Our Chirstmas Card 2010

So with all the changes in our household this year and all the craziness with Work, Job Search, Drill Team, Sports & SILVER RUSH; I decided this year to email our family Christmas Card and Letter; However I do not have quite enough email addresses of family and friends that I thought so I am putting this on the Blog and Facebook. If you did not receive this on your email, please send me your updated email address - Thank you!

Welcome to our life with 4 Teenagers & a little guy who seems to never get his way…..

Alissa, 17 ½ (18 in March)

Senior, SBO Historian, Avid Volunteer, Golfer, Piano Player, A’capella Choir, Main Other Driver, Ready for the College Experience, If she is not studying or sleeping, she is at the High School planning the next event. She is going to be an amazing Adult!

Zoey, 16 ½

Junior, Finally Driving, RHS Dance Company, Choreographer & Teacher at TDC, Dance Co Publicity Chair, Junior Class Historian, Keeping her grades up!, Stressed to the Max!

Jocelyn, 15

Sophomore, Silverline Drill Team, Mia Maid Class President, still trying to beat the Nasties, Did I say Drill Team, Oh, yeah that pretty much is her life or being grounded, as she would say! Boys, Boys, Boys oh yeah and she is pretty sure she is going to Marry Justin Beiber. (Definitely her Mother’s Daughter – we butt heads on a daily basis)

Stone, 13

Finally Middle School 7^th grade, Another Teenager – AARGHH! – Cooperstown Baseball, A-Team Quarterback, Super League Basketball, Deacons Quorum 1^st Counselor, 7^th grade Choir, Scouts (when he fits it in) Girls Calling all the time, Still fighting with Hunter ……

Hunter, 11

– Angels Baseball Team (Mom’s Favorite) – Lake Powell Fanatic – Friend Fanatic, Artist, Drawing Contest Winner, Boy Scout, Jr. Jazz Basketball, Still Mr. Imagination, Can’t wait to see TRON!

Mugsy, 5 (The Puggle)

Ok I think this is finally the year we’ve enjoyed having a dog. No longer a puppy, Kind of Lazy, very loving – STILL SHEDS – and getting so fat she has a hard time going up the stairs. (DAD feeds her from the table – oh yeah everyone feeds her from the table – Thanks DAD!)

Chris & Alice (40 something - feel 20 something)

Alice turned 40 and loves it, Celebrating the Big 20^th Anniversary,Chris still in Stake Office as Exec Secretary (6^th year), Stepped down from Cost U Less Carpets as an owner, Alice 1^st Couns in YW, Working as T.A. at North Star Academy, 5^th year, Went to Cooperstown, NY this year with Stone, Spent the beginning of December in Kauai, for our 20^th Anniversary. We are crazy busy, bussing kids to and from the High School, Charter School and going to various performances, assemblies, fundraising events, sporting events, awards events, youth activities, church activities and trying to keep up with 4 teenagers and 1 little guy!

We would not change a thing (even if we tried) !!!

Chris and Alice Gibbons Family

Christmas 2010

A little Christmas Message:

Th Gibbons have been humbled through out this difficult year and we are so grateful and thankful for all our Family and Friends who have stood by our sides with the changes and difficult times we have faced. Our message to all family and friends is that:

We are grateful to know the true meaning of this holiday and to have been able to teach our children and be an example throughout their lives so far. We hope and pray we can continue
to reer our amazing children to be loving, service oriented, and positive contributors to society and have them be a positive influence and example to everyone they may come in contact with. We recognize this is probably our last Christmas will all of our kids living under the same roof and we are surprised how fast the time has gone -
Remember "The magic of Christmas is not in the presents but in HIS presence."

Kauai: 20th Anniversary

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Wow what a great week!

