Aub's Track Meet

Aub had her first track meet on Saturday.  She ran in two relays (100, 200) and did the 4 x 100 hurdles.  

They didn't get to practice the relays much, and she was definitely worrying about them the night before.  In her first relay, her hand offs were a little rough but when they ran the second relay, they went more smoothly.  Her coach angrily told her, "Aubrey, YOU were the entire problem in that relay."  Nothing like those kind words in your first track meet ever to give you a boost of self confidence.  

(Aub got sick the day after the meet and was down for a few days. She said it was a blessing in disguise because she would have to miss the Tuesday track meet.  She did not want to participate another relay!  She is hoping her spot will be permanently taken over by another teammate, who is faster than her, but was sick the week before.)

She did great in the hurdles and is hoping to participate in those again at the next track meet.

Hot chocolate on my nose...Bri wouldn't tell me why he was taking this picture....  Also, I wanted to stay warm so I took advantage of the bleachers and walked 19 stories according to my phone.  I am much happier moving than sitting.

This is the best picture we have.  I took it during warm ups.  She looks good, huh?!

Trinity O, her friend from church, came to support her.  

Life Skills

Brian recruited Parker to help change the oil in the kid car on Saturday.  He thought it would take about 15 minutes, but as often experienced, things don't go as smoothly as planned when it comes to  projects.  

Bri asked Parker to drive the car up onto the ramps.  He was nervous and really didn't want to have that responsibility.  As you can see, he stepped on the gas a little bit too much and drove right off of the ramps his first time!  I hear that Brian's eyes went really wide (and his life might have flashed before them as well.)  However, Parker did just fine the next time.

One of the bolts was stripped and after a  lot of work on Brian and Parker's part, they decided they had to get parts.  Two trips to AutoZone and a few hours later, they were able to change the oil.

I know it would have been a lot easier just to take the car to a quick oil change shop, but I LOVE that Brian took the time to teach Parker.  I think this is a valuable life skill that can save money, and even more importantly, the father/son time is priceless.

Random Pictures

A few random pictures from our week.

Aubrey decided to try the sock method to curl her hair.  I think it has great potential.  Her hair does not hold curl well.   It was still damp when she woke up though so she will need to try again.

I am personalizing and selling these Easter baskets.  I just ordered 50 so I hope they sell!

Bryn and friends were at the historic BYU vs Gonzaga basketball game while Park and friends were participating in a track meet in the Dallas area.  Park sent the top picture to our family group text-- and Bryn sent the bottom one back.  I don't think any of us really realized Bryn's group was recreating the photo until we were scanning through photos the next day.  Park's comment "Bums we did it better."

Sunday lunch with Gram and Gramp!  Deliciousness.

Aub and I have started reading Twilight together.  Athletics/track is taking place in the mornings, and I love that it frees up a little more time in her evenings for things like this.

Beautiful Bryn.  She finally had a weekend to just hang out with friends.  She has been working her tail off in Anatomy especially.  She was sooooo excited to have a break.  She and a couple of her roommates drove to SLC, window shopped and had waffles.  Then they took the scenic route on the way back to Provo and went to several temples.  Aren't these college girls just glowing?  I love that they choose good and choose God.

Elena, Brinley, Ashlyn

Parker has been reading his scriptures and then Grandpa's book each night before going to bed.  Makes my heart happy.

His Letterman jacket finally came in.  I have about 10 more pictures of him looking like a big dork and not cooperating with me taking a picture...but I'll just post this one.

He looks sharp, and Park has definitely put in the hours to earn these football patches.  I think he has earned a Power Lifting letter and possibly a track letter as well this season.  Pretty impressive.

Youth Fundraiser

We had a youth fundraiser at church on February 16th and since we have three kids in the youth program, we were all in.  The kids had activities planning and preparing for the big day...which they were a little grumpy about.  Lets be honest, that is really not the fun part of any activity.  They also spent about 5 or 6 hours on Saturday setting up, serving, and cleaning up.  

