You Tube?

Yesterday, Scout Master Russ took the 12-13 year old scouts tubing at Brianhead ski resort. I was scheduled to work so Russ took Grant and Gracie with him. The night before we realized we have lived in the desert for the past 7 years. We own NO winter gear. Our children were going to freeze. I called my neighbor who has children the same age as Grant and Gracie, and luckily she was able to hook us up with bibs, boots, jackets, gloves, hats, etc. THANKS JILL! Anyway, Grant and Gracie had a blast. Gracie said, "I didn't like it... I LOVED IT". Grant said, "It was pretty much the best day of my life". I am glad they had the chance to go. Unfortunately, Garrett missed out on the fun because he was finishing up his Arrow of Light requirements for scouts. We are planning on taking him tubing at Brianhead for his birthday in two weeks. Want to come along?!

Hoop it up

The next sporting event has begun in the Hyde home. Garrett's and Grant's basketball season began this last week. Garrett is playing in the Snow Canyon League and Grant is playing with the St. George Rec Center. Garrett had two games today and it was so stressful. They had a young girl (high school aged) keeping score. Now I understand that it is hard to keep score when you are texting your friends and checking out all of the boy refs, but she had no clue what was going on in the game. She managed to give our opponents 4 extra points during the game. She then proceeded to switch the scores at half-time. Appearently, she thought the score stayed with the basket... not the team. So when the teams switched baskets after the half - we then inherited the other team's score. What?!!! I thought Nana was going to start a fight. She was so upset. Despite the efforts of the score keeper to boost the other team's points, we managed a ONE POINT victory (but it really should have been 5 points). Garrett's team won their second game by three points... at the last second. My nerves are now shot. I hate it when the games are close.

Grant's team slaughtered their poor opponents 42-2. By the end of Grant's game all of our team's parents were cheering for the other team. It was fun to win, but we sure felt sorry for the other boys. Grant, again, is the smallest one on his team. But this year he is way more aggressive. He had seven rebounds and a couple of steals. He is very excited to be playing and is so enthusiastic on the court. He has all of his best buddies, including his cousin Gavin, on his team.

We think it will be a pretty fun season. We are thrilled to live in an area where there are so many opportunities for our children.

Ahhhhh. Much Better

So, I figured out how to change my background. It took me a long time to figure it out. So, I hope you like it because I won't be changing it for a long time ;) I wish I were a little more computer savvy, or had a little more time in the day to sit down and figure this out. Oh well. At least I can relax a little today.

I've had it!!!!!!

Ok. I am tired of my blog background being down and out! I need a new backgroud, and I am NOT using cutestblogontheblock! I need some help. I have never changed my background. First, where can I get a cute background? And, second, how in the world do I change it? It has been so long since I first did it... I don't remember how I did. All I can remember is that it took me HOURS to figure it out and get it how I wanted it. I do not have hours to spare these days. I need some help from my fellow bloggers.

Sunday Six (again)

Ok- this is two weeks in a row. I am off to a better start than I had imagined. I decided I needed to hurry and post something new... thanks to Russ' self-introduction into the blogging world. I purposely do NOT put pictures of myself on our blog. Now you can see why. I was freezing last week. I took off my church shoes and put on socks to warm my little tootsies. The socks were not quite good enough, so I added the slippers. Mmmm, much better. But my dress was short sleved and I wasn't about to take clothes off to put on warmer ones... so I just added a few layers over the dress. Fortunately, some of my layers were hidden or else you would be laughing hysterically at that picture. I kid you not... I am a whimp. Anything below 80 degrees and I turn into an icicle.

On to the real post which is kinda sappy tonight. This week I have felt so much love from each member of my family. It truly just made me feel so wonderful ALL week.

1. I am so thankful for my husband. Russ got up at the crack of dawn this morning just as I was leaving for work to begin getting himself and the kids ready for church. He ironed their clothes, did their hair, and got them all to church by 9:00 am. I love that he leads us daily in family scripture study, and our family prayers. Anyway, Russ read my New Year's resolutions posted on our blog and decided to help me out in reaching one of them. On Friday night he took me to the movies to see Twilight. I now only have to see one more movie in order to achieve one more resolution and it is only January. Thanks Russ for the hot date.
2. I am thankful for Garrett. Tonight the kids and I drove over to the Court of Honor to support our dad in his new calling. Russ had gone over early to set up and we arrived just before it started. Anyway, as we got to the church all of the kids ran ahead of me. I got out of the car and walked up and there stood Garrett by the doors waiting so he could hold the door open for me. As we got inside he went into the room and immediately started setting up chairs without being asked. He is very thoughtful and always willing to help. I am grateful for the gentleman that he is. 3. I am thankful for Grant. Yesterday, I was reading a book while Russ and Garrett were watching football. Grant came and cuddled up next to me on the couch. I looked at him and he said, "You don't have to stop reading. I just want to be by you". I chatted with him for a second and then he then fell asleep. He didn't ever budge and kept me so toasty while I finished my book. He is so easy to please.
4. I am thankful for Gracie. On Tuesday, Gracie asked me if I could have a "sleep-over" with her. I told her that I couldn't that night because I had to work the next morning, but that I could have a "sleep-over" on Thursday. For the next two days that was all she talked about. When Thursday night came, she got her bedroom all ready for my sleep-over. She picked out a CD for us to listen to while we fell asleep. She brought my phone charger in her room so I could have my phone (aka alarm clock) to wake us up. She even gave me "her" side of the bed. Although we both fell asleep before the first song ended, I was so grateful for our sleep-over and the feeling of being loved.

