Danny's last basketball game

Today Danny played his last basketball game of this season. It's kind of weird to think basketball is over! We've been doing this for at least 4 months; now what are we going to do without the bouncing orange ball? Danny did well in his game. He continues to grow as a team player. It's fun to see that he doesn't hog the ball all the time...and he still scores points and assists his team. I wish I could say that they won...but they fought hard. I'm sure next year will be better. Good job Danny!

Provo City Center Temple Open House

Today we had the opportunity to tour the new Provo City Center before it is dedicated. This is a rare opportunity for the boys (especially) to tour a temple and see the various rooms inside. As members, you can only enter the temple as a worthy adult who has obtained a recommend from local church leaders. Youth can enter the bottom floor where the baptistry is once they are 12 years old. This area of the temple is available to youth and adults to perform baptisms for their ancestors who may not have had the opportunity to hear or accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life. The rest of the temple is only accessible to worthy adult members once the temple has been dedicated as a House of the Lord. In any case, the wait was really long to get in. The boys were a bit "hangry" by the time we made it to the introductory video before entering the temple, but once inside, everyone was in awe of the beauty of that sacred building. It was GORGEOUS! This building was originally built in the late 1800s/early 1900s. It suffered a fire in 2010 that literally consumed everything but the exterior walls. It had been a beautiful Provo landmark for so long that the church decided to salvage the building and convert it into a temple. It obviously too years for that to happen, not to mention engineering feats! At one point, the building was actually on stilts as they excavated beneath it to build the lower levels. It is inspiring to hear the stories of its construction and completion. Miracles do happen every day! While the exterior is beautiful, the interior is breath taking. They decorated it in a Victorian era style, as it would have been decorated when it was originally built. There are two instruction rooms within the temple where adult members go to make and receive sacred covenants and instructions. They have been intricately painted with a floor to ceiling mural. Each room was painted by a different artist so they are unique. Both rooms are gorgeous, but my favorite was painted by James C. Christensen (a local artist and one of my favorites). The whole experience was incredible - from the wood framed hallways and doorways to the illuminating stained glass windows. We are so glad we had the opportunity to go and can't wait to go back with my brother, Scott, and his family in a couple weeks.

Tanner's Eagle Court of Honor

Today we went to Tanner Dehart's Eagle Court of Honor. Tanner and Dallin have been friends since we moved into this ward. In fact, Tanner, Dallin and Tyler Chisholm (another friend) are like the 3 musketeers. They are inseparable. They were all on the basketball team together and pretty much spend their days and weekends together if they can. We have kind of adopted both Tanner and Tyler. I am so grateful that they have each other. As a mom, you hope that your kids will find the right kind of friends that will help your children maintain the morals and standards you've taught them. Dallin has those type of friends. It was nice to be able to celebrate Tanner's achievement with him. Now we just need to help Tyler get there!

Jeff and Dallin got to sit in the Eagles Nest

Dallin and Tanner's cousin carried Tanner back to the Eagles Nest

Dallin's Quorum (L to R: Logan, Tyler, Dallin, McClain, Tanner)

Dallin and Tanner...growing up together.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! Just like any other holiday, I enjoy celebrating this day. I especially enjoy the fact that I get to celebrate it with my Eternal Valentine. Jeff is truly my best friend. I can't imagine my life without him. He is so thoughtful and caring. I know he loves me by the way he serves me and the patience he demonstrates when I'm not my best self. The best part of it is that he feels the same way about me. I know there are many happy unions out there, but we think ours is one of the best. In any case, we enjoyed filling the house with sugar and sharing our love with the boys (and the girls...even though they weren't with us). We are a pretty lucky family. That's not to say that we haven't had our disagreements or growing pains, but we are eternally committed to each other. Love is a verb in this family (not just an abstract concept)!

On the 14 days leading up to Valentine's Day, I would place a heart on the boys' doors with something about that boy that we love. These are Dallin and Danny's doors.

Let the sugar coma begin! Here is what we got the boys. Obviously, the little giraffe was for Jonas, while the candy was for the older boys.

This was my sugar treat from all the boys...including Jeff.

My handsome boys!

My forever Valentine!

Year of the Monkey & Globetrotters

Happy Chinese New Year! You know me...I love any holiday...even those from other countries. It is always a fun excuse to do something a little different. Today we celebrated the Year of the Monkey with monkey bread for breakfast and little monkey gifts (a stuffed monkey for Jonas and monkey fists for Dallin and Danny with their lucky red envelopes filled with gold chocolate coins).

For dinner, I usually prepare a Chinese food meal but tonight we settled for Panda Express on our way to Salt Lake City to see the Harlem Globetrotters.

Earlier in the week, Jeff got us tickets to see the Globetrotters as a surprise for the boys. This seemed like a good way to celebrate Dallin's winning season. I have always wanted to see the Globetrotters and they didn't disappoint. It's amazing the way they can handle the ball. They were hilarious too! We all enjoyed the night...even Jonas...when he was awake. I swear this kid can sleep through anything! I love creating these memories with my boys. It was a fun evening!

Nebo District Basketball CHAMPIONS!

Mt. Nebo Junior High boys basketball team WON the district CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! (Warning: Picture overload to follow!) It has been a great season watching these boys put their heart and soul into their practices and games. Dallin has done nothing but live, sleep, eat, and breathe basketball. He loves the sport. If he is not doing homework (or already at practice), he is usually out in the shop practicing his shots. For the past 3 months, our weeks have consisted of 2-3 games per week plus practices...and it has paid off. This week was the tournament. Going into the tournament, Mt. Nebo Jr. High was ranked second. They had only lost 2 games all season. They had to win two games prior to the championship game, which they did...but one was almost lost! I hate those close games! Don't get me wrong, they are excellent games to watch, but (being a mom) I'm often in the stand holding my breath as the score fluctuates up and down by only 2-4 points. I know how much Dallin has worked to get this far and I didn't want them to lose the game in the tournament. I wanted them to at least make it to the championship game...and they did! They played against Spanish Fork (who was ranked first) for the championship. The whole game was a nail biter. Dallin's team was never up by more than 6 points. At the half, they were down by one. I couldn't sit down the entire game. My anxiety was through the roof. I have never wanted a team to win so bad! It is a totally different game when you have a child playing. (Luckily, Jeff kept his cool.) The last half Dallin's team regained the lead and kept it...but not by much. I just kept watching the time and praying for it to tick down faster. Finally, in the last three minutes of the game, Dallin's team secured the lead after several free throws due to fouls (and a technical foul from the other coach). I was never so happy to see a game end...especially with the WIN! This is the first time in Mt. Nebo Junior High history that a basketball team has won the championship! All team members played with such intensity! It was a hard fought won and totally deserved!! Needless to say, I had one happy boy! Way to go Dallin!!

Warm ups

Mt. Nebo vs. Springville

Mt. Nebo vs. Salem

CHAMPIONSHIP: Mt. Nebo vs. Spanish Fork