Intro to Sports Class

Zach is taking an intro to sports class, with a focus on Soccer. When I told Dave that I signed him up he told me that was a sissy sport. Anyway, this class is an introduction and helps them to learn to listen to their coach and also coordination. Which I think is just great!!! Zach absolutely loves it! Everyday he ask's me, "mom, is today my soccer class?" His cousin Hayley is in the same class and it is a hoot to watch them. They do different relay races and all kinds of exercises with the ball. He has gotten to where he doesn't need to touch the ball with his hands, and it didn't take long at all. One of the funny things that they do, which I like to watch....is their coach will flip a hula hoop out so it is rolling pretty fast and they have to run and catch it before it tips over. Luckily they do that exercise one at a time, or there would be kid collisions everywhere.

Chasing the Hoola Hoop

Doing the Crab Walk Relay

The Parachute Game

The Obstacle Course
Crazy Ali

Andrea and Jaxsen

At the end of class they get a soccer ball stamp on their hand! Which they think is the best thing. PS...look at the red faces!

Field Trip to Cabela's

I thought it was kind of funny to go to Cabela's on a field trip. Mostly because we go there so often, we already know the store inside and out.

It actually was quite fascintating. First, our guide taught us about all different kinds of animals and the sounds they make. Then she told us how they do taxidermy and the kids were able to hold various parts. Below you will see Zach with a deer nose and eyes. There were somethings he wouldn't touch, even though they were fake. The kids were able to feel all kinds of furs and they also learned the difference between antlers and horns. That is kind of hard to explain to a 4 year old, but much easier when you can hold one and see the difference first hand.

It was a great trip. Miss Lisa told us that we would be there for about 45 minutes and we were actually there about 2 1/2 hours. (more below)

We were able to see one of the employees get in the fish tank to clean all the algea out. Our guide told us that it takes 10 hours to clean the large tank. He used to get in and just scrub, but it would get so murky in there that he now uses a vacuum to suck most of the algea out. He goes into the tank for 4 hours at a time with scuba gear on, and a weight belt so he can stay on the bottom.

He cleans the tank 4 hours at a time because his hands get to cold. He cleans the largest tank about every 6 weeks and the smaller tanks every two to three weeks. We had a great time learning about various things in the store and how things are done. I had a great time with Zach, and it was fun to just spend some one on one time with him. I cherish days like that.

President Hinckley

Alicyn, my mom and I decided that we wanted to brave the weather and crowds and go to President Hinckley's viewing on Friday, February 1st. Dave told me before we left the house that they had said on the radio that it was a 3 to 4 hour wait. Our kids have been sick the last week, so I really debated on whether it was a good idea or not. I was happy that Dave stayed home with Zach. It was much to cold for him and he would have just been miserable. Ali really wanted to go, anytime she hears President Hinckley talk or anything about him she stops what she is doing to listen. I wanted to go also, so I was glad that she was eager and willing. We went and picked my mom up and we drove to the free fare zone with Trax, and rode Trax the rest of the way. It was really cold, freezing actually. My sister Andrea and her husband Joe showed up about and hour and a half after we were in line. I was so happy because they were able to take little freezing Ali into the visitor center to warm up. We had our Sunday dresses on so her toes and legs were ice. We got in line at 6:00 pm. We waited outside winding around the conference center plaza for 2 1/2 hours. Once we were inside we waited another hour and a half, but at least we were inside by then. Alicyn didn't complain once, not even when she couldn't feel her toes anymore. This was really important to her. :)

All the waiting was so worth it. We wound around the conference center until we reached the hall of prophets on the top floor. The spirit there was amazing and it was so nice to pay our final respects to President Hinckely and say goodbye to him. I am sure it was an experience that all of us will remember forever. He is incredible!

Ali and I have been talking about our last Stake Conference we had which was a multi-stake meeting and we were fortunate to be invited to the Conference Center. I told Alicyn on our way to church that day, that it would probably be the last meeting we had that we could be in the same room with President Hinckley. She told me this weekend how happy she was to have been able to be there and listen to him in person. What a blessing we have to live nearby. I feel for those members of the church who live in other countries and don't have the opportunities we do. President Hinckely did travel the world and I know that others who have been in a meeting with him....feel the same way Ali and I do. JUST GRATEFUL!

Jazz Game

Alicyn has been asking for almost two years if we would take her to a Jazz Game. Well Santa came through and brought her tickets for Christmas. We had a fantastic time together. We rode Trax and had some dinner first at the Gateway.

I had the most fun watching her. They gave her a megaphone when we got there and she loved screaming "D-Fence" or Go Jazz Go Go Go with the rest of the crowd. She also got some posters of Matt Harpring, and they went up on her wall right when we got home. She was able to get Zach a megaphone and a poster too. He liked getting a surprise and his poster had to go up right away also. I think one of Ali's favorite parts of the evening was watching the KISS CAM. When we watch a game on TV, Zach is constantly asking Dave which team is the bad team i.e. the blue or the black team. We definitely need to go again. Here are some pictures that she took with her camera...well I took the one that she is in of course.

It was a nice to spend some one on one time with her. I hope we can do that more often. I think Dave is going to have a Daddy/Daughter night and take her to another game. He has other plans for a night with Zach....since he won't sit still long enough through an entire Jazz game.

Bowling

We went bowling for Grandma Jeanne's birthday. It was great fun. Now Zachary and Alicyn ask us all the time if we can go. They actually did quite well. Dave smoked everyone the first game. I on the other hand....need to practice more. I think I should cheat and have the bumpers up next time. Pretty sad when your kids beat you, and the 7 year old nephew gives you a hard time for how lousy you bowl.