New Year's Celebration....

Ringing in the New Year tonight with family, friends, food, and fireworks!

Happy 2012!

CHRISTmas

Christmas morning dawned EARLY for us this year. Because Christmas was on Sunday, and we needed to get as early as start as possible to Shelley, we decided to go to Rick and Rose's sacrament meeting at 9 AM. Therefore, Christmas started at 6:00 AM! We started with a healthy Christmas breakfast of waffles, sausage, bacon, and eggs. YUMMY! Then the gifts were attacked!

Santa stopped by our house, but didn't leave what was expected. At first this was pretty hard for Shaylee, who for the second year in a row had her heart set on an iPod touch. Olivia and Shaylee have been begging to go to the mall to get shellac for their nails. I am not a fan of paying someone every time I need my nails done, so I put a bug in Santa's ear and he delivered. They received all they need to not only do shellac nails, but also glitter toes! I am sure over the next week, and through trial and error lots of polish will be applied as they try to figure out the perfect system.

Taite too was surprised by Santa when he received his long awaited for blue guitar! He immediately wanted to play it, but we had to wait until I could figure out the tuner, because it was painfully out of tune. By the end of Christmas day he 3 simple chords down and was strumming away.

Electronics took the back seat this year at our Christmas. Dave and I just aren't ready to dive into the cell phones, ipod touches, and x-box 360's so we are glad Santa understood and helped us out by still helping make this a super happy Christmas.

After opening gifts we headed to church, where we were reminded of the importance of the Christmast season. As I reflected on the beautiful music, conducted by Rose, and listened to the inspirational talks, I was full of gratitude that we could take that hour out of the traditional, worldly Christmas day and feel the true spirit as we renewed our covenants and were reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

We then were in a rush to get to Shelley. My dad reminds me yearly, "The year we don't show up Christmas Day is the year I am disowned." I wouldn't miss Christmas at my parents' home for anything! It is so fun for the cousins to be able to exchange gifts, while the adults play an upgraded version of white elephant gift giving. Then, of course there is the FOOD! One of the many things I appreciate about my mom is the time she puts in to cook such delicious meals for us! I also appreciate that she passed on the know-how of cooking to me.

Sadly, this is the first year I can remember that my Grandpa and Grandma Dehlin were unable to join us Christmas Day. My grandpa was not feeling well and Grandma didn't feel comfortable leaving him home alone. They were certainly missed, so the next day we all loaded up and headed to their house to celebrate a little Christmas with them. This brough back vivid memories of when I was small and on Christmas Day we would head from Shelley to Idaho Falls in the late afternoon to go see grandpa and grandma to share with them Christmas evening. I don't really remember when thay started coming to my dad and mom's house for Christmas, but I do cherish the memories of them always sharing Christmas with us. My grandmother is another example of one who lights with joy as she gives her gifts, and I think that has helped me realize that it isn't just about buying someone something, but it is about really thinking about the person you are buying for. Also, my grandpa and his yearly flashlight gifts are a true precious memory for me.

Thanks for all the memories that we will be able to hold onto through the new year!

Christmas Eve

Holding on to our Christmas Eve traditions are very important to Dave and I. Therefore, we spent part of the evening at the farm sharing a Christmas Eve candlelight dinner with his family. At each one of our places at the table was a candy cane that was turned upside down to show us the letter J. Grandma Sue talked about the importance of us remembering Jesus during this time of the year and using the candy cane to help us remember. Following dinner we watched the Nativity accompanied with the Amy Grant song "Breath of Heaven". What a beautiful tribute to the life of Mary and our Savior Jesus Christ.

When we arrived home the kids opened their "pajama gifts" as we always do on Christmas Eve. They also each received a game that they had been asking for throughout the year. Even though we aren't a big gaming family, I couldn't decide on just one this year so they each got their own. I hope we can find the family time to play them.

They also opened their Christmas book. This year's book was the Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle. They also received a Christmas jar that we are going to work on filling through the entire year and try to create our own Christmas miracle in December 2012, when we choose someone to give out Christmas jar to. I hope this will help us carry the Christmas spirit with us through the entire year.


