Idaho State Wrestling Tournament

Last week we took Robbie and Kamren to Nampa, Idaho to wrestle. We left Abe and Dave with a sitter, which was nice, but stressful because I have never left them with out their older brothers. So, I was sick from Tues. til Sun. I did not get to enjoy the time as much as I would have liked! That is another story!
Robbie wanted to drop weight to wrestle in the 65 division, and he made it! He tried really hard to not eat any sugar and breads for a week and he did it. Kamren also lost weight, he likes to be like Robbie, but Kamren still wrestled in the 55 division.
Kamren started wrestling at 9am. He won his first match, and his second, then lost his third match...he was pinned! I think that was his first loss in freestlye this year! CRAZY! He then won the next match and took 2nd. It was fun to see him wrestle and all his hard work paid off. He was happy and that is what matters.
Robbie started wresling at 1pm. He has a bye the first round, which ended up hurting his score, but what do you do? He won his first match and his second match, then lost his third on in the second round...he was pinned! I think that was the first time he was pinned in freestyle this year. He won the rest of his matches and ended up placing 5th! He reached his goal of qualifing for regionals in June! He did a great job and we were so pleased with both boys. Oh, did I say that we finished wrestling at 5pm! What a day.

Easter!

What a crazy time we had! Eric's parents came up from Calf. on Friday! As you read before, Monday we finally finished the basement. so it was crazyness getting things put all back together! We went to dinner to Applebees, it is tradition do go there the night his parents get in. Saturday the boys wrestled in Pocatello, Eric went down early to weigh them in, I stayed home with the litte boys, and Eric's parents went down around 9:00am. Both boys took first place, it was fun to wrestle with their grandparents there.
I took Abe and Dave to an egg hunt at the local grocery store, as we had a huge storm, snow and all! YIKES!!! Snow on Easter is not unusual, but a storm like we had was not. That night Eric and his dad went to the Preisthood session, then we just chatted and got things ready for Easter!
I could not find the baskets, so the boys each made their own, it was a lot of fun and they each put a lot of work into it. It was fun. I did this Friday before the folks came in!
Easter was a blast, the boys were so excited. I don't think we have found all the eggs that the Easter bunny hid! It will be fun finding them all year long. The boys ate candy, played with their toys...I think the big winner was cars that grandpa got them that drive on the walls. they played with them all day! We ate waffles, strawberries and whip cream, then watched conference. It was wonderful. We then died Easter eggs, shot the bb guns and had a snack before we watched the second session of conference. It was great to be at home and be together all day. It was relaxing and wonderful.
We had a big ham, potatoes, jello, salad, I forgot to make the deviled eggs...fruit and rolls. It was a wonderful and peaceful day.
Monday Eric's dad left after playing Big Game Hunter with the boys on the x-box, flying robbies helicopter and playing with the cars. Dad was really enjoying himself and did not want to leave. It was fun seeing him bond with the boys.
LeeAnne stayed until Tues. afternoon. We had a great time. The boys loved haveing her here and were so glad to have a snow day on Tues., yes we woke up to about 8 inches of snow!
We are glad to be back to normal, we had pinewood derby last night and that went well. robbie took 3rd place. We had to turn his car backwards...it was dead last when he raced it forward. Crazy how weight placement makes a difference! Who knew?
Pictures of his car are on my facebook page.

Changes

Last November we started on a project...one that has lasted until last Monday! It has been fun, stressfull, happy, sad, sweat and tears. It is called our basement. For the past 6 months my home has been in utter limbo! We have been painting, moving things, getting rid of things and then just waiting for things to be done. We hired out th sheet rock and texture. I primed and painted, which was always a challenge with at least 3 little ones running around. Plus, I wanted something different so I had to figure out what that was. I made three panels on the wall and crackled them. IT was fun and nerve racking all at the same time. Then I wanted a book shelf with color stripes behind...stress! We hired out the trim work and the building of the book shelf, all of which I love! Carpet came last Monday and we started moving things downstairs and getting Easter decor out, a little late, but at least I got it out!
Now we are enjoying the extra room, we only have to get the doors cut down a bit and we are all done...until we tackle the bathroom. I can wait to have construction going on in the house again. It has been dusty, messy and I don't miss it! I am so happy with all of it and glad that it was not just in my head that it would all come together. I'll have to take some more pictures of it all done...this is just the long process! Thank heavens is it over!

New Year....new recipes...new hobby?

So I have a goal to learn or try new things in the kitchen. This past week or two I have been in love with trying recipes from Deceptively Delicious. A cook book my sister in law Tiffany sent me months ago.


