Oh my...I have been neglecting my Blog(s)

OK...Well the wedding is done. Over..adios..ciao...
What a ride that was! The ups-the downs...I should have listened to half of you, and just eloped....but I do have to say... I wouldn't have traded it for the world!! Everything was amazing, and beautiful...we had every one their that meant alot to us...
Things have been crazy-crazy round here!
Gavin is going full steam ahead still with football..his season is winding to an end this next weekend, with the grid-iron bowl in Auburn Washington.
Some more exciting news, Gavin was chosen to participate in the Youth All American bowl in San Antonio Texas!!! This is huge for him...so he Eric and myself will be traveling to Texas in January. With that, we also were informed that he was in the top ten of d-ends for the entire west coast..and the top 20 for the entire NATION.....We are very proud of him, and know that things look bright for him as he progresses forward.
Kodi has been working on his Weebalos badges in scouts. He is excelling in school and doing very well!!
We are still on the same old schedule as before in regards to the parenting plan.. it sux, and that is that!!
Eric ...well he is working, working and oh yeah... working!!!!!
I should also mention that we have had a pretty eventfull hunting season..Gavin got his first spike bull elk!! We were so proud of him! Eric also filled his cow tag... so needless to say.. our freezers over-flowath with yummmy elk!
I promise to be back, and updating again!

ok people..Where have our readers gone???

OK people........Have I let you all down by slacking on my posts? OK OK I get..I will try to stay on top of our posts!
You people just saw a picture of Eric with whip cream on his face!!!
Can I not get a comment out of any of you? You know who you are.....I seeeeeeeee
uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!! Cmon folks..let us know your still reading!!!

Sooooo BUSY.

(TWO HANDSOME BOYS..PLAYING A VIDEO GAME YESTERDAY)

OMG..I cant believe how busy I have been lately. With Gav in All stars, we have had no time do to anything else. We are still anxiously working on wedding plans...or shall i say..... "I AM".I did tell Eric..."I need you to help me stuff the invitation envelopes". Being the sweet guy that he is.... he was more then willing!
Today was Gavin's Bday!
12 years old! Its so hard to believe that we have a pre-teen in the house!!!
Last month he had his birthday party so his friends could be their..we have found that planing a summer bday party is close to impossible! (anyways if you want anyone to come)
Today we just kind of bummed around the house. Eric did work outside, and the boys played. Kodi helped me make Gav's bday cake, and of course licked the bowl!!!!!
I will try to post more often...summer is just a hard time!
Here is a pic of Kodi helping make the cake, Gavin on my laptop....both of the boys being silly..they had suckers that had lips on one side(i know.....weird)
and one with Eric..Iam sure he will be pleased iam sharing it.. Gavin squirted whip cream out of a can on him!!! We all though it was hilarious... he on The other hand wasn't as pleased..but we managed to get a smile out of him!
ENJOY!!!!!!!!

Baseball,baseball and MORE baseball!!!

Well, Gavin made it through his regular season of baseball.....just to be followed up with a nomination to try out for the Allstar team, and then he made the team!!!
The have been busy practicing 4 days a week, and this weekend they took part in a pre-Allstar tourney.
It was a lonnnng weekend... the boys played 6 games in two days.
The boys played hard and Iam proud to say they finished 2nd in the tourny!
Gavin played well, made some AWESOME diving catches in the outfield, and a couple RBI's.
Back to practicing all week, then the weekend of the fourth of July they began the Allstar journey.
Good job Gav, we are very proud of you!!!!

It's Almost Summer

Well... the boys have ONE week of school left..which equals ONE week of my sanity left!.. No seriously...I look forward to the summer months because I really do enjoy having the boys home.
This summer should be as busy as most normal week days around our house.
Kodi is doing swim team this year. He really wasn't given an option as to if he wanted to or not.....we decided he needed some kind of activity to do and keep him active...he loves to swim, so I came up with swim team. He is very excited for it to start. We are so proud of him for agreeing to give it a try...after all you never know if you like it unless you try it!
Gavin got invited to try out for Little League All Stars so he will be doing that this weekend. (much to my dismay)
We were proud of him for getting enough all star votes to try out...but secretly hoping he doesn't make it. It interferes with football(because it goes all summer) and I personally don't care for the coach. I didn't want him to try out at all...but Eric said that wasn't fair, it's his opportunity not ours. So we gave him the option....he chose to try out.
(OK..so maybe Eric is right every once in awhile!!)
He begins light football training next weekend with some drill practice.
WE have a new addition to our family....2 baby kitties. They live strictly outside...I will try to get a pic of them and post it soon...they are pretty darn cute!

