Football time

We got to watch Randon play the championship game in Little Guy Football.  They lost, which was sad, but Randon played very well.

The Number 2 is Cool!

Jackson, Aliza, Callin, and Maddie all were  #2 for football and volleyball.  We thought that was pretty cool.  We were glad they had their shirts with them when they came to visit for the day.

Jackson's New Job

Jackson is now running the scoreboard for the middle school games.  Football, volleyball, and basketball.  He likes getting his own money.

8th Grade Football

I have one picture of Jackson and football this year.  I'm so bad.  They had a brand new young coach that didn't play Jackson very often.  It was so frustrating.  They lost almost every game.  When Jackson was in they would make progress on the field, and right when he was close to the end zone the coach would put a new quarterback in.  They wouldn't get the touchdown.  I sure hope next year is a better year with better coaches.

October Happenings

October flew by faster than September. So much has happened in October. I was called (actually the end of September) to be the 2nd counselor in the Young Women's, so that means every Wednesday activities plus some. I have enjoyed it so far. Every 1st Wednesday is a combined activity with the Young Men. This month we went to a corn maze. There were a lot of kids there (for our ward anyway). I think we had about 35 there all together.

The first picture below I took while we were waiting in line to get in. Patrick and some other kids were in there, but also, if you look real close, just to the left of Patrick's shoulder shining bright is the Billings Temple. I thought it looked much bigger in real life. When we finally found our way out, we played on a bunch of slides and toys that were there. It's funny that in some of the photos you can see the straw flying around in the air. The last two pictures below are of Jackson sliding and Paige sliding down.

Jackson also had games every week. He played very well, and got better and better each week. I so enjoyed watching him. In the picture below, you can see him handing off (or pretending to hand off) the ball. He then passed it for someone to catch. In his last game, he was in as safety and caught an interception at the other teams 10 yard line and ran all the way down the field, zig zagging through everyone. He was about to go over the goal line, when someone grabbed the back of his collar and yanked him down. He sat down hard and was 1 foot from making a goal. It was amazing. Of-coarse a flag was thrown, and we ended up making a touchdown the next couple of plays, but Jackson was bummed he didn't make the touchdown.

Jackson and his neighbor friends saved this poor duck from a dog killing it. The dog had already killed two ducks and had this one in it's mouth. It was hurt and couldn't fly, so they kept it here to heal. A few days later they let it go. I think it's doing fine now.

The Middle School had a Red Ribbon week. One day was crazy hair day. Aliza put her hair in lots of pig tails and Jackson put one pig tail in his. Wednesday they walked around Laurel for "Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk" something to do with walking away from drugs. I was able to help pass out pizza and fruit for lunch for those who participated. Friday was retro day. The kids dressed up 80's style. I don't know how exact it was, but close enough right?

Sunday, the 30th, we were invited to Joleen's annual pumpkin carving party. This is our second year coming. Last year we brought the missionaries, so we thought we would invited these ones too. They had fun. Joleen's daughter, Jennifer, was a big help with Maren, which was nice for Sam and I. We didn't have to get our hands slimy.

Finally, Halloween. Jackson borrowed Aunt Dana's Lovell cheerleader's outfit, and bought a black long haired wig, which he cut and put in a pony tail (doesn't make sense to me), but I dropped him off at his friend Carver's house and a group of them walked around the neighborhood.

Aliza was a cowgirl, which in Montana I don't get. Don't a lot a people dress like this with out it being Halloween?

A few days before Halloween, the other Pollock kids and these two girls decided what to be. Karissa had a clown wig, so Maren decided to be a clown. I'm glad we found this clown costume for only $8.00. We even bought her a clown horn, but she forgot to take it with her.

Sammy wanted to be Sub Zero. He didn't go trick or treating, but on Saturday at the Trunk or Treat he dressed up as the Priests in the ward put on a Haunted House in the primary room. I think they had fun doing that. A few days before he showed me a picture of what he wanted me to make, and so I bought some cheep sheets, and made this outfit on Saturday. Crazy I know. I glued it all together, no sewing involved. Once he put it on, we had to pin a couple of places. Can't see a thing can you.

Amy picked the girls and I up, and we headed out. We started in our neighborhood. The kids ran from house to house, which, if you've been in our area, the homes are not so close together. We then proceeded to another neighborhood, and the kids ran to each house as well, for two hours. I think they got some exercise that night.

Kyla, Maren, Randon, Paige, Aliza

Other things we did this month:

• Jackson got invisilign instead of braces.
• Maren started dance lessons on Tuesday nights.
• Aliza started playing basketball.
• I started helping out in Maren's class two days a week.
• Sammy started Debate again.
• Did baptisms at the temple with the youth. It's been a long time since I've done that.
• Organizing areas in the house.....still have lots to do.
• Sam and Jackson hunting the last two weekends. (of course haven't shot anything yet)

End of August and September Happenings

After a crazy summer, we started getting back to preparing for school. This is Aliza's 1st year of having 8 different classes. She was worried she wouldn't remember where they were all at, but she did a great job.

Thursday, August 25, was the first day of school. The kids were excited to start a new year. Sammy my Senior, Maren my 3rd grader, Aliza a big 6th grader, and Jackson the studly 7th grader.