Tuesday the Blizzard of the Decade to come in....Wow 4 inches and Wind - Not a record breaker - But Keith's Family got here in time to miss the Storm? Wednesday after work and pulling into my driveway the Sander's Family arrive from Cali and can't wait to get into the snow....Well at least they thought it would be fun til they realized how cold it was! Picked up Brooke & Adam from the TRAX - Then Dad & Bryan showed up and it was one big party! With 25 people under one roof - We really had an amazing time! No fights, everyone had bathrooms - No running out of hot water, We all cooked, cleaned and just messed around! It was amazing and I wish I could do it more often. Tammy, Jim & Family joined us for Thanksgiving Dinner and Friday we all met up at Salt Lake Temple Square to see the Christmas Lights get turned on and met Lisa, Rick & Family. The only sibling not able to make it to Utah was William - But he will be forgiven - Someday....
We haven't all been together since Mom passed away 8 years ago and the time went way too fast and we feel very blessed to have had these 4 days with the siblings, Dad & the cousins. I am so Thankful for all of them~ Now off to Hawaii!!

Thanksgiving 2010 @ the Gibbons Home!

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Saturday is NO day off!

Sleeping in has become a thing of the past.... you don't get to sleep in when the kids are little, you get a little bit of sleeping in when they are in adolescent age - Then Active, involved teenagers come and forget about it! My Saturday Morning - and I thought It would settle down when Football ended - Yeah Right!

7:00 am Drive Zoey to work
8:00 am Drive Hunter to Scouts
9:00 am Drive Jocey to Drill
10:00 pick up Hunter
11:00 am Pick up Zoey
12:00 - 2:00 Washing machine repair guy (2nd water pump in 4 months!~)
12:00 pm Stone to Basketball
12:30 pm pick up Jocelyn
12:30 pm Alissa Hair Cut
2:00 pm Pick up Stone
Grocery Shop (oh yeah no dinero)
Christmas Shop (Same predicament)

The best is - It's supposed to start SNOWING - ICK!

Well the bright sides are;

• Jocey doesn't have to be at Drill at 7:00 am,
  
• Zoey will have her license soon,
  
• Alissa can drive herself,
  
• My husband is around to help this morning,
  
• I will have 20 minutes of pure pleasure laying in a tanning bed this afternoon in preparation for my HAWAII trip in 14 days and
  
• it will be pretty outside when fresh snow falls - Oh YEAH, and I will be right in the middle of it!

Maybe in the middle of all this I can clean for my arriving visitors? AAARRGHHHHHH!
The joys of Motherhood - Oh and as my Mother-in-Law would say -

"It's where you're at dear"

What if I don't want to be where I am at Today - Oops I'm late - Well Off AGAIN!

RHS Spirit Week 2010

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2010 Football; Stone #8

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KSL Channel 5 & Zoey's Homecoming Date

Unusual scenario brings two campaign's together

SO last night on the 10:00 pm news was a story about Zoey's Special Friend Corbin, and how he asked her to Homecoming this year - It was quite entertaining - You should check it out! click on the link above!

Oh, Father all I want to do is Sing!

Not only are we good at running a 2000 member Student Body - We can sing too! This is Alissa and some of the SBO's that are also in A'capella Choir at the High School for the annual 1st concert of the year the "Fall Festival" They are quite a gang?!?!

2 WEEKS OF "@%&!#"

Ok, The boys and I are a 2 week Fall Break from School. The Good and Bad of it all -

• Good: Sleeping In
• Bad: The boys don't know the meaning of the words?
• Good: Getting caught up on Housework
• Bad: Not getting Paid!
• Good: The boys can help me do housework
• Bad: The boys about KILL each other on an hourly basis...
• Good: I got my suburban door fixed after it got hit and had an awesome rental TAHOE
• Bad: I had to return it today and get my car back...
• Good: I am learning to show more patience to my boys and we are working on ANGER issues together
• Bad: The boys think I am full of CR_ _!
• Good: I can help the girls more with school stuff, Football Mom Stuff, YW Activities, Motivationals, Dance Co. Drill Stuff, Their Laundry!
• Bad: THEIR LAUNDRY!!!!!
• Good: I cooked Dinner 4 times this week
• BAD: I cooked Dinner 4 times this week!
  
• Good: Chris is here to help me when I need another driver and such
• BAD: DITTO - Someone get him a job - soon!

