New Years Dance

The Chico Stake youth dances are always pretty lame, and as the kids get to be juniors and seniors, they no longer WANT to attend the dances, but we always MAKE William go, and he always ends up having fun.....so he went to the dance tonight....I was sure to get out my camera---I know I sometimes take way TOO many pictures, and I probably am just doing it to make William mad, but I always get some pretty funny ("blogworthy", haha) shots...so ENJOY!

Colorado

If you've never in your life been to Colorado, you should go....IT'S BEAUTIFUL. It really is! I remember last time we came to Colorado, we drove. We drove from California. When we got to the Nevada state line, the scenery went from giant, green pine trees, to dirt....when we got to the Utah State line, the scenery changed to salt flats, but as we traveled through Utah we saw pretty Wasatch mountains and later the red rock type of formations....but as we entered Colorado, seriously, the landscape was green, plush, mountainy, just beyond words gorgeous. Colorado is really scenic. With it's giant snow covered mountain tops...it's hard to describe, but it does NOT look like California, Nevada or Utah.

This time we flew to Colorado. We came for Scott's brother's wedding. We brought the whole family. It was like a family reunion....everyone from the Eldon Guymon family made the trip from all over the nation, except Becky, who understandably couldn't make it because she has new twins and two other small children, a broken down washer machine, and a broken down car.

I am going to save the details of the flight here for another post, but believe me- YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO CHECK BACK when I write about it because it is a STORY TO TELL!

I didn't bring the cord that connects my camera to the computer, but I will share pictures later, too.

I really love my family....all of them.

Christmas Morning

I took TONS of pictures...but don't have time to post them ALL, so here is a random selection of each of the 4 kids (2 of William (because he is funny)) with a present.

Christmas Eve

We went to my dad's house on Christmas Eve. Sharon was there, too. We had a blast eating and dancing, well, not ALL of us danced, but the ones that did were good/funny!!! Here's the group shot....thanks Robin for talking me through setting the self timer (I already deleted the ones of my backside running to get into the picture).

Blogging

We don't have Internet right now, so I wont be blogging as much, (or e mailing, or Facebooking, or Twittering, you get the idea)....but it's not a bad thing, I can spend more time with my family (and watching TV, right).....

but right this moment, I have an internet connection, from a neighbor, a coffee shop down the road, or just from somewhere out in space, so I'm going to use it to type up this blog post.

Did any of you see the Kings game the other night??? They came back from 35 points down to WIN the game. It was Melanee's first time watching the Kings play in about a year, and she didn't recognize ANY of the players. She kept asking, "what's his name?" "who is that?" "Is that Nocioni?" (when it was Beno) and "Is that Beno?" (when it was Nocioni). Anyway, we were watching and the Kings were TERRIBLE, and I had been telling her how awesome they are this year. They kept missing shots and turning it over, and she really didn't believe me...but I kept saying, these Kings, they don't give up, this coach WONT give up. Keep watching. And we did, but deep into the 3 quarter they hadn't made their big comeback run and it was looking very, very hopeless. With about 6 minutes left in the game the Kings were down by 12 and our company came over. We had to say the blessing on the food, so we shut off the tv. We ate and visited for a while, then turned back on the tv, and GUESS WHAT, the Kings had the LEAD, with only less than a minute to play, we watched, they WON and it was AMAZING. So amazing, and exciting!!! They NEVER give up. And it's a YOUNG team. They are learning so much, even in their losses, they play well (most of the time) and learn from their mistakes, and they are getting better. Right now they are in 12th place, but before the season ALL the experts picked them for LAST place, so 12th place is not bad.

I better post this before the Internet I am "borrowing" suddenly disappears.

(Anyone know of any good, cheap Internet service we should subscribe to?)

Thizzeling

We had some friends over last night for leftover turkey, Family Home Evening (which consisted of watching a video replay of Melanee's awesome UNASSISTED CORNER KICK GOAL) somehow the evening turned into a dance off and some dance instruction. Here is a video Andrew took of the kids doing the THIZZLE DANCE. Their dancing made baby June actually LAUGH (for the first time!!).

(In the camera there are a few other videos, like Dean TRYING to do the Jerk, Andrew Jerrrkin, and other clips of silliness and chaos, but since this video is still loading after I've left it to take a shower and eat breakfast, I think I'm going to give up the notion of sitting here all day uploading hilarious nonsense.

I give up...it WONT load, so if you want to see my kids dance, you'll have to come over.

Melanee is HOME

Melanee's flight arrived in Sacramento late Sunday night. We all went to pick her up from the airport. Here are Bradley and Andrew on the way there. They were happy.

When we pulled up to our house there was a GINORMOUS Rottweiler standing on our front porch. Scott tried to scare it away so we could go in the house. Ran to our Suburban and peed on the tire. I thought It would be funny to take a picture of the dog for my blog. I did, but the camera didn't flash (see pic to the right). The camera DID click though, which scared the dog or alerted the dog or angered the dog so it started to growl and charge towards me. VERY frightening. Scott yelled at it and ran towards it and the dog ran down the street. That same night I was also attacked by a huge white rooster. Animals don't like me, I guess, maybe they can tell that I don't like them.