F.B.....U KNOW!!!!

So last weekend was Gavin's big trip to Seattle for FBU (Football University)
I know we talked about it a few months back about how excited we were for Gav to be attending.
It was the most wonderful experience ever for Gavin. He loved it....and can't say enough good things about not only the defensive line coach he had but also the other campers.
As most of you know, our Gavin is sooooo small. He just hasn't grown into his little body yet. But size means nothing when you know how to play the game. Gavin is quick on his feet, thinks alot like someone who has been playing football for years, and is like grease lightening!!
Carl "Big Daddy" Hariston called him "speed racer". All of the boys in Gavins D-line group were all prep athletes that pretty much tripled him in size and weight...and Gav was quicker then all of them..but one.
We enjoyed the weekend, beautiful weather in Seattle and alot of football. KOdi was with his mother this last weekend so he didn't go with us.

AGAIN!!!!

ME AND LUVY-AFTER MUSHROOM HUNTING

GAVIN INBETWEEN MUSHROOM HUNTING..POSEING ON A ROCK



HERE IS A PICTURE OF ERIC "AFTER" PAINT-BALLING HE IS LAYING IN BED..NOTICE THE BIG BRUISE ON HIS LEFT SHOULDER!!!!!!!!!







Well, here Iam AGAIN....with a whole week passing before I have done a post!!
OK..so I guess this might be my pattern for the next 4-5 months...to busy to sit down and blog...but please come and check I promise I will blog eventually!!!
Last weekend was a busy, fun weekend!
After one of Gavin's baseball games Gavin and Eric went to a paint-balling party!! Yes, Paint ball. They absolutely loved it! They both came home with bruises and welts on all parts of their body. Now we find ourselves online...looking for paintball guns!! Men are strange....why in gods name would you want to be shot with a speeding ball of paint, that leave bruises so big that would make your mamma cry?????? Ask them..cuz I seriously don't know!
After 4 hours of that, they came home exhausted. Sunday we headed out to a near bu park...where we mushroom hunted. Wer had tons of fun...and collected some nice morells. We had Shane and Danielle with us....(one of my best friends kids) and we got to teach them about alot of stuff they didn't know. Danielle found a "pet snail" who she called Gary.....Eric called Shane a "pavement Pansie"...because our big man hates to get dirty!!!! All in all it was a real fun weekend....one major thing missing was Kodi. So, once again I don't have any pics of Kodi to post.

UPDATE: Super Busy in Naches!!

I can't believe how fast time flys!!
Eric and I have under 5 months left until the big day! I have spent alot of time planning, and organizing to assure a perfect day. Iam finding myself saying the same thing alot of brides do as they plan their wedding..."Wouldn't it have been easier to elope?" (I know for a FACT it would have been cheaper)
So as busy as I have been I missed some important days I could have been blogging.
Easter. Easter was alot of fun. We had Kodi this year, wich always makes our Holidays feel complete when we are together as a family. The Easter Bunny came, and we went for dinner at Mike and Christy's. Gavin, Kodi, Shane, Danielle and Austin had a HUGE Easter egg hunt.
Gavin is keeping busy as usual with Boxing and Baseball. He also is back to having ear problems again. He has a severe infection, and it doesn't seem to be responding to antibiotics. It appears their is a trip to Seattle to Children's Hospital in our future in the next week....and due to the infection...he won't be fighting this weekend. He is sad, as he has been training for months. The fight will have to wait until his ear is better.
We went up to the woods last weekend and the boys shot a little bit. Kodi is still learning, hopefully next year he will be mature enough to take hunter safety.
Eric and i celebrated our 5 year anniversary together. We had a wonderful dinner out, and he brought me some beautiful flowers.
The weather has been up-and down here and it appears spring is well underway, which couldnt make this house-full of hunters any happier....hunting season is on the horizon!!!
Iam posting some pics for everyone....
a couple of the boys shooting... one of Gavin pitching last week in his game, and a few of Easter Sunday...(Im sure gavin will kill me, as the wind was blowing, and his hair looks like he parted it on the side...lol...it was the wind!!!!)

