Wrestling so far

Matthew is in his second year of wrestling and really enjoying it. We had to switch clubs this year that Matthew wrestles for, and it turned out to be a good thing. The coaches are much better and Matthew has learned a lot more this season. Matthew had a hard first meet and got pinned both times, but his next meet went much better and he took third. Wrestling meets are long, but we get visit with friends watch Matt even if it is only for three minuets every two hours.

Matthew at the second Santa Fe meet

Matthew at the second Santa Fe meet

Matthew at the first Santa Fe meet

Matthew at the first Santa Fe meet

Matthew at practice

Christmas 2009

Christmas was extraordinary this year. We were blessed with gift of getting to be around family and friends. We were showered with unspeakable gifts, and able to see the true meaning of Christmas through the actions of those around us.

Uncle Mark giving the boys a pony ride

Matthew with his Grandmas

Matthew on Christmas morning

Jesse on Christmas morning

Jesse, Mark, Matthew and the puppies reading the night before Christmas

Dell opening her gifts

Saundra opening her gifts

Christmas eve at Grandma Wards

Christmas eve at Grandma Wards

Jennifer and boys at our Christmas together

I am stressed to the max, Mark and I decided to let Jesse go on a snowboarding trip to Angel fire and Taos for 4 nights 5 days with his friend and his friend’s older brother and friend. This will be Jesse’s first trip without a parental finger on site. I pray that he will remember what we have taught him, that he will be safe and that he will return in one piece. I know I am being a big sap it is just hard to face that he is getting older and closer to not being at home anymore. It is funny when your children are little you look forword to small "breaks" from them, when they are older you look forword to the time you have with them close to you.

Thanksgiving!!!!

Two Turkeys, one Ham, multiple sides, tons of pie, 24 family members crowded into my living room = A little stressful. Spending the day with the people that you can count on no matter what and that would do anything for you = Priceless.

Trek enjoying dinner
Our poor puppies had to be outside for dinner

David, Dana, Saundra

One side of the table

The other side of the table

Canyon ready to dig in

Saundra and Cliff

Moriah and I

Mom, Mark, and Clorinda

Kristie, Kerstin, and Valenteen

Jesse

Del, Don, Alyssa, and Cara

Dad and Trek

Matthew and Trek

A Basket of Goodies

I was so excited to see Trek and Canyon for the Thanksgiving weekend that I put together a Goodie Basket to welcome them when they got to my house. I know from firsthand experience that when you have kids you tend to get a bunch of junk, all in good faith of course. I tried to only give the boys things that Moriah and the boys would use. They got new matching pajamas, Christmas books to start their own personal collection, projects for Canyon to do, an advent calendar, and a little candy. Can’t wait to see them again soon.

Treck looking at his book

Canyon checking out the loot

Colorado Tournament

Last weekend we went to Colorado for a football tournament. We had a fun trip as a team. The tournament its self was a little disappointing due to lack of organization, but it was a good lesson on our part to be flexible. Football is now over for this season, though I love football and I love the people on our team I think we are all ready for a little break.

Matthew and Tanner

Jesse ~ Mark ~ Matthew

Playing in the snow

The Team getting ready to play

The Team!!

I know it is not always about winning but......

We played in the New Mexico state tournament this weekend and won!! Our first game was against Grants and we won 37-0, our second game was today against Los Lunas and we won

47-8 putting us in first place. We have always played well but never been first. Today was a first to be first and it felt great. The boys really deserved it. We will be leaving for Dever to play this Firday in a tournament, can't wait.

The Coaches and there sons

The Best Team Ever

Getting our first place plaque

A pictures of good sportsmanship

After the big win

listening to the coaches

Holly and Dobbs

Matador Moms ROCK

The big Game

Jesse helping out

A thought for today

I joined weight watchers a week ago today, because I was faced with the reality in my life that I needed to make a change. I have not had my weight under control for the last 12 years. I have tried to manage my weight several times over the years and have been unsuccessful for a verity of reasons. The biggest one I think is that I never want to tell anyone that I was on a “diet” because I was embarrassed. I am taking a different approach this time and I hope it works. I am letting people know that I am working on my weight with the help of weight watchers. I posted this on my face book site and was over whelmed by the support and encouragement that people had for me. I posting this hear mostly for my mom and sister who are my biggest support, but also to let people know that when you ask for help or let people know what is going on they may surprise you. Thank you Mom and Moriah, I love you both.

Sometimes we just need to laugh

For those of you that have or have had a teenage you get this for those of you who aren’t quite there yet you will. As a parent sometimes humor can be the best remedy.

YAFL football banquet 2009

We had our football banquet last Sunday and it was wonderful. We had it a bar that one of our parents manages; because it was a Sunday afternoon and the bar was closed we got to have it all to our selves. Of course per YAFL rules there was no alcohol served. We were able to enjoy good food and company and wrap up a challenging but great season. We have two more weekends of tournaments and then we are done for a little while. :0)

Happy Halloween 2009!!!!

Counting the loot after tricker treating

When your kids older holidays take on a different form and are always filled with firsts. This Halloween was the first Halloween that Jesse had to work. This Halloween was the first Halloween that Matthew and his friends went trick-or-treating without parents (one of his friends aunt went much cooler than mom and dad) This Halloween was the first Halloween that we spent with new friends. As you go through life and things change you can be sad and long for the past or you can put on a smile and embrace the new that will always come.

Kathy and Camile

Mark's pumpkin

Alexis and Amanda

We snuck up on the boys to take a picture

~Josh~Tanner~Jimmy~Brehnden~Noah~

~Christian~Matthew~Stephen~