Roo's "Rudy" Moment

I don't care who you are, a parent can't but help but feel proud when one of their offspring does something right. Let me paint the picture. Our little Reese is built like Ichabod Crane, (incidentally, he will be the nemesis, the "headless horseman" come Halloween) and along with having no older brothers to toughen him up and a dad who up until recently wasn't in shape or athletic enough to help him much with sports, Reese hasn't had much of a background in sports. I mean, if marching band were in the picture, no problem. But Reese's Dad(myself) by no means was a superior athlete. As such, those same qualities or lack thereof have translated into Reese, who has a talent for music and is also clumsy when it comes to sports. This is the same kid who at the beginning of Football season, didn't know how to correctly do a jumping jack (thanks alot Dad for that "highlight"reel). From the moment Reese was relegated to be one of 5 kids out of 22 that didn't start at some kind of position on his team, we have been trying to motivate him to learn how to play football and play it well. It started with relating Reese to how the Incredible Hulk acts when he smashes into people. That worked for a week as far as his tackiling ability went. But, to Reese's behest, he is the tallest and lankiest kid on the team, and looks like a newborn giraffe trying to take its first steps when he gets into a three point stance. Shorter kids have that genetic disposition to have a lower center of gravity and often more power when it comes to effective hitting. Poor Reese plays his minimum 10 plays a game mandated by the league just hoping and wishing for that moment of glory when he can take down the opposition on a glorious solo tackle. During the 3rd game this season, I was trying to motivate Reese to get a tackle and told him that if he could get a tackle, he would earn a Transformer (favorite toy by far) as a reward. Game after game, Reese has been focused on earning that Transformer, only to have that toy slip through his fingers as he clumsily chased after ball carriers not ever getting close to tasting the flavor of a hard hit that knocks the ball carrier to the ground. Alas, today was the last game, and as the team didn't make playoffs, the last opportunity of the year for Reese to get his tackle. Today, in a whiny voice he asked before I dropped him off.."Daddy, if I don't get a tackle, I won't get a Transformer." to which I responded "You're right..so you'd better get one if you want it bad enough." He then said, "I don't think I will Daddy." and I responded "Newcomers never say "I don't think I can" (As if I'm a model of achievement and beating the odds..please)..perhaps this on-the-fly creation of a tradition that never was can start with the next generation..anyways, I then suggested he pray to Heavenly Father asking him to help him get a tackle. Fast forward to the 4th quarter of the game..Reese is almost out of his mandatory play opportunities, getting close a few times to making a tackle but falling shy every time. Then came the happiest moment I've experienced as a father with his son as far as secular moments go...The ball was snapped, and Reese (#71) busted through the offensive line using the "swim" move his coach taught but he wasn't good at executing up until this moment..then Reese spots the ball carrier trying to run a sweep to the outside..he closes in and in a slow motion like experience, leaps from his feet and solo tackles the ball carrier...I was ecstatic, so were the coaches at seeing their bean-pole second stringer perform an awesome tackle. They were yelling, I was yelling, the grandparents and other teammates were yelling with joy and the smile on Reese's face was priceless. Of course I was beaming with pride and so happy I was almost moved to tears. My little boy, finally feeling what it's like to be the star of the show, even if but for a moment in time. Of course, as Reese is coming towards the sideline after the play, an excited teammate tries to give him a "chest bump" and knocks him on his keester. Then Reese says in a loud voice "Dad, did you see me get that tackle? Now I can get my Transformer!" maybe some day he will learn the satisfaction of doing well for it's own sake. In the mean time, Reese got his toy, he learned and recognized that God answers sincere prayers, and he genuinely enjoyed the game, feeling how fun it is to do something right. Here's to you, little "Rudy" Roo, we love you!

(The Snap)

(The Line Break)


(In Hot Persuit 1)(In Hot Persuit 2) (In Hot Persuit 3)

(The Tackle)