A Wedding filled Weekend

Busy Busy Busy!!!!
What a Busy weekend we had!!!
This weekend we tootled on over to Spokane to work on some wedding stuff!!!
It was actually alot of fun, and a nice weekend. We went over and stayed with mom and dad. We hadn't seen them since Xmas, so that was nice.
First off,
We went to visit with the caterer. A very knowledgeable lady....but a bit on the pushy side. Anyone that knows me knows that I can't be walked all over...and I'll be damned if they are gonna change my mind once I have it made up!
Eric and Mom sat back a bit, and let Dad and I do the talking and jiving.
We will see what she comes up with! We have a menu thus far as for sides,and salads just trying to decide on either Prime Rib and Chicken or Beef Tenderloin and Chicken.
At least we have it pretty much decided upon!
From their, we headed clear to the other side of town, where we met with the specialty Cake lady whom is doing our cake for us. Iam sooooooo excited about it! Without giving away any surprises...I will tell you all that it will be beautiful and jaw-dropping! I can tell you it will be a magnificent 6 tiers tall...and will have 4 different types of cake to choose from! I can hardly wait to see it! We let the boys pick a tier...they chose "Twix" Yep... twix!!!! It will be a white cake with alternating fudge and caramel filling layers...yummmmmmm!!.. You will have to wait and see what the rest of the flavors are!!!
YIpppppppeeeeee!!!!!!!!
And to wrap up our wedding planning weekend, Eric and I met with a talented lady who is going to play our music for us at the ceremony. She is a Harpist. At first, my brother gave Eric crap....and Eric asked me if it was necessary to have an extra charge just to have a lady play a harp?????
Well.. he changed his mind after he heard her play! Talk about amazing...and some of the most beautiful music you have ever heard! Even Eric said..he was impressed.
So, we chose the song for me to walk to, the song for the bridal party to walk to, and the song for Mom Becky, and Mom Lynette to light the unity candles to.
I feel good about the weekend, and like we got alot accomplished. I can't believe we have less then 6 months to go!!!!!

I love My New Blog!

As I recently posted...I have started a second Blog!
Kind of a different one...and one Iam sure is not every-ones cup of tea...but something that I love sooooo much!
My new Blog is dedicated to my love for hunting and the outdoors.
It's been fun creating it.. and I have so much to talk about, but trying to keep it to one post a day. The best part about all of it is I have met so many women across the US who share the same love for Hunting and Fishing as I do.
I just love the ladies I have met, and could sit in front of this screen all day reading their blog updates.
Thought I would post on it again, since Iam loving it to pieces! Thanks Kate for encouraging me to make a 2ND one!
Hugs to everyone...
Oh yah.. I should mention...today we are exactly 6 months away from the wedding....eeeeeek!!!!
MY NEW BLOG~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
www.donthuntdontfishdontbother.blogspot.com

DON'T Do that GAVIN!!

For those of you that don't know, Gavin Has been in counseling for about 6 months. In the process of it all, we found that no matter how much we don't want to admit it, and it's easier to deny it...their is a reason for the way Gavin acts at school and often times at home. Like I said, as much Eric and I hate to say it...Gavin does have ADHD...thanks to "Mark". Mark as almost ALL of you know, is as I like to call him Gavin's sperm donor. Mark was a very sick person, and from what i understand still is till this day...Mentally.
Unfortunately some of that stuff mentally is hereditary.
Gavin's counselor has been trying to get Gav leveled out with medication. We saw a HUGE difference in him on the first medication..."Adderal" But unfortunately, he started getting insomnia, and then wouldn't eat. He lost 3 lbs in a week... to much for someone his age and size. So, naturally...they took him off of it.
Then yesterday he started a new one....ridalin. he was doing ok, until he went to boxing. He was at boxing, doing his normal routine...and heavy work out with cardio. When he all of a sudden came to me and said "mom I cant breathe". He was gray-ish blue around his lips" He started to get scared(and so did I... but tried not to panic) Anyhow, it didn't resolve for almost 5 minutes... so I had to rush him to the ER. Eric met us their..Their they assessed him and took him straight back. They did an EKG which came back normal for his age.His heart rate was excelled. The breathing resolved itself, and Gavin felt better. As for me.. I wasn't!!1 I can watch him play football, and watch him get hit in boxing..but I know first hand when you cant breathe how fast that can turn bad...I was scared.
He came home and was totally fine. The recommended he don't take his afternoon med dose before any strenuous exercise.
DON"T DO THAT GAVIN!! YOU SCARED MEEEEE!