Well we are already 1/2 way through our 2 weeks and everyone is still living, The Girls are off for the infamous UEA Holiday (Only a Utah thing) and we still are having awesome Weather! Everyone keep their fingers crossed Tomorrow is October 15th and we have not had Snow or Cold Weather YET-------YEAHHHHHH!!!

Zoey Did it! The YW Medallion

Alissa & Zoey

Jocey, Alissa & Zoey

Oh yeah, Grammy Gibbons took these illegal pictures in the Chapel at Church (SHHH - don't tell)

Well today was a day Zoey has been working for for 4 1/2 years. She finally received he Young Women's Medallion. Which includes 48 value experiences (VALUES; faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choices & accountability,good works, integrity, & virtue) & 8 - 10 hour service/type projects. I think one of the closest things to a Boy Scout's Eagle Project. She also had a little bit of a push, seeing as MOM would not let her get her Driver's License until she received it! So guess who is now bugging every day to go to the DMV - Oh, yeah that would be my 16 1/2 year old ZOEY - And guess who keeps putting her off, Oh yeah that would be me! Insurance Rates are CRAZY--- I guess I will have to give in soon- seeing as she has fulfilled her end of the bargain.

10/10/10 Take Ten!

A New Family Goal - on 10/10/10 we decided to take 10 minutes a day and devote it to the Lord, by either reading the scriptures or reading books written by the prophets, or the church magazines. I can say with assurance I have made it the 1st 5 days, as my husband always says, "If you do something for 21 days it becomes a habit." How about 21 + years (Diet Coke) What do we call that - Livelihood? Oh well, at least I am trying to improve my self!

The Gibbons have 4 Teenagers in the House!!! AARRGGGGG!

So yes, it is true, I have a 4th teenager in my home. Thank Goodness it is not another girl or we may never get Chris out of the Fetal Position. The hormones race in our home and they are now joined by the male version, however there are days I am not so sure he is male, cause those highs and lows in his emotions are pretty close to that of his sisters. Well, all I can say is, "Now it is time to learn from Chris and the male perspective of teenagers." Seeing as I was a female teenager and not the nicest of those I may add, I do not tend to put up with any CRAP from the other 3 females in my house. So this whole Male teenager thing has me stumped, Seeing as the only thing I have to compare it to, is living with my brother, who I pretty much was just tortured by him and his friends, and the infamous boyfriends - Which really doesn't count, cause they tend put on the good face for girlfriends. So I am now entering uncharted waters - Please everyone pray for me - I actually think boy teenagers might be my saving grace, especially after I live through the Nasty's with the girl teenagers. (They definitely don't mention teenagers when you come home from the hospital with a really cute, yummy baby - Cruel Joke I think!)

Happy 13th "GIBBY" You are my superstar!

Ok, everyone always asks how we came up with the name "Stone". Having 3 girls in 2 1/2 years we knew we wanted to try for a boy, so we also knew we didn't want a huge space between our kids, seeing as he would probably be our last. When I got pregnant with #4 I was hoping, but not completely convinced, we were having a boy! Then comes the Ultrasound, and there was no mistaking he let us know that he had all the right parts! So hence the name game begins. We had lots of names, but none we could agree on, Then it happened... Watching Dateline NBC one night, I saw the Anchor named "Stone Phillips" and that was it, I knew that was the name. Now we went over in our heads all of the teasing and nicknames that would come with his name, but we knew that with 3 older sisters, he needed a strong, masculine name, so hence "Andrew Stone Gibbons" came to be! Why, the Andrew, well I didn't want another Christopher Gibbons, so we used Chris's middle name as Stone's 1st and have always called him "Stone". The name mystery Revealed. Now, since having Stone, we have only met or heard of 2 others named Stone, So it is a unique one and he is every bit of the meaning of his name!

Stone: Strong

So here is 13 amazing fun facts about Stoney Bologny, Gibby, Stoner, or any other nickname you can think of....