Roo's "Rudy" Moment

I don't care who you are, a parent can't but help but feel proud when one of their offspring does something right. Let me paint the picture. Our little Reese is built like Ichabod Crane, (incidentally, he will be the nemesis, the "headless horseman" come Halloween) and along with having no older brothers to toughen him up and a dad who up until recently wasn't in shape or athletic enough to help him much with sports, Reese hasn't had much of a background in sports. I mean, if marching band were in the picture, no problem. But Reese's Dad(myself) by no means was a superior athlete. As such, those same qualities or lack thereof have translated into Reese, who has a talent for music and is also clumsy when it comes to sports. This is the same kid who at the beginning of Football season, didn't know how to correctly do a jumping jack (thanks alot Dad for that "highlight"reel). From the moment Reese was relegated to be one of 5 kids out of 22 that didn't start at some kind of position on his team, we have been trying to motivate him to learn how to play football and play it well. It started with relating Reese to how the Incredible Hulk acts when he smashes into people. That worked for a week as far as his tackiling ability went. But, to Reese's behest, he is the tallest and lankiest kid on the team, and looks like a newborn giraffe trying to take its first steps when he gets into a three point stance. Shorter kids have that genetic disposition to have a lower center of gravity and often more power when it comes to effective hitting. Poor Reese plays his minimum 10 plays a game mandated by the league just hoping and wishing for that moment of glory when he can take down the opposition on a glorious solo tackle. During the 3rd game this season, I was trying to motivate Reese to get a tackle and told him that if he could get a tackle, he would earn a Transformer (favorite toy by far) as a reward. Game after game, Reese has been focused on earning that Transformer, only to have that toy slip through his fingers as he clumsily chased after ball carriers not ever getting close to tasting the flavor of a hard hit that knocks the ball carrier to the ground. Alas, today was the last game, and as the team didn't make playoffs, the last opportunity of the year for Reese to get his tackle. Today, in a whiny voice he asked before I dropped him off.."Daddy, if I don't get a tackle, I won't get a Transformer." to which I responded "You're right..so you'd better get one if you want it bad enough." He then said, "I don't think I will Daddy." and I responded "Newcomers never say "I don't think I can" (As if I'm a model of achievement and beating the odds..please)..perhaps this on-the-fly creation of a tradition that never was can start with the next generation..anyways, I then suggested he pray to Heavenly Father asking him to help him get a tackle. Fast forward to the 4th quarter of the game..Reese is almost out of his mandatory play opportunities, getting close a few times to making a tackle but falling shy every time. Then came the happiest moment I've experienced as a father with his son as far as secular moments go...The ball was snapped, and Reese (#71) busted through the offensive line using the "swim" move his coach taught but he wasn't good at executing up until this moment..then Reese spots the ball carrier trying to run a sweep to the outside..he closes in and in a slow motion like experience, leaps from his feet and solo tackles the ball carrier...I was ecstatic, so were the coaches at seeing their bean-pole second stringer perform an awesome tackle. They were yelling, I was yelling, the grandparents and other teammates were yelling with joy and the smile on Reese's face was priceless. Of course I was beaming with pride and so happy I was almost moved to tears. My little boy, finally feeling what it's like to be the star of the show, even if but for a moment in time. Of course, as Reese is coming towards the sideline after the play, an excited teammate tries to give him a "chest bump" and knocks him on his keester. Then Reese says in a loud voice "Dad, did you see me get that tackle? Now I can get my Transformer!" maybe some day he will learn the satisfaction of doing well for it's own sake. In the mean time, Reese got his toy, he learned and recognized that God answers sincere prayers, and he genuinely enjoyed the game, feeling how fun it is to do something right. Here's to you, little "Rudy" Roo, we love you!

(The Snap)

(The Line Break)


(In Hot Persuit 1)(In Hot Persuit 2) (In Hot Persuit 3)

(The Tackle)

Happy Fall!!!

(Yay for the mission buddies! P.S. So see the guy behind Ryan on the left with the red stripe shirt, his cousin is MTC companions with my cousin Whitney! Such a small world! All you Okamoto's I thought that was so crazy!)

Ryan would say I usher fall in by the end of August beginning of September with my fall smelling candles and what nots! But I don't care I love fall! Utah's fall is so pretty and I love the crisp air. Ryan asked why I love it so much and I told him I think because it forces families inside more and it just means more time together. Either way I love this time of year and all the holidays that come along with the end of the year.

This past weekend was my FAVORITE time of year, and when I say favorite I really mean it. I love General Conference weekend. This year it was a little crazier than normal with Reese having a football game on Sat and Ryan's mission reunion on Friday night. But it was so much fun and it was great to see his mission buddies and their wives! Sunday was full on loads of fun, Ryan and I were like two crazy Relief Society sisters making homemade bread and strawberry freezer jam all while taking in every wonderful and inspiring talk. I was only able to get a few pictures cause like I said I was busy with the freezer jam part of Sunday! Love to all!(Um can I just say I have found one of the BEST Costco muffins EVER to be made! Pumpkin Spice with a yummy cinnamon sugar streusel topping! OH MY!!!)