OK...I have another Blog

www.donthuntdontfishdontbother.blogspot.com/


OK... so I did it.
I know some people who have two..YES 2 Blogs!!!
So I decided to make a second one too!
This one.. the one most of you look at will be our main blog for the family.
I was inspired my many woman on Blog Spot that have their own Blog about their love for the outdoors....hunting, fishing and everything else.
Iam just getting it going... but their are alot of gals out their who just like me are a mom, wife (or to be) and share the same passions as I do! Some have two blog to express their other loves in life......
So Katie.. yours is about shopping..Target..good buys, and a place to vent..mine is about Hunting as a women... in a mostly MANS world...and everything exciting that comes along with it! I also will post a new recipe everyday.. at least I will TRY to... a Wild Game recipe of some sort...Elk, Venison, Duck, Goose or anything else we harvest!! SO check it out...but remember Iam still putting things together!

QUOTE- From a Gal's Blog I have been admiring for awhile now...actually she inspired me to do a blog about what I love! Her blog is Deer Passion....This was her quote of the week this week...

The great pines, the green aisles leading away into the woods, the shadows under the thickets, the pine-pitch tang of the air, the loneliness of that lonely forest – all these things seemed familiar, sweet, beautiful, things mine alone… - Zane Grey

Lots of Little updates.......

BEFORE AND AFTER KODI'S SURGERY

Cub Scout pinewood derby

Thing have been a bit out of sorts here at the house.

Kodi had Surgery last Monday on his ummmmmm...welllll.. as he likes to call it. "My Butt".

As you can see from the pictures, Kodi was born with a birthmark. The picture really doesn't do justice for how large the mark had grown to. It not only had changed in size, but it became dark in color, in fact black in parts of it.

Naturally, the doctor said "that needs to come off, NOW".

They removed it, and it was sent in for a biopsy. No news on that, but it's still early. Iam sure it will come back OK though. Anyhow... he is recovering well. At this point he is off all pain meds.... not even needing Motrin anymore..pretty much pain free. He still has many restraints though. No running, hopping, skipping...ANYTHING but a normal walk is OUT of the question. YOu can imagine how hard that is for him. Kodi also had his Cub Scout pinewood derby. He did very well and we were proud of him. He ended up winning 1 out of 3 races..unfortunately he didn't qualify for the next level of races....but he had a blast doing it!!!We learned alot for next year on what to do different to make his car even quicker.

Gavin has been keeping busy with school and sports.

He is still training for his first boxing fight. He was supposed to be going to Spokane in two weeks for a fight, but that has changed, and his first fight will now be April 11Th in Connel Washington.

He is training hard, and keeping up physically so he hopefully can pull out his first win. We will see. He also had baseball tryouts this weekend. Baseball season starts in just a few weeks...he will be VERY VERY busy boxing and playing baseball at the same time. At least untill after he fights on the 11th, then he will cut back and only train for boxing 3 days a week untill after baseball season.

He of course is up to his normal silly self.... making everyone laugh. As you can see by the picture I posted....what a goof!

Awwwwww... Eric in the Tux coat!! Can you tell he at least took his hat off for the picture?? Nice messy hair huh?

So we picked out the tux style that he and his grooms men will be wearing for our big day. My mom said he looked uncomfortable in the pic.. I think because everything he tried on was to small.... they didn't really have his perfect size. You also will notice in the picture he had a pink tie and vest on.... Im sure you all will get a good laugh out of that!!

NO our colors are NOT pink!!!!!!!!! Eric will be wearing a camo vest and camo tie...as will the boys and Eric's groomsmen. Things are coming along with the wedding planning. And adding up. It's amazing how quick things can spiral out of control..money wise. I think Iam doing pretty good at keeping our budget, and wallet in check.(Eric may disagree) But I really am trying .....................HONEST...IAM!!!!

We did have our first bump in the road in the planning.... our cake lady went bankrupt...I was so beside myself! We were able to get our money back, and thankfully have found a new cake shop that didn't have our date full yet. AND I have to add..... she is cheaper then the first lady!!!!! I cant believe how quick time is passing since the engagement...before we know it, it will be September.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Playin XBOX in their Bedroom

Happy Things....ONLY Happy things this post!!!

OK.. so most of you know.... things are HAIRY to say the least with all of the Kodi "Mamma Drama" I like to call it.

I know their is alot to catch everyone up on,but this post is gonna be all happy, fun things we are doing!

First off...Gavin's boxing!!