1. Sports: (Baseball, Basketball & Football) Well I don't even need to say any more.....
2. Love's all Sports Movies and watches them over and over; The Express, Blind Side, Remember the Titans, The Greatest Game Ever Played, Rudy, Field of Dreams, We are Marshall, Hoosiers, Radio, and of course Benchwarmers!
3. He can Golf Too!
4. Taught himself to ride a 2-wheeler at 3 years old
5. Had Chicken Pox at 6 months old
6. Only child to have tubes in his ears.
7. Mom went to Hawaii when he was 4 months old and nursing and left him with her sister and he survived.. Mom however that is another story (She was an angel)
8. Loves to tease his younger brother - ALOT
9. Likes to sing (really good too - don't tell anyone)
10. Love's Panda Express & In-n-Out!!!
11. Favorite Color Blue - True BYU Fan - even though this year the team have yet to show up for a game....
12. Loves watching old TV shows with his Dad; Mash, The Dukes of Hazzard, X-Files, Three's Company.
13. My Super Hero!

Thanks for letting me be your biggest FAN!

2 weeks of craziness, can we slow down, NO!

With Multiple fundraisers for Dance Company, & Drill Team, Mini-Drill Camp, Church Volleyball, Family Birthday Party, Stone's Football Games, The Herriman FIRE,Our friends home miraculously spared! Hunter's 1st Boy Scout Over-nighter, Powder Puff Football (Alissa playing, Zoey coordinating) Homecoming Week along with Games, Festivities, Burning of the Wolf, and the Infamous Day dates and Homecoming Dance. We are all ready for this month to be over - Well not Stone his 13th B-day is in 3 days!!!!! Here are a few pics to remember the weeks!

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My Hubby is 40+ something & Better with age!

Happy 40 (something) Birthday El Guapo!

At almost 20 years of marriage, and Our definite ups and downs with marriage, health, kids (teenagers) & money, My husband still makes me laugh until I cry, Makes me mad until I want to scream, and supports me in everything and everyone I can't say No to, And is my Best Friend in the whole world. There is no one other than him I would want to be deserted on a Tropical Island with or just sitting on the couch watching "The Office or Modern Family". Happy Birthday Babe - My life is a better place, just having you in it! Thank you for riding this Eternal Roller Coaster with me!

(Let's make it through the next 10 years and then run away together, K!!!!)

Hunter Baby is "11" Wow, where did the time go?

My IMTA Model is growing up! (7/2004)

I will be posting more, but today was like any other day, The Day began with fighting, arguing, complaining, Mom getting mad, Dad trying to fix things, Girls out and about early and earlier, Oh yeah, and lets throw in a Birthday in the mix... Mind you the youngest had a birthday today, not the way he wanted it, as we all were very aware, but he had one anyway, I am truly surprised he actually made it to this day alive...With a house full of hormones, not just female ones mind you, he did manage to get lunch brought to school, Dinner at in-n-out with the fam, Chocolate Delight and Superman ice Cream, at least he got the food he wanted, even if the presents he wanted were not exactly what was received - - - Oh, Well better luck next year, if you make it that long, Mister!

FHE & FFF "Forced Family Fun"

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FFF - Forced Family Fun!

Labor day fun at the Gibbons home, had to be a little forced, Seeing as Alissa was not feeling well, Jocey had Drill practice and was grounded from friends, Zoey just wanted to hang with her special friend, The boys wanted to play with friends - However almost everyone was out of town, We had a little "FFF" Forced Family Fun! A Gibbons Guy tradition is to go golfing at WillowCreek Country Club on Labor day morning before the Pro-Am begins, and then the families meet up at the pool for swimming and lunch, So that what we did. The Kids were bummed cause all weekend it was 90 degrees and today the high was supposed to be 71 degrees. Never the less we went, it was warm, we had great food, and a little forced family fun in the sun! When we got home, Hunter has been dieing to roast his Ginormous Marshmellows, So out comes the fire pit, Mom gets a bonfire going and the Roasting begins along with the silliness we call FHE! Enjoy!

The Answer!

So this is what Zoey decided to do!
She had a friend pick her special friend up and take him to the overpass where the answer was posted and on the overpass Zoey and another friend were waiting with a picnic of cheese and crackers and Chocolate! Cheesy (literally) but fun! The fun only got better when a cop thought they were throwing things down onto cars from the overpass and made them leave, Zoey was freaked out - to say the least!

