Ofallon Tournament Dec 12 2009

So this last Saturday, the boys went to the ofallon beginners tournament. This was much smaller, about half as many kids as the last tournament. It was kind of bad, since there were less boys, they had to wrestle kids a little bit bigger than they were. This kid had a 7 pound advantage over Britton, and was much taller. You can see they are the same height here, and look how bent over the boy is! Britton wasnt sure what to think.

This boy was kind of hard for him to handle, but he quickly found out Britton was too!! Britton doing the "barbed wire" to get him over to his back. Britton won by points, 8-4

Jalan's first round he had no problem with his boy. He had pinned this kid in the first period in the last tournament. They werent calling pins in the first round, and Jalan had him pinned in a few seconds. Since they didnt call it, he let him up, and did it again, and again and again.

and again..

This was the score at the end of the 3rd quarter....technical fall.

Britton had to wrestle a girl his second round. All the boys were giving him a hard time. We had watched her wrestle and knew she was tough! She was undefeated, like Britton. Britton took right to working her over.

She was a cute little girl with red hair and a ponytail! Britton beat her! She was pretty tough to beat, but he did beat her 11-6.

Jalan had to wrestle his teammate this round, Chip. They neither really knew what to do, it was serious, but kind of playing around. But, Jalan did beat him by points 7-4.

Britton's last round was a boy he pinned in the last tournament. He was pretty confident about it. He went in and kicked butt.

Britton worked this kid over and beat him. He wanted to get the cradle on him so bad, he spent the whole time trying to get him in it! He didnt get the pin, but beat him pretty bad. And the winner is...Britton!

Our little champ!! now his record is 6-0!! great job!

Jalan's last match was with this kid who was much bigger than he was. He was about 10 lbs heavier and about 6 inches taller. They usually try to keep the kids in a similar weight bracket, but there were only 2 boys in jalans range. So, rather than having the 2 boys just keep wrestling each other over and over, they added them to a bracket with boys much bigger than them. It was good experience for him to do this. Jalan did hold his own with this kid, and fought really hard! Jalan had him on his back some, and was pretty tough.

The boy did get the better of jalan, and ended up pinning him in the 3rd period. Jalan was just worn out physically and mentally after 3 long periods of fighting this boy! We were still really proud of him how hard he fought and how good he did do. 2nd place was a great job!! Better than the easy first place he could have gotten if they didnt switch it up.

Jalan doing the trademark wrestler pose with his second place medal!! Our awesome wrestling brothers! I LOVE this picture!

Our Champions

Wrestling 2009

Well, the boys had their first wrestling tournament this Saturday in Edwardsville. It was a long day! We had to meet at McDonalds in Centralia at 6:15 am so we could travel in together so they could weigh in as a team. Troy was making sure Jalan and Britton didnt eat until after weigh in, you know the drill! So we got there and it started around 10 am. This is what we found! A huge gym with 8 mats going at once. It was soooo packed and hot. macee loved this day lets just say for kicks and giggles. She (and Troy and I) was so cranky and fussy...it wasnt such a great time. But so this tournament, they divided up in age brackets..under 6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14. Then in each division, they divided up by weights, lowest together, etc. into a 4 man bracket. They announced there were 418 kids wrestling! We were totally shocked, did not expect that kind of showing. It was really fun and exciting for the boys, and especially Troy. Here is Troy waiting for Brittons first match to start...he looked like he was going to throw up! He went down there to film, and he said his hands were shaking so much, he hoped it would turn out...

So Britton had his first match...Britton was the lowest weight of all the 9-10 year olds, weighing at 50 lbs. The next lightest boy was 54 I think. So he looked sooo nervous, not sure at all what to expect. We worried about him, he seemed so shy and scared. Jalan was all calm and relaxed, but not Brit. As soon as he stepped on the mat, he was all business!! He got right in the match and looked so good! He was such a cutie.

He was alot better than this boy, and ended up pinning him! His first match, yeah way to go!!

And the winner is!!!

Unfortunately for Jalan, his first round was a bye. So he had to wait the whole round. I think it made his nerves worse. Jalan weighed in at 60 lbs.

Britton's second match would be his toughest match. This kid was pretty tough. Britton was so amazing though, and fought long and hard, not letting this kid get the better of him.

He did win the match by points. His score was 3-2. Troy and I were on the edge of our seats that for sure! But he was amazing.

Jalan's second round, was a really tough boy, that had pinned his first man in 17 seconds. He was a little worried, and we knew it would be his toughest match, especially since it was his first match to wrestle. He was getting upset at the first of the match, the boy kept slapping his head, and Jalan wasnt sure what to think. This was his first match, and his first experience of competetive wrestling! Jalan held his own on this boy. He got some great take downs, making his dad very proud of him!! This was a close match the whole way through. The guy in the red is one of their coaches.

At the end of regulation it was 5-5, so they had to go to overtime. Jalan got an awesome take down, and won 7-5!! Yeah!

Britton's third match was for first place. He knew this match would be easier than the last. His natural talent amazed Troy and I watching this little scrappy kid work. He was strong and for the most part knew what he was doing! Britton almost pinned the kid several times, and was almost to again, when the time ran out. He beat him 19-4 in the 3rd period. Wooohooo!!

Britton got his first place medal in his very first wrestling tournament! We were so proud of him! Great job Britton!!

Jalan's last match. He was pretty confident, and excited to get to wrestle again. this also was for first place. He walked all over this kid, and did his favorite move, the cradle and pinned him in the first period.

Our first place winner in his weight class in the 11-12 year old bracket(yes he is 10) Great job Jalan!! You are awesome, the natural talent is coming out!!