We are SOOOOOOO JACKED and SOOOO proud to announce Gavin will be having his first boxing fight!!!
Eric and I watched him spar on Friday in the ring, and we were SO proud! With his natural ability, and his agility..hes is excelling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So it will be 6 monhts next month since he started Boxing, and we are anxiously awaiting his fight. He will fight against someone his weight class, and another Novice...someone who also has never had a fight and is just starting off. This of course makes it fair. So here is the next exciting part.... the fight will be in SPOKANE..... That made Gav happy...so Grandma and Grandpa will be able to watch. Good Luck Kid...You will have a a HUGE cheering section!

GAVIN BOXING (on the left)

Kodi Salute- and The CubMaster awarding him his NEW BADGES!!

Kodi and DAD " GOOOOOD JOB KODERS!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Kodi Has been having alot of fun spending as much time with us as he has been. He is seeing how fun it is here...and what he misses when he is gone. He is enjoying the whole " Family" thing that goes on ....We have played a family game nearly almost every single night the last week....went ice skating, and has got to have his best buddy Riley over.Tonight was Kodi's Blue-Gold banquet. It is an yearly banquet cub scouts have. It is in a sense.... their "Birthday Party" This year cub scouts are celebrating their 99Th birthday. How exciting!!!

Anyhow... Eric cooked (he was good daddy and volunteered) for almost 70 people. Hamburgers and hot dogs, and everyone else brought a dish.
Kodi was recognized for his badge progress. He earned his official Bear badge tonight, and his Outdoor ethics badge.

He was presented it with his Den Leader, Cubmaster...and Eric behind him. It was alot of fun...Gavin came, he brought his buddy (they will go anywhere where their is FREE food..and lots of it) and Kodi brought his friend Riley along.

MORE FUN PICS---
ME AND KODI AT THE BANQUET...... (WE TRIED TO TAKE THE PIC OURSELVES) GOOOOOFY US!

GAVIN "LOOOOOK MOM....A WHEEEELIE, I CAN DO IT OFF THE JUMP TOO"

(IM THINKING LOOK ERIC.. A TRIP TO THE ER)

Gavin's Boxing/Kodi's Mamma Drama..and US EXHAUSTED!!!!

It has been almost 5 months since Gavin started boxing.
And he LOVES IT!!!
He has really came a lonnnng way since he began. He boxes for YPAL (Yakima Police Athletic League)
It's an awesome Organization. He is coached by some of the very best coaches, and the Yakima Police Dept. heads up the whole thing.
SOOOOO here is the exciting news.... they never put a kid in the ring until they feel like they can defend themselves. We talked with Gavin's coach yesterday, and it sounds like he will get his first "spar" in the next couple weeks! That is super exciting...as he has been training his heart out.
It will probably be at least another 6-8 month before Gavin will have his first fight. It takes most kids on average 12-14 months of boxing before their first fight...because they wont just throw them in their to get hurt.
We will definitely try to get some pics of his first spar.... if he lets us that is. He will be sparing against a boy named Ricky who is undefeated and has been boxing for 4 years. They will put him in with Gavin because they are close to the same weight....and Ricky is so experienced that he knows how to spar and not hurt the other fighter. It will be GREAT for Gavin because he will learn alot.

As most of your know...we are going through some very rough times here in Yakima.
Since all has unfolded with Kodi's mom's "PROBLEM" We have benn taking things "Day by Day".
We are all in counseling and trying to get through this as a family the best we can, and hope that the courts will work in our favor.
Kodi as been attending Alateen meetings on tuesday nights (they call it "Alatween " since he is only 9) and is loving it. He is learning that his Mom's drinking is not his fault, and learning to focus more on being 9 instead of a adult and trying to take care of her.
We are pleased with what he has learned so far from the program...and it will become a regular part of his life.
Eric and I have too been learning and growing from this.
We have both been going to Alanon meetings.....to help us learn more about the disease, and how we can help Kodi. We also have learned tons...and will continue to make it a part of our lives also.
I think it's safe to say we are BOTH drained emotionally and physically.
Everyday it seems it is a constant run....here, their... between 3 different counseling apts. a week, Boxing, alanon,alateen, Cub Scouts, Eric working 50 hr weeks....planning the wedding, and dealing with Lawyer stuff.... we barely have a minute to ourselves to even think.
Two very special friends of ours...the Meluskey's (Mike and Christy) Have asked us to join them for a night out this weekend.....and we took them up.
We really need some time to ourselves....for ourselves... they are very good friends and recognized we needed some time out....It's sure nice to have such good friends!!! We only have a few good friend couples here in yakima...and appreciate them all... (Erin and Travis.. and a few others)

