Pluto!

Jacob has a school project that he will hand in tomorrow. He has worked quite hard on this. I wish I could see his power point that he did at school. He has been doing a report on the planet Pluto. He found lots of information and was quite excited about it. This afternoon we found a documentary about our solar system and they had a special on Pluto. I did not know that Pluto had three moons. They are Charon, Nix and Hydra. Jacob really loves mythology and it is cool that they name the planets and their moons after greek and roman mythology.

Thermopolis Invitational!

Lovell had an amazing weekend at the Thermopolis Invitational! After the first day we had seven of our eleven kids ready to go for the championship match. Six of the seven actually won their weight groups. Lovell ended up winning the tournament knocking off first ranked Greybull on their way!
Here is Mark on the award stand looking pretty darn happy! His momma was pretty darn happy too. He beat the Slagowski kid from Dubois again for the championship. It sure was nice to see my Uncle Paul there. He was rooting for Mark all weekend but I didn't see him until his very last match. Uncle Paul was driving the wrestling bus for Greybull.

Concert in Cody

We went to the Wyoming All-State opening night concert in Cody last night. The Singing Statesmen from the University of Wyoming were performing. Lucas and my nephew Nathan Clark are both in it. We started the evening out with a little misunderstanding about the time. We heard it started at 6:30 and to be there plenty early because it would be a packed house. We left Lovell at 5:00 but then got a text that it didn't actually start until 7:00. Well, then we got word that it wouldn't start until 7:30 but by then we were all ready in our seats. I had a good time visiting with my mother who went with us. Sparky and Spike did their share of teasing about my wanting to be early for everthing. (I really hate to get somewhere late but this was a little ridiculous).

The first song was the audience singing the National Anthem. Oh, My Goodness!!! I have never in my life heard it sung so beautifully and the best part was that we were sitting smack dab in the middle of so many beautiful voices. There was harmony going on, parts being sung and yes at the end there were a few sopranos that hit that high note.
The Singing Statesmen sang a few songs and I really wanted them to sing more. I especially loved their rendition of 'Loch Lomand'. The Happy Jacks sang 'Sweet Caroline" and it was so fun to watch the rest of the Singing Statesmen do actions behind them. We had such a good time. Stephanie Cuch was in the 2011 Wyoming Intercollegiate concert Band. It was fun to watch her fingers fly when they were playing some of those songs. She is amazing. She said that she lots of fun preparing for the concert but the songs were really hard and she had to practice a lot! We didn't get to visit with her very long but we gave her a great big wave before the concert started so she would know we were there to support her too. I love the way her face lit up with a big smile when she spotted us.

Mark and Lucas standing by each other.

Grandma Flash and two of her grandsons, Lucas and Nathan. We talked with one guy who was in the choir and he had no idea that they were cousins. I guess they don't look that much alike. Mark looks more like Nathan than like Lucas. Weird. One thing they do have in common is that they are all very handsome.

Wrestling Weekend

We had quite the wrestling weekend in Pavillion. Mark wrestled at 215 this week and won! He won his first three matches with pins in the first periods and then had to wrestle some 'true' 215's. Mark actually weighs about 190 so they had at least 25 pounds on him and that really does make a difference. This picture is of Mark getting his points in overtime against a Rich County Utah kid. His coaches are really happy.

Overall the team did very well. We placed second at the tournament behind Greybull by nine points. I think Lovell should be ranked as a team soon on wyowrestling. We had three kids win their weight class. They were Preston, Brigham and Mark.

Eve Marie Cox

We had a busy weekend. Here are some pictures of Eve. We are glad that both mother and baby are fine. Rachael's ward in Laramie is simply fantastic! She has the best visiting teacher, Debbie Hoopes. Debbie checks on her often and has brought in at least two meals so far. I feel so much better about leaving since I know that she will be well taken care of. My sister Gwen is also there and does such a great job of checking on my children and now grandchild.

I am glad to be home though. Jacob must have grown two inches since I left and that was only for five days! He was surprised at Cub Scouts when he saw me and he gave me a huge hug. My hugest hug came from Sparky. He picked me up off the floor and hugged so hard my back cracked. It felt really good. I missed a few wrestling matches while I was gone. They almost beat Greybull in their dual last Friday and then they wrestled in Wright. Mark won all of his matches with pins in the first period. Then they hosted Cody for parents night on Tuesday. Sparky again beat his opponent in a pin.

Happy Late Birthday Spike!

I really didn't forget you sweetie. I hope your day was great and happy and I am glad you are still on the 'right' side of 50. Let's just start counting down instead of up next year :) Thanks for being supportive, loving, generous, smart, helpful, kind, patient, happy...the list goes on and on. I love you Spike!Cindy, Spike and Gary.

Spike Loves Football!! Go #35!

How many swimmers do you recognize? Spike is fourth from the right.

Graduation Picture

Missionary PhotoEric, Spike and Cole.

Brand New Dad

New Baby

This is Eve Marie Cox. Rachael finally had her beautiful baby girl. Rach did such a good job. She was rather tired after having reached her third day of labor before they broke her water. An hour later Baby Eve was born.

Both mother and baby are fine.

It was a long night before the baby was finally born and you can tell. We were all pretty tired by the time our precious package arrived.

Backpack Treasure

This morning I went through Jacob's backpack. I know I should have checked it promptly after he got home for the Christmas break but I am a slacker. This is what I found. What a treasure.

"The true meaning of Christmas to me is mostly celebrating the birth of Christ but some of it is not about fancy lights, presents or anything like that. It is partly about giving things like presents or good things. I also think that the true meaning of Christmas is a time to visit family and have a good time with them. It is a time to celebrate, have some fun, and give to brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. The true meaning of Christmas that was taught to me was the celebration of Christ for my church and I have always like to give." by Jacob

Thanks for the treasure, Jacob. Thanks for listening when we thought you might not be. The real meaning of Christmas is about Christ. We celebrate his birth and we celebrate his life, we celebrate his atonement and are grateful everyday for his continued love and help. We have the tree and the ornaments and the lights to help us remember Him more each day of the Christmas season. I am thankful to parents that made the Season special, that helped us have good and enjoyable traditions. Every year we collect a new ornament that means something to us. We have ornaments of Temples, Stars, carved Santas and even puppies. They help us to remember all that we have and the people that we love. I will miss the Christmas season and I look forward to that special time again next year when we re-focus on Christ more than we do at any other time of year.