Jason Varsity Wrestling Division Champ :)

Jan 17, 2009

Jr High/Varsity Division Wrestling Tournament

Kearns High School

Can I tell you how much I LOVE wrestling, or should I say the tournaments where you get to sit in a high school Gym on hard seats ALL DAY with a LARGE group of sweaty boys just to watch your son get his 3-5 mins on a mat with another boy who is trying to over power, twist and sit on your son for what????? A nice blue ribbon :)

Jason Loves it! He took 1st place and gets to advance to District now so we get 1 more Saturday, in a high school gym, with sweaty boys to watch my son battle it out with some monster who wants to kill him.

SOMETIMES I do wish I had a girl.

These are Jason's coaches. He really likes them and they have been great with him this year.
This photo is everyone on the Jr High team who placed in the tournament

Sugar Bowl University of Utah vs Alabama

New Orleans Dec 30-Jan 4th

I have never works so hard in December in my life. When the University of Utah finished it's regular season 12-0 and was headed to one of the biggest BSC college bowl games, we/Morris Murdock decided we were going to operate some groups to go down and support them.
We took almost 300 people on 2 charter/sold out planes from Salt Lake City to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl. It was so much work and something I have never done before but it was so exciting and challenging too.

We ended up having to play Alabama who was ranked #1 for most of the season until they lost to Florida. Utah was suppose to be embarrassed in the game. WE couldn't play with the BIG schools AND even though we were the only school who went undefeated all season, we didn't deserve to play a team such as Alabama is such a big game.......

And we won! We didn't just win, we dominated the game. It was so amazing to be there and witness this team fight. I have never appreciated a coach like I did Kyle Whittingham, and what a defence......so much to be said but it was AMAZING!!

Art and I flew down the day before the group to get things ready and we were able to spend New Years Eve on Bourbon Street.

I look like I drank the Granades, but I didn't! I was a good girl. They dropped a Fleur de Lis a midnight at the brewery and there were fireworks on the river. We called the kids at midnight too. It was sad to be away from them.

-The Red photo was the U of U tailgate party. They did a good job.

-Then the photo of the Super dome as we got there. We have no idea what we were about to witness

-This is Art and I's proof we were there!

-The last photo made me laugh. This was the Alabama side of the Statium with time left on the clock. They had no idea what had just happened to them. Poor guys, but they were very grasious in the defeat. I have to give that to them.

The Celebration at the trophey presentation.

It's a southern thing....this si the Krystal Burger place on Bourdon at 1130p after the game where Art waited 20mins for these little thin hambergers on dinner rolls. I never got it.
This was a bar Bourbon that I liked the name of and they did have a great band playing.

Christmas 2008

Travis got his mission call

We were so proud of Travis! The 1st missionary. He got his call to serve in the ......

Halifax, Canada Mission

Can you say, eh?

Thanksgiving 2008

The holiday came fast after we got home from Israel. We had the family over and had a good time. Ryan and his family were able to come up from California and we enjoyed spending time with them. We don't get to see them enough. We went bowling and hung out, nothing too exciting.

With Travis and Justin getting ready to leave on their missions this year we took the chance to take their photos together and also update the cousins photo, boy that is was fun!

Elder's Shurtliff and so to be Fracchia
A Motley Crew! Do you feel sorry for those girls in the middle? Neither do we :)MY family photo.

Israel Nov 6-16, 2008

What a amazing trip it was. Let me just say this, ISRAEL IS SAFE FOR ALL TOURIST! IF YOU CAN GO, GO. Have you heard of 1 US or any international tourist being harmed in the Hamas attacks or by Israel defending herself? NO, that is the LAST things either of them want to happen because they need the tourism to keep coming. Anyway, I could get on my soap box about this whole thing and how unfair it is to Israel, but I wont. Let me know if you want my opinion!
Art and I were so lucky to get to spend our anniversary in Israel, well we missed the actual day by a week, but it was ok. We learned so much, and walked so much, and eat so much and we are so ready to go back and do it all again.
Here are a few photos but if you want to see more you need to go to Art's face book page. Let me know if you need help to get there. He put EVERYONE of his 1500 pics on there. Crazy man!

In Jerusalem at the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. This is the biblical, Mt Moriah.
Over looking the old City of Jerusalem

Jerusalem City walls

Again, over looking the Old City and the Mt of Olives

On top of Masada

Church on the Mt of Beatitudes

The synagogue in Capernaum, Jesus' home town after he left Nazareth

This is a old Roman public bathroom at the ruins in Bet She'an

Roman ruins in Bet She'an

The view from Mt Tabor, the Mount of Transfiguration!

The Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. The church was build over Mary's, Christ mothers family home.

A monument to the Prophet Elijah when he fought with the Babel Priest.

The Roman Theater in Ceasarea

The old city of Jappa

Flying into Tel Aviv!

Playing Catch up

I have not updated the blog in a while since I have been putting things on Facebook, but it really isn't the same. However I am so far behind now that I was beginning to feel like what was the point. But since it is MY blog after all and it is just my outlet to the world, here it goes :)

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

There is so much to be thankful for, 1 day is hardly enough time!

I hope everyone enjoys the holiday tomorrow. Know I am thankful for you and your influence in mine and my families lives. Thank you and a VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you.

Info

I found this on my friends blog and thought it would be fun to do so here it is:

You're supposed to bold the things you've done in your life. So here it is:
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band ....at school
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped / I wish!!!
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke - badly, but did it :)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Go to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (just one)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving - Another I wish
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (NEVER!!)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades-does driving through it count? If so then yes
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem - Just this month!!
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible - very close but not everything
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
When you look at your life like this it is amazing how much you have done and realize there is still so much to do.

Enjoy life while we can!

Facebook

Well, sometimes I feel like I am trying to be a teenager but it seems like everyone is now joining Facebook too. I got started by the Marcrest 2nd ward group and found several others who are out there too.

If you are old ward buddies, (Stefanie) you would take a look and join. It is kind of fun. I don't have alot of time to play on it but it keeps you updated on everyone too :)

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21630588878

Take a look.

YES, I am still here :)

WOW, been a month 1/2 sing the last post.....Yes I am still here, I think :)

So much and not so much going on. Here is the bullet update I promised.

1. Jason is done with football and starting back into wrestling. It was a "teaching" year in football. I am sure you know what that means. We did win our last game so it ended on a high note. Jason is excited to play high school next year even though they are moving Cyprus up to a 5A school for some absurd reason.

Jason turned 15 on October 2nd and his brother got him tickets to Matellica....that was the only thing he really wanted. My son the head banger! We told them they were not allowed to inhall during the concert so they wouldn't get a contact high. I shouldn't be laughing about this!!!

I will have to post a new photo soon. He has gone to a shorter hair cut that looks good on him.

2. Justin has been working at Discover card since January and with me at Morris Murdock since July and lost both jobs the same week. Not BOTH his idea but he wasn't fired from either ether!! He is now working for Teleperformance with his Dad on the Dell project :)

Justin turns 19 on Nov 10th! I can't believe he has made it! We are starting him missionary paper work this month too. He doesn;t want to leave until March so we are taking our time.

3. Art and I leave for Israel this week and are so excited. My brother will be staying at the house with them and the dogs and keeping things under control. I am a little freaked out about leaving them for so long and also going soooo far away. We will be gone for Justins big birhtday also which makes me sad.

We are both busy busy busy at work. I won 2 round trip airline tickets so Justin and Art got to fly back to Memphis for the weekend a few weeks ago to see his Mom, Dad and grandfather. It was a hard visit but he was so glad he could go out.

I found out I get to go to Puerto Vallarta in December for work. It is a kind of reward trip and should be alot of fun.

I have been getting alot of attention at work the last month with a promotion and made employee of the month for the company and it has made me very uncomfortable. For those who know me well, I am not a center of attention kind of person.

On one hand it feels very good to be recognized for my long hours and efforts I have put into my job since July and my life turned upside down, but I wasn't the only one who survived the turn over and while I had more to do since it was my department most effected, there was a whole other group of wonderful ladies who were very traumatized by the events and left without direction either.

We have a new boss who seems to trust me and that makes me feel very good and that I want to work hard to keep his trust. I like the extra responsibility as it is something I really haven't had before and adds alot to the job. I just don't want to be resented by the other who haven't got the same recognation as I. Most people tell me to stop whinning, so I have. I just wanted to vent that for the last time. I am over it. I hope they will be happy for me, we are all in this together. LOL, isn't that a song?

Anyway that is the family update.

Next post will be photos from our trip. Love, Wendy

Israel here we come!

I just wanted to share because I am so excited.

A perk to working 50+ hours a week for the past 2 months is where Art and I are going to be getting to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary this year.