We are hoping we will have some positive news by the end of the week from the courts... please cross your fingers.
Gavin is dealing with things in his own way..... the Gavin way... which isnt always the best. He see's his counselor regularly and she has expressed to him any support he can offer Kodi at this time from one brother to another will go a long ways. And Kodi's way of dealing is to withdrawl.....he doesn't even want to play baseball this year. We will continue to encourage each of the boys, hug them, have ALOT of family time and help each one get through things , and try to keep our life as Normal as possible.
Thanks for reading.... HOPEFULLY we will have some good news to post by then end of the week on things!
Thanks to everyone for thinking of us!!!!!
HUGS from Yakima

A Special Valentines Gift

Iam sure most of you are with me when I say..."How cool is it that Valentines Day is actually on the weekend this year??!!!!"
That means we all get to spend a whole day with our special Valentine(s)
I add the "S" because anyone that's a MOM knows you always have more then ONE Valentine!!

Although Eric is at the top of the list.....he has to share with my other two Valentines!!!!
I love all three of my boys, and could never ever have just one Valentine!!!
This year for Valentines day I got Eric some new cologne. He usually wears Calvin Klein Escape....but this yer Iam making him branch out...I got him Ralph Lauren Romance. Its smells yummmmmy!! It was one of my favs when i worked for Macy's. And of course LOTS of candy for him......and probably his favoritething of all of them will be his dinner, Iam making him one of his fav things..my seafood enchiladas. They say the best way to a mans heart is through his stomach.....well my Eric is no exception! (Now i just have to hope he doesn't read this before Sat. I think my odds are good)
This year we did something REALLY exciting for the boys. Usually its just a small candy treat and a card..but given all they are going through right now with the custody issues of kodi....we decided they could enjoy something out of the ordinary and super cool.
We got them tickets to see
The BIG Arena show "Walking with Dinosaurs ".
It is such an AWESOME show. Yakima will be the smallest arena they have ever preformed in.
You have to check out this link...to see the magnitude of what the show is all about! It is such a big thing that tickets went on sale at noon today.... and they were sold out for ALL 3 days in a mere hour!!
Luckily we were able to score awesome seats... thanks to me sitting on the phone for 30 minutes....and Daddy working lots of overtime. Tickets were not cheap..but it will be so worth it! We are giving them to the boys for V-Day, along with some candy.
Here is a couple links.. check it out if ya don't know what it is all about!
http://www.dinosaurlive.com/

and also at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_9GnP-lhaY

AWAITING THE INDY 500............

OK, OK, SO MAYBE IT'S NO INDY RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUT IT MIGHT AS WELL BE TO US!

KODI HAS BEEN WORKING ON HIS PINEWOOD DERBY CAR FOR CUB SCOUTS.

ACTUALLY, THIS VERY QUICKLY BECAME A "FAMILY" PROJECT.

ERIC AND KODI CUT, DRILLED AND SANDED THE CAR TO KODI'S PERFECTION.

NEXT......

THE CAR HAS TO WEIGH A CERTAIN AMOUNT. NO ONE CAR CAN WEIGH OVER 5 OZ.

THIS IS VERY VERY PRECISE...TO THE POINT THAT THEY WEIGH EACH INDIVIDUAL CAR.

THIS IS WHERE BROTHER GAVIN COMES IN...... HE AND KODI KEPT WEIGHING THE CAR. THEY HAD ERIC'S LITTLE SCALE OUT (THAT WE USE FOR WEIGHING OUR ARROWS) AND KEPT TELLING ERIC... "WE NEED MORE WEIGHT" OR WE NEED TO TAKE SOME OUT. (THEY STRATEGICALLY PLACED LED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR TO GET IT CLOSER TO 5 OZ....TO GET MORE SPEED)

NOW....U ASK...HOW DID THOSE LITTLE MINDS FIGURE THIS OUT? AGAIN...

BROTHER GAVIN.

HE GOT ONLINE FOR KODI, AND GOOGLED PINEWOOD DERBY CAR RACES. HE THEIR FOUND LOTS OF GOOD TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR CAR THE QUICKEST IN THE PACK!

(PERFECTLY LEGAL... I SWEAR...SCOUTS HONOR!!!)

SO AFTER WE GOT THE WEIGHT JUST RIGHT.... YEP MAMA RACHEL HAD TO GET IN ON IT.

KODI AND I DECIDED WE GOTTA SPRUCE OLD #85 UP A BIT!

WE GATHERED PAINT FROM NEIGHBOR BOB (WHOM IS BIG INTO HOBBYING AND MODELS) WE ENDED UP WITH WHITE, BLACK AND ORANGE.