Melanee's flight arrived earlier than it was supposed to so we just drove up to the door and she jumped in the car, so I didn't get a picture of her at the airport like I wanted to, but here she is at home, safe and sound!

It was lucky planning the days and times of her travel because on Friday there was a huge blizzard in Virgina. A snowstorm that closed roads and airports. The students that didn't leave Thursday or early Friday got stuck at school. The students who were flying out on Friday or Saturday's flights were cancelled. They were stuck at airports. When we bought Melanee's ticket, we knew she had a final exam to take on Friday, so she couldn't leave before then. She flew out of Roanoke, which is an hour from her school, unlike Dulles, which is 4 hours, so she had less roads to drive on in the middle of a winter storm AND she could stay at Cameron's house until her flight left (and they could drive her to the airport). The Sunday evening ticket was the best price.....it all worked out perfectly for a no delay trip home. YAY!

Christmas Shoes

Bradley and Andrew had 4 friends over today and they were playing tackle football in the front room. I had already raked the leaves, washed and folded the laundry, and all the dishes were clean...so I got out the remote and flipped through all of the stations, we have about 100 of them, but I couldn't find anything to watch. I flipped through again. Still nothing. Then I saw that a new movie was starting on Lifetime, Television For Women. I don't like to watch things half way through, but since it was just starting I decided to watch it. All month long they are having Fa La La La Lifetime, Christmas movies and specials. It was a Christmas movie called "The Christmas Shoes". It starred Rob Lowe and Kimberly Williams (Who used to go out with Pete Sampras, tennis player, but is now married to Brad Paisley, country singer). I think it was based on a book. I don't like to read books AFTER I've seen a movie, but if there is a book "The Christmas Shoes", I bet it was well written. The story in the movie was so intertwined and interesting. I loved it! There is a song, "The Christmas Shoes". I'm not sure if it was written to be a part of the movie, or if the movie was written based on the song, or if the song was written based on the book......but if you ever get a chance, watch "The Christmas Shoes"! I thoroughly recommend it!

From Bradley

Bradley made this at school as a center piece for our table on Christmas. It turned out fabulous and I think he has a lot of fun making it and he was so happy and proud to give it to me.

Andrew's Christmas Program

Just like at Thanksgiving time, Andrew's class presented a Christmas Program for the parents. This one was longer with more songs and the kids reciting longer parts. Andrew knew his part over a week ago. He has a large class. Parents, grandparents, siblings, and others were all jammed into the little classroom with cameras and camcorders (and cell phones) all pointed at the students. Here is a picture of Andrew as he says his lines to "Twas the Night before Christmas".

Isn't it Thursday

All day long I have thought today was Thursday! I was looking forward to Survivor, the Office, and The Mentalist.....good thing I canceled cub scouts or I would have missed it. One good thing about it being Wednesday- there is a Kings game on tonight. GO KINGS.

I flipped on ESPN and there is a game on before the Kings game.....Oklahoma City vs. Dallas....and ALL of the OKC guys are wearing ORANGE shoes....a little odd, a little COOL.

School Talent Show

Bradley, along with his class, performed at the school talent show today (and tonight)(there were 2 shows, one for the students today during school and one tonight for families to come watch).

For the evening show I made Braadley get dressed up...he looked so handsome!

His class played penny whistles and sang "Everyday" by Buddy Holly. They were awesome. Very talented.

The whole show was wonderful. I loved every second of it.

(Ann, turn on your speakers, "Everyday" is playing....not Bradley's class's version, but you get the idea.)

Happy Birthday David

My younger brother's birthday is on Dec 13th. I am semi superstitious, and 13 is a BAD number, right? Nah, my mom used to always say that Friday the 13th is a "LUCKY" day....because David was born on a Friday the 13th. (But I would still never choose #13 for a uniform jersey number, or a hotel floor to stay on.) (Hey, I just thought of something.....our house's first 2 numbers are 13....we are going to have to move, NO WONDER this house seems so UNLUCKY!)

Anyway, David is my brother, I have 2, but I think I'd have to honestly say that David and I are or were or always have been closer than Kenny and I. EVERYONE likes David. He is so PERFECT.

David NEVER got in trouble. He learned what NOT to do by watching Kenny and I. He was the (is the) baby of the family. He was spoiled and loved the most, I think. But I don't think he was treated the best because of his birth order, I think they liked him the best because he was the best of the 3 kids. He got good grades, did his chores, made my parents proud, didn't talk back, didn't rebel, worked hard, was good at sports, and like I said earlier, I think he's just about "perfect" is just about everyone's eyes.