Finally, we set out our new Santa plate and mug, from Grandma Donna and Grandpa Doug, with the traditional Christams letter, and headed off to bed.

Manneheim Steamroller

Yes, Dave was truly thoughtful this year for my birthday. He purchased tickets to Manneheim Steamroller in SLC at Abravenal Hall. I loved every beautiful moment of the concert...Thanks Dave for sitting through something that I am sure was a sacrifice for you to do! I loved it, now if only my kids can be a little happier about listening to the blaring orchestra at home.

Priestley Family Christmas...

This past weekend was full of FAMILY! I love that Dave's family all lives close enough now to get together and let the cousins play and the adults visit. The weekend started out Saturday afternoon, with a cousin Christmas gift exchange. I love how excited my kids get when they find out which cousin they are going to buy for. This year was no exception. They each were very thoughtful about trying to find just the perfect gift. I think the most special one for me to watch was Taite trying to find the perfect gift for the oldest cousin Rickie. I gave him quite a few ideas, but in the end he knew what she needed and that was what he was going to buy. He ended up getting her a book light and blanket, the perfect gift for someone who enjoys reading as much as she does. Shaylee and Olivia also put much thought into their gifts and you could see the happiness shine in their eyes as Travis opened his chess set from Shaylee and Jocelynn opened her Fur Real Penguin from Olivia. The delight was fantastic. My kids were also on the receiving end ~ which they were absolutely delighted with their gifts. I do think however, the actual receiving for them is just the finale to the excitement they feel as they choose the PERFECT gift for someone else.

Saturday evening we attended the annual Priestley Christmas Party. It seemed a little short on people this year, but ever so fun. I love the chance to visit with Dave's family who we only see once or twice a year. Those that weren't there were truly missed! Santa was awesome this year, and made sure he spent time with each individual child. This was Shaylee's last chance to sit on Santa's knee, and she gave no short order asking for an iPod touch. Taite's order was none to short as well asking for an x-box 360, luckily Santa hadn't a clue on that one!

Sunday was out family get-together. We had a wonderful dinner and a fabulous agme of BINGO. I loved how Dave's mom planned the prizes for the BINGO game, making sure everyone went home with something fun. The cousins opened their gifts from Grandpa and Grandma, each of them receiving a pillow pet and fabulous soft blanket, while the adults received crock-pots and emergency shovels. I appreciate how much thought Dave's mom puts into Christmas gift giving. I love the twinkle in her eye as everyone opens their gifts. She is truly a woman that finds joy in the simple things. The final thoughts left with us for the night were priceless. Each of us were given a flashlight. One at a time we added our beam to the first single beam as Dave's mom told us the importance of all of remembering how important family is. What a special way to end a perfect evening and start the holiday celebrations.

8th grade BASKETBALL...

Yes, you read it right. We have moved to school ball now. The girls have finished all of their leagues in Ogden and Logan. Olivia had school ball tryouts this week and she made the 8th grade A team. She is so excited! She has decided that she won't be playing on the Elite team during her school ball season, and then after that is complete she will see if it will interfere with spring soccer. So right now she is focusing on playing with the Preston Indians. All games will be in Preston, YES! Her Elite team is coming together pretty good. You can tell they haven't played a lot together as a team, but with time they will mesh and do much better. Their win loss record for Ogden was a losing one, maybe the next league they can come out on top on. Her Logan league team did very well and made big improvements as the 6-weeks played out. Not sure of win/loss record, but so proud of how they played.

Shaylee's teams have finished as well and she is looking to January for Ogden and Preston. Her Ogden league finished in second place, and her Logan league team finished in second (just behind her Wildcats team who took the league without her playing for them). Her Preston team is improving and looking better, and better as they try to figure each player out on the court and start working together more as a team. There has been some huge improvements by some of the players from last year. I am sure this will continue over the next few months.

Taite has also started playing. We are a little disapointed because the league he is playing in only has 4 games. Hopefully, in those 4 games there will be time to learn and grow as individual players and as a team. I think the most important thing for him at this point is just to decide if he really likes to play.

Way to make the team Liv, we will be cheering for all three of you!

Christmas is in the Air!!