I HELPED HIM PAINT HIS CAR SO IT WOULD BE JUST AS HE WANTED.......... HOWEVER..... REMEMBER THIS IS OUR KODI... AFTER WE GOT ONE COAT DONE HE SAID

" NAH I DONT WANT THAT WHITE, I WANT THAT PART BLACK".

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WITH A SMILE I SAID OK.

WE WAITED FOR THAT COAT TO DRY, AND WE PAINTED OVER IT.

AFTER ABOUT 4 DAYS WE FINALLY GOT THE PAINT DONE. IT TOOK SEVERAL COATS TO GET IT LOOKING THE WAY HE WANTED.

SO WE ARE DONE, AND AWAITING THE BIG RACE!!!

WE HAVE A WHITE BLACK AND ORANGE CAR...(AKA A CINCINATTI BENGALS CAR)

HE WILL FIRST RACE AMONGST HIS PACK. THE TOP FEW KIDS THEN WILL RACE AGAINST OTHERS FROM HIS SCHOOL....AND THE TOP FROM THEIR WILL GO ONTO THE BIG CITY RACE!

IT'S ABOUT A MONTH DOWN THE ROAD BUT KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED FOR #85 AND KODI!

GOOD JOB KODERS..YOUR CAR LOOKS AWESOME AND IT HAS ALOT OF FAMILY LOVE IN IT!!!!

Update -of "Proud Parents post"....

HERE IS A QUICK LITTLE UPDATE...
GAVIN GOT HIS OFFICIAL INVITE IN THE MAIL ON SATURDAY-
WE INVITE YOU ALL TO CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW, AND CHECK OUT GAVIN'S RECOGNITION ON THE WEBSITE......YES YES... I KNOW WE ARE GUSHING-BRAGGING-PROUD PARENTS.... WHO WOULDN'T BE?????????????????????????
http://www.yakimavalleygridkids.blogspot.com/

PROUD PARENTS

WE HAVE SOME VERY EXCITING NEWS........WE ARE VERY EXCITED AND PROUD TO ANNOUNCE GAVIN WAS NOMINATED TO ATTEND FOOTBALL UNIVERSITY'S YOUTH ALL-AMERICAN FOOTBALL COMBINE!!!!!

THIS IS A HUGE DEAL!!!!

AT AN EARLY AGE THEY WILL BE RECOGNIZED BY TOP ATHLETE SCOUTS, TRAINERS AND COACHES. THEY INVITE ATHLETES THAT THEY THINK COULD BE THEIR FUTURE................BOYS TO THEM THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE FOOTBALL PLAYERS AT HIGHER LEVELS.

WE ARE SO EXCITED, AND WE ARE AWAITING HIS OFFICIAL INVITE IN THE MAIL.

AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, SPORTS CONSUME MUCH OF GAVIN'S WEEK...... AND YOU CAN SEE WHY WE LET HIM ENGAGE IN SO MANY SPORTS THROUGH OUT THE YEAR... HE NOT ONLY LOVES IT, HE IS GOOD AT IT...

AND WE ARE A PROUD MAMMA AND DADDY!
(FEEL FREE TO LEAVE HIM A CONGRATS COMMENT.... HE IS ONE OF ONLY 18 FROM THE WHOLE COUNTY OUT OF HUNDREDS OF KIDS THAT IS GOING... A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND HE IS VERY PROUD OF HIMSELF)

HERE IS A LITTLE ABOUT THE PROGRAM:



Parents of Invited Athletes: Congratulations on your son's selection to Football University!

We realize how special your son's football career has been so far and understand how talented he has become. By virtue of his invitation, our selection team has identified him as a promising football talent.
FBU was started to identify the nation's top football players from 6th grade through to the 11th grade and provide them with the nation's best instruction from the NFL ranks. To enhance our instruction, the curriculum features the latest technology such as slow motion high definition video. This allows our athletes to view their on-field skills at 500 frames per second. Although the FBU experience will center on elite technical instruction, the three day weekend also includes advanced performance training and testing, nutrition, character development, and classroom instruction. Our NFL instructional staff places additional emphasis on the tremendous amount of work needed to succeed at each level of football. The number of athletes per weekend is limited to 200 (120 High School and 80 Youth) to ensure high quality instruction, frequent repetition, and an athlete instructor ratio of 9:1.