The First Official Dance Date Request? "Zoey"

11:30pm at night, Chris asleep with ear plugs, I am just laying down and the pounding begins. Mind you I was warned this was going to happen, but have I told you teenagers do not know the meaning of the word Quiet, or Sleeping..." So Alissa and I went out to see the handiwork of the males who were helping ask Zoey to Homecoming! This is their handi-work - and the ironic thing of it all, the Boy who asked Zoey has the same name as someone in the vicinity who is running for the School Board, so His name appears all over the back of the signs. Illegal , yet creative & Funny, so no one tell!!!!
Zoey, even though she was sleep walking, was very excited to finally be asked, by who shall not be named... (By the way enjoy Alissa's coughing on video)
Now we have to figure out a way to answer him, I hate this part!

You know you have too much on your plate when.....

When you are not remembering the important things in life, you have too much going on....

( The sad thing about this list, is I didn't even mention everything)

Sunday: Dad Row in town, Stake Conference, Missionary Farewell, Dinner with Family, Goodbye to neighbors leaving for college, Meetings all day!

Monday: School starts, back to work, new dress code, Dad Row in town, Football, Dance Camp , SBO meetings

Tuesday: Work, School, Hair cuts, boys, Football, Dad Row leaves, Dance Camp, SBO Officers Video Shoot, Drill tryouts - Jocey makes Silverline Drill Team

Wednesday: Drill 6:00 am, Work, school, Dance Camp, look for Drill picture outfit, Football, Team Mom Meeting, Young Mens & Young Womens Combined Parking Lot Olympics at my school, Presidency Board Meeting at 8:45, 10:30pm home and working on Football Parent info until 1:00 am

Thursday: 6:00 am Drill, work, school, Dance Camp, SBO, Change school schedules for Jocelyn, Drill Pictures in Murray until 10:30 pm, Early Football, Football Weigh ins (Stone Z'd down this year), Football Parent Meeting, Teenagers at the house when we get home, Teen Movie at the house.

Friday: 6:00 am Drill and Drill Parent Meeting, Work, School, Jocelyn Sports physical (3 shots - she cried, Chris Laughed) Early Football, Drill Performance at Half Time at RHS Football Game, Football Game, Alissa & Zoey must be at game as SBO officers, Alissa Night time golf Tournament, Zoey Dance Company Sleepover Social, Grocery Shop, Boys Fighting like a pack of Wolves... Teenagers do an all nighter Harry Potter Movie Marathon.

So as you can see we keep a crazy life - This is where I am going with this:

Saturday, August 21, 2010: Chris decides to let me sleep in and take Stone to 8:00 am football - Chris is outside working on the yard, I check my emails, do some football team mom paperwork, get dressed, go get donuts and handouts for the team, Go to football, come home and get the call.....

"We missed you this morning, what are you doing?" (Mom Gibbons Called)

Missed me where? (my reply)

"Oh, Taylor's Baptism and luncheon" (Mom Gibbons)

"Oh My Gosh, I totally spaced it!!!! I can't believe we forgot all about it, I am mortified (to say the least)! "

What A Great Aunt I have turned out to be - mind you Alissa and I looked at the Invite not only 4 days ago and did not look at my calendar for the last 4 days. So I have just been given the Title of "Suckie Aunt"! So as you can tell, we were the only family not to show up on Taylor's big day and Chris was the only uncle not in attendance to the confirmation circle of his Bishop brothers youngest daughter. So we are now the Outcasts of the Family - and will be the unreliable ones from now on, Boy you know you have too much on your plate when...... I am sorry Taylor, Lisa & Brett - I don't know how you will forgive us for this one?

"Jocey Bossy" is Finally 15!