Now David is over the big 40, but to me he is still my little brother (although, I am not over 40, I'm still 39, like my grandpa----on his birthday's we would ask him how old he was and he'd say 39, after a while we'd say, "Hey, you turned 39 last year" or "how can you be 39 when mom is 35, you couldn't have been 4 when she was born"....but he always turned 39.

David is grown now and has a son. He is the best dad I've ever seen. He is so good at it. His son is so well behaved and loving (and CUTE). I think David's wife can be credited for a lot of the son's countenance (and looks) but I've seen David with Philip and he is so kind, patient, loving, and everything is a learning experience for Philip. David's life is dedicated to his family. It's so awesome to see.

David, Happy Birthday. I am so proud to be your sister. You are wonderful/

Bradley is now in the double digits

Bradley turned 10 yesterday. He got a (used) tv to play Playstation on, a NICE basetball, and a Jabbawockeez t shirt.

Church Christmas Party

Michelle, you would have loved this Christmas party, except for the NO TASTE macaroni and cheese. And Ann, I forgot to point out that along with the NO TASTE mac and cheese, they served ham.

As many of you know, I don't like ward parties. I don't like the noise, the crowds, and with my hearing loss, I really can never hear what they are saying in the "show", so it is never a very fun time for me, but this year, the show was short, mostly musical and my kids participated in it, so it was enjoyable.

Here is Dean Herger, the MC, juggling rolls. Fairly entertaining, and YES, he is semi famous, since his dad is a congressman!

The first act was Chase playing Jingle Bells Rock on his electric guitar. We got to sing along.

The second act was the Chelson family singing.....chec out the little brother in the red chair...haha...he didn't sing a word.

The 3rd "act" were the young men and young women singing the 12 days of Christmas. William was 3 french hens, and he got a lot of laughs because of the smirk on his face, everyone could tell how much he enjoyed being up there (NOT).

This young couple sang Silent Night. I think it was sung in a foreign language, but I'm not sure.

This family's 8 year old played a few Christmas songs on the piano, then her dad joined here while her mom and younger sister sang.

Then the primary children performed to the Nativity Story. Andrew was a shepherd. I had about 20 little shepherds to dress. After about 10 we started running out of costumes. I didn't get any pictures of the WHOLE GROUP of shepherds, but I wish I had, because Scott called them "Ninja Shepherds" because a bunch of them just had fabric tied around their heads, without the piece of fabric covering their head.

Bradley was one of the wise men, or "wise guys" as Scott calls them.

We even got home in time for the 4th quarter of the Kings game.

Championship Banner

I don't think this was up last time I was in the PV gym.

The 'o7 was Melanee's senior year League Championship title, even though it actually took place in '08....I can't figure out why they don't put the correct year. Maybe they just put the year that the school year began????????????????????

Basketball Jamboree

Today was Bradley and Andrew's first day of basketball. It started with a big Jamboree at the high school where the Chico State men's basketball coach gave all the kids some instruction and then the Chico State mens and womens teams showed them some warm ups and drills. Then they played a giant game of "Shaq Says", like simon says. I think all the participants had fun. Then all the teams played two 25 minute games at the Field House. Here are a bunch of random pictures of Bradley and Andrew playing. In the first game their team was white, in the second game they were black. Andrew is wearing white shoes and Bradley has on green. In the first game Bradley's team lost 10-2, Bradley scored the only basket for his team. I think the coach was confused by Bradley and Andrew because Andrew played just about all 25 minutes of the first game, while Bradley was taken out as a sub 3 times. In the second game the score was 12-6, Bradley scored 2 baskets and Andrew scored 1. No one else on their team scored. It is a 3rd/4th grade basket ball league....Andrew is only in the 2nd grade, but he does fine out there. I think he had 5 rebounds in the first game and 4 in the second. He is NOT the smallest kid on the team.

Andrew playing defense.

Bradley going up for a lay up....I think he made this one.

Andrew shooting.

Bradley won the tip off.

Bradley going in for another lay up....look at his tongue, just like Michael Jordan.

Bradley taking the ball in.

Andrew bringing the ball up the court.

Andrew going up for a shot.

Bradley dribbling.

Andrew protecting the ball.

Dribbling, I think.

Passing

Lay up.

Tomorrow

I'm just trying to think of all the things I have to do tomorrow and I know there are a lot and I know that I can't think of them all.

Bradley's birthday
Bradley and Andrew's 1st basketball Jamboree
The ward dinner and activity (and I said I would be there to dress the shepherds, but now I wish I wouldn't have because there is a Kings game on tomorrow night.)
I have to cook some macaroni and cheese (and buy the ingredients) for the ward dinner
Bake a cake for Bradley's birthday

I KNOW there is MORE...I know it, but cant think what!

Scouts yesterday

I don't really know what "requirement" we passed off yesterday with our Christmas activities...but yesterday for cub scouts we made christmas trees out of ice cream cones and baked Christmas sugar cookies. I'm sure the boys had fun....and the treats were YUMMY!