5. I am thankful for a relaxing day. On Saturday, I worked in the morning. When I got home I did a few chores (very little) and spent the rest of the day reading and watching football. I read the Scarlet Letter (which was not so cheery and just down-right depressing) and watched the Ravens beat the Titan's and the Cardinal's slaughter the Panthers in the playoffs. It was really a great day all round. It seems like I have very few of those relaxing days, and I really appreciate it when one comes around.

6. I am grateful that my blog background is back. (We will see if it stays). My cutest blog on the block background has been the lamest blog on the block background for a week. When I logged on tonight though, there it was: colorful, striped, and so me. I was so happy to be on my blog tonight-(except for that added picture from Russ). I am thankful I don't have to change my background, because to be honest, I don't remember how I ever got this one on here!!!!

Glad We Don't Live Somewhere Really Cold

Unbeknownst to Kori she is having a glamour shot posted. That yellow thing is her Sunday dress and the rest well.....like I said I'm glad we don't live somewhere really cold.

Sunday Six

I am following the crowd, joining the family, keeping the tradition, caving to pressure... whatever you want to call it. My family has been doing this for a while and I have STUBBORNLY RESISTED. It is not that I am not grateful. I just didn't want to commit to a weekly post. I have a hard time with commitment. But, it is a new year, with lofty new resolutions, and maybe new traditions. We'll see. This may be a one time thing. Anyway, here goes... the 6 things I am grateful for most this week:



1. I am so grateful for modern medicine. This week my friend's 40 year old husband underwent open-heart surgery for an aortic aneurysm the size of a small potato. First of all, it was a miracle that they even discovered he had it- and even more miraculous that he was able to EASILY glide through the surgery. Also, my co-worker's friend also delivered a 1 pound baby this week (at 27 weeks) due to pre-eclampsia. The baby is doing well and expected to be fine. AMAZING! The drugs and technology we have available these days are such blessings.


2. I am grateful for new babies being welcomed into the world... both of which are NOT mine. There are two pregnancies that I am so excited about. Although it is not my place to announce them, I am thrilled for the families that are expecting. Congrats!


3. I am grateful for a new children's book series... Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I love when I find fun books that I can read aloud to my kids. We read the first book (The Lightening Thief) in just a few days and have now started the second book (The Sea of Monsters). It is easier to read to your kids when you actually enjoy the book yourself. Books have come a long way... or maybe I just enjoy them more as an adult.


4. I am grateful for blogging and the opportunity I have to keep up with my friends and family that don't live near by. I feel like I know my friends and family so much better through blogging.


5. I am grateful the holidays are over. I love the Christmas season- the decorations, the music, the lights, the giving, the traditions, etc. I love the beginning of the new year. The feeling of a "new start" and new resolutions. But to be perfectly honest, I am ready for my darling children to get back to school and begin basketball. They have been cooped up for too long. They need more activities. Tomorrow, life will be back to normal. AAAHHHHHH!


6. I am grateful for Dr. Beckstrom, braces removed, and a beautifully straight smile. Garrett got his braces off on Tuesday. His teeth look great. We still have more to come, but the initial phase is over. I am thankful his teeth moved so quickly and that it was a pleasant experience for him. Dr. Beckstrom and his staff are fabulous.

Straight in Eight (months)

Remember this smile?

And then there was this...

Then this?

After 8 quick months, we have the all new and improved smile. Garrett's teeth moved so fast. Even the orthodontist was surprised. At Garrett's appointment in October, Dr. Beckstrom said they were going to begin the process of pushing Garrett's molars back to make room for his Canines to grow in. He said it would take quite a few months and that we were looking like April would be the month for brace removal. Well imagine our surprise when we went to his next appointment and they told us the shift was complete and we were preparing for retainers. His teeth look beautiful. Garrett did a great job taking care of them, brushing and flossing every day (usually more than once). Anyway, here is the final product of Phase I (Phase II will begin once he has lost all of his teeth). We really couldn't be happier.