at all. Jumping ahead... we had to come back the next day. Okay Day 2 at the DMV. The wait is just as long only this time we get a veteran lady that is not nice at all. Mean and nasty is what she was! Tells us all the things that the lady in training did wrong, and failed to inform us, and that he is still going to have to come back tomorrow. Cole passed his test 98% woo hoo... so today is day 3. After school today I am going to pick him up along with the required signed proof of enrollment paper from the schools office and he can finally receive his Driver's Permit that he should have gotten 2 days ago!

I tell ya, when it rains it pours! And by the way, it is still pouring outside!

Cole Happy Birthday. From the day you were born you have brought nothing but happiness to our family. You are a gift. You have so many talents and the ability to accomplish anything. I love you more than I have words to express.

2 Baseball games, a birthday and a Field trip

2010-05-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

Monday May 17th, Happy Birthday to my Father-in-law, Don! We owe you a special day!

Gresham played Central Catholic at Sckavone Field in Milwaukie. It was a great game. Unfortunately Gresham couldn't hold on to win the game. final score 12-14. Cole scooped a ball in right field and through the runner out at first base. sweetness! Made the team cupcakes for their last game of the season
Wednesday May 19th, 2010 Cannon Beach Field trip with Maddy's 6th grade class. I got to go on a field trip with Madelynn. Thanks to my parents for managing the other kids so I could be at the school by 7:15am.

My group: Maddy P.,Maddy H. Delaney, Maddy L. Maddie S. Brooke & Maddie H.
Yes, 5 Maddy's a Delaney and a Brooke

They only had one bus to squeeze 50 students and 15 adults on. So one of the Teachers drove and 4 of us chaparones rode with her. The drive to the coast was beautiful. The sky was blue, the temperature mild and winds calm.

As we got closer to the coast.. it got grayer and more gloomy. but that did not stop the girls from having FUN!!!

We went to observe the low tides at Haystack rock.

us at

Haystack rock.

Maddy touching an anemone that is out of water.

It pretty much rained on us the entire time. We were all soaked. On the way back the bus stopped at Camp 18 . The students got to get out and look around the gift shop and dry off a bit.

Time to head back

We got back to the school about an hour early so we picked up ice-cream sandwiches for all of the kids. The weather got worse as we got back home. Heavy winds had knocked down power lines. The school lost power. Getting home took extra long because the power was out at the intersection also. We were so exhausted.

Thursday May 20th, 2010. The time has come to say good bye to Grandma & Grandpa Merrill. We feel very blessed and fortunate that they were able to come and be a part of our daily activites for the last 10 days. 5 baseball games, 6 softball games, 1 track meet and a birthday.

Heavy rain, wind and Hail escorted us to the Airport.

The hail came down so hard and fast that it was piling up on the windshield

Meanwhile...

G-ma & G-pa enjoyed the ride. Because they know that 100+ degree weather is waiting for them when they land back in Arizona. Thanks again for sharing ten days with our family! We love you!

Sydnee Rock's Eleven!

2010-05-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

Tuesday May 18th, Sydnee Brooke is Eleven! Happy Birthday Sydnee! She has been looking forward to this day for basically whole year. So excited that her Grandma & Grandpa Merrill are here to share it with her.Since Cole had a baseball game yesterday and another one tonight. I took Sydnee out of school at lunch time and took her to Quizno's.
Then we went shopping. She decided to try on some high heels in her size! She sweetly made the comment "How do you even walk in these things?"

She got a new comforter for her bed. and matching sheets.

Syd with Grandma Merrill

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa for the card and $$

Thanks Grandpa Lindhorst for the card and more $$$

For dinner Sydnee picked Red Robin!

Sista's

The crew!!!

Hey, Cole is actually looking at the camera and smiling! Happy Day!!!
The best part about going to Red Robin! They sang Happy Birthday to Syd and she got an Ice-cream sundae and balloons!

Happy Birthday Sydnee. I love you soooo much! Best wishes for the next 365 days!

Vancouver 12U Tournament May 15-16th, 2010

2010-05-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

After 2 long warm days at the softball complex.. Riptide took First Place in their bracket. Saturday we were at the park from 7am till after 7pm. Played 4 games. lost the first one by 1 run. Won the second game 14-2, won the 3rd game 11-4, and lost the 4th game in an international tie breaker by 1 run. Then Sunday came back and won both games to win first place.We all expected Grandpa to snooze during the games...
Even Presley could not hold out after 10 hours...
But Grandma??? What? Grandma sleeping too?

Nice smiles Steve and Presley!

Maddy's nice leap into home plate

A whole lot going on in between games on saturday. Grandpa this is when you are suppose to nap. hint hint!!

Maddy played catcher for a few innings in a couple of the games.

Syd really enjoyed getting to run the score board.

Grandma using her umbrella to shade herself from the sun.

She was sitting in front of us and opened her umbrella... none of us could see the game so she had to go sit on the other bleachers. :) say cheese!

Sunday after softball games... we came home and barbequed and had a bonfire. It was a gorgeous evening.

The moon was so pretty!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for enduring a long 2 day tournament. 6 softball games in the warm sun. We had a great time and were so glad to have you there with us.

Gresham/Barlow District 6th Grade Track Championship

2010-05-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

Thursday May 13th, 2010 was the Gresham/Barlow School District 6th Grade Championship Track Meet @ Clear Creek Middle School. In attendance was: Clear Creek Middle School, Dexter McCarty Middle School, Gordon Russell Middle School, Damascus Orient, & West Orient Middle School. The weather was absolutely Perfect!

Maddy ran the final leg of the 4X100M relay. They came from behind to take 1st place! other events: 200M: 1st place 29.67 sec.

100M: 1st place 14 sec.

long jump: 1st place 12 ft. 8 in.

After Maddy ran her 100M. sierra quickly took her to her softball practice. The rest of us packed up and headed over to catch the rest of Cole's baseball game that had been going on at the same time as the meet. Gresham played David Douglas and won. We got there just in time to see Cole bat.