We also needed to have items to donate.  Brian made a candy bar cake for the dessert auction, and I made several crafts for the silent auction.  (By the end of the week, I was kind of wishing I just bought three things from Hobby Lobby and donated them.)

I made the canvases with my vinyl machine and heat press.  

The gift basket was put together with great finds from Christmas clearance.  (eyehadow, makeup brushes, bath bombs and salts, a mirror etc.)

They had this cute kissing booth over in the corner.  Bri was a good sport.

Aub and the young women were good about presenting the dessert auction items and Brother Thompson was the auctioneer.

Aub, Annalise H. Jo M.

Lauron's beautiful cake went for $140 ish.

Nico C and Park did the sound system a little during the auction and dance.  (Fake clapping once an item sold, fun sound effects etc...)

Cathy and Don Bonifay

The group dances were a lot of fun and the couple dances usually had at least 6-10 couples dancing.

This was Parker during the first part of the dance until he realized Tanner and Tristan O. were no were to be seen....and then he was gone as well.  They tossed around a football and hid out in the library.  (Sorry church librarians everywhere...I didn't know this part until later.  They were checking out the Braille Book of Mormon among other things.)  I wish they would have participated in the dance but they really put in a lot of time on this Saturday with minimal complaints so a mom's gotta choose her battles, right? 

 

Two of Aubrey's cutest dance partners!  (Dakston R and Dad!!)

Sunday Night

Chris and Ang invited us over early on Sunday night for dinner and to watch the Face to Face broadcast together.  We brought a few things to add to the dinner, and we had a delicious spread of food: Hawaiian sliders, vegetables and hummus, fresh fruit, chips, homemade donuts, chocolate chip cookies and more.

The best part though was being together as a family while listening to the broadcast.   I loved being unified in a good thing.   I felt the spirit several times as the new Children and Youth goal program was reviewed.  I also felt inspired to step it up on my end as a parent.  

I want to be better at following up with my children on the goals they set and encouraging them to move forward.  I think I have been very good with doing that w/ my girls in the previous Personal Progress program.  However, I did not work with my boys in their previous program.  It was never really addressed in either of our wards...wish I would have just made that effort anyway.  I will moving forward though. 

Later that night when we were at home, Tanner had his head in my lap on the couch, and we talked about his goals in the four areas: physical, spiritual, intellectual and social.  With some encouragement, he even pulled out his phone, opened the new Living app, and recorded them there.  

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Lao Tzu   I feel like my little 5 minute conversation with Tanner was a giant step forward for me!  

Here are a few pictures from the evening.

Lincoln was all in and would clap at random times throughout...pretty adorable.  Notice Lauron balancing the water bottle on her head...talent.

Lincoln, Charity, Parker, Lauron and Tanner

 Bri and Aubrey

Not the best picture of Lauron because she is mid yawn...but on the couch is Ang, Chris and Charity, Adam w/ Christian, and Grandma Honey.  And you can see me in the mirror taking the picture.

After the broadcast, more of the Vore clan stopped by, but I didn't take pictures.  We enjoyed visiting with Kerry, Quetta, Holden, Clifton Linde and Grandpa Vore.

Tanner's Last Game

Tanner is extremely dedicated to basketball.  He works hard during practice at school, but he also puts so much time in at home.  It's super impressive.  He played his last game last week, and he is still practicing 1-2 hours at home each day.  I love his intensity, and I am sad his games are over for the season.   

Grandpa was able to come and cheer him on, and he captured these awesome shots.

Grandpa put this photo together from his many photos of this one shot.  Pretty cool!

Coach Matthews and his boys.  I am crossing my fingers that he gets a big growth spurt this summer so he will have more of a chance of making and competing on the JV team next year.  He is 5'7" now and actually one of the tallest athletes on the Permian white team.  JV will have Sophomores and Juniors though.

Until next year!