MLK DAY.....AND A DAY OFF FROM SCHOOL

THE BOYS HAD NO SCHOOL TODAY IN OBSERVANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY.
WITH NO RUSH TO GET OUT THE DOOR TODAY, WE ALL SLEPT IN.
WE GOT UP TO SOME YUMMY PANCAKES THAT DADDY SO KINDLY MADE THE BOYS BEFORE HE LEFT FOR WORK TODAY.
AT 11:30 WE HEADED DOWNTOWN TO THE PARADE
THIS TIME IT WAS GAV'S TURN TO MARCH IN A PARADE.
GAVIN JOINED HIS TEACHER, AND SOME OF HIS CLASSMATE FOR A 6 BLOCK MARCH DOWN MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD THROUGH TOWN.
IT WAS AN OPTIONAL MARCH... BUT IN DOING SO HE RAKED IN 20 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS!! WHO COULDN'T USE THOSE WHEN YOU ARE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL RIGHT?????
IT WAS FREEZING OUTSIDE, AND NATURALLY... I TOLD THE BOYS TO PUT HEAVY COATS ON...AND NO ONE WOULD LISTEN! GAVIN WAS IN A HOODED SWEATSHIRT AND KODI A SPRING COAT????????????????
I MIGHT BE THE MOM.. BUT THEIR COMES A TIME WHERE YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER BUT YOU CANT MAKE THEM DRINK....THEY WERE FREEZING..................MAYBE THEY WILL LISTEN TO THEIR MOM NEXT TIME.
GAV MARCHED AND KODI AND I RAN FOR COVER TO THE WARM CAR.
WE HEADED HOME AND HAD LUNCH... THEN BACK OUT THE DOOR AGAIN TO HEAD TO TOWN FOR BOXING.
BEFORE BOXING WE MADE ONE STOP:
TO THE DUCK POND!
THIS IS SOMEWHERE THE BOYS LUVVVVVV TO GO THIS TIME OF YEAR. EVERYTHING ELSE FREEZES SO THE LOCAL DUCKS AND SOME MIGRATERS MAKE THEIR WAS HERE. SO WITH OLD BREAD IN HAND THEY JUMPED OUT AND STARTED FEEDING. IT'S FUNNY TO WATCH BECAUSE THE DUCKS WILL ACTUALLY CHASE THEM FOR BREAD.
I TOOK SOME PICS .....
THE FIRST IS OF THE BEAUTIFUL MALE WOOD DUCK(I TOLD GAVIN IF HE WOULD ONLY GET ONE OF THESE WE WOULD MOUNT IT... BUT SO FAR AFTER TWO YEARS... NO WOOD DUCK)






























THE BOYS RUNNING FROM THE CROWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




THE BEAUTIFUL DRAKE MALLARD

NO KIDS

WE HAD NOOOOOO KIDS TODAY.
KODI IS WITH HIS MOM THIS WEEKEND, AND GAV WENT SNOWMOBILING.
ERIC AND I SLEPT IN TOGETHER, ATE BREAKFAST TOGETHER, THEN HEADED UP TO GO SEE THE ELK AND THE BIG HORN SHEEP.
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW...EVERY YEAR DURING THE WINTER THE DEPT. OF FISH AND WILDLIFE HAVE FEEDING CENTERS SET UP IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE TO HELP THE ANIMAL WINTER.
WHAT THEY DO IS FEED THEM HAY, THERE -FOR IT HELPS THE HEARD STAY STRONG AND MAKE IT THROUGH THE WINTER. WE ARE LUCKY IN YAKIMA, BECAUSE WE HAVE THREE OF THEM WITHIN SO MANY MILES OF THE HOUSE. THEIR IS ALSO ONE FOR THE BIG-HORN SHEEP.
WHATS EVEN MORE EXCITING IS THESE ARE ALL THE ELK THAT ERIC AND I ARE CHASING FRANTICALLY THROUGH THE WOODS DURING ELK SEASON!!!!!!
YOU WOULD BE AMAZED AT HOW CLOSE YOU CAN SEE THEM AT IN THE FEEDING STATION...
NOW.... YOU TELL ME.. WHY DON'T THEY STAND LIKE THIS DURING HUNTING SEASON????????
10 FEET AWAY... SHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ.

IAM ALSO INCLUDING A PICTURE OF THE BUILDING THAT ERIC IS BUILDING RIGHT NOW... (AKA..HIS OTHER GIRLFRIEND..HAHAHA) IT IS A SCIENCE EMPORIUM FOR LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL. I SAY HIS OTHER GIRLFRIEND BECAUSE IT CONSUMES MOST OF HIS TIME LATELY.