Vail Vikings Football

After the third week of football I had finally had enough. Practice everyday from 6:30-8:30, late nights for everyone, running to and from has been never ending.  I had made up my mind to pull him out and they went to get him and the head coach said "no you can't have him he is one of my best players". So the coach came and talked to me directly and said I understand if you have your reasons for pulling him out but he really is one of the best kids I have out there he listens, works hard, and does what he is asked. So after that I decided to let him continue playing. Since then practice has gone to just three days a week (which helps). Then we got to see a scrimmage and it was fun to see him play. Then this past Saturday Jeff (I was on a youth temple trip) watched his first game. Jeff has dreaded getting him there but has really enjoyed watching him play and they finally have something they can talk about and enjoy together.

Jace #71 and his buddy CJ going for a tackle

They get him and Jace ends up on his face!

Somewhere in that bunch is Jace running the ball!

This was the first game and they ended in a tie 12-12! Jeff says they played great so hope next game is better!

He is a different kid out there playing and he enjoys it so the next two months will consist of a lot of football.

Time for Catch Up!

Well I have had much happenings around here and have not found (or made) the time for blogging so here is a recap of the past month or so.

A friend convinced me to sign Jace up for football and it has been practice everyday for the past 2 weeks. It is late nights for him and I see he is tiring.  Hopefully when practice goes to 3 days a week and the games begin the excitement will be back.

He looks tough we will see how he does!

Caelin did a volleyball camp at Cienega High School the first week of school and LOVED it so she tried out for the middle school volleyball team. Unfortunately she didn't make the team but she is ok with it.  Only 3 6th graders made the team.  She will try again next year and maybe try basketball or soccer in the months ahead.

Jett and Calissa are adventurous and are always wanting to swim.  About a month ago Jeff gave in and bought the kids a small pool and they have all loved it.  They ask everyday if they can swim.

They are both little fish and are so goofy!

I couldn't resist Calissa's little face!

I had knee surgery again and it is feeling so much better after a much longer recovery than I had anticipated. They did a spinal tap for my knee surgery so I didn't have to be totally out and it didn't work and they had to give me general anesthesia anyway.  I felt pretty good until about the time I got home and I had this terrible headache (felt just like a migraine). I get migraines so I didn't think too much of it until after the third day Jeff decided we might need to go to the Dr.  So we got a hold of my surgeon (thanks to my Dad who has an in with him) and he knew right away that it was a spinal headache.  It is all the symptoms of a migraine without the relief medication can give. It is caused by a leak in the spinal column (where the spinal tap was done) and as it leaks it puts pressure on the brain causing severe headaches. When you lay down it goes away for the most part and when you stand it becomes unbearable.  The fix for this is not necessarily easy either (especially not for me). They give you an epideral without the medication and then they draw blood and put it directly into your spinal column (it called a blood patch). Only the first time around they had the epideral in and was drawing blood and I passed out and they had to take everything out and start again. The second time was much better and felt I felt much better right away.  However after so much it has taken time to get back to things in life.

The latest picture of the progress

The loft addition has slowed but it is coming along hopefully before too long we can start moving up in it. I think I am more excited than the kids. I am hoping it will help with organization in this house and not make things worse, if that is possible.

Jett Turned 4

Saturday was Jett's 4th birthday and we had just a relaxed family day.  All Jett wanted was a slip n slide and cars.  That is what he got we let him open his slip n slide early and they played and played.  The night before we went to Texas Roadhouse and had dinner (he loves the peanuts there), and he got to ride on the saddle.  When it got a little loud and the whole restaurant was hollering "Happy Birthday" he was not quite sure.

My cute boys one blonde or dark

He is not quite sure about this but he did it!

This is what the day was all about, Jett LOVED it!

It is fun for all!!

He always gets so excited over the presents to open and he did not disappoint as you can tell by the look on his face.  For dinner we had homemade pizza (one of his favorites) and a new cake recipe I found on Pintrest that he just loved, vanilla cake with chocolate pudding as frosting. 

BIRTHDAY BOY!

Look how Caelin has to cover Calissa's mouth to keep her
from helping out! :)

Now what can I say about this cute, blonde haired, 4 year old of mine. He has the ability to light up the room or bring the room down when he is in a bad mood. He loves his brother and sisters but gets easily annoyed with them as well and lets out a huge scream. It was a good day all and all and he wanted to have his birthday again the next day!








Here is a little insight on Jett:

1. What is your favorite color? Red

2. What is your favorite toy? Grandpa truck (semi-truck) and monster trucks

3. What is your favorite fruit? Grapes

4. What is your favorite TV show? Calliou

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Peanut butter and honey

6. What is your favorite outfit? Shorts and Fire shirt (Wallow fire)

7. What is your favorite game? Mario Cart

8. What is your favorite snack? Fruit Snacks

9. What is your favorite animal? Puppy

10. What is your favorite song? Cupid Shuffle (he knows most of the dance too)

11. What is your favorite book? Cars - Roadwork

12. Who is your best friend? Caelin and Jace

13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruit Loops and Lucky Charms

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play football and Slip n Slide

15. What is your favorite drink? Juice

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Blanket (from Rachel)

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Swedish Pancakes

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Super man

Girls Camp

I spent 4 days up on Mount Lemmon at Camp Zion with the Young Women from church and I must say it was one of the most amazing experiences ever.  From the spiritual side, to the exhausting part, to the hard parts, all rolled into one amazing experience.  I tackled a fear repelling (no never dreamed of doing it but was scared to death). I loved to be there for testimony meeting the last night and hear the strong testimonies of these Young Women. 

