Yummy Breakfast

After Bridger's basketball game, we went to H's for breakfast.  The boys got one of their huge cinnamon swirl pancake.  It was Bridger's first time eating there and he was really impressed.  He can see the I like this place so much!

Spring Time

I especially like spring time in the county.  There are so many baby animals.  My sweet friend Cami let us come over to her farm to see her baby animals.  Tanner and his friend Mack were able to hold her baby goats.  They loved petting all of her animals.

BL

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Happy Valentine's Day

We snuck away and went to BL for the long holiday weekend.  Valentine's Day was on Friday, and it was a crazy busy day.  Chase had a JV basketball game at Green C at 3:00.  So Marilyn met at our house and then we packed up and went to Chase's game.  We decided to not stay for the variety game because we were worried it was going to be really late by the time we went to BL.  We didn't have any time together as a family to open up their Valentine's gift.  So Saturday morning, the boys finally opened up their present.  Grandma Richins was always so sweet to give us a little something on Valentine's Day.  That's the main reason why I do this.  Chase and Bridger got new Air Jordan basketball shorts.  Tanner got a mini Jazz basketball.

100th Day of Kindergarten

Tanner had his 100th day of kindergarten.  His teacher put together a bunch of fun activities for them to celebrate their 100th day of kindergarten.  Tanner made a necklace that had 100 fruit loops on it.

MORP for Chase

Chase was asked to go to MORP with Caitlyn.  She’s also a junior but he didn't know her really well. But she’s a darling girl. It was a smaller group, only three couples. Luckily Chase knew one of the guys in the group. They tried to go on their day date on Tuesday night but they got in a car accident in Garland. A car turned in front of them and they T boned her. Luckily everyone had their seat belts on and no one was hurt. On Saturday, Caitlyn picked Chase up at 3:00.  She was wearing a cute green dress with a cream sweater. I loved her tennis shoes she was wearing with her dress. She has beautiful hair! She picked out a tie for Chase to wear so it would match her dress. They went and took pictures first. Then they went to Firehouse Pizzeria in Logan. They hung out in Logan and wasted a little bit of time before the dance started. Then they went to the dance. Chase ended up having a really fun time. I’m so glad that he’s making some fun high school memories. 

Bridger’s Winter Basketball Season

Bridger has loved being on CVE team.  The boys have grown closer together.  They are a great group of young men.  They are willing to work hard and do their best.  Coach Malm was been wonderful with the boys.  He's so motivating with them.  He gets them to work so hard and push past their limits.  Basketball has been very intense.  Bridger practices four times a week and then has a game once a week.  Bridger has improved SO much!  Bridger has improved with his dribbling, passing, free throws, lay ups and three point shots.  Luckily I've been able to carpool with a couple of other moms so it lightens the load.  Bridger has really enjoyed the boys on this team.  The environment is so much better.  We're so grateful for the time and effort Coach Malm puts into coaching.  

Chase’s Basketball Season

Chase changed his mind at the begginning of September and decided to try out for the high school basketball team.  We immediately put him in private lessons with an amazing coach. Jeff has worked wonders with Chase I’m getting him ready for tryouts. Chase has been so diligent in practicing. He was SO nervous to tryout. It was a huge risk for Chase. We said lots of prayers and Chase spent hours in our sports court. Luckily Chase made the team!!! Halfway through the season, Coach Shaw was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  He had brain surgery two days later.  The surgery went really well but it was a rough recovery for coach.  He and his family were amazing and so strong!  The community and the basketball team pulled together for Coach Shaw.  We set up a major fund raiser to help with his medical expenses.  The school district super intendant agreed to have all of the schools in our district have a fund raiser for coach at their basketball games.  Our community was incredible and so supportive.

Special letter from Mrs. P

Bridger received a really special letter from Mrs. P.  She said the kindest things about Bridger. I cried while I read it. He is such a special young man! I told Bridger that I’m so lucky to be his mom! He has this inner compass that guides him. He listens to the Holy Ghost. He truly strives to be better. He made a goal to listen to the Book of Mormon by the end of last year. He met that goal. Then he decided to listen to every conference talk since he was born!! So that’s the latest spiritual goal he’s working on. I had nothing to do with it. I’ve noticed since he’s started these goals, Bridger has had this positive vibe about him. He’s had a better attitude. He’s been so much better about not teasing Tanner. It’s brought a wonderful feeling into our home. I love this amazing young man! 

Tanner’s First Basketball Season

Tanner begged if he could do basketball like his older brothers.  I signed him up with the G recreation league.  His friend L's dad was coaching and we could request their team.  Luckily it worked out. There were 6 little boys on the team.  Tanner knew all of them but one.  His little buddy Wyatt was on the team too so he was so happy about that.  There were two games a week for one month.  Tanner loved every minute of it.  His team only lost once.  They played that team for their last game and they beat them.  Tanner is very competitive.  He took it very seriously but it was so cute to watch him.  He loves sports just like his brothers.  He's a good little athlete!  Chase and Bridger made a great effort to come and watch him when they could.  It meant a lot to Tanner to have his big brothers at this games.


