Spring Soccer

"Tarry a moment to watch the chaos of a playground, crayola-colored shirts of running children, all trying out their wings."  ~Dr. SunWolf, professorsunwolf.com

 We were able to go up to one of Ashton's last soccer games - and what a treat!

 This little guy hustles the whole time he is out there, has really good ball sense - he always seems to be right where he needs to be and he smiles the whole time!

 
Hunter ~ practicing so he'll be ready for his team next year!

Sandy, Brittany, Tiffany and Ashton ~ enjoying his after game treat.  Tiffany had flown up from Phoenix for a few days and it was a treat to have her there as well!

 On May 19th we were able to go down to Enoch to watch James' last soccer game.

 Coaches time out huddle

 Sandy, Nathanial, Charlie and Arianne - cheering James and his team on.

 Running fast!

 And a big cheer for the opposing team!

Sandy and Charlie giving Nathanial a swing back from the playground.

These are the moments I love~ playing with the grandchildren, cheering for them, watching the excitement in their eyes and seeing the joy on their faces~ life couldn't be any better than this! I am so grateful for these treasured blessings!

Ragnar 2012

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” ~ Edmund Hillary

RAGNAR 2012

June 15 - 16 was the Utah Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay and six of our kids and six of the Shirley family next door formed a Ragnar co-ed team.  They have been working out for months to prepare, e-mailing and discussing and looking at their legs (legs of the race - but I am sure they looked at their own as well, since they were getting quite a work out), the elevation and distance to cover.  Over a period of two days, the team of 12 runs over 192 miles from Logan to Park City (over the mountains)

 Cori and Cory run over to cool Tiffany off and give her a drink.  She was running on a sprained ankle and Brett flew in from Phoenix just in case he needed to take her last two legs of the race . . . but she pushed on and ran through the pain.  She had great team support and everyone took a different leg of the race than they had planned on in order to give Tiff a little easier run on her swollen ankle.  This was a fun section of the Ragnar - people were out with hoses to squirt runners down, offer them drinks and snacks a long the way.

 Cory, Brittany, Cori and Jesse waiting for Tiffany and the hand-off to Jesse.

 The sweet Ragnar-mobile and running pseudonyms. . . "Big E, Twink, Bandito, Queen B, Raging Bull and Machie.  They also had the back windows full of "kill" cross hatches . . .anytime you pass another runner, you count that as a "kill."

 Brittany - still smiling at the end of her race.  She handed off to Jesse, who started a nearly 1,600 foot elevation climb up the Ragnar Hill from Heber to Park City.  Jesse chugged right up that hill - wow!

 It was really fun to be part of the support team on this section of the two day race.  Everyone was exhausted, they had only slept a few minutes here and there over the course of two days, they were nibbling in between races, hot, hungry, hurting . . . but they were laughing, happy, and continued cheering each other on.

 Cori jogged his section of the 1653 vertical climb and finished strong ~ wow, this team is impressive!

 Hand-off ~ has to be a great feeling!

 Ethan takes off on his last leg. He had a short climb, then dropped nearly 2,000 feet over the mountain into Deer Valley ski resort.

 Mt Loafer Loafers ready and waiting for Cory to come in from his last leg to finish the race together.

 Across the finish line!  Their team came in 231 out of 636 co-ed open teams.  Not bad for their first race!

The Loafer Mountain Loafers ~ Jay, Devin, Shelby, Darren, Cori, Jesse
Cory, Brittany, Ethan, Brian and Tiffany

 The medal

 Food, glorious food!

 The food was fabulous, served on huge, piping hot platters . . . but our eyes were much bigger than our appetites ~ everyone needed to go boxes.

The kids took me out to Mi Ranchitos in Salt Lake for my birthday ~  what a great end to a great day.  

Charlie's Twelfth Night

"Be not afraid of greatness:some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them."~ William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night

 "We will draw the curtain and show you the picture." Acti. Scene 5

Thursday, May 17 found us at the Enoch Grade School ready to watch the 2nd graders production of Twelfth Night.  I must say, I was so looking forward to this production, and amazed that an elementary school teacher would take on the challenge of  such a project. We have such great teachers in Utah, but some are truly extraordinary, and I think Mr Heaton is one of those who stands above the crowd.

When we walked into the auditorium, Mr. Heaton was greeting the guests.  I told him we were Charlie's grandparents and we were so looking forward to this evening!  He said to me, "I want you to know that I have never seen anyone so young do such a great job - Charlie is a great actor!"  And he was right!  Charlie did such a great job - he was articulate, projected his voice, spoke slowly and clearly and dramatized each line.  We were so proud of him !

A quick summary ~ Viola, the main character is ship wrecked in a terrible storm and she and her twin brother, Sebastian are separated and both believe that their twin has drowned in the storm.

Viola, alone in the world, disguises herself as a young man, Cesario and seeks work at the Duke of Illyria's home as a musician.  Orsino, the duke,  is in love with  Lady Olivia, and he sends Viola (in disguise as Cesario) to Olivia's home to woo her for Orsino, but Olivia begins to fall in love with Cesario instead.

Charlie played Malvolio, Olivia's servant, who tries to keep everyone quiet, respectful  and out of trouble.

Not everyone appreciates his serious attitude, however and Olivia's uncle, Sir Toby, Feste and Olivia's serving maid decide to play tricks on Malvolio

They convince him that Olivia is falling in love with him ~ and Olivia is convinced that Malvolio has gone mad.

Meanwhile, Viola, still disguised as Cesario is falling in love with the Duke. Her brother Sebastian and his friend, Antonio are looking for Viola.

 "This is very midsummer madness." ~ Twelfth Night

 "Out of the jaws of death." ~ Shakespeare, Act iii, Scene 4

Everyone starts confusing Sebastian and Cesario.  Olivia ends up marrying Sebastian and the Duke is angry because he thinks Viola married his servant, Cesario.  Sebastian and Viola eventually find heach other again and Viola can then disgard her disguise and shows the world she is truly a woman.

Final Bows - to a standing ovation.

These kids did a great job!  As well as Mrs. G who did a fantastic job on the costumes, Mrs O and Mr H and all those who worked so hard on the scenery, production and providing the time, love and support that goes into a great production.

Charlie as Malvolio ~ great job, Charlie!!!!

James - one of his quiet seconds.

Celebrating at Artic Circle with ice cream sundaes after the show.