Happy Mother's Day May 9th, 2010

2010-05-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Come Sunday Morning I have to say I was spent. Our busy schedule has kept us going non-stop for the past 5 weeks in a row. This was seriously the first day I got to sleep in to 8am! It felt so good! Sydnee was so sweet, she brought me my favorite Blueberry muffin and chocolate milk in bed for breakfast. Such a sweetheart! Sierra went and picked up Maddy from a birthday party sleepover and the rest of the kids got ready for church with out complaints. After 3 hours of meetings we took Grandma Judy to a late lunch at Red Robin. We had a gift certificate and it worked out perfect. No waiting! ( I know that you are all thinking how sinful of us to go on Sunday... well.. I did not have to cook and there was no mess at my house at all! so there!)Then we came back and had Coconut Cream pie for dessert out on our deck. The weather was absolutely gorgeous!
Steven with his Mom Judy, Sydnee, Cole, Sierra, Presley and Maddy

Steven and his Mommy!

The beautiful 2 dozen white and red roses we gave to Judy

Our Family: Maddy, Sierra, Sydnee, Cole, Steven, Presley and Me
Thanks for a wonderful day I love my new purse!

It's pretty awesome having a couple teenage daughters. They know what I like! :)

Judy gave me a beautiful heart teared necklace.. if you look close you can see it on me! I absolutely love it! Thank you Judy!

Presley wrote me this amazing letter inside a card and decorated a box with a picture of her on it filled with hershey's hugs and kisses! I love it!

Sydnee and Presley made me a rose bouquet of hershey kisses at their Acheivement Day activity! YUM!!!
They know i love chocolate!

Cole, again looks just thrilled! He pulled up the sleeves of his shirt to get some sun on the upper part of his arms. Right now he has a 3/4 sleeve tan from his baseball jersey. I asked Cole if he made me a card or wrote me a letter... He stood on the railing of the deck and made a speech instead! It was touching, thank you Cole!

Sierra basking in the sun while it lasts... it seems to only come out on weekends around here.

My Maddy... enjoying all of it!

Neopolitan Legs!

After 30 minutes sitting in the sun Sierra's legs were Pink, She is the strawberry! Sydnee sat in the shade so she is still a nice shade of vanilla! And mine have seen a bit more sun than there's.. chocolate!

Thank you to my sweet husband that does so much for me! I love you and had a wonderful Mother's Day. To all of children... You are the best! I am so blessed to have all of you in my life. You each make me a better person.

To my Mom's, Sharlene and Judy! I love you and hope you both had a great day!

And to all of my sister's , sister-in-laws, friends, Aunties and Grandma's I hope this day was special for you too!

Cheers to all the Mother's in the world!

Youth Temple Trip May 8, 2010

2010-05-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 8th, 2010 Our ward took the youth to the Portland Temple to do baptism's for the Dead. We got the late time slot. Traffic was horrible getting there. We barely made it there in time for our session. What normally takes 35 minutes took us an hour.I snapped a picture of the girls before we went in because I knew after it would be dark out.
We only had 3 girls attend. Kiara, Sierra and Madison. Next to her is Shelli Acton

Me with the girls.

Sierra and I... it kinda looks like we are posing for our engagement picture. We look ridiculous. Our large bags... ya think we would have set them down for the picture. We were a bit pressed for time.

We had 6 YM attend and another Sister in the ward also did the baptisms.

Brody,Lance,Sierra,Kiara,Madison & Shelli

Back row: Ryan, Kari,Cole, Morgan and me.

We waited and waited for the other leaders in cluding our Bishop to come out but they went out the other side and by then they had left. So we did not get a picture of our whole group :(

GHS vs DDHS May 10th, 2010

2010-05-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

Monday May 10th, 2010. My parents flew in from AZ. to visit for 10 days. First event is attending Cole's Baseball game against David Douglas high school. Gresham played a great game. Cole got 2 great hits. His first time up to bat he cracked inbetween 1st and second base and right past the right fielder. One of Gresham's Coaches was not there so no on was coaching first base to tell him to go to second.. he ran thru and realized the ball was way out in the fiels he then turned and took second... He couk=ld have easily gotten a triple out of it. He held up at second.
They tried to pick him off. He must have dove back to second base 5 times before he finally stole 3rd.

They tried to pick him off at 3rd too.. but he finally stole home

His second time up to bat he hit it between 3rd base and shortstop and got a single. Both his hits were RBI's. He never had a ball hit to him in the field. No body did for that matter. Our pitcher struck most of them out or they hit the ball just in the in field and easy outs.

It was a great game. (Cole got walked his 3rd time up to bat.)
Grandma And Grandpa Merrill trying to stay warm.

It was a bit cool out. Especially since they just came from 97 degrees and our high that day was 56!

Presley looks so cute in Grandpa's hat!

After the game Sierra and Grandma were trying to pose on the bleachers

Syd taking the pictures of Grandma loosing her balance

Here is a pose she could manage

Sierra and Syd!

LOVE IT!!!

Syd's shades are upside down.. special!

Friday May 7th, 2010 Baseball game in Sandy

2010-05-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

Friday Gresham played a practice game against Sandy High School. The same team they had played 3 times this week. Cole had a good game. He got a single off a nice bunt.
Cole played right field. Several balls were hit out to him.

He caught every one!

Thank goodness!

It had rained the night before and the ground was still wet in areas. There was a steep hill to come down to get to the field and Presley was running. Her feet went right out from under her and she slid down on her bumm. She was none to happy. It knocked the wind out of her.

It was hard not to laugh, it looked so comical but she was in tears so I had to refrain. Sydnee however did not. She laughed and laughed. That didn't go over well with Presley.

Thank goodness for spray and wash and oxy-clean!

Thursday May 6th, 2010 Maddy's 4th Track Meet

2010-05-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

On Thursday May 6th, Maddy had her 4th track meet. As you can see the sun actually came out and it was a gorgeous afternoon. Perfect for a Track Meet.Maddy ran the final leg of the 4X100M relay. They took 1st!

200M: 30.2 sec. 1st place

100M: 14 sec. 1st place

long jump: 13 ft. 1 in. 1st place

We all enjoyed watching her compete.
Maddy hung with us inbetween her events!

Sierra had my camera for a bit... this is a few pics I found!

Peace Bra!!!

Thumbs up!