It is time to put up the Christmas tree and bring out the music! We put the tree up a few days earlier than usual this year, we usually wait until December 5, on my birthday. However, because it was a school night with basketball practices and homework we decided to go for Sunday night. We decided only to put up the "fancy tree" as the kids have tagged it. I love how it looks.....

Now, to bring out the Christmas music...I can already hear Manneheim Steamroller, Yanni, Classical Piano Christmas, Josh Groban,......

Happy THANKSGIVING

My list of 10 thankfuls
I am thankful for:
My hubby, Dave, for sticking with me!
My 3 darlings, for doing their best and making me proud!
My friends, for putting up with my craziness!
My health, even though I have taken advantage of it at times.
My beliefs, for helping me stay strong when times are hard.
My students, for helping make each day a happy one.
My family, for always supporting us in all of our endeavors.
My computer, so I can reconnect with long missed friends and family.
My house and yard, they are a place of comfort and peace.
My favorites: soda, books, running shoes, soft music, happy moments.....


My favorite thought right now, "What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?" Something to think about....

This year Thanksgiving was in Shelley at my parents house. It was not only a great time to eat and visit, but the highlight was Grandpa Doug's Dance Off! Thanks for the good times and the great memories. I would have to vote Hailey the winner of the kids division and Grandpa Doug the winner of the adult division. Yes, Dave, Taite, and I were quite timid and didn't join in the fun. Olivia hung back at first, but found her groove. Shaylee, Shaylee, Shaylee showed us her moves! I love how my dad is always trying to come up with fun ideas for us to do when we get together. Wish I could make it up there more often. Love you Dad and Mom...my whole family for that matter!

....Basketball it is, with a little volleyball for variety

Wow!! Basketball has begun! Olivia is currently playing on two teams...Cache Valley Elite and her regular Preston team. The Elite team has games in Ogden twice a week and practice in Logan once a week. In December she will try-out for the 8th grade school team. Shaylee is playing on her Wildcats team from Ogden. Currently they play games on Thursday nights, which works out great with our 4-day school week because many of the games are at 8 0r 9 o'clock! She is also playing on a local team, coached by Dave. They are playing in the Logan league right now and then in January they will play in the Preston league. Taite surprised us and wanted to sign-up for the rec league in Preston. His games will start in mid-December with Dave as coach. Of course all this ball means lots of gym time, when they aren't at the gym they are watching games on the TV...sometimes I think it is a little too much????

Also, through the winter months Shaylee will be playing volleyball for CVVC and then tournaments will start some time in the early spring.

Yes, we are a fmaily of gym rats!

HaPpY HaLlOwEen...

So I am finding that traditions you start as a young family change as your children grow. It use to be that every Halloween we would dress-up the three kids and then take them trunk-or-treating at the church, out to see grandparents at the farm, and to Preston to see Grandma Raymond. However, this year marked a true year of tradition change. We didn't hit the trunk-or-treat, which fell on a Saturday and Halloween was on Monday. Two of the three kiddos dressed up. Shaylee and her friends Ellie and Chey went trick-or-treating around Franklin. Taite dressed-up as Annakin and trick-or-treated to a couple of houses and went to see Grandma Raymond. Olivia and I stayed home and handed out treats to kids stopping in for their Halloween treats.

Even our tradition of carving pumpkins was changed a little, for the fact that when we went to do the carving at the farm with the cousins, the pumpkin patch wasn't open this year due to no pumpkins. We ended up buying cute decorated pumpkins from Wal-Mart and calling that our carving....YIKES! Time to find some traditions that will keep-up with our kids as the grow.

USU Volleyball

After finishing out the league in Smithfield, Shaylee and a few of her friends attended the USU home volleyball game. USU won, the girls had a great time, and even got autographs and pictures with the players. It was a fun girls' night out!

Purple Ninjas, Mavericks, Manic ATAC!

The fall season sports has come to an end. We are ushering out soccer and volleyball and welcoming club volleyball and basketball. This season has been a fun one..

Taite's soccer team, the Purple Ninjas, were amazing. Not sure their win/loss record, but Taite sure had a lot of fun playing. I never did have to capitalize on my bet if he made a goal, but I was very nervous the rest of the season because he had many near hits! It was fun to watch him out on the field smiling and having a good time. Thanks to Rick and Rose for being such positive, fun coaches for him. It was a terrific season.

