Jazz Game and Viola Graduation

Saturday, February 7th was pretty darn eventful.  I cleaned the church with Harry, while Rinar took Raef to the deacon's game at the Stake Center. Raef played well, and Harry was an exuberant cleaning assistant. He just loved it. We had to clean all of the bathrooms and I gave him the spray bottle. He loved spraying everything down for me. It was an enjoyable morning with him.

After that, it was a lot of chores at the house. Catye and Mike even came over to help me because I was feeling especially overwhelmed. Then Rinar, Raef, and I had to race off to Bountiful to attend his viola graduation from book 5. He was the most advanced student there and therefore had a solo. Raef did a marvelous job.

In the evening, Rinar and I went to a Jazz game. I haven't been in years. He won tickets at a silent auction fundraiser. The tickets included a VIP pass that got us into the pre-dinner. It was surprisingly healthy and definitely delicious. Our seats were on the third row, close to center court. I have never sat that close. It was a lot of fun.

a

Football

Football season is in full swing and the older my kid gets, the more we get submerged in the football scene. Raef just loves to play football. It really brings him joy. I love it that he can play but I do have a slight bit of anxiety thinking about him getting hurt. Well, I am just worried about his hands and arms mostly. It would absolutely derail viola. That would suck. But I am just going to trust in my Heavenly Father and let this kid be who he is, even if there is a risk.

Since the end of July, he has been practicing hard five days a week, two hours a day. Unlike last year where he played a skill position (tight end), this year he is on the line grinding it out. He actually made it on to a much better team, Chad E.'s team.  This is the third best team in the league. There is A, B, and then Raef's team. I am proud of him for the improvements that he has made.  

Fortunately, Chad is a very calm coach who doesn't yell and certainly does not swear. His teammates all seem to be top-notch. He has really become buddies with his fellow linemen. And now that he is going to school this year, he will instantly have 20 friends. This is such a blessing because friends are important to him.

Last week, the coach brought in a special guest speaker to talk to the boys about tackling. This is Bryan Kehl, who plays for the Washington Redskins. He is injured this year, but is still an active player. He was super nice and had some good things to say to the boys.

I am really looking forward to seeing these kids play some games. They have been working hard. It should be a great season.

Basketball Time

Raef is now really getting into the sports world. He had a successful football season and now it is on to basketball. I signed him up a while ago and then right before the season was getting ready to start, I got a call from the recreation center asking me if I would be willing to coach.

I had to think about it for a second but then I decided that I would. I coached a few times when Rinar and I were first married and was very involved in the basketball world as a high school student. But man, getting out on that court and running a practice...I realized quickly that I am a bit rusty.

I had a hard time remembering drills and stuff. I started doing research on Youtube to help me remember and get the basketball juices flowing again.

Dattin, Raef, and Griffin

I have an interesting team. It is a hodge podge of different kids from the community.  And I have five tall kids and five very short kids. Most of them have never played before at all. And one kid has autism. Whew. That is a lot to deal with, but I now have a game plan. After getting massacred in our first scrimmage, I created a simple offense. It is really half an offense because it just starts an offense for them and then they play with whatever works.  The good news is that in our second scrimmage we tied the other team and I saw a huge improvement. I just hope we keep improving throughout the season and that these boys learn the game.

Catching Up

One of the perks of moving to Utah is that people actually pass through and sometimes stop for a visit. It is awesome. We always had lots of visitors when we lived in Henderson but it got pretty lonely out in the middle of nowhere Reno.  Reno really is not on the way to anything.

So it was a real treat to have Leslie, Greg, and their four adorable tots visit us for a few hours. They had gone to Vegas and were heading back to Canada. Luckily for us, Draper is right on the way.  The kids played and we were able to catch up after all these years. I was fortunate to meet Leslie when she was a newlywed to Greg and started coming to the Sunset Ward. I spoke at her baptism and we served in the Primary presidency together. I think she is about the nicest, sweetest, most genuine woman I have ever had the privilege of knowing.  I am very blessed to call them my friends. She had Caleigh two weeks before Eli was born. And all of her other kids are just about the same age as my little ones.

There they are back together again. What a cute couple!

We were also able to celebrate the end of the football season for the Corner Canyon gray team. Coach Jeff and all the boys were a positive influence on Raef. It was a great season for him and he has really grown. He loves football more than ever.

Corner Canyon Silver Team

It is official. Football has really begun.  Raef had his first game on Saturday, a scrimmage versus Herriman, at Herriman.  Raef is number 89.  He is playing both offense and defense. On offense, he is the tight end and on defense he plays an outside linebacker.

