Midnight Madness

        Midnight madness is Kade's tackle football leagues season opener.  They play 15 minute scrimmages with other teams in their division on five different fields in Mesquite, Nevada at night.  Kade's team played 5 different teams.  This being our first year showing up early was a good thing.  It took us an hour to find everyone. 
      The very first play of the first game, Kade broke through the line and sacked the runner.  He is on both the Defense and offense.  Yeah it's because he rocks.  We all had so much fun.  Kade loves to play, and Ben and I are glad we aren't playing but watching. The team and coaches are great.  The kids have fun and are learning from each other and really support each other.  I love it. 

        The wind was blowing, parents cheering, plays were being called, whistles being blown and the boys just eating it up.   I LOVE THIS GAME.

Bear/Animal Hunt

        Porter turned 7 on Saturday.  It was probably the fastest party ever, sorry everyone(They moved up the time we were meeting for Kade's football game so we were kinda rushed).   The trick to an hour birthday party with 14 kids and 11 adults.  Keep the kids corralled.  Once we started the party  we just kept going.  First the Bear hunt.  We had hid stuffed animals all over the living room and kitchen and then each of the kids had a turn following the clue and finding their animal(which was their party gift).
        Directly after the hunt, presents.   Porter's was ecstatic with all of the presents.
        Directly after presents, cake.  The teddy bear cake didn't last long.  Ben with the knife and Matthew with the second knife.  His head was gone.  Porter took the arm.  The kids scarfed it down and went and played for the remaining time and the adults visited for a few minutes.  
         You know the party is over when those four things have been accomplished.  Game, check. Presents, check.  Cake, check.  Fun, check.

     Party, Successful!

First Week of School

   It begins again!  Kade is in a different school this year than the other boys.  But they look like they have it under control.  Mason has stepped up and helps Porter.  Some days a little to much and Porter get frustrated with him.  But kudos for Mason.  Kade's in 6th, Mason's in 4th and Porter's in 2nd.  Have fun this year boys. 

Slip, Slide, and Chaos at Grandma and Grandpa's house

       Grandma and Grandpa Funk wanted to do a big party to end the summer.   The plan:  Kids play in the day and parents at night.  And we did. 
       The kids had all kinds of fun playing on the slide(probably for the last time.  Its been a trooper). To the adults it looks like WWF but with a slide and water.  After the kids were all home with a babysitters the parents gathered at Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner and games.   It was a lot of fun.  Sorry men and elders but the girls just rock!!! Yes the girls won at Pictionary.  Great Grandma didn't calm anyone down very well when cheating was accused.  Its probably because she knew the girls don't do stuff like that.   It was a great day.  Thanks everyone.  

      

Freezing (I mean camping) on Kolob

   The last hurrah before school started back up was going to camping with Dawn, Bruce and Talon somewhere cooler than here.  The spot Kolob.  It was definitely cooler.  But we planned on that.  With mounds of sleeping bags blankets and coats we were set. 
    Dawn and Bruce had went up early and picked out a camp sight.  It was perfect.  Close to the lake and close, but not to close, to the restrooms.  We arrived late.  Setting up the tent in the dark was a cinch with Bruce's headlights and the expertise of two trained professionals.  We opted for the rain fly because last time we didn't it rained.  I am glad we did because it rained every night.  We have a good tent.  It didn't leak.  With that comforting thought it was fun to lay there in our warm cozy beds and listen to the rain and thunder.  Monte, Blanca and kids came the next day. 
     Between rain storms the kids would take out the boat.  Talon and Mason rowed out to the Island.  Monte, Mason and Talon were the only ones to get caught on the lake in the rain.  Monte took over rowing and was rowing for all his might. 

      Campfire all day, guns to shot, horse shoes to play and sticks to carve, what else was needed.  It was so nice to relax and do nothing.

Grandma's Birthday in Kingston

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA LUKE!

All the kids and grandkids supriesed Grandma by showing up, slowly one at a time, unanounsed and each time she would comment "did you now they were coming?"  and no one ever admitting anything till all were there.  Then told her Happy Birthday.  There was a BBQ at Uncle Steves.  It was worth all of the stories. 

As the girls clean the house, the boys pitch in and help Grandpa in the yard.  Good little helpers.

L to R  Dakota, Travis, Porter, Mason

What freedom a small town has.  It is so fun to get together to see everyone and to let the kids be kids and ride there bikes everywhere and mostly anywhere they want.  I am so glad we have Kingston.