The Hat Trick

Ilah hasn't played soccers since her first season in Las Vegas when she was 4 or 5. So I was pretty amazed at her natural ability. She really came into her own the last 2 or 3 games when Mike was able to come and watch.

The second to last game we arrived a smidge late, Ilah's team was playing down a person so she ran right in, and within one minute had scored a goal! She ended up scoring three goals that game. Mike wanted to throw his hat on the field. He taught me that when the same player scores three goals, it is called a hat trick.

I wish Ilah had the same opportunity to be coached by Teresa McNally like Taysom did or Chuck Bennion like Tucker did. Her coach was very nice, but man, we were spoiled in Vegas!!

Tucker's Last Track Meet

I am very proud of my action shots!

Scroll really quick and you'll feel like you were there for his shot put throw :)

He got a personal best of 30 feet.

He takes a breather in the stands trying to look cool for the ladies.

2009 Joplin Fun Run

This is the fourth year that our children have participated in the Fun Run. It has become a fun tradition for me to sit in the stands and cheer on the kids. This year was the first year for Ilah to run the mile. It is two times around the track and then out of the stadium, up a killer hill to behind the visitor's stands and then back down to the track to finish it off.

Last year, Ilah and her buddy from church, Patience, placed 1st and 2nd (Patience taking first). This year Patience again took first and did it without looking winded. And it was HOT!

Here's Ilah. She managed to place again this year coming in 6th place!

Henry also ran. Henry's buddy, Tanner, came for the fun as well. They had to run two laps around the track. Here they are finishing up - about in the middle of the pack. They didn't place, but they got what they came for... the gift bags and free T-shirts!

Henry just looks like a runner doesn't he??????????



Ilah showing off her 6th place medal!

~Fun May weekend~

Check Out iBurrito

Ilah has decided to create a blog... She really wanted to to a web show, but this is the best I can do. She would love your comments!!!!!!



P.S. The link is over on the left under Friends and Family.

North Middle School's Jazz Band

Since I have been taking classes to get my masters, I have had to miss several concerts, games, awards nights, etc. I was completely bummed a few weeks ago when I missed what I thought was the last band concert. Lucky for me, the band was asked to play one more time after my class was over. Hardly anyone attended because it wasn't advertised, and the majority of the band parents/families had just attended their "last" concert. So about 10 people- including me and Taysom- were treated to a wonderful night of jazz. Tucker and his two buddies from church (Matthew and Sam) are the three of the four trumpeters. (Tucker is the tallest one.) Melia, also in our ward, is on the keyboard.
Our favorite song is "The Pink Panther."

The one below is the Pink Panther. If you only have time to listen to one, I suggest this one. Notice the steady metronome in the background. It was the self-proclaimed 'best audience member' clapping in time because Ms. Palmer asked the audience to participate. Taysom never lets down the band :)

Henry and the Terrible, Horrible, No-good, Very Bad Day

This morning Henry woke up a bit grumpy. After getting his church clothes on, he went downstairs to the kitchen to toast some Eggos. Unfortunately, Ilah and Tucker had just finished them off. It was going to be a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day!

He had to move Taysom's pioneer dress making mess on the table so he could sit up there and try to get his church shoes on. They are lace-ups, and he hates lace-ups. He was really having trouble with the left shoe so Ilah decided to help. She pulled out the laces to try and loosen the shoe. Henry yelled at Ilah for taking out the laces. Just then Mom came into the kitchen and got after Henry (she had woken up a bit grumpy herself). It was a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day!

As we were walking out to get into the van, Mom mentioned to Henry that he needed to go right to his room for a nap when he got home from church unless she saw marked improvement in his behavior at church. He glared at her thinking, "This is a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day!"

While sitting on the pew during sacrament meeting, Ilah asked Mike for a piece of gum. Mike gave Ilah his last piece. Henry became sullen and even grumpier. Mike had been at meetings all morning and didn't understand that Henry was having a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day so he leaned down and asked Henry what was wrong. Henry said, "They ate all the Eggos, now the gum... I bet I don't get any lunch either."

I hope he doesn't move to Alaska!

Henry Persuades Through Humor

A couple of weeks ago we took the family to Olive Garden in honor of Tucker's birthday. After our delicious dinner we were deciding who wanted to go to Academy Sports with Dad and Tucker to pick out Tucker's birthday present (a clay pidgeon thrower). Henry quickly piped up that he needed to go because he really needed new shoes. I had no sooner given the questioning look when Henry started explaining, "Mom, let me show you my shoes' new features, and they weren't included!"

That boy had us all cracking up :)