Yep, 20 years.....who would have thought :) I am taking orders for Olive Wood :) :) :)

LDS Regional Conference

For our LDS friends and family I just wanted to share what a nice day the boys and I had today. Our stake had regional conference down at the conference center and both President Monson and Elder Ballard were there and spoke. Elder Hinkley is our presiding GA and spoke also.

It was a beautiful day and enjoyed being there with my beautiful boys. I am so proud of the men they are becoming.

PS ... be watching for an announcement in a few months about Justin's mission call. We will be putting in his papers in November and hopefully having him out in March.

Not the same football season, but that's not so bad

Last year football was FUN! We won most of our games and went to playoffs and came out on top.

You would think that with a year like that this year would be the same, but sadly, NO! We are so far 0-3 BUT we have been getting better each game. Forward motion, ya know. 1/2 of the team from last year moved up to the high school team and the new 1/2 hasn't played football before or in a long time so there is a lot of teaching going on which is ok.

Jason is #70 this year, same # as Art was in school. He has been able to play both offence and defence in all games. They moved him from his center position just to move him back after the 1st game. He has got to also play tackle on both sides which he loves. He is getting alot of play time and experience and that is what counts.

Jason HATES losing, but he is happy to be playing and to be back with his friend and team mates.

GO CYPRUS!!!!

Football season is back!!

Jason is excited to be with his "brothers" again and is having a great time!

Opening game is this Saturday. We will keep you posted.

Back to School

So there is my baby Jason heading out to his 1st day of 9th grade. Our school here goes 7th-9th in Jr High so he is the "big kid" on campus this year.

I asked Justin if he felt bad that he wasn't going back to school this week and I could barely finish the sentience before he said, NO!!

The up side to only 1 in school is only had to buy new clothes for the Jason :O

Pioneer Trek 2008

A tradition in Utah with in our church is for our youth (14-18) to reenact the pioneer trek across the mid west states that brought LDS leaders to settle Utah. They do this about every 4 years.

These kids spend 3-4 days pulling hand carts 30-50 miles and sleeping under the stars. Along the way they are taught lessons about what what it was like to not have Ipods and Xboxs, to have to help each other, to want something so much that you would leave your home you built with your 2 hands, to suffer so much that many died along the way.

I was jealous that I didn't get to go!!!! Weird huh. Justin told me I shouldn't covet!

They got to dress up in their western clothes and put all their belongings into paint buckets that doubled as stools for sitting when tired and the could stop, which wasn't often. They had to walk, and walk, and walk and walk.......LOL ( you gotta know the song )

Did anyone notice the shark cartoon on the top of the bucket....guess whos?!?!?!?!?!

This was Justins 2nd Trek. He was excited he was able go again, doesn't he look like it :)

This is what they looked like before they started walking.

This is what Jason looked like when the took his Ipod away. (JK)

This is Jasons 1st Trek and he gave up his 1st football game(scrimmage game that is) to be able to go. His coach wasn't really happy with him but I think he made the right choice.

I wish I was thinking enough when I picked them after 3 days because there isn't words to describe them.

They walked over 30 miles in 2 1/2 days. Justin had the honor of having the WORST blisters on the balls of his feet. They almost didn't let him keep going but like the pioneers of old, he endured to the end.

They both had a wonderful experience and would totally go again.....in another 4 years that is.

I think the experience must be like child birth, when it is over and you look back on you know you can endure it again....in another few years that is!

My little scouts.....

I wasn't going to blog about my little cub scouts because, well, they aren't my kids and the whole is it ok to post a photo, but after running across the pic I had to. They are so cute.

Art and I have made it through 1 year as the Wolf, Bear AND Webelos den leaders in our church area. It sounds like alot but really we only have 5 kids......Like Art and I needed to have a few more BOYS!!!

Mamma Mia!!!

It has been awhile since I have posted last and there hasn't been alot happening unless it has been at my office. BIG CHANGES THERE but that is another story. Let's just leave it at I have been working alot of hours and I needed a release and it came by way of, Mamma Mia!!

I laughed so hard. I always knew how fun Abba's music was and I am a big musical fan, but it was just such a fun movie.

2 very BIG thumbs up for a girls night out.

PS...We have all heard Pierce Brosnan get beat up about his singing....my take on it is that it was so bad, it was GREAT!! He made me laugh so much, I really loved it. I don't think that was what he was going for, but what ever works. We just wondered who said, gee, this would be GREAT for his career! I loved it Pierce, you go boy!