I am pretty proud of my boy.  He has improved drastically over last year, and even over the past month of practice. He was 2-2 on receiving, and even made a sack on the quarterback.

Oh, and the boys won!  They did great and made some amazing plays.  Defense could use some work, but I guess I will cut them some slack since they are only 11, right?

This is the coach, Jeff S.  He has a brother and a cousin who both play for BYU, but I guess I won't hold that against him.

I just couldn't resist. Can you? 

A Perfect Ski Afternoon

One of the perks of homeschooling is freedom to be flexible. On March 6th, we exercised that right and had a short school day so that the kids could enjoy an afternoon of skiing at Mt. Rose. The weather was magnificent and the slopes were just perfect.  

I don't ski, but I am a good ski-watcher. This is the first time they went on their own and they did fantastic. And surprisingly enough, both of them had fun. Zach is a bit more reluctant to hit the slopes but after he got the first one off his back, he actually enjoyed himself. I am so glad we were able to seize the day and enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

Skiing, Snowballs, and Basketball

Saturday wasn't especially busy for me, but it sure was busy for Raef.  He got up early in the morning to hit the slopes with his dad. Zach didn't want to get cold, so he opted to stay home.  On the way up, our neighbors Brennan and Peyton and their grandpa got a ride for a skiing lesson.  Raef and Rinar ate a pancake breakfast and then a whole lot of skiing.  They even did a black diamond level run. Wow! They have come a long way from last year.  I think that Raef is developing a real love for the sport.

In the afternoon, all the boys went outside for a snowball fight. Reno got an unexpected snowstorm on Friday night and the kids just loved playing in all the white stuff. 

Then in the evening, Raef was off to basketball. They had a skill assessment day to figure out how to divide up the teams equitably. Raef did really well. I think basketball is going to be a great fit for him. I can't wait to see the kid play.

Sweet Boy

I love those sweet moments. This kid is full of them.  Our new neighbor Brenan had a birthday last Saturday...8 years-old.  Raef took it upon himself to gather up some of his Legos and other odds and ends he thought Brenan might like.  He put it in a box, wrapped it up (with duct tape), made a card, and all those extra touches any 10 year-old boy would love. You know, like red licorice taped on top.

 

Love this kid!

SYFL Experience

Football season is gearing up here and we are excited.  Raef and Zach decided to play football this year.  So, not only do I have the college football season to relish, but my own boys will be out on the pitch.  They are playing on the Galena freshman team.  We are very fortunate to have an excellent coaching staff and enthusiastic and supportive parents. I have been impressed with the inner workings of our team.

The boys started official practice two weeks ago, and on Saturday they went to Fallon for the Sierra Youth Football League Experience. This thing is huge.  Apparently 10,000 people descend on this small town. All the players come and get officially weighed in and then they play a few scrimmages.

Our boys did great. They won one game and tied the second.  We are a smaller team, but well-coached, so I think we will do well this year. We shall see, I guess.

Coach DJ is giving the boys a pep talk before their first scrimmage. The boys are ready to play.

Go Galena Grizzlies!

Our Monday Fun

I finally caved and pushed them on the swings yesterday. They really had fun. Me...not so much.

Last night Raef made our Family Home Evening dessert...whoopie pies. Julia was right there helping. She even put one of my aprons on.

Eli licked the bowl clean. I mean, he stuck his head in the bowl and licked it clean. I always dream of immersing my head in a bowl of chocolate batter.  That is living.

Anatomy of a Haircut

Yep, it was about time to get a cut.  Rinar was so kind to get it done...and take some pictures. Zach reluctantly allowed me to put these on the blog.

It is miserable to have hair like this.

So silly... 

It is like hitting the reset button and starting over.  No brushing required for about the next 4 weeks.

Raef was not so daring.

My Baller

Raef and Zach each got to choose the sport they wanted to play this season. Raef chose baseball.  During the first few weeks, he was the most enthusiastic cheerer out there. But that has kind of waned.  Finally, a little while ago Raef made a confession on the way home from his game.  He doesn't like baseball.  He thinks it is boring.

I am really shocked. I mean, he gets to stand in the outfield as pitch after pitch goes past the hitter, with an occasional connection that never comes his way. Why would he think it is boring?

I was talking to one of the moms yesterday and she told me he is her favorite player.  Apparently, at one of the games he had his glove on his head and the ball actually did come his way. He caught it with his bare hand.

I think we are going to try basketball next. 

Reminiscing...

An oldie, but a goodie...

I have been cleaning out my computer and organizing my photos. These are some cute pictures of Raef and Zach when they were 2 years old.