(Sunday morning and some hot chocolate for breakfast, the kids think this is the most amazing breakfast ever!)

Happy Fall!!!

(Yay for the mission buddies! P.S. So see the guy behind Ryan on the left with the red stripe shirt, his cousin is MTC companions with my cousin Whitney! Such a small world! All you Okamoto's I thought that was so crazy!)

Ryan would say I usher fall in by the end of August beginning of September with my fall smelling candles and what nots! But I don't care I love fall! Utah's fall is so pretty and I love the crisp air. Ryan asked why I love it so much and I told him I think because it forces families inside more and it just means more time together. Either way I love this time of year and all the holidays that come along with the end of the year.

This past weekend was my FAVORITE time of year, and when I say favorite I really mean it. I love General Conference weekend. This year it was a little crazier than normal with Reese having a football game on Sat and Ryan's mission reunion on Friday night. But it was so much fun and it was great to see his mission buddies and their wives! Sunday was full on loads of fun, Ryan and I were like two crazy Relief Society sisters making homemade bread and strawberry freezer jam all while taking in every wonderful and inspiring talk. I was only able to get a few pictures cause like I said I was busy with the freezer jam part of Sunday! Love to all!(Um can I just say I have found one of the BEST Costco muffins EVER to be made! Pumpkin Spice with a yummy cinnamon sugar streusel topping! OH MY!!!)

(Sunday morning and some hot chocolate for breakfast, the kids think this is the most amazing breakfast ever!)

Bye Bye Sherman Beauregard

Well we have made our decision to surrender Sherman to the Utah Friends of Bassett Hounds group. It's been a tough thing for us. With the weather changing soon, hopefully, we were trying to come up with a solution for Sherman. Many of you know what a struggle I have had with this dopey bassett this last year and a half. It was never fair to Sherman that we got him 6 weeks before Ellie came and then not put time and effort into helping him be a good indoor/outdoor dog. As soon as the weather broke this spring he was out the door after pooping three times inside the house one day. At this point with the unexpected pregnancy and baby coming in January we decided this would be the best solution for him. Don't get me wrong there have been many many days Sherman has been at the bottom of my "like" list but for some reason this week has been a little emotional, chalk it up to being pregnant! Anyway in about 45 min a volunteer from this group is going to come by and pick him up. I feel so bad but I hope that he will be able to become a great companion to someone who will truly appreciate and love him. So maybe in the next life Sherm we can get along and be friends!

Bye Bye Sherman Beauregard

Well we have made our decision to surrender Sherman to the Utah Friends of Bassett Hounds group. It's been a tough thing for us. With the weather changing soon, hopefully, we were trying to come up with a solution for Sherman. Many of you know what a struggle I have had with this dopey bassett this last year and a half. It was never fair to Sherman that we got him 6 weeks before Ellie came and then not put time and effort into helping him be a good indoor/outdoor dog. As soon as the weather broke this spring he was out the door after pooping three times inside the house one day. At this point with the unexpected pregnancy and baby coming in January we decided this would be the best solution for him. Don't get me wrong there have been many many days Sherman has been at the bottom of my "like" list but for some reason this week has been a little emotional, chalk it up to being pregnant! Anyway in about 45 min a volunteer from this group is going to come by and pick him up. I feel so bad but I hope that he will be able to become a great companion to someone who will truly appreciate and love him. So maybe in the next life Sherm we can get along and be friends!

Announcing...

Well some have been confused that I'm pregnant again! I thought I announced it officially but maybe not, maybe the shock of having 2 children 18 months apart fried my brain. So here it is! We are pregnant have been for the last 5 months, I've been sick, crabby, crabby, and more crabby! Today we got to see the little peanut inside of me! And... we're having... ANOTHER GIRL!!! Poor Ryan is all I can say! I'm excited, so is Lo and Ellie could care less! But Reese and Ryan are still in shock! We haven't agreed on a middle name but her first name will be Lindy or Lindi can't decide yet. We really thought this was a boy, oh well! People have said "Oh now you can try again for a boy!" Yeah we aren't having that discussion anytime soon! So here we are half way thru this pregnancy and we're adding another girl to this Newcomer bunch! She's still due around January 29th but I'm hoping for mid January, we'll see! Love to all!