Fall Break in Sand Hollow

We made a last minute decision to head down south for Fall Break this year.  Randy was already in Cedar City working, so I loaded up the kids and we headed down.  They were so pumped for vacation.  The Crystal Inn in Cedar is apparently all these kids need.

The next morning we headed to Sand Hollow with the boat.  It was considerably cooler than the last time we visited but just as beautiful.

It felt so great to be out on the water again.  We just couldn't winterize the boat yet!

We found ourselves a sweet beach to set up camp and the boys were perfectly content just playing in the sand and water.

Randy was ready to get on the boat but he had no takers.

I laid out on the back of the boat while these crazy boys splashed and had mud fights.  Only a mom of 3 boys could take a little nap during all that chaos.  It felt amazing.  Although it got close to 80 degrees the water was freezing so I was a little hesitant to jump in.

So was Sam.

Ok, this dirty boy was ready to tube it up!

I had a blast whipping this boys around the lake.  Sam got tired so I laid him down on the boat and then really gave the boys a ride.

There was plenty of tubing and wake boarding but we decided to call it a day a little early so we could check into our luxurious accommodations at the Travel Lodge in Hurricane.  We showered up and had dinner at a local restaurant called Baristas.  Hank just kept eating and eating and eating and when we got back to the motel he threw it all up.  Oh and Max fell into the dresser and cut his ear.

Good times, good times.  Never a dull moment, I tell you.  The kids slept really good and were anxious to get back to the lake the next day.

Day 2

Sam crashed the minute we got on the boat.  It was really cold, so we bundled up in blankets and secured our spot on the beach before we ventured out on the water.

More tubing fun!

All three of us had to pee and I didn't dare get in the freezing water so Max went first.  His reaction was priceless.  He sat in the water, stone faced and through chattering teeth said "It's not cold at all".  We laughed so hard.  I couldn't be a wimp in front of my boys so I jumped in too.  It took my breath away.  So damn cold!

However the water was calm and glass-like so I couldn't resist getting my board on.

I felt so strong and confident out there, I didn't even notice how cold I was.  I finally came in so Randy could have a turn.  It was only fair.

My sexy man has still got it.  I love watching him.  I'm so grateful we are both healthy and strong enough to do the things we love to do.  I feel like it's so important for our kids to see.

Up next, Maxi on the ski tube.

He was cracking us up with his dance moves.  Such a nut.

 

Hank and Sam were on flag duty and couldn't have posed better for this pic.  What cuties!

We stopped for a brief minute so Max could put on his gloves.  He's such a stud.

Sam was finally ready to tube with his bros.  They take such good care of him.  I love our cute little beach behind them.

After spending the majority of our day on the lake the kids were ready for some beach time.  Max was in his happy place.

Of course a mud fight of epic proportions started.

And of course Sam started crying.

Once he started rolling around in the sand, he was instantly better.

Max will probably have sand in his hair for a month!

The amount of sand on these boys was rather impressive.

If you look close at this pic you can see a giant sand clump thrown by Randy and a white rock thrown by Hank, perfectly colliding in mid air.  I'm quite proud of this action shot.

Let me tell you how fun it was to clean off the sand on Sam.  It's too bad he didn't get potty trained before this trip.  He had the wettest, sandiest diaper you've ever seen.  That couldn't have felt good.  We stayed until almost dark and then headed back to the motel.  Randy picked up Dominos and after we ate the boys zonked soon after.  It was such a fun day!

Day 3

Nothing like a Travel Lodge continental breakfast to get you up and at em.  I can't lie, I was feeling slightly exhausted at this point of the trip.  We rallied and headed back lake.

Our perfect little beach was waiting for us.  It seemed considerably colder this day but I knew this would be my last wake boarding session of the season so I strapped on my board one more time.

I'm so glad I did.  The water was perfection.  I just realized there are more pictures of me wake boarding than anything else!  I guess I can post what I want.  I'm the one writing this blog after all!  We had a great last day on the lake.  I was a little over taking pictures.  The kids were tired around 4 so we packed up and headed back to Hurricane.  After we got all cleaned up we headed to St. George for some Red Robin.  The kids love that place so they didn't mind waiting 45 minutes for a table.

We were all feeling a little slap happy.  Hank and Max were having an epic spelling battle.  They were laughing so hard.  

The amount of potty humor at our table would blow your mind!  I was just happy they were getting along.  Sometimes I look at this family and can't believe their mine.  I am so lucky to have these crazy, hilarious boys in my life.  It is definitely loud and chaotic most of the time but it's my loud and chaotic life and it couldn't be more perfect.  This little break was exactly what we needed.  These are the moments that make life worth living.  I cherish the time I can be with them so very much.  