Our fearless leader/camp director! She is an amazing women

Kim (my advisor) and I we are a great team!
I look a little scary but hey I was "roughing" it!

This is me doing the zip line! That was a lot of fun!

They had so many fun activities for the girls this is an archery
and they also got to shoot paintballs! They really enjoyed
those!

They had some cute crafts for them all to do

After the nightly program they had an "After Dance Party"
they had so much fun as did the leaders!

A couple of my girls taking a rest during the hike! It was a HOT day!

Roosevelt Lake 2012

Good food, family, water, relaxation, and a good workout everyday! What could be better? Nothing I can think of! 

We had a fabulous week at Roosevelt Lake for another annual Gibbons Family Reunion.  Not all the family made it this year (but with a family the size of ours that is to be expected).  Thanks to my Mom and Dad who do so much to make it such a fun week for adults and kids.  Thanks to Dad John and Jonna for the endless hours they pull wake boarders, skiers, and of course the endless tubers. It truly was a fabulous week!

A view from the top of our 5:15 a.m. walk, hike, and even a little running a total of
6.8 miles roundtrip with a 1750 feet elevation change (thanks to Jeff for all that info).
My sisters, nieces and I enjoyed this morning workout to get our frustrations out
and enjoy each others company. A couple of the guys did one day and Dad John did a few of
days (the early mornings were hard on them)!

This is what the lake does to a two year old when naps don't happen!

This kid loved the boat and adored his cute older cousins who
gave him any attention!

Jeff and the start of bare footing

Yes this is Jeff with no ski's just his bare feet! This is quite
impressive if I say so myself!

Someone thought this was a sandy beach and boy were they wrong
but the kids of all ages loved the mud.  Before they were
allowed back in the boat they had to strip (in the water
of course) and clean all the mud out of everywhere! It was
hilarious to see them trying to walk in this stuff!

My little boat princess always wanted to be the flagger!

The 4 and under group loved this little pool!

This is Jeff once again showing off his stuff.  He was getting
some really good air.  I kept waiting for some dramatic flip
or something it just never happened.

Caelin LOVES to knee board and she is quite good!

This is Jeff's Dad and at age 62 he is quite impressive himself.
He skis, bare foots, and is quite dramatic. 

This is John being dramatic because the water wasn't good enough
because of the boat waves.  Then it gets really good when he can't
get his rhythm and throws the rope and goes down. :)  We love him
just the same with all his drama and I know where Jeff and the kids
get it from!

It really was a fun week. Jace (not pictured) was either on a tube or off exploring with his cousins. He loves the time the most with his cousins that are his age that he rarely sees!

I did my hiking 6 of the 8 mornings we were there but no water sports for me! Knee boarding was my thing but since my surgery there is too much pain.  Jeff wants me to learn to wake board and perhaps one of these days I may try but for now I am content to watch Jeff and the kids do their thing.

Memorial Day 2012

We got to spend a whole day on the lake with Jeff's Dad and Jonna at Roosevelt Lake.  We had a great time and the kids enjoyed it. They were not fussy just happy and loved the water.  It was a relaxing day one that we needed after all the projects and activities that have been happening on around here. 

Calissa was a little unsure at first but as you can see she adjusted and had a GREAT time!

Peas in a pod

This was short lived Jett, Caelin, and Calissa but they tried

Jace and all he wanted to do was tube!

Calissa and Grandpa John

Jett and Jace

Yes even a picture of Me!

Jeff did some wake boarding but made us all sit in a particular spot for the best wake and I was not able to get any pictures of him in action.  As you can see everyone was all smiles and a great day! A special thanks to Dad and Jonna for making it such a great day! We love you guys!

Promotion

Last Friday was the last day of school for Caelin as a Elementary Student.  However we have no pictures of her 5th Grade Promotion because she got sick and missed school Wednesday and Thursday and was feeling better so I took her to clean out her desk Thursday afternoon thinking Friday would be crazy and she wouldn't have enough time.  She seemed to be feeling better so never thought about her missing.  When she got up Friday she says she couldn't do it.  So she missed the best part of the school year but she has moved on and is officially a Middle Schooler.

Caelin had an amazing 6 years in Elementary from Kindergarten with Mrs. Creason, 1st Grade with Mrs. Cupell, 2nd Grade with Mrs. Noble, 3rd Grade with Ms. Lopez, 4th Grade with Mrs. Stough, and 5th Grade with Ms. Condley.  Everyone helped her and challenged her through her elementary days.  We have loved each and everyone of them.  Caelin had the opportunity to be part of the National Elementary Honor Society (which she loved), she also enjoyed Algebra Club, Advanced Math, and Technology Club. (Can't tell she takes after her Engineering Dad). We are so proud of her and her hard work this past year and all through her Elementary years.

Caelin 2nd Grade with Mrs. Tarra Noble

Caelin 5th Grade with Ms. Ashley Condley

Congrats Caelin! We Love You!