Okay, They were teasing Syd that she was a bully, then Presley came up and they started teasing her that she was a bully too. Presley Did not take that well at all. She ran off pouting! When she saw me take a picture of her she ran and bulled me down. LOL

Sitting in the grass at the school there were weeds growing up thru the grass. Syd starts picking them and asks if it is wheat. I decided to take a picture of her wheat and she tried grabbing it from me before I could. Syd comes up with the most comical things. I just love that girl!

Portland Air National Guard Tour

2010-05-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

For our joint activity Wednesday night we took the youth to The Portland Air National Guard. Thanks to Bro. Haner having connections and hooking us up. What an experience to get to go inside the hangars and see where they work on the engines that power the F-15's. We learned that each of the engines are valued at an estimated $1.2 million dollars. And there are 2 engines on each F-15. Oh my!!!Our tour was guided by Master Sergeant Brockman. He went into detail of the genetics of the engines and the power each one has.
Our Young Women and Young Men were very intuitive and asked alot of questions.
We were going to be going out on the Tarmac and the temperature outside was about 44 degrees so we had the youth bring jackets to stay warm. Well we were in the hangars for awhile first so they began to shed their layers and of course when they do this they want someone else to hold their stuff. Being that Myself and Jo-Lynn, my 1st councilor had kids there naturally they come to us to dump their stuff off with. Jo-Lynn's daughter was first to bring her heavy coat for her mommy to hold. After about 10 minutes Jo-Lynn commented on how heavy it was and I stated how my daughter brought her large bag in and was surprised she hadn't asked me to hold it yet. I look over at her and she does not have her bag. Puzzled I began to look around to see where she put it.

This is where I found it. She had asked the YM's President Jared Mueller to hold it for her. He even posed for a picture. What a nice guy and a good sport.
Next we got to go out on the Flight Line to watch 3 of the F-15's take off.

Master Sergeant Brockman gave each person ear plugs and off we went.

We got to see how they do all of the routine checks on the jets before they go up. They spare no little detail.

Maddy out on the tarmac waiting to see them take off.

Sierra, Macie, Maddy (in the background is Nick and Travis)

We also got to see the cockpit of the F-15

What an amazing piece of equipment, everything at the fingertip of the pilot. The F-15 carries 30,000 lbs of fuel. Shoots rounds of 940 bullets in less than 10 seconds and the bullets weigh approximately 1 lb. each. We were given so much information in such a short amount of time that I cannot remember all of it.

The only picture that I have gotten of Cole in forever. This guy just won't let me take his picture.

Macie, Sierra and Maddy in the Hangar
Our Group...

from front left: Caleb, Lance, Laurissa, Maddy, Me & Heidi

2nd row: Morgan, Brianna, Travis, Nick, Madison, Madison, Macie, Sierra, Jo-Lynn, Kiara

top row: Bishop McGill, Cole, Jeremy Frey, Master Sergeant Brockman, Don Haner, Jared Mueller, Kelvin Brown & Cavan Dover

Thanks again to Don Haner for arranging this tour. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Maddy's academics get her the Gold

2010-05-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

At Clear Creek Middle School the Principal has always honored the students that do well on their state testing and class GPA. There are three levels of awards. Bronze; awarded to those who improved their state testing scores and their GPA by .5 and having at least a 2.5 GPA, and no more than 2 office referrals. Silver; meeting state testing scores and maintaining a 3.5 GPA or higher, and no more than 1 office referal. Gold; exceeding the state testing scores in all subjects, maintaining a 3.5 GPA or higher for all grading periods of the school year, and no office referrals.

Maddy has maintained a 4.0 GPA the whole year and exceeded on all her state tests. I am very proud of her and her efforts in the classroom as well as her efforts at home with homework. She is one that does not put off an assignment. As soon as she receives a big project that she has 3-4 weeks to complete she gets it done in the first week. At the beginning of the year she would turn her projects in right away. Unfortunatley she learned from that, that some other students are not always honest and copy your finished project. The Teachers knowing she turned hers in first have given her credit but have warned her that in the future she needs to protect her work from other dishonest students. So since then she has still completed her projects way ahead of schedule but has waitied to turn them in so no one could copy. Here is the principal of Clear Creek Middle school, John koch ( pronounced cook)

On Monday of this week he was announced as the new Gresham High School Principal as of July 1, 2010. So my older 2 will get their old principal back and my younger kids will have to wait and see who will be their principal for the upcoming school year. John Koch is very good with students. He interacts well with them, has a great sense of humor and has possitive advice to give. He was named Oregons Principal of the year in 2008. A very top honor.
Also in the photo, next to my Maddy is Maddie Huff. Happy 12th Birthday! Then Maddie Sheehan, Maddy Halberg and Delaney Jackson. Congrats girls on your academic achievements!

Two 3rd place finishes at 12U Tournaments in Newberg, OR

2010-05-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

Maddy's fastpitch softball team had 2 tournaments back to back. April 24-25th & May 1-2nd, 2010. They finished 3rd both weekends. The girls played well and just came up a few runs short to make it to the championship games. Maddy got to be the first girl to take the trophy home.
Team photo after winning 3rd place!
Starting from the bottom left: Coach Tricia Huff, Sara, Allison, Ashley, Maddy L., Emily, Arika
2nd row: Autumn, Bethaney, Nichole, Maddie H. ,Trisha, Maddie G.
top row: coaches Tom Rombach, Kelly Woodard, Joe Stanfill and Travis Wilson

The girls after winning 3 games in a row on may 1-2nd, scoring 50 runs and only allowing 3 from their opponents. Maddy hit a triple in one of the games and a homerun in the 3rd game.
Steven borrowed his mom's camera and took pictures of the tournaments. over 1000 pictures between the 2 tourneys.

Maddy plays catcher usually about 4-6 innings per tournament. She does a great job of protecting home plate and catching pop up foul balls.

I seriously have not gotten a full face shot picture of Cole for over 6 months. This kid will not look at me. So I have to settle for the side shots.

Presley and Syd actually getting along, trying to stay warm is more like it!

