SLC - 2010

We have a family tradition - when you turn 8 you get to go to Salt Lake City and go to General Conference (with Dad for now). General Conference is a church conference held twice a year (1st Sunday in April and October). Our prophet plus many other leaders speak to us at this time. (It's on television for those of us who don't go down to SLC.)

Since Nicholas turned 8 last year (right after General Conference was held) he had to wait till this year (April 3rd) to go. After conference they hit the slopes of Alta! They had a WONDERFUL time skiing! (We would never go to Conference in October; there may not be enough snow to go skiing!) Thanks for waiting NICK!

As for Christopher and Emma and I - well, we had fun going to Chuck-E-Cheese! Christopher also had a soccer game in there! Chris enjoys soccer and a few weeks back scored a goal from 1/2 field! The ball sailed up and over the other team and came down right in front of the goal and rolled in!! It was amazing!!! Coach was amazed!!! We know Christopher has some GREAT LEG POWER, but didn't know he could do that! Now he's faithfully practicing in the back yard - full on power house kicks! Watch out!

2009-2010 Gymnastics Overview

I didn't post much during Nicholas' gymnastics season. It was very very busy with every one's schedule. Yesterday Nicholas went to the North Texas State Championships. It was AWESOME!


Let's go back... The Friendship Invitational held in Allen, Texas back in February (2/6/10) was a great meet. Nick received 2nd place in the All-Around. He got a personal best of 15.6 in the rings. He scored another personal best in the pommel horse with a 15.7.


The Garland Classic held in Garland, Texas was in late February. Nick received 3rd place with an 88.6 in the All-Around. Eagle Gymnastics Team received 2nd place.

The Empire Last Chance was held in early March. Nick was 2nd place in the All-Around.



So, as you can see, Nick still brought home lots and lots of medals this season. I think he brings home, on average, 7 to 8 medals a meet. He has quite the collection! But I seem to keep asking him, "Nick, last year you brought home many more 1st place medals than you are this year. What's the scoop on this?" He always smiles! He assures me that the competition is harder. Last year he was in Level 4 which routines are much easier. This year he has practiced Level 5 routines. By the time the State Meet rolled around, he was able to polish off his floor routine with TWO BACK HANDSPRINGS! It was just awesome! He had his personal best on floor at the State Meet, scoring a 15.3! (Floor is hard for Nick! On the other hand, rings are NOT!)

As for the State Meet held yesterday, he scored in the 15s and a few 14s. Judging seemed tough. Competitors seemed really really good. He placed 4th in the All-Around (89.8). A team mate, Harrison, placed 3rd in the All-Around (90.0)!

There are 4 boys that compete in Level 5, ages 7 and 8, for Eagle Gymnastics. These four boys brought home the North Texas State Championship 1st Place (again). These same boys brought it home last season also! Good Job Team Eagle Gymnastics!

Harrison, Joshua, Zachary and Nicholas

My Emma Lee

I had the opportunity to visit Dear Friends in Utah a few weeks back (my b-day wish)! I was gone for 6 days and 5 nights. (Not that I was counting!) It was a SPLENDID time - FOR EVERYONE!

Glenn wanted to paint Emma's room ever since we landed in Dallas a few years ago. There had never been time. I am not a painter (not yet anyway) but someday want to tackle that project. Her room was dark, navy blue... each time I would just shake my head when I went into her dark cave.

But after 6 days and 5 nights... WA LA --

2009-10 Gymnastics Begins

Nick was able to compete in last Saturday's Empire Gymnastics Invitational in Euless "Useless" Texas (Hey, the announcer said it just that way! I'm sure he was joking.) When I asked Nick if he was ready to compete, he said, "Oh yeah!" And yes he was! The numbers show that he is at the start of the season - and has room for improvement BUT despite a few missteps on landings everything WENT GREAT! He came home with 3rd place in the All-Around (89.8) (1st place in All-Around was 91.2, 2nd place was 90.0.) 1st place in vault (15.0). 1st place tie in rings (15.2). 3rd place tie in p-bars (14.7). 4th place in pommel horse (15.0). 5th in both highbar (15.0) and floor (14.9). The boys who scored higher than Nick were from Empire Gymnastics and were a year older... competing in the same Level 5. We're not sure if he'll face them in the state meet in April, but until then, it's great competition! Here's a quick shot of his Pommel Horse Routine... Glenn placed the camera right infront of the horse and then went away... Nick did not know he was being videoed THAT close-up.

Happy Birthday Emma

Today Emma Lee turned FIVE YEARS YOUNG! We stuck with tradition - DOLL CAKE! We have this cake book and she looked through it many, many times this year, but still went with the doll cake. It is such a fun cake to make. It's so easy too!





She had a WONDERFUL time decorating it... and so did the brothers, EVEN THOUGH they want NO PART with a beautiful PINK doll cake!

More Happenings Before 2010

Tonight, this morning... I'm not sure what to call it...

I wanted to post a picture of our "UN" traditional Christmas Dinner! After our "UN" traditional Thanksgiving Dinner (steaks) we decided to keep with the "UN" tradition. For Christmas we had Baby Back Ribs... and they were tasty and so so easy.

When the kids woke up on Christmas morning, I put 3 racks of ribs into the crock-pot... poured on some BBQ sauce and by the time the PARTY was winding down... the ribs were ready to eat! (This is DEFINITELY the WAY TO GO!)

Each of the boys received a NERF Raiders-CS35 gun. This gun holds 35 bullets (in a round) and they shoot quite well. What I didn't realize when I purchased them, that they each came with an additional 100 bullets! That's 400+ bullets flying through our home! Fun, Fun, Fun! You can only imagine... a few years back we bought each of the boys a set of marbles. (Each container had 200 marbles... WHAT WERE WE THINKING!) We just haven't learned... but you know, it sure has been fun!



Here's a few additional photos from Christmas 2009:

Happenings the Month of December

Benjamin celebrated his 12th birthday this month. I can't believe little 'ole Ben is 12. He requested an Angel Food Cake with chocolate syrup. He continues to be a great example in our family - patient, kind, always looking for a way to solve a problem INSTEAD of arguing... he's the BEST!

He received this crazy book from his grandparents... I'm afraid to leave him alone at home (i.e. babysitting)!

Totally Irresponsible Science Experiments

Nicholas had a Christmas Banquet with the Eagle Gymnastics Team. During this yearly banquet they hand out awards. Last year Nick received the Soldier Award... and was also nominated for the Beast Award. The Soldier Award is given to the gymnast who obeys nearly everything the coaches say; the Beast Award is given to the gymnast who improves their strength through the year.


This year he was nominated for the Beast Award and the Rock Award. The Rock Award is given to the gymnast who is fearless. He did not receive either of the awards this year. But, he did receive the Golden Eagle Leadership Award. This award is given to the gymnast who is setting a good example and to whom the boys look to as a leader.

Zach has been playing basketball the past few weeks. He is on the Outlaws team. Last game, he scored the last point of the game! Though the team lost, they seem to be improving each game.