Pictures of the happenings around here...

Our new house--move in date yet to be decided. In the two weeks since we signed, Chris has mowed the jungle, cut down stray shoots of trees, and built an extra bedroom in the basement. We have had extra special help from David- help with the new room, Jared and Jacqui-cleaning carpets that are just too disgusting to keep after all, Darlene and Katie- weeding the front flower beds. We need painters... any volunteers??

Derek's eagle project--completed, one more merit badge to go. Only 5 scout boys came and one of those left early- he was the only one from Scipio. The rest were 2 boys from Nephi and Levan, and Tyler. The trail looks awesome. Maybe I'll get a photo of that posted too.

Track meets for Tyler, Jeremy, and Derek. Track season is finally over. Derek didn't qualify for State and was terribly disappointed. Jeremy and Tyler participated in a Hershey track meet. Jeremy won 50m, 100m, 400m, softball throw, and took 3rd in standing long jump. He is moving on to a district meet. Tyler took 3rd in 100m, and his 4x100m relay team also took 3rd.

It's not like we need anything more to happen now, but you never know. School is out in 2 weeks and we are counting down every minute!!!

Home Owners-in 30 years

WE just signed on a house that will be ours in a glorious 30 years. We are all very excited to be in town. The MOVE itself will be awful with all the stuff we have, but the proximity to everything will more than make up for it.

Spring Sports!

Derek is competing in track-100m, 200m, and possibly 400m. He thought about doing javelin, but hasn't given it much effort. He's also participating in a soccer league that meets in Lindon on Thursdays. There's about 30 kids that make up 3 teams. WE all carpool to help each other. Needless to say, I never get away from the car. Jeremy and Cameron opted out of baseball this year, but still keep busy with everything else there is to do. As soon as I get some pics and video, I'll post them.

SKUNK

It was a interesting week or so. I came home to a horrible smell in the house. I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. Airing out the house was the only solution, but that had to happen at least twice. I searched everywhere. I wondered if the boys hadn't showered in days. FINALLY, it dawned on me there was a skunk somewhere in, under, or near the house.

On Sunday, I saw it. A little black and white tail hanging out of an opening just under the furnace in the garage. So I warned the boys to be slow and careful as they entered the garage, lest they be sprayed and have a tomato juice bath. I told Chris we had a skunk and to get rid of it.

On Monday, I saw it again, as I went to get more milk from our fridge outside. This time it was ready to spray. I ran in the house, FORGET about the milk. I then carefully opened the door to push the garage door opener. When I left for work, walking slowly to get in the car, it was gone. Chris was again given the task to GET RID of IT!! He set a trap just outside the little garage door, the same one we'd used to catch the stray cats, and Tuesday at lunch, Chris had luck. He covered it with plastic and shot it a few times. IT is now resting in a far away place.

No more Skunk!

Winter activities

So far in January we have been somewhere every weekend. First was Chris's work party at Palisade. Next we went to the Monster Truck show featuring Bigfoot at the E Center. The next weekend we attended the International Auto Show at the South Town Expo Center. And last weekend was a model train show at Thanksgiving Point. I think we might be staying home this weekend, but the week after that is the Elk Foundation Dinner. In addition to that, Tyler and Jeremy are playing Jr. Jazz basketball. Some pictures are here and others are still on the camera.

Another exciting day in Juab county

I can't believe the excitement that I have missed since I left Juab High School. Today, another exciting moment. A bomb threat evacuated the high school and junior high today at 10am. Derek had to hang out with the bus driver until Chris could pick him up. At 11:20 I see I missed some text messages from Derek-- one saying school gets out at noon today and he needs a ride. I quickly called Chris to find out what was happening and he already had Derek. I guess it's a good thing someone was home today, or Derek would have been stranded.

Two weeks ago, a coach and a student from Juab High got into a fight and the teacher was put on administrative leave (according to the Nephi Times newspaper). The teacher is the wrestling coach and Derek's PE teacher. He now has substitutes until who knows when. Derek says the guy has been fired, but who knows.

A few weeks ago, a SWAT came in to Nephi looking for a suspect in the murder of a police officer and forced police escorts at the schools.

In October during Homecoming, a bonfire celebration off campus blew up and burned 4 kids - members of the football team.

All of these events have made some sort of news on Channel 5. Can't wait to see what's next!!!

And people think Independence High School is dangerous. HA HA HA

Exciting but tragic events

As you know a female police officer was killed in Delta on Tuesday morning. With my normal routine, I never listen to the radio--books on CD are so much more entertaining to listen to on my hour long drive. The only weird thing on my drive home was 8 police cars (6 in a tight formation) of various markings come racing up behind me with lights flashing. I wondered where they were headed, but lost them quickly. Anyway, I knew nothing of this until the boys got off the bus, with a "Did you hear what happened?"

As the cops were following leads to find the killers, one lead to Nephi. SWAT surrounded a house near my kids schools. Needless to say with all the danger that these men were capable of, the schools were put into a lockdown mode. The students were allowed to move within the schools. Derek's school was the most affected. SWAT headquarters was near the high school. Many police officers were onsite. He said police were there to escort the students to and from classes outside the main building, ie. seminary, vocational building. They would take 10 students at a time across to the door and run back for some more. This lasted for the entire afternoon. Thanksfully the SWAT took care of the situation and students were allowed to go home on time.

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