Maddy up to bat. Look in the back ground, you can see Presley, Me, Syd, Sierra (yes, shocker! Sierra actually came to one of Maddy's tournaments) & Cole

Here she is sliding into 3rd base. Maddy is so quick, she has yet to get picked off on a steal!(Steven had just put the camera down when she hit her homerun, so we did not get a picture of that :( bummer)

Maddy made 4 double plays during the April 24-25th tournament. During the game deciding the 3rd place winner we were up 3-2, bottom of the 7th inning. Maddy is playing 2nd base. The opposing team is up to bat, first girl hits a ball to pitcher she throws her out at first but the retarded ump called her safe. Next batter comes up.. hits the ball, it is over first basemans head, Maddy is in a full run... she catches it about 20 feet behind first base, the runner from first is already at 2nd, coach sent her thinking there was no way someone could catch the hit ball. Maddy runs up and steps on first base 2 outs. 3rd batter gets up and hits a line drive right back to our pitcher, Emily, she catches it! Game over!

After a long day of softball games, This is Cole on the drive home( probably from boredom)And Presley! This girl plays so hard at the tournaments. She literally wears herself out playing with a few of the other kids siblings from the team.

I LOVE IT!!

Cole Baseball

2010-05-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a great picture through the fence! I asked Syd to take a picture of Cole batting and that she needed to get up tight to the fence and take it through the slot. Hey, at least it focused in on Cole and not the fence. Cole has played 3 games a week for the past 4 weeks. I have taken very few pictures because when I take out the camera Cole asks me to put it away. So I do because I don't want to make him nervous when he is up to bat. 2 weeks ago during a game aginst Barlow High he took a pitch in the ribs. OUCH! It left the perfect imprint of the ball including the threads on his side. He got to take his base and stole each base all the way home. He scored the only run for Gresham that game. They played in Hood River on April 7th. The town has actually grown in population since Steven lived there back in '86.
Another picture through the fence line by Syd. Cole hit a nice bunt and ran to first base before they even got to the ball. This was during an away game against Sandy High School. Gresham won 6 to 4. Cole played left field and made 2 amazing catches.

We lucked out at this game and did not get rained on. It was sure cold though.

Sydnee and Presley all bundled up and it is April 30th! You would think by now we could be shedding the blankets and heavy jackets.

Cole is the fastest runner on the team, so when one of the pitchers gets on base Cole is the designated runner for them. He has safely stole every base thus far. There is only 3 weeks left of their baseball season. Fingers crossed they get to play today. We have had a mixed bag of weather... hail, heavy rain, sun breaks and high winds 20+ MPH. Game is in Canby, they tend to have better weather down there. I hope so.

Track Meets

2010-05-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

So here it is another 2 1/2 weeks have passed since I have updated my blog. I just can't seem to stay caught up. Maddy Has had 2 more track meets. On April 15th Clear Creek went to Barlow High school to compete against Orient/Damascus. Steven atttended her meet. (I was at Cole's Baseball game) Maddy ran the 4X100M relay. They took 1st place. She ran the 200M in 30.02 seconds and got 1st place. She ran the 100M in 14 seconds and took 1st place. Jumped 12 ft. 5 inches in the long jump and took 1st place. The sun was actually shinning for this meet. YAY!!

So next meet was April 29th, 2010 (they had a bye week) At Floyd Light Middle School. The weather is back to rainy conditions with a few sun breaks. Maddy lucked out, it was not pouring when she did her first 2 jumps. She jumped 11 ft. 10 inches, got 1st place again. Ran the 100M and took 1st

Had to throw these pictures in. That morning she put on my shoes and was walking around the house. She joked about trying to run in them. HA Ha

I think she is much faster in her spikes(track spikes that is)

But she looks HOT!!!

Maddy also ran the 200M and got 1st. It is fun to watch her run! She is posting times faster than most of the 7th and 8th grade girls. Go Maddy!

April Bring NO Showers Tournament!

2010-04-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

Softball Tournament season has begun. The Riptide had their first official tournament this last weekend. They ended in 5th place out of 18 teams in the Gold bracket. Not bad for their season opener. They had a couple incredible games. 11-1 and 10-2. We lucked out with no rain for the weekend. Saturday it was cool and windy but Sunday it was beautiful.

Thanks Grandma Judy for coming to watch Maddy play! Next game is Thursday! Looking forward to it!

Maddy running Track for CCMS

2010-04-14T09:31:00.000-07:00

Madelynn stays very busy. She enjoys all sports. So when it came time for spring track she was all for it. We were a bit hestitant because she is playing tournament softall right too. And there is the conflict of Cole's baseball games. But we let her go ahead. They had their first meet last week against Alice Ott Middle School. The weather started off overcast and cool. It transitioned into heavy hail, then snow then back to rain, cold rain. Then the sun came out. She ran the 100M and took 1st, 200M took 1st, and the 4x100M relay also got 1st.

Here is her relay team. I am not sure of this first girls name on the left, but next is Brenna, Maddy and Elizabeth. CCMS has their 2nd meet today against Damascus/Orient. The weather should be in the low 60's by start time. Maddy is excited to run and not have frozen limbs.

Baseball 2010

2010-04-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Cole is playing baseball this year. It came as quite a surprise to us. We just figured he was going to run track. The day spring sports began he came home and I asked him how track went. He said I didn't go to track I went to baseball tryouts. He made the team. He plays the outfield. right and left field. He has caught every ball that has come out his way. We are enjoying watching his games.

They have 3 games a week on their schedule. Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays. But we live in Oregon. The rain dictates when we actually get to play. So we are learning that if the monday game gets rained out, it gets moved to Tuesday, and if it gets rained out it gets moved to Friday, and if it rains on wednesday or thursday it gets moved to Saturday. Well you get the picture. Basically i have to plan on a game every night of the week. We love it! Baseball is fun to watch. I need to invest in a snuggie for the whole family. It has been cold and breezy so far this season. I am patiently awaiting the warm spring weather.