Shaylee played on the Mavericks volelyball team, coached by her club ball coach, Scott McUne. They played hard and had a great season. They didn't come out on top either...but hey you can't win them all. She had a great time and even got over the fact that her team name was the Mavericks. She will now start into club ball which will run until April 2012.

Olivia had a hard soccer season this year, watching from the bench until the very last couple weeks because of her foot surgery. You could tell the conditioning the other girls had was a bonus to them, but every time Olivia went out on the field she gave it 100%. Her team ended up winning the entire league again this year. Not only did they win, but they blew out the last team during the season. The great thing about this is that they had tied this team twice in the regular season so it was a sweet victory. Way to go ATAC, can't wait to see games in the spring!

Now onto basketball....

Chickens

Okay, so I just have to share one more post, even though Olivia will be a little upset. She has started working back at Ritewoods now that she has recovered fully, which makes this story even better. A few weeks ago Olivia, a friend, and I were in the car and talking about our day. She said she was starving, so I asked her what she had had for lunch. Her response was that she had chose a chicken burger, but didn't eat it because there was a hair in it. I replied that I was surprised it wasn't a feather. She just kept talking not really responding to my smart alec reply. Her friend and her kept talking about lunch and how gross it is. I told her she should try them again the next time they have them because who knows maybe they are made from the chickens she has to work with. She looked at me kind of funny and said, "You mean they are made out of chicken?" I was dumbfounded. I just looked at her and didn't know what to say. Then I replied, "Yes that is why they are called chicken burgers. Why do you think I said you might find a feather in one." She started laughing and admitted she thought I was talking about a feather that everyone is wearing in their hair as the latest fashion craze! Wow! That was a blonde moment.

September

This month too has literally flown by!!! It didn't take long for us all to get into the routine of school and after a couple of weeks it was like we hadn't ever had a break. I have a fantastic class this year, and can't wait to get to know all 27 of the little people better. Taite doesn't like school, but he made a deal with me. He said he would stick with third grade to get out of the reading group he has to go to, then in fourth grade he would be in my class. After that we are both going to quit school in Preston and homeschool. Not sure I can stick to that deal. Olivia is enjoying being in the eighth grade. She says it is easier than 7th grade was, except for science. Shaylee has found her freedom, and is loving junior high. I just hope it is kind to her in return and that she remembers it is school and not just social time.



I started this month running Man vs. Mud in Logan. It was a riot. There were a bunch of us from here that went down and ran through the mud and yuck together and had a blast. I have a new respect for slip-and-slides after enduring four body bruising slides! I am trying to talk my girls into doing it again next year. I asked Shaylee if she would run with me, she said sure. However, after she thought about it she said, "Do you have to get muddy"? When I told her yes she was against the hole idea. I know she would have had a blast.

Our days are full of school and after-school activities. Olivia's soccer team was fantastic this season. The greatest day of the season was on the 24th when Olivia played in her first game. She only played a few minutes, but I seriously was choked up when she stepped onto the field. She has endured so much this summer, without ever complaining, and I am so proud of her. It has been hard for her to get back into the game. She is very out of condition and just a little weary of her feet. She has since played in every game and each time she comes out a little more aggressive. Her team ended up 1st in their division and now we will wait out October and see if they can pull off the championship! Good luck Manic Atac!

Shaylee's volleyball team is about 50/50 win/loss record. Her coach is her club ball coach so she is loving it. I can't believe what an amazing serve she has. She was so upset when she found out her rec team name. She absolutely hates the Dallas Mavericks and on the way down to volleyball I told her I needed to get gas. She told me that was fine, but I couldn't stop at Maverick. At first I didn't get why she was saying that, but I quickly caught on. That very same night the coach handed us the game schedule and team names. I burst out laughing. Her coach asked me what was so funny and I had to reply that Shaylee was going to be ticked. Not passing the opportunity to harass her a little he told her that their team name was the Mavericks. I really thought she was going to cry. The whole way home she insisted she was not going to play, but the next morning she did get up for her games. She still has to add a boo to the cheer when they say go Mavericks, but she has come to terms with it for now.

