HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAITIBUG!

It's official! She's a teenager!

Although she has been acting like a teenager for years now, she finally is one! Kaiti celebrated her 13th Birthday last Thursday-the 13th! I love her. I know we don't always see eye to eye, mostly because neither one of us can admit we are wrong, but I love her. I am so thankful for a daughter who knows who she is, who reminds us to choose the right. She appreciates that being the only girl in our family, she gets certain priviledges. She also, though sometimes reluctantly, lets the boys tease her. She is the first to say, "I love you" to every member of our family. She's a straight "A" student with tons of friends that love to be around her. I wanted to be able to post pictures of her, one for every year of her life, but our %&%^&@@# computer guy still has our computer. So here's a few some of "my favorites!"

"Good Things Utah", here I come!

A few weeks ago, while running the treadmill, I was watching "Good Things Utah". They mentioned they would be having a contest. They were asking viewers to interview them! To be considered, you needed to submit which of the hosts you would like to interview and sample questions you would ask. I thought, what the heck? That would be fun, not likely I would be selected, but I'll try anyway.
I WAS SELECTED!!!! I get to interview Nicea DeGering. So here's where you come in! I have a few questions I have aleady thought of, but I'm hoping you can help. Submit your question ideas and if I use your question, I'll give you a prize! It will be a taped interview, the taping is Monday the 24th and the interview will air Thursday-Thanksgiving Day at 10:00am. Wish me luck!

WE DID IT!!!!! ALEX IS THE STATE CHAMPION!

The weather couldn't have been better for a great game of football! Alex's final game as a little league-er ended beautifully with a win of 20-14. I thought I would be more nervous yesterday, I usually get nervous for him. But somehow, I was at peace. It didn't really matter if we won or lost. I knew that my Alex has learned the game of football. He has developed into a great athlete. Win or lose, I love him all the same!
I also love my dear hubby who has dedicated hundreds of hours to him. One year, I was feeling particularly neglected and added up all the hours he spends coaching. Well over 300 hours just during the 3 months of football. I wouldn't want it any other way though. I wouldn't want someone else spending those hours with our son.
I thought Troy and Alex would be more emotional too. They were very humble and took it in stride. Although they love the bragging rights!
Winning the State Championship this year was a tremendous way to end his Little League experience. Every year for 7 years we have gone to the play-offs, and until now, the title has eluded us. WOW! What a finish. CONGRATULATIONS ALEX! CONGRATULATIONS TROY!
Of course, as is usually the case, I forgot my camera. Kaiti took these pictures with her phone for me! I will post the other pictures the "good parents who bring their camera to the game" took for me later!

OUR FAVORITE SILVERWOLF

So going into yesterday's playoff game was pretty emotional. We were up against a team who had spanked us in the regular season. I was feeling a bit nostalgic. This is Alex's last year playing little league football. Next year he will be playing on the High School team. I also knew if we lost, this would be the very last game as a little leaguer. With that in mind, I dug up the flag that my best friend Tracy helped me make just before Alex and Taylor started the second year of football. I also dug out every jersey and between Alex, me, Kaiti, Max and our friends next door, Madi and Alexis, we represented every year Alex has played football. (minus two jerseys, one was too small the other was too ripped up!)But Madi is wearing Alex's LUCKY 13 baseball jersey!








Max isn't so much into the football game as you can see! It's our hope that he gets more excited about it next year and wants to play or Troy will surely cry himself to sleep!




The best part is....WE WON!!!! Alex totally had a fantastic game! He had a huge touchdown saving tackle on defense and the biggest play of the game was when our biggest guy tackled their quarterback. As their quarterback was going down he tried to throw the ball (intentional grounding)but Alex read exactly what he was doing, caught the ball just before it fell to the ground and ran about 70 yards for a touchdown!!!! I love that kid! I somehow lost all motor skills, maybe it's the drugs still in my system, I don't know. But I couldn't even put my hands together to clap! We won 18-14


But of all the excitement of the HUGE win-which by the way, we go to the championship game next Saturday, this picture was the highlight of the day. Without fail, every game that Max goes too, whether he really shows it or not, he is soo proud of his big brother. What touches me the most is, Alex doesn't even flinch when it comes to sharing the moment with his brother. This picture was taken right after the game. The coaches had gathered the kids around to congratulate them on their win. In a moment when most boys would be caught up in the fever of the victory with all their friends, Alex shared it with Max. What more can I say.