Really my Preemie is 15? I am in a little shock, probably cause she is exactly like her mom, oh yeah, be afraid, be very afraid! Needless to say if you look at picture of all my children, Jocelyn definitely looks like her Mom, but in attitude, she is the same also.... She is stubborn, yet giving, Confident, yet insecure, A friend to all, but not at all times, loves children, loves drama, loves hanging out with friends (especially ones of the opposite sex) a fighter to the end, An amazing Dancer, singer, actress & leader, and truly one of a kind!
So here is 15 Fun Facts about Jocelyn

1. Born Aug 6th - 6 weeks early - on her Grandpa Row's B-day
2. Had Gag Reflux for 10 1/2 months - looked like a starving bird for 3 months
3. My only child to have a broken bone - Jumping rope mind you????Yeah I know How???
4. Stubborn as all get out - Just like her MOM
5. My only Brunette - Yeah ME!!!!
6. Had Chicken Pox at 2 1/2 and you could not find a clear spot on her.
7. Has Danced since she was 6 years old (with 1 year hiatus)
8. Played Softball for 2 years (8 & 9) and won a championship for her age group
9. Hates SODA - What who's child is this?
   
10. Loves to Flip and Tumble in Rain and Thunder Storms (taught herself an Aeriel, back tuck & flips)
    
11. Has amazing Relationship with her cousins!
    
12. Loves Lake Powell, the Beach, & Herriman Lake(just like her mom)
    
13. She thinks "Justin Bieber" and Taylor Lautner are the end all be all! (Dad teases her that JB is probably Gay - sorry about the racial slur)
    
14. Dunford, Chocolate Donuts are her favorite! (Just like her dad)
    
15. Favorite Color: Yellow, Favorite Food - Steak and Mashed Potatoes, Favorite Character is Tinkerbell, Loves to watch the Ghost Whisperer, icarly, Jonas, So you think you can Dance, Biggest Loser, American Idol, Benchwarmers, Harry Potter, Twilight saga movies, Scary movies with friends (especially boys)...
    
    

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Life is Fragile - Never take it for granted!

We all have our share of trials and sometimes, I know we think that we are the only ones out there having a hard time, Well let me tell you something, I have to continually remind myself that the people we associate with and the bonds that keep us close are those that will help through the hard times. This year has been a big challenge in our home and we have had our fair share of biggies, however tonight, after receiving a difficult call from a close neighbor and friend, I know that our savior is looking out for each of us!
After just hitting the 40 year old mark, I have reflected on where I wanted to be in my life at this point. On many occasions I feel very blessed with the my amazing husband, my crazy children, my awesome friends, and my crazy life! Then there are the days when you think, why me, and why do we have to face the trials that come our way, and then I sit back and remember that the Lord would never give me a trial that I could not overcome, because he suffered for everyone one of our trials and sins. I know the Lord watches over each and every one of us and sends us signs and messengers along the way.
My close neighbor and friend, with whom I can tease and mess with, had a massive heart attack tonight and when his wife called to let me know what had happened, I felt a sickening feeling and yet a peaceful feeling that he would be OK! Just a few days ago, while taking our kids to Herriman Lake, me and this neighbor sat and laughed and talked about this very subject of heart attacks and how he was worried that his family was prone to these and that he was not ready to leave his family and not ready for that to happen to him. I believe that this attitude is what will pull him through this tough road. Tim, you are crazy, funny, an awesome dad, and a good friend - I am praying for you and your speedy recovery!

Pinoeer Day Tournament, "We are the Champions!"

Stone has been playing super league baseball for 3 1/2 years with 2 different teams and he loves it! After coming home from Cooperstown, this month, he has been slightly bored.... This last weekend a school friend of his asked if he could fill in on another Super League baseball team for the weekend, and play in a holiday tournament - Needless to say the team was basically 1/2 original players of the South Valley Bulldogs and a few pick-ups from other teams to fill the roster. The tournament was in South Jordan, only 5 miles away, and you won't believe it but his sisters even came to watch and support him. Well with this modge-podge team they were able to make it to the Championship game and Win 17-7 in the 5th inning and after 2 1/2 hours of play and at 10:00 pm on the 24th of July!

Stone has finally won a championship!
I am not sure who was more excited his mother, his crazy sisters, or him, but we are very proud of the team for coming together and only playing together as a team for 1 week - They looked like they had been together for years - IT WAS AWESOME! Good Job "Gibby" You have a 1st place trophy, finally, under your belt!

