Christmas Lights at Temple Square

We spent a week in Utah for Thanksgiving. We had a great time visiting family, going to movies, visiting friends in Lindon, and visiting Temple Square. Ray and Aaron had tickets to the University of Utah vs BYU football game. One of them came away happy (that would be Aaron). Jordan was unable to come. He stayed home since the Lincoln High football team were preparing that week for the second game in the playoffs. The game was Friday after Thanksgiving, but they lost.

One cute boy

Three handsome young men

Our two special girls

Family Pictures

Abbie's soccer team "the Raptors

Abbie had a great soccer season. She loved playing

any position and especially

scoring goals!

Friendship Club

Annalisa and Abbie have started a Friendship Club to help them develop and strengthen friendships. This was the first meeting. Brennah, Hannah, Mara, Millie, and Sydnee came. We had a great time making muffins and putting fruit baskets together which we later delivered to some of our teachers along with the letters they wrote.

All ready for Crazy Hair Day at Kindergarten

Lincoln Fighting Zebras Football Team

Jordan is on the Varsity Team this year at Lincoln High. He is #56. (2nd from the left) He doesn't get a lot of playing time, but more than last year on the JV team.

The team has had a great season. Last year the varsity team went 1-9. This year, a complete turnaround, they are 10-0. Playoffs begin this Friday. Lincoln is seeded #1 in the Division 4-A group. The unfortunate thing is they play next week (Thanksgiving Week) and will be practicing all week. Jordan will therefore not be able to go to Utah with us. I really hate to leave him behind and to miss his game, but the rest of our children are anxious to go to see family and friends in Utah. I made sure he had a place to go for Thanksgiving Dinner. I may have to leave him alone for a week, but I am sure not going to have him alone on Thanksgiving.

Basketball Shoes

I took Jonathan shoe shopping. He loved the basketball shoes. After trying them on, he decided he need a basketball to get the full effect. He went and asked the cashier at Payless. She didn't have a basketball. Then he came up with a plan, hewanted to run to the store, buy a basketball, return and then try on the basketball shoes. When I didn't agree to the plan, he decided he would just run through Payless as fast as he could to make sure the shoes were fast. He entertained himself and the employees as he ran around and bounced the bouncyball the cashier found for him.

The girls were also buying shoes. Annalisa tempted to walk in 4-inch heels. I don't think so, but it was entertaining watching her attempt to walk.

Halloween

Not really dressing up -- since everyday Jordan,

better known as "Utah", dresses as a Utah fan

The future airforce pilot

(who will never be to old

for trick-or-treating.)

One football player and two cheerleaders makes a great Halloween! It was great having Annalisa's friend come trick-or-treating with us. Ray and I headed out with the girls and Jonathan. Jordan was in charge of passing out the Halloween candy. He set it outside for about 10 minutes and it was nearly gone. Oops, not a good idea.

Jonathan is in Training

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Jordan and Aaron have decided that Jonathan will one day be a big-time football player, either a quarterback or wide-receiver. Jonathan informed me he is ready to play tackle football, and one of the boys in his Kindergarten class plays football. Maybe we will start with flag football. Jonathan says he will play for the Utes -- got to teach them while they are young! Jordan and Aaron have decided, they are going to help by training Jonathan. Jonathan even agreed he needed to eat healthy. He asked for mashed potatoes and questioned me whether there is protein in mashed potatoes.

What a quarterback stance!

Practice as a running back


Exhaustion!

October Birthday Party

We enjoyed celebrating Jordan's and Burgandi's birthdays (they share the same birthdate) with Allie and Nate and their family and with Mom and Dad Noyce who were able to travel for a visit. Yeah!

The backyard is nearly complete.

It is great to have color in what was a dismal backyard!. It is much more pleasant to be outside.

Cheering on the Utes

We headed to San Jose State to watch the University of Utah football team play. Our Utes won 24-14. It was an enjoyable game, except we were in enemy territory. It made it difficult to focus on the game when we surrounded by those who just wanted to yell and swear at the rival fans. Nevertheless, our girls who aren't football fanatics, got into the spirit of the game and enjoyed it! And "Cocoa" the Kindergarten pet was visiting with our family over the weekend, so Jonathan brought him to the game.

Lagoon

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I have decided that I really like Lagoon, especially now that our youngest is tall enough for the majority of the rides. I think what I like most is the

familiarity. When you move as many times as we have, it is nice to come back home to where things are familiar. Both Ray and I grew up going to Lagoon in the summertime. (The newer rides are pretty cool, too!) We had an awesome day with Karen and her children and Garron. Clara was sick and Scott was working. Anna and Abbie spent much of the time hanging with Kilee and her friend. The big boys liked to go on their own. That left Ray, Jonathan, Karen, Kade, and me. Ray and I weren't use to only having one child, usually we are determining who is sitting with who and trying to prevent conflict. Jonathan and Kade were the best of friends. It was a great day!