We are off to the BYU v. UNI game. Go Cougars!!

timpanogos storytelling festival

Jared's cousin Hunter performed in the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival this morning. This is his second year performing and he did an outstanding job. He told an original story about eating too many microwaved brownies.


Shaunte' and Carter came with us and we had a great time listening to some great stories. The boys even got into a couple of them singing and dancing along with everyone else.


Jace and Carter also had a great time "play fighting." They run around and fall to the ground and tackle each other. They were laughing pretty hard and so were Shaunte' and I.



Thanks for the tickets, Hunter!

art time

Yesterday, Jace wanted to paint.


After painting he wanted to color with markers except he colored himself instead of the picture.

disclaimer: byu pick

Just a little disclaimer on my pick for Northern Iowa over BYU. The rules are that the team has to win by the at least the point spread or you lose. So BYU is predicted to win by 31.5 points and I am going on the premise that Coach Mendenhall won't let his team rack up the points. Therefore I think BYU will win however I chose Northern Iowa because I don't think BYU will beat them by 31.5 points or more. Make sense?

college fb picks: week 1

At Franson Civil they "pick" for just about every sport and game. For the next few months it will be all about football. I decided to do my own picks against Jared's (mainly so I can continue my bragging rights as the best in our family). The rules are that if you pick a team and they win but by less than the point spread then you lose. They chose 9 games this week plus pre-season picks for BYU, Utah, USU and the National Champ. So here they are (blue team is the pick):

Jared's picks
Northern Iowa v. (16) BYU -31.5 BYU
Utah v. Michigan -3.5 Michigan
USU v. UNLV -12.5 UNLV
(18) Tennessee v. UCLA -7.5 Tennessee
TCU v. New Mexico -6.5 TCU
Kentucky v. Louisville -3.5 Louisville
Fresno St. v. Rutgers -5.5 Rutgers
(20) Illinois v. (8) Missouri -8.5 Missouri
(24) Alabama v. (9) Clemson -5.5 Clemson
BYU: 13-0
Utah: 10-3
USU: 3-9
National Champion: Oklahoma

Jeannie's picks
Northern Iowa v. BYU (16) -31.5 BYU
Utah v. Michigan -3.5 Michigan
USU v. UNLV -12.5 UNLV
(18) Tennessee v. UCLA -7.5 Tennessee
TCU v. New Mexico -6.5 TCU
Kentucky v. Louisville -3.5 Louisville
Fresno St. v. Rutgers -5.5 Rutgers
(20) Illinois v. (8) Missouri -8.5 Missouri
(24) Alabama v. (9) Clemson -5.5 Clemson
BYU: 13-0
Utah: 11-2
USU: 3-9
National Champion: Florida

jace diaries

Just wanted to do a little post on Jace. He is quickly turning into a little boy. (Most of the time) I love this stage. It has been fun to be able to interact with him. Even though he won't remember the things we did this summer I love seeing the joy that he gets from doing them. He definitely keeps us on our toes.

At 23 months and 2 days Jace can:
talk in mostly understandable complete sentences (he blows me away with some of things that he comes up with like using the word yet and my favorite, "mom, i missing one flip-flop")
can unlock the deadbolt and open the front door (and all the other doors for that matter)
flush the toilet and open the tube of toothpaste
knows what each ball is and how to use it
say the blessing on the food (with a little bit of help)
sing "eensy weensy spider"
in his own words: "swing like a monkey" (one of his favorite things to do at the park - hang from a bar)
recognize and name people in pictures (even if he hasn't seen them for awhile - he's got a great memory)
jump off the diving board and swim with floaties

So it is harder than I thought to come up with things at the moment. I know there is a lot more I could write. Maybe I'll think of some more later when I don't have anything to write it down with (that's usually what happens to me).

memories

I have spent the past couple of days going through my closets, organizing and filling my trunk for a trip to D.I. No matter how many times a year I go through my things I always seem to get rid of a good amount of it. I guess things mean something different to me at different times. Anyway, as I was cleaning one of the closets I pulled out my boxes that came from my house when my mom cleaned out my room. It took me back to all of the great times that I had growing up and all of the great friends that I had. I have lots of great pictures that take me back to great times. Here are some showing us throughout the years (sorry for the quality, I don't have a scanner so they are pictures of pictures). Anyway, I think it's time for another get together so we can catch up and reminisce. I love you guys!

7th grade, 1997


Seniors, 2002


2005

costume box

(click to enlarge)

I have decided to start Jace a costume box. One of my favorite things growing up was playing dress-ups. So, I hit the D.I. on Monday morning (which I think is the best time to go to the D.I.) and got some great hats around his size. We will keep adding to it as we find fun costumes. I don't know if he is quite old enough to get it all on his own but we have had fun playing together.

Engaged!!

My little sister is getting married! Congratulation guys!