Super League Baseball with the F22's

Well, our first experience with super league baseball was definetly baptism by fire.  Hank had the opportunity to play fall ball with an new team of older boys.  He had so much fun playing city league baseball so we figured why not.  Had we done our research a little better, I think we would have done things different.  He was playing on an 11U team and he should be playing 9U.  Huge difference!  Also, all of the teams we played had been playing together for years.  They also had very dedicated coaches which we did not.  Despite it all, these darling boys came out fighting every game.

Hank's butt in those white baseball pants gets me everytime.  He hung right in there.  I was amazed at the speed these pitchers can throw.  I would've curled up in a ball and sucked my thumb, but Hank stepped up to the plate with so much confidence.

He got some great hits and a ton of great experience.  We played in some brutal games and he always kept his head up.  I think it's safe to say he loves baseball.  I can't imagine how much he would love it if he was on a winning team! 

The weather extremes during the course of the season were amazing.  We had anywhere from 90 degree scotchers to freezing rain and 40 degrees.  Their one win of the season came on this rainy day.  

Hank was one of the best defensive players on the team.  He mostly played short stop and 2nd base but he killed it as catcher as well.

I have to pay tribute to his amazing fans.  Max and Sam sat through hours upon hours of games.  They always played double headers and each game lasted almost 2 hours.  That makes for lots of time to eat snacks, play on random playgrounds, and make friends with all the other rat siblings at the park.

Sam is talking to that random kid, no shoes or socks and a guarenteed dirty face.

They did actually watch the game sometimes.  Always cheering on their best bro.

Almost all of their games were in Salem or Spanish Fork and my adorbale parents came to nearly every double header.  This particular game, they were extrememly helpful to me.  Randy has been traveling to Cedar City a lot so he missed most of the games.  I was overwhelmed with kids who didn't want to be there.  In came grandma and grandpa to the rescue.  My mom took Sam and played a game with him and my dad took Max to get food for all of us.  What would I do without them?  Not to mention they genuinely love watching Hank play.  

It was a learning experience for sure.  I'm so proud of Hank for finishing out the season with a smile on his face.  Next year, we are in the market for a different team though!  This baseball gig is not for the weak.  I'm wondering if our family has what it takes to be a "baseball family".  For now, I will focus on the upcoming basketball season.  So long F-bombs!  

The Beautiful Fall Weekend

We had quite an eventful weekend.  It started off with an awesome Ghost Bus Tour from the one and only Kunz.  JRI Insurance rented the entire bus and had a private tour of all the haunted spots in American Fork.  Surprisingly I didn't even wet my pants.  Jenni did such an incredible job. 

As soon as the tour was completed, Randy and Hank drove up to Corrine to meet my dad.

These two lucky ducks, no pun intended, got invited to the Duck Club this year for the opener.  They slaughtered the ducks!

While they were hunting, Max was domintating on the soccer field.









Max managed to carry their team while their coach was away.  He made some incredible defensive stops and even scored a goal!  He is becoming such a little soccer stud.  Randy was so sad he missed it.  Speaking of which...back to the duck club.

The pure joy on my dads face says it all.  This picture warms my heart so much.

These are the memories Hank will always cherish.  I remember hunting with my dad when I was his age.  Hank took his BB gun since he doesn't have his hunter's safety done yet. He had a blast shooting the low flying pelicans.  He actually hit one!

They lucked out with such gorgeous weather.  I can't wait for Max to have an experience up there with my dad.  My dad is in his element out on the marsh.  They had such a fantastic time and were full of stories when they returned.  If you're wondering what I did while the boys were away...

this lady kept me pretty entertained!  Nothing like a little Cafe El Lago (the Schlaag) and an over sized cowboy hat to make your night complete.  We even managed to sneak away with Kate and Sarah to see a late movie while the kiddies were asleep.  I wonder when all my boys can go hunting.  Tomorrow works for me!

Flag Football 2014

Hank was a two sport athlete this fall.  His flag football schedule didn't conflict with his baseball schedule so we went for it.  There is something to be said for the laid back atmosphere at city league games.

Kelepi was his coach again and KJ and Hank made quite the dynamic duo on the field.

Hank was aggressive on defense, pulling the QB's flag before they saw him coming.  He was a powerhouse on offense as well.

I personally loved his spin move.  Confused his opponents every time.

I love to watch him as QB.  He made some sweet touchdown passes.

He looks so much like his daddy in this pic.

Hank had fans at every game like usual.  For some reason this season Griff was the only one to get photographed.  Grandma Jackie, Grandpa Curt, Jeri, Scott, Kate, Sarah, Brett. Lucy, Izzy, Jack, and Tucker all made it out to watch Hank-man in action.  I'm afraid this is the last season I'll be able to talk Hank into flag football.  It's either going to be tackle or baseball next year.  I enjoy every minute watching him play.  He is such a fierce competitor.  I'm a proud mama!