Sydnee' s week

2010-04-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

Ok so my week has been awsem.Monday was fun I went to school and i got to do the morning announcments. its called D.A.W.G. DAWG RADIO it is a fun thing to do. The next thing I got to do at school was my work.Sometimes it is boring but then it is not. Oh yah I started to do my state reading test. I really want to pass it! then me and my class got to go to music! ya NOT i hate music nobody likes it. Because of our new music teacher Mr.DRUMB he is the meanest teacher i have ever had. i know i am pretty mean but it is true he is mean. He yells at my class for no reason but when the teacher is in the room he dose not yell at us. So he pretty much yells at us 20 four 7. Oh on wednesday at flag seramony when it was over i saw Mr.DRUMB hit a third grader. Tuseday i went to school went to class did morning work went to Mrs.COOKES litercy group worked on litercy on the computer.Then i went back to class then i did testing.Then i dont remember the rest of the day.Ok so now we are on wednesday it was a long day. I went to school then iwent to class then went to flag seramony then went back to class.then me and my class had to pull weed in the planatorium.Then after school I went to coles baseball game in HOOD RIVER. Thats 45 minutes away. So on the way there me and presley wached a movie called sydney white its a good movie. also it is pretty funny.So we get there and we are in hood river so me mom dad and presley walk to the bleachers. So we sit down on the bleachers. and it starts raining. Basicly sprinkleing out but we were fine we had umbrellas.Ok so the game is fineally over and gresham lost and hood river won but they all did good.So after the game was over dad took us to a pizza parlor so we had pizza for dinner it was so good the pizza that dad got was pepperroni with olives. Presley was pouting because she did not get cheese pizza. But she should be thankful that she got something to eat.Oh yah my grandpa is in the hospital and we all hope he feels better.Then we went home and i went to bed.Ok so now we are thurseday and i woke up with a cold i had an eye cold but now it is better.Also i have a stuffy nose and sore throat.So i had to stay home frome school.So i watched t.v. and movies all day so that sucked.Then the next day witch is friday i did not go to schoool becayse i woke up with my toncles swolen so i an writing this.So my mom wanted me to write about my week so i do not get bored the whole day. So this is what is keeping me busy.Ok so thats my week.

2010-04-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

AURGHHHHHHH!!!!

2010-04-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

So Sierra and I spent quite some time yesterday trying to upload a family picture for the cover of our blog.And everytime it turned out like this....too large. It didn't matter if I clicked the button to shrink the picture to fit or try a different picture in hopes it was just that picture. Nope, it still came out too large. It is frustrating and hopefully it soon will be fixed. But for now enjoy looking at Syd and Cole from the shoulders on down.
So a little of what we have been up too. cole is playing baseball this year for Gresham High. He had 3 pre-season games before spring break and one since. This week has been rained out until today. The sun is actually out and we are headed to Hood River for his game this afternoon.
Sierra has been busy with her studies and social life. OHHH to be 16 again. The fun the drama. She went to a birthday party last weekend and dressed up as a 1920's flapper girl. She looked so cute!!! sierra has also been a huge help with picking up her brother and sister from their practices. So many places to be at the same time it is a blessing to have her around to help out. :)
Maddy is playing tournament softball and they had their first pre-season tournament over spring break. Her first tournament is this weekend. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates. She is also running track for Clear Creek Middle School. She has her first meet tomorrow(Thursday) we are excited to see her run. She came home from the first day of track and said she was one of the fastest girls even out of the 7th and 8th graders. So we'll see.

Syd and Presley are busy with school and projects and have been so good about being dragged all over town for softball and baseball games.

Steven is very busy with work. We all pray that this company buy in is successful. His hours will increase, if that is even possible since he already puts in ridiculous amount of hours. But in the long term it should have benefits.

As for myself just keeping up with all of the kids activities and the normal house stuff and my service in the YW's keeps me busy.We have also been receiving blessing for taking meals to the hospital for dear family friends of ours, The Gledhill's. Our friend Jay had just been diagnosed with congenitive heart failure and began taking the meds to regulate it when he suffered a pretty severe stroke. After 23 days in ICU and a couple of long serious surgeries he is now in a specialty hospital on the long journey to recovery. He is doing amazing and we pray for a full recovery. His wife Natalie is a rock. She has been there 24/7 for him and has never given up hope. I admire Natalie so much. Even during this most trying time in her life she is still thinking of others and concerned for their well being. for example, being in the ICU for over 3 weeks she has seen many come and go and the families right along with them. As she sees their difficuly she is quick to go and extend a warm hand and offer assistance in anyway. Not only is her husband in the icu, they have a family business to still run. What a great example she is. We love the Gledhill family dearly and ask all to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Until I find time again to upload a few photos and blog about them, farewell.

Easter At "Grandmother Judith's"

2010-04-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

So Here it is April and once again I find myself WAY behind on my blog. So rather than trying to catch up I will just pick up from this point forward. Easter Sunday also General Conference Sunday, which meant for a less stressful morning. Got to enjoy the morning session talks as I made a pan of rolls. It is nice, Maddy enjoys helping with the rolls so it goes twice as fast! All of the kids helped form rice krispie treats into the shape of eggs and then we dipped them into chocolate then into sprinkes.

Grandmother Judith Hosted and made the rest of the delicious food. It was so nice! Presley loved this chicken that I am looking at. It drops jelly beans from its back end.

Okay so Grandmother Judith printed out a bunch of coloring pages of our own family photos. Pretty cool huh! So after we ate we all sat down and colored a picture. This one here of the family is the one I colored. I used colored pencils and well if you make a mistake it is not erasable. And I messed up on Stevens hair and the more I tried to fix it the more he looked like his Dad. I honestly did not mean to do this. Well he saw it and to get back at me ......
He colored this!

It is actually pretty funny. He made me look a bit older and it looks like I have sunburned eye lids but hey, lets face it if I keep worshiping the sun that is what I will eventually look like. Sierra got the biggest laugh. I am pretty sure she took a picture of it on her phone and sent it out to most of her friends. Now it is on our refridgerator. Ya know, where all the special art goes!

This is what I look like for now.
And Here is all of us with grandmother Judith!

Here is Presley's picture that she colored of me. She at least made me look my age.

This is how much fun Cole had!(He did not want me to take a picture of him)

In this photo is Wally, Sydnee, Grandma Judy & Sierra

Sierra and her Daddy

Presley, Steven and Sydnee coloring

Thanks Mom/Grandma Judy for having us over! We had so much fun!