Taite is loving soccer. He was so lucky and got Rose for his coach. He loves going to practice and hanging out with Masen. He also loves the games. His team is holding their own and having lots of fun. He hasn't been very aggressive so the other day I told him I would pay him $10.00 if he made a goal. He didn't really seem to be motivated by the bribe, but before the next game he asked me if he could choose what I would get him if he scored. I said sure, feeling pretty safe. He named a Beyblade toy that he has been eyeing for a while now. Even though it is $30.00 I felt pretty safe making the deal. I can't believe how motivated he became! Seriously I didn't know he had so much aggressiveness in him. I almost became the payee of the deal when he kicked the ball and it bounced off the inside of the goal post! I am thinking my confidence has diminished since he still has 4 games left!

With our one bathroom house, early mornings at school, long days, extra activities,and homework thrown into the mix I had to admit that something had to go. I gave up trying to fit in Crossfit, and decided I had to find something I could do at home, after the kiddos are in bed at night. I never thought I would admit it, but I miss it. Reality set in when the only class I could fit in would be the 5:00 AM class. This would have me getting up at 4:30 every morning, working until 5:00 PM, running kids to activities and church responsibilities, dinner and homework all sometime before nine. I physically and mentally realized it just wouldn't work for me. I am so thankful that for the time I was home I was able to train and run so many marathons, half-marathons, and other races because now I am just trying to be content with getting on the treadmill, sometimes as late as 10:30 PM, and fitting in a slow, relaxing run to wind down from the hectic day. Yes, I miss the intensity of training for a race, and I even miss the intensity of a killer WOD, but for now I have to find my happy place and I think I am going to have to find it on my treadmill late at night. Dave however, is still committed and gets up every morning at 5:15 to fit in a WOD before work. Good luck and catch an extra workout for me every once in awhile.



With the end of September has come the feeling of fall. I love the warm days and cool nights. It was almost as if you could actually feel the seasons change this year. With the season change has come harvesting of the garden. We now have beans, zucchini, zucchini bread, carrots, and tomato sauce in the freezer. Kiwi-gooseberry jam, tomatoes, applesauce, and apple butter in the basement. Next up, making salsa as soon as the last of the tomatoes ripen. We are so blessed!

AuGuSt

The best news for this month was that on August 2nd Olivia was able to remove her boots, for good, and move to the next step of recovery...ankle braces. She will need to wear the braces for four weeks, just missing being able to take them off before school starts. She can also start being a little more active, swimming and riding a bicycle, plus she started physical therapy on the 2nd and will continue with that for the next four weeks.

This month brought an abundance of yard work and gardening. I can't believe how huge all of the plants in the garden are this year. We are certainly being blessed with beautiful weather and excellent growing conditions.




This month also brought 4-H projects to complete. Olivia didn't really want to do 4-H this year. However, she did do a cooking project with Shaylee using frozen bread dough. We had yummy cinnamon twists, pizza, Navajo tacos, and scones. Shaylee also completed a fun with paper project. She made a basketball pinata and a picture frame. The basketball turned out so cool! She also did a spa day and a 4-H sleepover at the extension office. At home she experimented with string art. All of their projects received blue ribbons at the county fair and were sent to the state fair as well.






Dave and Taite entered pictures and produce in the fair again this year. One of the pictures Taite took of an owl received sweepstakes for his division. Dave also received two honorable mentions with one of his photos. The kids all enjoy going and taking pictures with him. Olivia has told us many times that she wants to pursue being a photographer. At the fair a lady from the community noticed Dave's photos and introduced him to a man that has published books of his photography. Dave said it was very interesting and educational to meet with him.

Also, in August came back-to-school. I think we were all ready this year to go back because summer was so uneventful. Olivia couldn't wait to get back! I think she really felt like she missed out on a lot this summer. Taite will be in the same school as me this year, in the third grade. Olivia and Shaylee will both be at the junior high in eighth and sixth grade. I can't believe how quickly time is going. I was a little bit overwhelmed with the thought that both of my girls were finished with grade school, not to mention next year I will have a child in high school! Yikes, where does the time go.



