Random Fun & Happiness

Morgan was chosen to advance to the District level of the Science Fair! Her project was "Does Color Affect Memory?" Here is a pic of Morgan with her display at the District Science Fair:

 A month ago we went to a BYU basketball game with the Farmers. Grandpa Ross was in town that weekend, so he also got to join us. Our seats were literally in the back two rows of the stadium! I have never sat that far up before! The nice thing is that there was lots of room to spread out and stretch our legs. I took several pictures, but from the looks of them you'd think we were watching a chess tournament. Seriously - check out how excited everyone looks in these pictures; and don't forget to look in the background too. (Kudos to Drew and Cayden for trying to liven things up in the last pic!) :)

On a totally unrelated topic, look at my beautiful Brynne!!

 This next picture is our new family chore chart - I LOVE IT!!!! I was getting so frustrated trying to get our kids more involved in cleaning and taking care of our house, so I finally posted a request for ideas on my neighborhood facebook page. I got lots of great ideas about what various families have their children do, along with how and when they have them do the things. One of my biggest problems is remembering what it is I want/need the kids to do each day, so I needed a visual to help me with whatever I decided to do. I considered all the great ideas and then opted to copy the chore chart one of my neighbor's (Angela Jenkins) uses for her kids. The tasks/chores the kids have to accomplish are a bit different, but the chart is very similar. I was very happy that one of the awesome ladies I visit teach had a bright pink poster board she was willing to give me. (Thank you, Karin!!!!!) My friend Denise came over one morning and helped me get the chart put together. Here is the final result:

I was prepared for a fight, since kids always put up a fight when something new is introduced. Sure enough, the kids complained straight through the first day. I was quite please, though, because at least they were working through the complaining - I had prepared myself for an all-out revolt!! By day four I watched with my jaw half way to the floor as both girls actually got started on their things before they even left for school! I seriously consider this a miracle. This chart has taken a lot of stress off my shoulders. Our house has been a lot cleaner, and I finally feel like my kids are learning the things they need to know to function when life takes them outside of our home. I am a happy Momma!!! :)

BYU vs. Virginia Tech Basketball

While we were together with my family just after Christmas, a group of us went to watch a BYU basketball game. The first half was really exciting as Tyler Haws scored 29 points. (He went on to score 42 total.) The second half put most of us to sleep, but it was some fun, quality family time! And those of us who are BYU fans were glad to see BYU win. :)

Adam, Isaac and Brynne (in a later picture) thought the game was a cover up for getting some Lindsey-time! She flew home from Maryland and was greeted by some very adoring nieces and nephews.

Lee, Brynne, and me at the game. Brynne really enjoyed watching the first half. She also really enjoyed the yummy goodies our nice extended family kept providing - popcorn, ice cream, pizza. Score!

I took a couple of pictures of the next crew: my dad, Zane, Brandon, and Alyson. This was my favorite picture of everyone except that my dad wasn't looking at the camera. I said, "Dad, you were watching the game!" He replied with, "Well what do you think I came here to do?" Quite funny. :)

Adam laid (is that the right word?) on Lindsey's lap the whole second half of the game. Then in the van on the way home, Isaac snuggled up to Lindsey for the whole drive. Brynne was happy to get one side of Lindsey's two sides any chance she could.

Brynne, Lindsey, and Adam walking back to the car after the game:

I must say I really enjoyed the game. Reminded me of the MWC game my dad and I went to in Las Vegas where Jimmer Ferdette scored 52 points. I so love being part of a family that loves sports!

BYU Basketball Complete with Cosmo

I took the girls to their first BYU basketball game. They had Spanish Fork night where residents could get tickets for only $1. My friend Denise and I decided that it would be a good chance to find out whether or not our kids would enjoy the game (as opposed to paying full price for a ticket, only to find out the kids want to leave at half time). The girls and I got there about 35 minutes early, so we went down close to the court and watched the players warm up. It turns out the most exciting thing, however, is really when the cheerleaders come out to warm up! The girls really enjoyed watching all the cheering and dancing.

Just after half time, a guy sitting next to us saw Cosmo (the BYU mascot) at a nearby portal. He went and asked him to come to our portal. Brynne wasn't interested in seeing him, but I snapped the picture below of Morgan next to him. (Denise's son Zachary is the little face you see between Cosmo and Morgan, and her son Tyler is in the green shirt.) And notice Cosmo pointing at me?? I can't decide if he's trying to tell me my hair is sticking up or if he's saying "You are the woman!"

Morgan had some pretty memorable quotes during the game...
Just after BYU sunk a 3-pointer: "Wow! Did you see that cheerleader do a flip?"
As the players came out to warm up after half time: "Oh man! Are they going to play another game?" I guess I hadn't adequately described the idea of half-time.

We ended up leaving not quite half way through the second half. I thought they'd at least enjoyed it, but Morgan told me she wouldn't care to go to any more games. Brynne said she would like to, but that's probably because she had me hold her the whole time and that perk doesn't necessarily come free with every game! I had invited them to a football game a few months back also, but neither of them wanted to come. I'm beginning to get a bit worried. Where did I get girls that are actually girls? And who's going to get season tickets with me for all the sporting events? Lee, one more reason I can't wait for you to get home!!! :)