Basketball 2010

2010-03-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

Well I will begin with Maddy. She played for her school Clear Creek Middle School on the 6th grade team. They had a great season. They won 9 games and lost 1 (by 2pts) Maddy's team had their end of season tournament on Saturday. They won their first game easily which put them in the championship game. This game was intense. they played Gordon Russell Middle School. This is the team they lost one game to during the season. With less than a minute to play we were down by 5. Maddy dribbled down and made an outside shot which put us within 3. Then we got the ball back and Maddy was fouled. She hit one of her baskets at the line. Now down by 2, we get the ball back and they foul one of our girls (also named Maddy) she makes one her baskets on the line. So now we are down by 1. The clock has run down to 11 seconds left. Gordon Rusell has the ball they take it down no basket.. we have it and they foul Maddy (Pearson) she goes to the line. She makes the first basket.. all tied up. She makes the second basket.. we are up by one. They get the ball and my Maddy steals the ball and the clock runs out! The team decided on Sweatshirts with their names on them instead of trophies!
I think that is an awesome trophy!!!

Here's Maddy going up for one of her many layups

layup...Again!
So here is the score board for the championship game. It was a low scoring game but Maddy made 25 of those points! I don't mean to brag but she is amazing! So fun to watch!

The whole team after their big win! They had the team party between games and the coaches said a little something about each of the girls. Maddy was named MVP and averaged 16 points per game. ( We had to send Maddy with a friend because Syd had a game at 10am and presley at 11am. The championship game was at 12pm. (Cole's game got cancelled because they had already set up the chairs for stake conference) Which was a blessing because his game was to be at 11am and Steven volunteered to give other boys rides so they would have enough players.

So Sierra has been one of our drivers to get all 4 of our basketball players to their games. I could not have managed the last 8 weeks without her! Thanks Sierra

She is silly.. I have about 2 dozen pictures of her making faces!

The photographer! Go Dad!!! Thanks for taking all of the action shots!

Presley brought her ball to Syd's Game and would not stop bouncing it.. Steve took care of that!
So we move on to Cole. He is playing for our ward team. I wish sierra was here helping me label these photos. She could describe this photo much better than me.

Cole has a great vertical leap. Too bad the rest of our ward choses to not show up for games. for the last 3 weeks we have had to forfeit and then play using boys from the other ward.

I am proud of you Cole for being dependable and committed to being there.
(Cole keeps telling me he will play for the school next year if I get him a dog) lol

Sydnee BrookeGo Syd! She did so good this year. Great hussle at getting the rebounds! Her team the Sharks had a great season. They only lost one game and it was only by a few points.

Presley aka P. Diddy

Presley had fun this year. She played on a 2nd/3rd grade girls team. The Cheetahs! Presley is quick to run back down the court, and great on defense. She made several baskets in their 9 games. She was so excited for saturdays game because their team party was right afterward and she got her trophy! All Smiles! Thanks Sierra for getting her to her game and taking her to her team Party! ILY

I love this picture.. it looks like she is palming the ball!

Fire And Blood.. (not necessarily in that order)

2010-03-05T14:45:00.000-08:00

So Steven absolutely LOVES fires! To build fires, play with fires and the bigger the flame and the hotter the coals the Better! So for Family Home Evening Steven brought his firepit up on the deck and he built quite the fire! I seriously thought the 8 foot flames with an east wind were going to catch the house on fire. He brought it down a notch or two. I am certain the glares he received from me had nothing to do with that!

So a camp fire is cozy and fun to roast marshmallows and make smores but it comes with a price. The lovely camp fire smell absorbs in not only your clothes but your hair too! Now I am not opposed to sitting around a nice warm fire and chattin' but when I have just washed my hair and it actually turned out good for once I was relunctant to join the family by the fire. I did give in and went out and enjoyed Stevens oh so warm fire. I took a few photos to document the occassion. See his blue coals... the stick he is using to poke at the coals is about 2 feet shorter than when he started.
We all came in after a bit and I tell ya, that camp fire smell really takes hold of everything. Steven kept telling me how good I smelled and to get over it. Until morning...
Steven wakes up sniffing.. pokes me and asks if I smell that. I said smell what? He said it smells like something is burning. He sniffs me and says oh my it is you! I reminded him that just last night he was telling me how amazing I smelled and that he really liked it!!! ( ya know, well enough to use as perfume) Needless to say I had to rewash our bed linens too! Oh my, the things i do for love!!

But isn't it a most awesome fire?

He has asked to build one everynight.. I told him I didn't mind but I wouldn't be joining him. He hasn't built one since.

So I had to throw this in... when I was taking my sister Chelle to the airport 3 1/2 weeks ago I was wearing sandals and tore my toenail back lifting her luggage up on the curb. I quickly flipped the nail back and wrapped it in some tissue I had in my car and drove home. In the 12 minute drive home my sandal and gas pedal were soaked with blood and the throbbing pain was near unbearable. I mean what do you even do for an injury like this?

For 3 weeks it hung on strong to the cuticle..

Finally... it came off! yay!!! I seriously never realized how sensitive a nail bed could be! I walked around with a limp for a couple weeks. I couldn't wear any shoes.. the pressure hurt too bad. But I would do it all again if my sister came to visit again! :)

Really I would!!!!

The Effect of soda pop on Teeth Science Project

2010-03-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

So back before Christmas Break Cole and 2 classmates, Josh and Randy, started a science project for their Honors Science class. Originally Cole took the idea of what happens to a nail if it sits in a can of Coca Cola. Well his teacher declined that and said to use teeth. So these boys began by asking me for any teeth I might just happen to have laying around. Thank goodness the Tooth Fairy had left a few behind. They carefully measured out the exact amount of each of the sodas. They took pictures to document every step. They measured each tooth then put the teeth in. 24 hours later they took the teeth out and took more pictures and measurements. They as I was very alarmed at the discoloring after just one day. Here is a picture of the Mt. Dew tooth before

After... look how yellow the root of the tooth is already!
Here is the A&W Tooth ( ok I hit back space and the before picture disappeared? Has this ever happened to you? I have no idea how to get the picture back without starting all over and yeah... that is not going to happen) Sorry

It is not so bad after one day.

