Turkey Bowl 2008

Nick designed the shirts this year and many of the past years. I like the look of this year's. Nick wears it well - coming to a future blog. Thanks to Sara Jones for the pictures.

There is something that happens every year Thanksgiving morning. To some it might be frantically cooking up the turkey, making great smashed potatoes, or even getting the pie crust to be flaky. But for some it has nothing to do with food. For some Thanksgiving is all about football. I'm not meaning the sit-down-in-front-of-the-TV kind of football. I'm meaning that get all bundled up because it's 20 degrees outside football. Then heading up to the football field at the high school an hour earlier than normal to beat out all other trespassers onto the field.

Here are those football fanatics! Okay, I guess it could be considered a family bonding time, but when stories come back about how this cousin threw this cousin or his own son down, and this cousin stomped all over this cousin, I wonder how much family bonding is occurring.
My first question when all come home is did anyone get hurt. I've been amazed over the years to get that negative answer every year. I know how competitive my children and some of the nieces and nephews-in-law are, so I'm pleasantly surprised.

I never have asked the other question. Were there some tender family moments?

All in all I'm glad the kids have something to do Thanksgiving morning. It keeps them busy while I work with the turkey and try to get something done. Most of all I'm glad because they come home happy, bright cheeks and grins galore. They just enjoy being with each other playing a sport they love.

Being Thankful

Life is good now. The Rock star has come! He gives us life! Giggles, squeals, screaches and even the occasional crying is wonderful to hear. He's been a big help. He sweeps, organizes cupboards and even gets the pans out to cook. Thanksgiving has never been so bountiful! All kids, grandson and plenty of food.

Volleyball is over. That is not what I'm thankful for, however. Volleyball is my favorite sport to watch. I am thankful for a kind, responsible and dedicated daughter. It was great to hear her coach express thanks for Whitni's willingness to do whatever she needed to do for the team. That meant giving up her libero position that earned her an all state second team award last year.

She had Whitni serve as the setter this year. Whitni had told her she would do what she needed to do for the team. She was named to the league first team and took home coach's, captain's and most valuable player awards for her team.

Now on to basketball!

Cider Time

It starts with bins of apples. Goldens, Reds, Grannys, whatever is left over that will not be packed is left to the mercy of eager hands.

Then these eager hands either dump apples gently into the "hopper" or

they are thrown in fast and with excitement as if they are shooting the winning point.

Then the apple guts get squeezed. It's fun to watch the juice drip like a waterfall to the waiting bowl below. A lot of juice never does make it to the bowl as cups are usually put under to catch the drips.

The juice then gets drained to get the big chunks out. It's kind of like the orange juice Whitni asked for today - no pulp.

There are always lots of helpers - usually for the eating and drinking.

Dale bought 75 jugs. There were 5 left. Many brought their own jugs too.

It was taste tested by the most critical experts and was deemed perfect!

Another bright spot to this family and friend bonding time is the homemade donuts from Auntie Alice. She had at least three helpers today very proud of their pastries.

Reminiscing

Dad wanted a good picture of Dale for the calendar. What more can you ask for? Hawaiian shirt, apple blossoms and a handsome man.

This other picture (I was reminiscing while looking for the Dale picture) was taken in Chicago. I love Chicago! It is close to two sisters and a son and daughter-in-law with my grandson. It also is fun to roam around with a sister, daughter and niece. I enjoy the Sherry visits.

This last one was taken at Field of Dreams. Ignore all the chins. Not a great angle for a picture, but Dale and Aaron were in heaven.

Feelings

Since Monday I have been experiencing many different feelings and emotions. Mostly, I've been feeling angry. I know who I want to direct this anger at but then I feel guilty for having these feelings and shove them away. Praying at those times helps. I'm not sure I could handle things without that spirit around. I was praying before that things would work out for Dale. It didn't quite turn out the way my praying was intended, but I will hang in there since I can't see the bigger picture and need to be patient.

Sherry mentioned the blog as a journal, life history, etc... I'm feeling the same. I'm expressing my feelings to get them out there. As I type this and tears are falling it feels cathartic.

Life has changed for us without any choosing on our part. I hate feeling helpless, not knowing what to do to help the situation. I hate not knowing what to say to help.

On the other hand I've been feeling grateful. I'm grateful to those people who have called and expressed their support and love to Dale and me. It helps to know that people care and believe in him as much as I do.

I felt bad not including a picture with this posting so I looked in my computer to see what I could find. I decided the video is what everyone may need after reading my depressing post. This is Megan's little guy, Colby. He is two months younger than Rock, who in two weeks will revitalize me with his wonderful laugh.

My Prince

One of the talks in stake conference today referenced Cinderella and how we see ourselves marrying the prince of our dreams in a beautiful castle. It is close to my reality. Almost thirty years ago I married a wonderful man and we married in the beautiful castle of the Salt Lake Temple. Lately I received some wonderful flowers with an unusual apology for what we are going through from this good man. I don't believe he has anything to apologize for. He does not deserve what is happening and it hurts my heart to see men twist and turn things to destroy him. So most of all I am thankful for his calming spirit and love for the past thirty years. No matter what happens - I'm by his side. Thank you all for your prayers and support. It means a lot.

Back to things I am grateful for. First, the birthday boy. Twenty-six years old! Wow how time flies. I am grateful for his humble spirit, his goodness and his unique way of looking at life. I enjoy reading his stories, eating his creations, and listening to him enjoy whatever he is reading or watching that excites him. He is a great man with a great testimony. I love you, KC!

Homecoming was a fun weekend. We enjoyed watching Whitni get all dressed up for half time. She represented the freshman class as princess. She looked very pretty. Dale was there this year to do his duties as father (Len performed those duties last time). Her escort is Fidel Castro.

For the dance she endured many hours of me trying to get a curl in her hair, only to have her tell me to twist and poke it under. It looked easy to me but I'll leave those duties to Lindsea and Juliana in the future. She wore her black dress and flip flops. Her date didn't care. It was her good friend Kelsey.

Last night the girls beat Waterville in Kittitas. Drive two hours to play a team that is less than an hour away. We play Kittitas Saturday for the right to go to state as a number one team. Amazing!

Rock

I am very glad to have become a grandma. I know you have all heard this before, but Sherry started this. My life seems to revolve around the next time I get to see him, hold him and spoil him. It is definitely never enough. This is what children are good for - bringing grandchildren!

For Sherry- my first of thankful items.

Fifteen years ago I had a dream of a forest. I wanted a cozy view from a back window. Even after the trees I planted were rudely chopped to stubs the dream lived on. (I have forgiven you Aaron.) Today I am so thankful for a view out my big picture window of tall colorful trees and a new pond with a waterfall. They shade the back of the house and provide a barrier from the road and the back orchard. It provides peace.