Four Wheeler Trip to Moab

On the first weekend of March most of the coach's from Spanish Fork High went on a four wheeler trip to Moab. We had a great time. The weather was good the first day but on the second day we got caught in a pretty good snow and hail storm. We road a trail called Fins and Things on the first day. The second day we were on a trail called Chicken Corners when we got caught in the storm. We had a great time.

Don't blame me, blame Face Book

I realize it's been over 2 months since I last wrote on our family blog. Jeff introduced me to Face book and what time I have to devote to blogs went to Face Book. So when Bob and Suzy came up this weekend and Suzy told me I needed to update my blog, I decided that the blog is probally more important than Face Book. A lot has happened in the last 2 months. Bradyn and Elle have finished basketball. Elle has started Spring soccer with her club team. Nick has had a birthday, March 15th he turned 5. Track has started up and I am busy with that. Some of you have heard that I am the new head track coach at Spanish Fork High. This is true but it won't officially start until next year. Dave and Reggie who are the coach's are leaving after this track season. So with this said I will attempt to do a better job with the family blog.

Elle Singing in the Schools Womens Chorus.

Last night the choirs of Spanish Fork Junior High had the Winter Concert. During the 1st semester Elle has participated with the Women's Chorus. She has really enjoyed her time with them and is sad to leave. It is only a half year class so she will now move on to Art as her elective next semester.

Elle Plays in Her 1st Basketball Game of the Season.

On Saturday, January 9th Elle played in her first basketball game of the season. Elle again did a wonderful job, Elle has always done well in basketball. Because of Young Women's, Orchestra Concerts, and Singing Concerts Elle hasn't been able to make it to her teams practices. The one practice she did make it to she practiced with the wrong team, long story but funny. Anyway Elle did a great job. Her coach didn't start her, but once she went in she played the rest of the game. She ended with 8 point but was a rebounding and stealing machine.

Bradyn Plays in His First Basketball Game.

On Saturday, January 9th Bradyn played in his first basketball game of the season. He plays for the heat. Bradyn had a great game and scored 8 points. Bradyn played hard and has made a lot of improvement over the year. Bradyn is in the 3rd grade, his league is for 3rd and 4th graders.

We are finally back. The holidays were a success!

I sure anyone who has looked at this blog has given up on us. Looking at Bradyns Pinewood derby date its been 2 1/2 months since anything was posted. I would like to use the excuse of being to busy but I'm sure I'm no busier than anyone else. The holiday season was great to our family. We all made it through with out any serious injury (Except for Katie and Bradyn Running into a tree while sleding up Payson Canyon) and really enjoying our time with friends and family. There is to much to put down so I'll try and hit the highlights and then keep up from now on.
First of all Thanksgiving and Christmas went really well. We were able to spend time with both families and really have a fun time. Thanksgiving was spent with the Jacksons at Jeff's house this year. As always pleanty of food and the kids loved being with their cousins. We actually had sleep overs during Christmas break with Porter and Bennie, Mackenzie and Holden, and Jake and Zack. The kids had a wonderful time playing with their cousins. They would probally like to have them all over at once but I think Liana and I would lose it. We went to the Munn's the Sunday before Christmas and had our party with them. Again it was a lot of fun. Christmas Eve was spent at Grandma and Grandpa Jackson's.
Liana and I decided that we wanted to spend Christmas Day at our own house. In the past we have packed kids up early leaving most of the toys that Santa brought and then went from house to house. This year we cooked a turkey and spiral ham and invited everyone over throughout the day. This worked out well for us. We all had a wonderful time together. The day was spent playing games, playing with toys, visiting with family, and of course eating.
A couple of things to touch on. Elle is playing with the junior highs orchresta, she plays the cello. Elle has worked extreemly hard and is getting better daily. Along with playing the cello Elle is still playing the piano everyday. At times it is like pulling teeth but for the most part she does well.
We put up our Christmas Lights. As usual I was not willing and more than likly not able to get up on the house to put the lights up (Scared of hights). Liana once again made the treak up the latter, which was in the back of the truck to put up the lights. As usual she did a great job. She gets better and better every year.
Liana's brother Dana got home off his mission to Argentina on December 16. We were all excited to see him and have him home. The kids without fail would make it a priority to make sure he was blessed each night in our family prayers.
Katie is in the first grade. She was able to share with her class a family tradition. She shared with them our tradition of Liana Christmas candy making. It was cute to watch Katie as she stood infront of her class and talked with them. She was a little nervous but did an wonderful job. Her true colors really came out when it was time to pass out the candy. If it was up to the class they would of all run right up to the table. Katie quietly sat there and called up each student one at a time to get their candy.
I promise I am going to do better with this blog. Elle and Bradyn are participating with basketball this year. When we get them I will post their schedules on here.

Bradyn Take 2nd Place in the Pinewood Derby

Last night was Bradyn's first pinewood derby. Bradyn and I had a good time making the car. I can see why everyone laughs about the boys actually making the car. They give you a block of wood and then expect a car that will go down the track. I don't know of to many eight year olds that are able to use power equipment to shape their car. The instructions say to sand it down but that would honestly take weeks if not months. So we had Bradyn draw different car designs and then he picked his favorite. I (Todd) then tried to cut out the car like his drawing. When I finished cutting the car out it was obvious by the look on Bradyns face that it wasn't close to his original drawing. But true to Bradyn's nature he told me he loved it. Bradyn had two different jobs with the car. First it was his job to sand it down, smooth as glass. He spent a lot of time with that. We made him go outside to sand it and about every 30 seconds he would come in the house and have me check it. His other job after it was painted and wheels were on was to put the decals on. We originally wanted to go with University of Utah car but had a hard time finding small enough stickers. We finally used pinewood derby decals bought at Allens. Bradyn ended up taking 2nd place. Each car raced 5 times. Bradyn took 3 first place finishes and 2 second place finishes.