The Squirt Tooth Before...

After... it actually appears to be brighter.

The Coke tooth before.....

After... yikes!!

Pepsi before....

After...

for those of you who know me I LOVE Pepsi! I had no idea that if left sitting on the teeth it did this!
The boys continued this process for 8 days. The Coca Cola tooth is the darkest brown and decay is evident in the root of the tooth. The Pepsi tooth is also a dark brown but slightly less decay. The Mt. Dew tooth is completely bright yellow and decay starting in the root. The A&W tooth was a light brown with little decay and the Squirt tooth remained white and showed no sign of decay. Well this is good news for all of you Squirt and A&W drinkers. As for us Pepsi and coke lovers.... Brushing your teeth immediately after consuming is a marvelous idea!

Oh, back to what I was saying at the beginning. Their Teacher shot down the nail in Coke Thesis and gave them the tooth one. Guess What? Now they can not enter the Science Fair because they used the Human teeth. The Fair would have allowed the nail project. To make things even more frustrating since they cannot be in the Science Fair the best grade they can get and did get is a "B"! This Teacher has really hit some nerves this year! I tell you what... I am finding that Some High School Teachers are on a power trip! It is extremely frustrating. These boys put in several hours and time doing this project and their final Tri-Fold poster board was amazing! They deserve an A on this project!

Sierra's Like Totally Rad 80's Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party!

2010-02-18T15:19:00.000-08:00

So The Theme for Sierra's Sweet 16 Party was A Totally 80's Flashback! I was really impressed that all of her friends came dressed in the Era! I am sure it helped that most of their parents were teens in the 80's! She invited, wait... back up, her friend Savanah handed out the invites for her party! Sierra is a silly girl. She felt awkward handing out her own invites.

(gotta love this girl)

Thank you Savanah for handing them out:)

Sierra is HOT!!!! Move over 80's Madonna!

Cole is sporting his Dad's Mt. View Letterman's jacket and football jersey. "The 80's jock"

Love the "Top Gun" sunglasses!

Danielle put on the "Michael Jackson" Jacket and grabbed the boom box! HOT!!!!!!

Grant and Kadyn bringing the 80's "SHORTS" back! You go boys!!!

Cassie, Sierra, Charmaine, Celena & Nicole

Charmaine, Celena and Nicole Again!

Like totally for sure!!!

Mikayla, Taylor, Grant, Kadyn, Savanah, Cassie, Celena, Macie & Sierra

Michael Jackson AKA Brandon Fast and Madonna AKA Sierra
Seriously, Brandon threw it down on the dance floor.. MJ would have been proud! He won the guys dance off! Totally Awesome Brandon!

So here is Rachelle's posse!!!

Moo-Moo, Young flight, Young Swagg & Jiga-Boii

The Dream of wearing a Hot Guys Lettermans jacket finally came true 20 years later!!!

LOL

See what I mean! HOT!!!!

I know after holding the heavy boom box we are so appreciative of the I-Pod!

Can you believe back in the day we would carry those things around to have music?!

Seriously, I should have posted some of the pictures of the kids trying to hold it at Sierra's party, they were struggling. Not quite sure how to hold it either!

Okay it is well after midnight and the party guests have left... ahhhh.... what a night! Thanks again Rachelle for helping me transform my house into The 80's Party place!

I am still laughing at where we put the love seat.. balancing between the washing machine and the counter across from it! (we had to move the couches to make room for the dance floor!) Dang, I should have put that picture on here!

Well I think that about 40 came to her party. I will consider it a success! Thanks to my Sister Rachelle! I could not have done it with out you! I love you :)

The Dinner before the BIG Surprise!

2010-02-18T13:34:00.000-08:00

So after Sierra passed her driver's test we took her to Red Robin to celebrate! Steven had been keeping a big secret from her for 2 WHOLE months. Well to be honest he told a few people and word got around, but thankfully not back to Sierra or any of the other kids. So to set up the surprise Steven was to meet us at Red Robin because he was in a meeting (believable because lately that seems to be a daily thing) So He drove her present there and parked it on the other side of our Excursion so it was hidden. Meantime we all enjoyed a delicious dinner. Our waitress was very generous and hooked Sierra up with alot of balloons. Maddy, Rachelle, Sierra and Presley
Sierra even let them sing to her! And she got her complimentary ice-cream Sundae.

So now it was time for her to open her present. Steven and I agonized over and over on how to give her her present. This is what we came up with. I found a little die cast convertible BMW at Target ( the night before, I had been looking every where and had no luck) We stuck the key to her car in the box and wrapped it up. I can just only imagine what was going thru her mind when she opened it up. HA Ha nice joke Mom and Dad! well then her Grandpa told her to take it out of the box and the key fell out. She seemed a little puzzled then. Steven tried to play it off that maybe Target was having a big HooRaa that who ever gets the box with a key wins a car. Nice try Dad.. not buying it. Well, I snuck out of the restaurant and put the Big pink Bow on her car and waited with the video camera for them to come out.

I Don't know who was more excited? Sierra or her Daddy?

Sierra I think was in shock! She asked, "When do I have to give it back?" (thinking we rented it for a joke)

I think the best reaction we got from her was when she realized it was a convertible!

Happy Sweet Sixteen Sierra! You deserve nothing but the best!

Then it was cake time! Thanks to everyone that kept the secret and made it an awesome surprise for Sierra!

Funny little side note: Cole got a twinkle in his eye, the sparkle of hope for a car when he turns 16! Rachelle turns to Steven and says so what are you gonna get Cole? Stevens reply, um I got a couple of years to think about that one! UH... no you DON"T! you have 15 months! Now that look on Steven's face was worth a million! lol

Sierra Get's her Driver's License!