Grandpa and Grandma A were so sweet to come up to one of his games.  Tanner felt really special.

Dad’s Heart Valve

Dads heart valve surgery
More tender mercies were poured out upon us!  Dad's TAVR - transcatheter aortic valve replacement, went perfectly!  I came down late Wednesday night and slept over at their house.  We had to be to the hospital at 6:00AM.  Once we got checked in they told us it would probably be around 12-1:00 until Dad's turn.  But then at 9:30 they came and got Dad and said they were ahead of schedule.  Dr. W checked on Dad.  During his procedure, Mylissa and Shantelle showed up.  An hour later, they came for us and said that Dad was back!  It was incredible.  Dr. W said the valve just slipped right into place.  Dad had to lay on his back for 6 hours.  He was a champ because he did great with the bedrest.  His groin sites looked great.  There was no bleeding. During his procedure, I took Mom down to my unit.  Lynda was working so I introduced Mom to Lynda.  Later in the day, Lynda asked if she could come up and meet Dad.  When we walked into the room she said "you're exactly how I like my men..naked and in bed."  Everyone laughed.  Lynda was so kind to come up and meet Dad.  Mom and Dad LOVED Lynda (but everyone loves her).  She's so kind and personable.  It meant so much to us to have Lynda line up Dr. W and then to come and check on Dad.  She's the best!!!  Dr. J stopped by to check on Dad and was very pleased with how everything had gone.

After six hours, the nurse let Dad sit up and eat a sandwich.  Dad did so great!  He had minimal pain but didn't take any pain medication for it.  They transferred Dad to the step down unit around 6:00 because he was doing so great.  At 7:00, we left Dad and took mom to get some food.  We had a great time enjoying dinner together.  Then we went and got cheesecake to take home with us.  It was so fun to spend the day together and lean on each other for support.  Dad and Mom were really happy we were there.  The next morning, Mom and I were there by 10:00.  Dad had walked around the unit a couple of times.  He was up and ready to go home.  Dr. W stopped by and said Dad was ready to go home.  We will be forever grateful for the great care we received!  Dr. W is the best!  Dad was discharged around 11:30.  He wore his nice docker pants when he left the Hosptial.  I told him he needed something more comfortable.  As soon as he got home, he changed into his jogging suit.  We told Dad that he needed to listen to the doctor and take it easy this next week.  That's going to be the hardest part for him.  We've been so blessed.  Once again, countless tender mercies were given to us today.

Tanner likes celery!

It’s been no secret that Tanner is a picky eater. I got him to try celery and he likes it!!! He'll come
home from school and ask for celery.  He's getting a lot better with eating.  At least now he's willing to try more things.
l

Tanner’s First Piano Lesson

Tanner keeps asking when he can play the piano like his older brothers. So, I made it a goal this year to teach Tanner two lessons a month with the piano. I want to take it slow with him and keep it low pressure. I figure while we’re learning the basics, I can teach him. Hopefully it will work out. Otherwise I’ll be switching real quickly to JoLynn.  
Tanner was so excited to show his brothers his new piano skills!!

Tanner’s First Time Skiing

I wanted to start Tanner skiing last year but it never worked out.  So this year I was determined to take him.  I looked into lessons but at SB it was $150!!  That's crazy.  I tried to get him a lesson at CP but they said they were all booked.  So I sucked it up and decided to teach Tanner.  I was really worried how it would work out since sometimes we butt heads really bad.  Luckily I was pleasantly surprised! Tanner was a champ!  He caught on so quickly!  We stayed on the bunny hill for about 5 times.  They had a magic carpet for the lift which was really easy to use.  I asked Tanner if he was ready for the big lift and he said "yes!"  The lift operators were great to slow it down for him.  The first time down the big hill, I had to ski right behind him, holding him up for about half of it.  After that, he handled it on his own.  I was worried about Bridger skiing along so luckily his friend Nick was able to come with us.  They had a great day skiing together.  We met at lunch time at the van and ate our lunches.  After lunch they were really sweet to ski a couple of trails with Tanner and me.  Then they took off and met us at the end of the day.  Tanner would spot them on the ski lift and they were so good to wave to him.  By the end of the day, Tanner had heard a lot of talk about "blue" trails.  He was determined to ski a blue trail.  Sure enough, he did it twice!  He's still working on his turns but he snowplowed down the trail and only fell a couple of times.  He only had one melt down and as soon as he said "I can't do this."  He stoped and said "no stinking thinking."  I smiled and then we headed back down.  He stayed so positive!  He's a natural.  We had such a fun day.  We stayed until it was closing.  Everyone was tired but happy!

The trail in the back ground is the blue trail that Tanner went on.  He wanted to get a picture of it to show everyone.  He cracks me up!   CP was the perfect resort for us to learn on today.

Bridger and Nick are good little skiers.  Bridger talked Nick into skiing down a black for their last run.  Nick was very brave and did it!  It was fun having Nick with us.  He's a great kid!




My favorite times were on the lift with Tanner.  Tanner would snuggle up next to me and talk up a storm.  The first time he got on the big lift, after it took off he started to giggle.  He said that it tickled his tummy.