I suck at Blogging

So what has been going on with the Richards Family this summer? A whole lot of nuthin and we have loved it. We have actually had a pretty quiet summer for the first time in about four years. We have been at the pool at least once a week and just enjoyed the sun. We spent the fourth of July in Richfield like we do every year. Everyone was able to be there again. Radisyn got baptized over the weekend. She looked so cute. We went on a great hike with Tandy and Mel and had a ton of fun (except for the mosquitos).

Played a lot of kickball and a game that Mel & Tandy created. Fun and pretty embarrassing if anyone was watching us.

We also had a family pic taken which is always enjoyable (not).

Kinley had her birthday last week. I can't believe she is 6 years old. I really wish she could just stay this age forever. She is truly 6 going on 16. She knows exactly what she wants. Her hair has to be a certain way. She has to have her nails done at all times and is very particular of what she will wear. But she is also so funny. We are always cracking up at her. She still spends her days making up dances and cheers. She took a couple of friends for her birthday to go and see Despicable Me. Very cute show. The little girls giggled clear through it.

She also did the Mini Cheer camp this summer. She did a great job. It was a little hard to see here. I think everyone who was a foot taller than her was standing in front of her.

And last but not least Kinley had swimming lessons this summer with the Sandalls. She did so well. Hard to believe that at the beginning of last summer she wouldn't even put her face in the water. She even jumped off of the diving board and after Caitlyn caught her she swam back to the edge by herself. She has just become a little fish.

On the 24th of July Ted decided to teach the boys how to kneeboard in the canal at the division gates. I have always been nervous to let them do this. I'm worried about them drowning and Ted says it will teach them to be better swimmers. This is something Ted and his friends did every summer (sometimes a little skinny dipping went along with it after working on the farm all day). So they made a board and we loaded up in the truck and headed to the canal. I'm glad to say that they all survived and the only incident was when Holden hit his head on the bridge. The boys had a BALL!!!

Well football for Holden starts next Monday and Easton starts helmets week on Monday. It's so crazy to think that summer is just about over. It's been a lot of fun and really enjoyable. We'll make the most of the next couple of weeks until I have to go back to work:(

Update

I'm just going to sum up what's been happening with our family since the end of January. The boys chose to do Spring Wrestling (Freestyle & Greco). This was our first time doing this. It was a lot of fun watching them learn so much more. Easton just did the first of the season and Holden went to the end. Holden ended up taking 1st place in State in Greco and 2nd place in State in Freestyle.

Easton decided to run for Student Council this Spring. He ended up being elected 9th Grade Vice President. He is really looking forward to next year and being a freshman.

Ted & I took a much needed vacation in March and headed to Puerto Vallarta with my sister Tandy and her husband Mel. We had so much fun. This was a great way to spend our belated 15th Anniversary. We can't wait to go back again.

Ted and his dad and brothers took a short trip up to Island Park to do a little snowmobiling in February. This was the first time they had gone up there together. They had a lot of fun.

Kinley had alot of fun with dancing this year. She competed a couple of times with their clogging group (they took 1st place in Idaho) and also with her cheer group (also took 1st place in the competition in May). The dance review was alot of fun, but by the time we got hair done and everything ready I had forgotten my camera.

We had a great and busy spring and now we are looking forward to a relaxing couple of months this summer. That is until Monday when football for Easton starts.

And last, but certainly not least, new family pics.

State Wrestling

So this is my chance to be a proud mama and brag for just a little bit. Not just on my own kids, but on the whole Bear River Junior High Wrestling team. We had a great wrestling year and took 28 kids with us to state over the weekend. Last year we took 21 wrestlers with us to state and we placed 13th out of 15 teams in 3A State. This year we placed 5th in 3A and 8th overall (1A/2A/3A) out of 37 teams. In just the Middle School Division (5th & 6th graders) we placed 3rd. Out of the 28 wrestlers that we took to state, 14 of them medaled. This is a great improvement for our wrestling program. Ted is so excited for the future of Bear River Wrestling. He is a great coach for these kids. Matt, Reed and Shawn also do a great job coaching these boys.

Now for my boys. Easton did a great job this year. He had about 20 kids in his bracket at 86 lbs. and placed 5th. He lost his first round so he fought hard to make it back into the running. I believe he had a total of 7 matches.

Holden had 16 kids in his bracket at 65 lbs. He is the State Champ! He was so excited. After the championship round as soon as he had shaken the opposite coaches hand he went running to his dad and jumped into his arms. Now, if you know Holden you know that he doesn't show a lot of emotion. I think he had half of us Bear River fans in the stands in tears. It was an exciting match.

I'm so proud of my boys and the determination they have and the hard work that they put into this sport. It's not an easy one. To have to be out on that mat by yourself cannot be easy. Good job boys and I love ya!!!!

These are our two state champs. Holden at 65 lbs and Ridge at 108 lbs. If I get a chance I am going to steal this kid and make him our own. Also three out of our four coaches. Reed Cutler, Ted and Matt Cutler. Shawn Judkins is the other coach.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Wrestling

THANKSGIVING

Well here is a major catch-up of the past couple of months. We spent Thanksgiving with my family in Richfield. We were all there this year. We did a little shopping and the boys spent most of the time shooting skeet.

This is our pic that we used for our Christmas card.
The kids table. Randi did a great job on all of the table decorations.
Easton shooting skeet.
Holden shooting skeet.
This was the other favorite past time. Napping while watching football.

WRESTLING



I haven't taken many wrestling pics this season. Since Ted is the coach for the Jr. High wrestling I am usually keeping score and helping him out. This pic is from the Mountain Crest Duals. Our team did really good. Easton finished the day 3 - 2. Holden went undefeated and received a medal. They are both having a great season. We have one month left before State and then we go right into Freestyle Wrestling. Even though life is crazy wrestling 5 days a week, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is probably my least favorite sport to watch though. I get a little stressed watching them out there all on their own.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Our Christmas Tree

Kinley's Christmas PJ's.
Holden's Christmas PJ's.
Easton's Christmas PJ's.
I'm sure like just about everyone else, we get to open PJ's on Christmas Eve. This is a tradition that my mom and dad did for us as far back as I can remember. My kids love opening their pajamas on Christmas Eve. The next morning the kids had a great Christmas. The boys got their flat screen TV for their room they had been wanting. We also surprised them with Ipods. Kinley got a karaoke machine, new baby doll and rescue pet from Santa. She was so excited for everything this year. She kept telling us that this was her BEST Christmas ever! She kept saying thank you over and over and over. One of the biggest hits was their "Year In Review" scrapbooks that I had made for each of them. All of the kids loved them. We went to Ted's parents for breakfast and then came home, packed and headed to Richfield for a few days. Sorry about the poor quality of the Christmas pics. It was me taking them and not Ted.

TUBING AND SLEDDING

Tandy & RadisynHow many people can you fit on one sled? Apparently 5.

Mel & Kinley

Once sledding became to mundane, we had to try snowboard/sledding. Yes this is me.
(Back Row)Dad, Randi, Berkley, (Middle Row) Tandy, Mom, Calli, Ted, (Front Row) Mel, Kinley, Radisyn, Easton & Holden

We had a great holiday. Lots of fun, family and food. We still have a few days off until it's back to work and school. I think we are all starting to get ready for our schedule and routine to get back to normal. It has been nice to just sit around and watch movies and play games with the kids. We don't get a chance with their busy schedules to do much of that.

So with that, we'll say goodbye to 2009. It was a pretty good year and say hello to 2010. Let's hope this year is even better. We wish you all good health and happiness.