Brody's a poet and didn't even know it.....and neither did his parents.
One Sunday a lady in our ward came up to me congratulating my son for doing so well. I was so confused but thought maybe she had just mistaken me for someone else whose son had just been ordained a deacon. I didn't think much of it but she came up to me again and asked me if Brody had said anything about entering a poetry contest. I said no and she informed me that his school teacher had submitted one for him.  She told me it had done really well but they must not have announced the winners. I was excited but didn't want to say anything to Brody until they informed the school . Michael asked him a few questions but he didn't say much. Come to find out he had submitted a poem and it had placed in the area Art and Poetry Contest.  We were invited to attend an awards ceremony one afternoon.  When we got there we found out there was five divisions for each Art and Poetry. Winners were selected from each division. They did the Art categories first.  Then an overall winner was chosen for all division.  The overall winner was awarded to the Division V (High School) winner. Then they announced the poetry winners.  Brody placed 1st in Division II, which is 3rd and 4th graders.  After all the other division winners were announced, it came time for the overall winner.  Yep, you guessed it it...Brody was the winner!  I couldn't believe it.  His poem had been picked over all the middle school, junior high, and high school students.  Way to Go Brody!!  Keep it up.....but I don't think I will be able to help you =) 

Mesquite Trip.....In February Michael and I were invited to go riding with his brothers and their friends. Usually it's just the boys but this year they decided to invite the girls. I think I surprised them by saying that I wanted to go. We had a Fun time and are so glad we were able to go.
Day 1
Plan: Leave at 2 a.m. from Matt and Becky's House. Ok. We can do that. I think. About 9 p.m. I was not sure if Michael and I would really being going. We have never left our kids for more than one day. That night was CRAZY! The kids wouldn't go to sleep, I was trying to arrange for someone to work in the bead store while I was gone and nothing of mine was packed. Michael's mom came to stay with the kids for a couple days and then my mom and my sister Cari would take them until we got home. I stayed up packing my bags and by the time i was finished I just stayed up cleaning the house because I didn't want to go to sleep for only an hour. I figured I would sleep on the ride down... and I did. It sure made the ride down go fast. When we got to Mesquite, we ate, checked in the hotel and then headed out to ride.
This one is for Mori....or Carl

We started here.... the hill climbs.

With 30-50 mph wind in the sand, it made for an interesting day of riding but we had a lot of fun. This is Michael with his two brothers, Mori and Matt.


Then here....Slick Willey.... The boys would climb the hills while the girls would watch, video, and take pictures. Michael and I rode a 4 wheeler together but when we got where the boys were riding their bikes, he couldn't just sit still. He headed off hiking and exploring (which if any of you know Michael or have been with him, you know that isn't anything new). He ended up hiking clear around these hill and ended up on top. The wind wasn't too bad down at the base of the hill but on top- watch out for sand blasting and cliff ledges!

Day 2
After getting breakfast and hanging around waiting for the late nighters, we headed south for our next adventure.

Michael borrowed a bike so I rode by myself while he tried to learn to ride in the sand. We started out riding and came to this....

All the Mechams on the trip

Here are all the guys together. This didn't happen often. Someone was usually checking out a new trial, riding up a different hill, or trying to out do the next guy. And wait, is that Becky up there?

I know this picture is hard to see but this is Michael and his brother Matt "Sun Bathing" on top of the big rock ...Maybe it's a good thing it's hard to see.

Michael exploring.....again.

I thought this was a way cool picture with all the "bikes" parked together.

While riding we saw these goats....I was surprised we didn't see more wildlife but the scenery was awesome.

The girls on the 4 wheelers and a few other watching the boys play around on the rocks and sand.



Matt, Mori, and Doug...

All the boys

This is Chris in his Razor. He was in a bad car wreck a few years ago and is paralyzed. He goes riding with the guys. What a great example of service the guys and his family show him. I was blessed to see how kind they were and willing to include him in everyday things.


Day 3 to be continued...

Michael's Bite?!?!?!? and proud of it
Michael loves to wrestle with his brothers-A favorite tradition of theirs. Not too many injuries but occasionally some minor bumps and bruises. Some accidental, some intentional. This was minor injury to his leg was intentional and he was pretty proud on this bruise because of why he got it. Maybe someday in the near future him or the biter with tell their own story.

A couple days later- Are those really teeth marks?

Fun with Cousins
Brae's REAL birthday was soooo fun for everybody but him. He woke up throwing up and not feeling very good. We had my sister's kids for a couple days while they were in Hawaii so we decided to go out to Michael's parents house to go sledding. It was a really COLD day but the kids had so much fun. We celebrated his birthday the next week because it is so close to Christmas and being sick on your birthday isn't fair.
Here is a picture out our front door as we left. I love when the trees have snow and frost on them.

Jace didn't have warm snow clothes but thank goodness Grandma Mecham had extra clothes and knows how to be creative.


Brae building the sledding hill. He was feeling a little bit better while they were sledding but afterwards he still didn't feel good.

Brody was so ready to go. He loves playing outside.

Brekka ready to go sledding. She loved her new sled she got from Grandpa and Grandma Mecham.

The Snow Hill with lots of cousins and uncles- so big and even more fun!




Mori had his snow mobile and the kids, of course, loved riding on it and being pulled behind in a sled.






Kelton was so cold and snow cover.


Matt showed up with his pickup so Jace and I were able to watch the kids, big and little, play in the snow. Jace wanted to get out but I was too cold so I thought he shouldn't be out there too long.

Even Alex had fun. Not sure he had winter cold on but he had fun.

It was so cold but Jace wanted to be out with the other kids. He loved the ride.

This is a typical Mecham picture. The kids gathered around or onto of Mori talking and having fun. Grandpa and Granma Mecham got a new puppy for Christmas so all the kids were loving snowball. I love Brae and Jace's face so I had to put both pictures. Notice Brekka sitting on Mori. She just loves him and follows him around everywhere.


Alex.....what happened??

School Christmas Program
I love attending the school Christmas program. The school does such a great job with decoration, songs, and the kids sing AWESOME. This year I LOVED the store fronts that they had for each class.
Brae by his class store Brody by his class store Here is Brody's class walking out but I liked this picture because it shows a few more store fronts.
This video is of the whole school singing. I know I didn't do a very good job with the video but at least I have something. The batteries died so I didn't get much more than this. =(

Brae's Thanksgiving Feast
Brae's class had Friendship soup around Thanksgiving. Each student brought something to put in the soup or to good with the meal. They had a great time wearing there costumes too. This year it has been fun to help in Brae's class. I am the room mom as well so I have been able to be in the class for parties and other things. Brekka loves to come and participate in the class too.