In her own words: "Alma (Alma Jean) and I met about two and a half years ago in a french class at BYU. A year later we were in an English class at BYU and we have been friends ever since. We started seriously dating in the middle of March. Basically, one day Alma told me that he was interested in dating, I thought about it for a bit, and then said, "Ok, let's try it out." And then, as they say, the rest is history. Things have gone swimmingly, and we'll be getting married on Saturday, Dec. 20th."

Congrats!

Congratulations Alma on graduating with your B.A. in English from BYU!!

company campout

The weekend after our family reunion we had a company campout in Payson canyon. All we had to do was show up with our tents and they did all the rest. All of the food was catered and very very good. They had a movie Thursday night; golf, games and crafts Friday; and a talent show Friday night. The only problem was that Jace did not sleep well either night. He does not want covers on him and it was fairly cold both nights. Other than that we had a great time. There's something about being in the mountains and surrounded by nature that is beautiful and therapeutic.


Working on his car during craft time

Trying to escape during naptime

Jace loved playing on this scooter

island park + yellowstone

Every year we go camping for our family reunion. This year we headed to Island Park and Yellowstone. We had a great time and missed those that couldn't make it (especially Uncle Devin because he was so great with the little kids although Jacob is stepping up and trying to fill those big shoes). On Thursday the guys went golfing while the kids played and the gals relaxed. Friday we all headed to Yellowstone for a day of sightseeing. Saturday we headed home and had birthday cake at the house (we have 6 in August). Following are a few (okay maybe more than a few) pictures of our adventures.

Sam and Jace at the springs

Crystal clear water at the springs...love it!

Taking a break on our hike through Yellowstone Grand Canyon

Olivia, Brooklyn and Kylee (a Yellowstone hot pot in the background)

I loved the deep colors of the hot pots

Sam with a tiny frog the boys caught at the lake

Skipping rocks (our campsite was right on the lake)

Wyatt, Dillon, Jacob and Paden

These buffalo came right down to the cars and were too close for comfort (Sam told Grandma,"those aren't effalos, those are monsters!" and "that one doesn't look too happy.")

Taking pictures of Yellowstone Grand Canyon

My Mom and Dad at Geyser Basin

Walking through the stinky mist (made me a little nervous because the buffalo are close but we can't see them)

Jace

Taking pictures of the buffalo in the parking lot

Chilling in the parking lot

update in progress

This morning I woke up with a major head cold. Not great timing since I am supposed to go golfing this afternoon with Jared and a couple from his work and then head to Malad for some wake boarding this weekend. (It's our last weekend of summer fun before football season starts). I haven't been feeling 100% this week and the Olympics are keeping me up way too late and Jace is waking up way too early (5:30 or 6:00). I guess it all caught up with me this morning. So Jared put a movie on while I slept on the couch next to Jace. It is amazing what a couple extra hours of sleep can do for you. I'm not better but do feel like I can actually function today (and I have to function because nothing is going to keep me from wake boarding tomorrow). Since Jace woke up so early he fell asleep on the floor of his room around 9:20. So I jumped in the shower, ate some breakfast and sat down at the computer to up-date my blog. We've been having lots of fun and I have lots to post so stay tuned!

the open house

Last night was Jon and Aubrey's open house. They had it in the Wilson's backyard and it was beautiful. We all spent the day getting ready for the open house. I had a lot of fun, Jared did not. I guess we can't all be party throwers. Here are a few pics from the night.




Aunt Carrie and Talon

Aubrey's little sister


This picture is of Lisa Ashton, Aubrey and me. Lisa and Aubrey were best friends in Junior High when they lived in Illinois. Lisa and I were roomies and best friends at BYU. Kind of funny that we all know each other now.

cub scout day camp

The day after we got home we headed to Cub Scout day camp with our Webelos and the other cub scouts. We had a great time up there and came home very dirty. Jace got to participate in some of the activities with the boys (he loves when the Webelos come over for scouts).

Just hanging out watching the scouts

We made swords and I wanted to get a picture of Jace with his. Right when I went to take the picture he charged after me and before I could get the camera down hit me square on the head with his sword. It was pretty funny.

Jon + Aubrey 07.19.08

Jon (Jared's brother) and Aubrey were married in the Birmingham temple on July 19th. They had a beautiful wedding and we were so happy that we could share it with them. I didn't take a ton of pics because they had a photographer and he was taking enough for everyone. As soon as I can I will post some more. Jace looked so handsome in his red vest and tie.

Jared and Jace

The happy couple - welcome to the family Aubrey!

Atlanta Silverbacks

Jace and I flew from Mexico to Alabama for a visit with the McLaughlin's. We always enjoy spending time with them. The Friday that we were in town Jason (Jared's brother) had a home soccer game (he plays for the Atlanta Silverbacks) so we all headed to Atlanta. Before the game we enjoyed pizza at Jason and Tae's house. Jared flew in that evening, just in time to catch the game. We had a lot of fun watching Jason play and reuniting with Jared after two weeks of being apart.

Jason, Jace and Kenshi

Kenshi watching his Dad play

At the game

Jason McLaughlin, #7