Stone's Cooperstown Dreams Park Experience

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Word's cannot express the amazing trip we had to Cooperstown Dreams Park with Stone and his Super league Riverton Rats Baseball Team. The experience is life changing and one we suggest to anyone who gets this opportunity should take it!!
A Big thanks to the team, the parents and especially the coached of the Riverton Rats for giving us this opportunity and amazing experience with Stone!

What you didn't know about a $.01 bobby pin....

Bobby pins are the DEVIL!!!!
Or at least they take the form of a destroyer of expensive objects. So in the past months we lost a DYSON vaccuum to these little invaders, many a day or night, we will collect 50 or so on the carpet, hiding in the cushions, in sheets, in bathtubs, down drains of various sinks, peeking out of pockets, hiding in bottoms of all types of purses and bags, in all crevices of all 3 of our motor vehicles, even in the grass or on the tramp. The latest hiding place, and need I may say most expensive - the Pump in our Front Loader Washing matching.... When asking the repair guy if we just over used the Pump that has gone out on our 7 year or machine he said, NO, it was a mixture of a pony tail holder or hair elastic as he put it, and metal hair clip, or Bobby Pin as he later confirmed? REALLY can these $.01 items cause any more damage in the Gibbons household? Well with 3 teenage daughters and myself I am sure we spend a small fortune on these and they just come back to bite us in the BUTT literally. I should ban them from my home - Let's see how the girls take that? Just another day in the life of 3 teenage girls and 2 little guys! ENJOY

Cooperstown Update

We are in Cooperstown, New York and Stone is competing in the Dreams Park Youth Baseball Hall of Fame series. He has been working toward this for 4 Baseball seasons on 2 super league baseball teams. So far the only game the boys struggled in was game 1, where the first 2 batters for the opposing team hit back to back home runs, was not a boost of confidence for the boys on our team. Well the madness continued and we ended up losing the game 23 to 7. Mind you the other team was being very kind In the last innings to not steal or send their players more than one base at a time/ so we appreciated that. we won the next 3 games, 1-0, 9-6, 10-9! The last game tonight was a real nail biter. We are so proud of these boys and just hope that they are taking this amazing experience and treasuring every moment, good or bad. Well I guess you can not tell that to a group 12 year old boys. 2 more games tomorrow and then we will see where we end up in the play-off rounds on Wednesday and Thursday. This has been an amazing experience thus far. I will post pictures on the weekend when I can download them to my computer, I am updating from Chris's iPad.

Off to Cooperstown!!!!!!!

OK - As of 24 hours from now we will be headed to Cooperstown Dreams Park for the a week of awesome baseball!!! I am excited and overwhelmed all at once!

Silicone or Cellophane? you decide

Another Zoey Quote for the ages: As Jocelyn was preparing for the Camp Kickoff activity last night she asked Zoey what the name of the clear bags are that you put gifts in - She responded Silicone Bags.... When I came home and looked at Jocelyn's outline and list of ideas for the activity I came across this tidbit of information and began laughing out loud - So being the investigator that I am I asked Zoey when she came back in the room the same question Jocelyn asked her earlier - And lo and behold I received the same answer and bust a gut - and to her response this teaching moment occurred:
"Zoey, honey, Silicone bags are those that we put the gift of breast implants - which are a great gift to those who can afford it - But we are looking for Cellophane Gift bags - They are cheaper and make lots more noise when being handled"
Take it for what you will, But it made my day!

Hunter's Hair No-More! (Again)

Note to self,
"Never Give Ryan an inch he will take a mile..."
A wise bit of advice when you see Ryan holding hair clippers - Hunter will never forget! Check it out and see for your self!

The Most AMAZING Birthday Cake!

Officially the Coolest Cake Ever!

Really, It could not get any better than this..............
My Amazing Friend, Leann made this Birthday cake for ME (after I told Chris he better get me one...) ! It is 12" Tall made of 6" inch yellow cake rounds held together by dowels and completely covered in Fondant to look like a Diet Coke Can - Absolutely Amazing and Edible!