I'll admit,I was afraid of the unknown and the new ideas she has in the cookbook! When Eric was gone in Jan. I watched Julie and Julia...not being the brave soul that Julie was I didn't think or want to do what she did. But in some odd place in my brain it looked fun and challenging! Something to make the days different. Maybe I need hobby!
Many of you know that I enjoy cooking and baking, there is something satisfying about seeing your finished product and better yet, having it devoured by your family! So, I have tried new things and my family to my amazement ate it all...Eric has been out of town, so it has been the prefect time to try something new.
So far we have made brownies with spinach and carrots, breakfast cake with squash (this is the only one we didn't love, I know what I need to do to make it great!), peanut butter with carrots, chocolate and cream cheese, sloppy joes with sweet potato and squash, peanut butter and jelly muffins with carrots, lemon ice cream sandwiches, chicken nuggets with broccoli, and in the oven right now is ginger bread with broccoli and carrots and it smells GREAT!!!

This soup I am going to try next week. It look so good.


Lemon Ice cream sandwiches....yummy!

California Christmas

We left on the 23rd to come to Roseville. We had such a great time. Christmas Eve we had a pinata, it was so much fun and the boys all loved it! We played lots of games, sang some carols and had lots of treats! The boys had the best Chrismtas ever. Robbie recieved ski lessons from Santa, Kamren recieved a bike from Santa. Santa wrote them both a letter to let them know that their gifts were at home. Nana and Grandpa got the older boys Red Rider B.B. guns, they were SO excited and have been shooting since! Abe got lots of toys, David got Buzz lightyear, toys, games and treats! The family got an indo board, and that was a HUGE hit with all the family. It was great to be together and make fun memories. Now we are heading back to the grind of life! I hate driving...

Christmas Card 2009 (for all those who I don't have addresses)

The year 2009
Sure was fine.
12 Chickens came to stay,
Sadly, Koda passed away.
All are busy and doing well,
Here is what we have to tell!

Indoor soccer, coaching football,
And traveling move of the Fall.
Elders Quarum Secretary,
Wishing he had a fairy,
to finish his car,
that does not move far!

Raspberry, strawberry and huckleberry
Picking seemed to make her merry.
Canning, cleaning and painting,
wants a goat that is fainting!
Young Women Secretary and Wolf Den Leader,
Wishes her car was a two seater!

Piano, football, wresling and such,
Boy I think this kid does too much.
Turning ten next year,
not much does he fear.
Scouting, science and good books,
Robbie sure has good looks!

Winning State wrestling, working hard
Kamren is always on his guard
Started piano, played sports a lot,
Reading and good grades he sought.
Funny, cute and in second grade
This kid has got it made!

Loves to hug, scream and shout,
David is even known to pout!
Rides his bike and makes a mess,
a true red head, none the less.
Loves books, sports and cars,
Can this boy really be ours?

Growing liks a snail,
Abraham can fit in a pail!
Adorable, sweet and a little rough,
I think his brothers will make him tough.
He is our red headed wonder
Who can sream as loud as thunder.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love,
Eric, Chell, Robbie (9 yrs) Kamren (7 yrs) David (3 yrs) and Abe (1 yr)

State Wrestling (folkstyle)

Robbie


Kamren

Robbie...I don't have any still ones of Kamren

Robbie, again!

Robbie, Kamren and some of their friends that are on the team.



When Robbie was in Kindergarten he wanted to wrestle, but the only team we knew of was in Rexburg and I was not about to drive up there to wrestle...boy have times changed!
In first grade Robbie read the note that they had wrestling in Rigby, so Eric and I gave in and let him try. We did the practices, but not the meets the first session. Then Robbie talked us into doing the meets for freestyle, we have been hooked since.
It is crazy to think that Robbie has been wrestling for 4 years now and Kamren for 3 years. Robbie is a two time State Champion in Freestyle and Folkstyle and Kamren is a two time State Champion in both styles, he was also Eastern Idahos Outstanding wrestler of the year, and won another trophy from a Bantam festival.
Robbie attened a Kael Sanderson camp this summer in Heber City, UT, and that has made wrestling blood boil in him! He has never really loved folkstyle, but this year he could not get enough mat time. He lost two matches this season. He really earned this State title this season. The boy he wrestled for first had beaten Robbie every time last year but once. Robbie lost to him at State freestyle last spring. Needless to say Eric and I were a little, or a LOT nervous about this match. Robbie got into the zone, pumped himself up and went after this kid. It was fun to see Robbie come into his own. He pinned the boy in the third round! IT WAS AMAZING! I do have to say I was proud of him. He had worked so hard for this.
Kamren only lost one match this year, it was when he wrestled 55lb. Once he went to 50lbs he was undefeated. He was the animal that we all know Kamren to be. It was fun to have two State Champions last week.
Our team as a whole took 2nd at State. It was wonderful to participate and we look forward to taking State in Freestyle. For now we will just enjoy the holiday season and then we will hit it hard back on the mats! How our boys love the mats! If anyone is interested here are some links of State, not all of the matches are here but some.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l22xUYvbAwY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXy469SbbO8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7q0ykL7uhs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19RFF9nbd00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf3V0cK0uUY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUBu7TJdGxM
To the boys....we are so proud of you! We love how determined, strong and full of life you both are. Keep up the work!