2010-02-18T13:02:00.000-08:00

Okay so a little info leading up to this moment. Yes, she is all smiles in the photos below. That was not the case earlier in the day. Let me back up even further. Friday Sierra went and took her written test at the DMV. Happy day she passed! YAY. BUT... Sierra's little sister Syd brought the stomach flu home from school a day earlier. She passed it onto Cole and by Monday Sierra had it. Not good! Her Birthday was in 2 days! It was the first day of the new semester at school and she was already missing classes. We borrowed her Grandpa Lindhorst's PT Cruiser for her to take her drive test in. And she needed to drive it around to get the feel of it and to know where all of the buttons and gagets were on it. I am certain Sierra had lost 10 lbs. from vomiting. ( I know that just sounds gross )but Sierra does not have 10 lbs. to spare. With 2 days of no eating she was weak and still a bit under the weather. Sierra managed to make it to her afternoon classes, thank goodness because I had a big surprise to pick up from the airport that day! Auntie Rachelle! They were all surprised to see her when they got home from school or in Sierra's case when we picked her up. Well she drove the car around that afternoon picking up last minute stuff for her party. She felt better and had the confidence that she needed with Grandpa's car. So this brings me to the Big Day. February 3, 2010. The day had arrived and with it all her anxieties of taking her test. She felt that as long as it was not raining that she would be fine. Well, I arrive to pick her up from school and just then it decides to poor down rain. She did not have an umbrella and was distraught in the 50 feet from the school to the car. Needless to say she was in tears. I managed to calm her in the mile drive to the DMV. She had about 20 minutes until her actual test and thank Heaven it stopped raining. Believe me when I say that this was not the same girl that I picked up from school that day! She was sooo relieved to pass her test her whole persona changed. Huge confidence builder! And she looks gorgeous!( even after the rain)
Here is her "passed" driver's test paper!

Sierra pretending that this is her own car! LOL ( at this time she had no idea what was waiting for her!)

Sierra, I am so proud of you. You are a very safe driver!

Better Late Than Never! Happy 12th Birthday Madelynn!

2010-02-18T12:37:00.000-08:00

Well like I just stated, better late than not at all. Madelynn turned "12" back on January 23rd. I now have 2 daughters in Young Women's with me :) YAY!

With Maddy being involved in many things it was difficult to squeeze in her party. We managed to fit it in on Friday the 22nd right after her softball practice. Then she had to be up early the next morning for a Basketball game. (we don't know how to do life any other way than BUSY) Maddy , her friends and her sisters(they are a packaged deal) played games; scatergories, guestures(Thanks Delaney) the spoon game and a few others. They ate pizza and chips and candy and seemed to have a blast! Thank you to all of her friends that were able to attend. In This photo: starting from the left: Maddie Sheehan, Maddie Huff, Delaney Jackson, Madelynn and Emily Rombach( Yes 3 Maddy's)
In this picture Maddy instigated the others to play with their chocolate cupcake! Madelynn has always enjoyed playing with her food, squeezing it through her fingers, squishing it through her teeth, wearing it all over her face and fingers!
I am a bit disappointed that I do not have more photos of Maddy's party. I delegated the picture taking to Steven and most came out a bit blurry :(
I did get a whole disc of video though :) (YAY ME)
On her actual birthday we took her and the family to Red Robin for dinner and then to see the movie The Tooth Fairy. It was alot of fun! Happy Belated Birthday Madelynn!

Crazy, Busy, Awful Beautiful Life!

2010-02-11T14:18:00.000-08:00

Well I must say that I did not have any idea how crazy, busy life would be as my children hit their teens. First off, we have 2 computers.. Sierra and Cole do the majority of their assignments online in High School. So basically if I do not utilize the time they are at school on the computer I do not get to use the computer. Well unfortunatley other things take priority while they are at school and that puts me back to no computer time. I am soooo far behind on my blog. I feel just awful that I never blogged about Christmas, and New Years and Madelynn's 12th Birthday. And Sierra's sweet 16 Birthday. Right now it is 2:25pm and they will be home in approximately 10 minutes so obviously I will not get anything other than this tutoral posted today.
The 3 younger girls are all playing Basketball right now. Maddy is playing on the 6th grade team for Clear Creek Middle School. Sydnee is playing on a 5th grade YMCA team and Presley 2nd grade YMCA team. Cole is playing on our wards team. So Saturdays are filled with games.
I do intend to catch up... hopefully I will get some computer time later, only have one kid with basketball practice tonight! Fingers crossed!
Oh, And Rachelle, Thank you again for making the trip up here for Sierra's birthday! I could not have pulled off her party with out you! You are the best! Love ya!

19th Annual Gopher Boat Race

2009-12-14T18:41:00.000-08:00

Every year The GHS Science Dept. Host a Boat race/ competition for any Freshmen students.. offered as an Extra Credit Project. There were more than 20 boats that entered. They could do it by themselves or have a partner. Cole chose to do it with his friend Randy Thompson. They spent approximately 8 hours designing and building their boat. The object of this competition was for the students to make their boats using only, plastics, cardboard, pvc pipes, recycled plactic materials and tape. And for the boat to be able to hold them and paddle the length of the pool. They were each timed on their speed, and judged on their design. And lastly which boat could hold the most people and make it across the pool. As you will see in these pictures that the students were very creative. I would say that out of the 20, only 7 of them made it across the pool before they sunk or their boat fell apart. It was very entertaining and fun to watch. I over heard one of the teachers say that this was their largest turnout. The bleachers were full of spectators cheering for their friends. As i mentioned they had to use paddles to get across. some of the designs of the boats could have made it if they could have just used their hands and feet.
The majority of the boaters got wet.

Like this one
This red boat is awesome. I am pretty certain it had the 2nd best time.. and design. These girls did a great job.
For most of the boaters the most difficult part was getting in their boats with out tipping them over.

Okay I really don't know how I got this picture in there twice... I am going to blame it on multiple interuptions while trying to upload the pics for this post. lol

So here is Cole and Randy with their boat. They used recycled roofing material... they were 4x4 ft chunks. The boys used this hot wire cutter to shape the design until it broke then they torched a machete to finish up. Then used alot of duct tape to put a seal all around it.

The boys had the fastest time across the pool.

They also won best design and their boat held the most people. They got 9 boys in it.

This boat I think could float down the sandy river with no problems!

Cole was very relunctant to do this project. We basically had to insist that he do it. He actually had fun and said it wasn't so bad, and glad he did it! Great job Cole and Randy. Your boat floated and it was the best!