We were so proud of our boys for doing such a great job. Troy said he was impressed with the whole Centralia Rebel Riders team. He said they were all really good sports and patted their opponents and such. That was great to hear. It was a long day, and we are realizing this will be every saturday pretty much...so much for Christmas shopping! Next Saturday they have another tournament in ofallon. After that we get to go celebrate jalan's bday, which is sunday, and then go pick up papa and grama spear. They are coming for Christmas!

Thankful

Well I would be remiss if I didnt express my thanks this wonderful time of year for all my blessings. This Thanksgiving brought a special spirit to our family. We spent it alone out here in IL, and had a nice dinner with just us 7. While we miss our families dearly, there is something about spending a holiday like this alone as a family. We felt this feeling while we were in CT, and it truly brought us closer as a family. One of the things I am most grateful at this time, is the closeness us as a family have become over the last 6 years or so. Ever since we left AZ to go to school, there has been a closeness and bonding for our family, that I hope and pray will continue to strengthen and grow. Our children are becoming best friends with each other, something that brings tears of joy to me. We have been so blessed with a beautiful home, a wonderful job that Troy has, healthy good kids, who are such examples to others and to Troy and I, a wonderful family unit that gives us love and support through our trials, great friends who make life fun, the gospel of Jesus Christ to give our lives direction and purpose, a Savior who has given us the most priceless gift of Eternal Life. I could continue on and on, and I feel so blessed to be given so much. Our family got to make and partake of a wonderful turkey dinner, even though we have no kitchen sink, actually not much of a kitchen except for a stove and oven, which had a balance beam of a board going across the newly laid tile in our kitchen...talk about fun carrying a 20 lb turkey across the beam!! Memories! I am grateful for the job that Troy has to be able to remodel our kitchen! Our family was able to sit down together and enjoy a wonderful dinner, and continue our tradition of going around the table saying things we are thankful for. Our children are so great to truly be grateful for things in their lives. Afterward, we were able to go to some friends house for pie and games. What a great time we had! We got home that night about 9 pm, and after a couple of hours of preparation and planning, Troy and I got to bed around 11, only to get up at 2:45 am! We headed off to Marion to get to JC Penney's at 4! We faced the crazy crowds, in our annual Black Friday tradition! We were so excited to get our hands on everything we hoped to, and then some! I love this wonderful time of year that we get to focus on giving to others, and spend wonderful time as a family. I love my husband so much, and his amazing quest for adventure, who loves to shop and give, give, give! He is such an example to me. We have had a blast this year already, and it just started! We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving and are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas!!

New Moon!

Ok, so I just have to post that I saw New moon two times this weekend...Yes I went to the midnight showing with my friends! We have a tradition now! We are crazy, and got home at almost 4 am...and had to get up at 7 for school! Thank goodness there was no seminary that day! It was worth it though! Then I took Brooke to see it on Sat. It was soooo good! I think it was WAY better than Twilight..and I still love Twilight! I must admit now though, I might be Team Switzerland!! Yikes! Cant wait to see it again, just dont tell Troy!

Happy 17th Anniversary Troy!

Man, I cannot believe how fast the time flies! 17 years ago (yesterday), that wonderful man of mine took me to the Mesa Arizona Temple to be married for time and all eternity. What a blessing he has been in my life. I am so grateful for his willingness to spend his life with me. We have had our shares of hard times, but mostly we have had 17 wonderful years together. I watched our wedding video to remind me of how young and SKINNY we both were...man its crazy! I love everyone's hair back in 1992!! Troy was so awesome to take me out to a musical in St. Louis called, "In the Heights", after which we got to dine at PF Changs...one of our favorites. We had a wonderful evening together. I am so grateful for a great husband and father of our children, who continues to love me, even through my many imperfections! Thank you Troy for being the best and most amazing husband I could have ever dreamed of. I love you!!

Happy Halloween 2009

Here are the kids after they carved their pumpkins. Disnee of course ditched the pictures...they are being silly!! They all did a cute job! Troy and I were stressed out beyond belief after of course (I hate Halloween and the stress involved in it all!!!! Its too much for me!! haha) Here are the cool pumpkins in the dark!! Just before Jalan stood up in the dark and smashed the heck out of his back on the pool table...so it ended the party!!

For our ward trunk or treat, we got all dressed up and were excited to go this year. Troy was on call and had to miss it:(

Macee was a "Pretty" witch this year. she debated over and ugly and pretty witch...and finally decided on the pretty one...isnt she pretty!! Jalan was two things this year, but for the trunk or treat, he dressed as a football player..and later on Halloween he was Batman??? he couldnt decide so just grabbed something!

Britton is our football freak lately, watching it on tv or playing it in video games at all times!! So he decided to go as a football player, too bad they didnt have any helmets or pads! They got to wear their own uniforms from football this year though!

Brooke dressed up as a ??? Some kind of fairy, insect something..she was pretty though! Disnee did pretty much the same...she was the same thing as last year! still pretty though...

All the kids

Macee's school has a Halloween parade every year. They have all the kindergarteners dress up in their costumes, and walk around the block in a parade! It was cold and kind of weird...but the kids liked it! People around town were stopping to watch. Here's sis with her class. After lunch they had their Halloween party. I went to help Mrs. England. Macee was happy! Here is Macee with her best friend, Caleb :)

CHS Cheer 2009

So the girls got their cheer pictures back...here they are! This is their squad and leader. Unfortunately, Lifetouch, for the second year in a row...has sent us blurry cheer pictures! Disnee's individual pic is totally blurry. I called and they cant do anything but give me a refund...well thats nice, but she's just out of luck for a cute pic! I will take some pics of the girls with my camera I guess. Anyway, here she is...cutie!!

And here is Brooke's-well, Kalee!! Hers turned out really cute!! What a doll she is...such a peppy girl! I Love my girls!!