The last weekend of August I was able to participate in a relay with my friend DeeDee. It was called the Brown Dirt Relay in Eagle Moutain. It was a first time event, with only six teams of four signing up. It was a very hot day to run, but the route was great. It was probably one of my favorite runs because it was all trail and took me off the asphalt. I am definitely still very out of shape and was extremely slow, but it was fun to take a couple of days and do what I truly love. Dave and I are still doing Crossfit as well. It has physically challenged me beyond what I have been challenged for a very long time, but I must say I really am seeing results. I actually feel like I have a little muscle starting to show up.



With the end of summer and school starting comes the beginning of fall sports. Shaylee will be playing volleyball in a rec league through the middle of October, Olivia will be supporting her soccer team as they play through mid-October, and Taite said he would like to play soccer this year. Here we go....bring on the ball season.

JULY...

Holy smokes...once again time has gotten away from me. To catch up I think I will take it a month at a time. Luckily, July was the season for reunions! Due to Olivia's foot surgery we have not ventured out hardly at all this summer so we were ready for a little fun. The first weekend of July we spent at the farm getting to know close and distant family members on the Priestley side, many of whom I had never met. Days at the farm are always a great way to pass the summer. We had ample time to visit, let cousins play, of course eat, and have a very relaxing, enjoyable time. My favorite part of the reunion was when we hiked Little Mountain and Dave and Kelly shared stories of Franklin and growing up here. Hopefully, that is a little memory I can tuck away somewhere safe to remember.



The first of the month Dave and I started a new fitness program in Preston called Crossfit. I must say I have a very like/hate relationship with it. First, I hate waking up at 6:00 every morning, when I could be sleeping in. Second, I hate how bad I hurt the day after a work out of the day (WOD). Third, I really would rather be running. However, I like the feeling of accomplishment after each grueling workout. I have promised I will stick with it through the summer and see how it goes. Dave has also committed to stick with it. He can't decide if he would rather do Crossfit or just workout at the gym and hike. We shall see what happens....




Girls' Camp at Cinnamon Creek was also in the plans the second week of July. However, because of Olivia's feet, we just drove up for one day. Olivia was pretty bummed that she couldn't go because she had so much fun last year. She was able to participate in a few things, but I could tell that between the wheelchair and her big old boots she was quite uncomfortable being with her friends. This has definitely been a challenge for her.

The second week of July found us at the Drury reunion in Rexburg. This is always a fun time for the kids to play with family they only see once a year, especially our girls. They have become close friends with some of their distant Drury family and it is fun to look forward to them getting together for a few days in the summer. Of course, there is always the horses to ride, a giant slip-and-slide this year, family to visit with, games, and lots of food. We weren't sure we were going to be able to make it work this year, but we are so glad that we did, and that we were able to be with such great people for a couple of days.

On the way home from Rexburg we stopped to see my grandparents and my parents. The older our kids get, the more involved they get in activities, the less time we find to go visit. It was so good to stop in and see them, even though the time is never long enough.



The last week of July brought "The Famous Preston Night Rodeo". We attended the parade all three nights with family members and on Thursday we attended the rodeo with family. I love going to events like this when we are surrounded with family. It was so fun to be able to have the cousins hang out together and enjoy the fun summer event.

Looking back July seems now to have flown by, however during the month time moved slowly. We were limited with how much Olivia could be out of the house and on her feet so we were not able to participate in the summer activities like camping, the lake, swimming, etc. like we normally do. However, I think for the first time the kids were able to find things around the house and yard to entertain them and keep them busy.

New Mexico

Dave and Roger hit the road for this year's antelope hunting trip. I am sure they have lots of fun stories to tell, but all I have to show for it are the pictures he brought home. It is a highlight of his year to go on his annual roadtrip with Roger, who knows where next year will take them.

Jackson

Taite and Dave had the opportunity to go to Jackson this past week in search of a mountain lion den. Sadly, Taite was sick for part of the trip, but Dave said he still was a trooper. It took them two days of hiking and searching, but they were able to find it. They found 4 kittens in the den. They collared three of them for the project that Dave has been working on with Boone Smith through the research groups Beringia South/Panthera. Taite loved the trip!