Yes, it was my birthday as well, but I was able to work out, go to the temple, and have a fabulous dinner out with my family. It was a great day.

Saturday, the 27th, we were invited down to Burlington for the annual LaRae Dinner. It usually is Memorial Weekend, but Sam and I were going to be gone and Amy and Clint were as well, so we had it a week earlier. It was Jackson's Birthday as well, so we put the two together. Mike and Kelli had a great set up and the kids had a fabulous time. Mike turned on the water so the kids could play in it. Aunt Francie, Uncle Ken, and Jill with her Grace and twins were able to come over from Greybull too. It was such a wonderful time. And HOT.

Memorial weekend Sam and I went to Red Lodge for a little retreat and our 18th Anniversary. We went to his favorite river and did a little fishing, well, he fished and I sat on the river bank and watched. I had fun watching him and photographing him. He is so cute out there. He was worried I was getting bored, so after he caught his fish, we headed on our way to Red Lodge.

We did take a break the next day (Saturday) and went back to Billings to watch Jackson play his first football game. It was fun.

The next weekend, Sept. 10th, Jackson played another game. The team they were supposed to play didn't have enough players so our team played each other. (there are 45 players on the team) Jackson played quarterback and safety. He chose number 9 and he hopes it will be his number through high school. (the last three pictures are of him running in a touchdown).

After school on Sept 15th (Thursday), Sammy and I met the photographer for his Senior pictures. We drove around town and took some great pictures. I got a few myself of the the two in action. It was fun. Sammy was glad when it was over however.

The girls and I left after school on Thursday the 22nd and headed to Salt Lake City. Curt's step-daughter, Michelle, was getting married on Saturday. Aliza watched the younger kids on Friday while Anny's older kids were at school and Anny and I exercised, went shopping (mainly for me), and went to a movie with Rhonda and Elle after seeing them at Nordstrom. It was a fabulous day, we got home at 9:30. Sorry Aliza. Jim did get home around 5 to help out.

Saturday was a great day with Mom, Kass, and Joy (they got in from Arizona late Friday night). We did some shopping while the kids stayed home and Anny went to Park City to run some mud race. We got home, got ready for the wedding then headed up Mill Creek Canyon to a beautiful wedding. The girls had the best of time and were so excited to be at an actual wedding. Except for Aaron, all the siblings and most their families were there. It was so fun to actually dance on the dance floor. Christine and their kids, JJ, Elle, Lauren, Anny, Kass, Jenna, Savanna, myself and our kids all had a blast out there. Maren ended up having a bloody nose at the end and was worried she was going to miss the last dance, but she made it out just in time.

Congratulations to Michelle and Jordan.

It was a very fun filled month and a half. It's amazing how fast it goes.

I love my family and treasure every moment with them.

Championship Game!

What a great season Jackson and his team had.  They made it all the way to the championship game, which was the first for this Laurel team.  They lost only one game during  the season, and it was to this team they were playing tonight.... the Titans.

Jackson was one of the team captains this game along with his friend and neighbor Isaiah.

They played a great game.  Jackson punted a few times and even made a touchdown, but was later called back because of a flag.

The sunset was beautiful that evening.

It ended up being a tie game.  Our team was first to go, Jackson made a touchdown, but they didn't get the extra point.  The Titans made a touchdown and made the extra point.  They lost by one point.  It was so sad to see this team afterwards.  They all played so well.

Next year Jackson will be playing for the middle school.  Crazy!  These are a good bunch of boys going in next year.  I'm sure they will do awesome.

Grandma Weaver came into town to watch the game.  She enjoyed watching as well, and made sure she got a picture with her awesome grandson, Jackson.

My favorite of the season was listening to the coach yell, "Pollock, get out there!" when the team was making mistakes.  He would run out and make an awesome play.

Blessing #46 Making Memories BYU/Utah Game

And so it begins.......

Who do we cheer for? The team our nephew and cousin J.J. plays for? or the team we have cheered for, for years. Some made their choice strong.......

and some couldn't choose just one.

Either way, we sure had a fun time cheering.

Saturday, Kass's family and my family went to my mom's house to watch the BIG GAME.

Mom and Zack went to the game with Aaron and Brock. Curt had season BYU tickets, and of course Doug and Rhonda and their kids were there watching J.J.

The rest of us (Franckowiak's, Tomany's, and us) had a blast, painted faces and all, watching the game on T.V. We cheered when we saw J.J. on the field, and we cheered when BYU made some points. It was a fun game to watch. I always love it when it is a close game, as long a BYU wins. (Sorry Amy).

Cade was really upset, and sad that J.J lost, but he still has two years to play, and he will be playing a lot more next year.

Anny had all these T-shirts and brought them out after the game. The kids put them on to watch a movie while waiting to go to bed, or home, whichever came first.

Aliza, Blake, Cade, Cameron, Maren, Abby, Brynn

What a blessing it is to be able to make such fun memories for the kids. I'm thankful for the opportunity to put these moments down so memories won't fade.

Black and White and Red All Over!

What's Black and White.......

and Red all over?

Our Weekend!!!

A couple of months ago, Kass called and asked if we wanted to go down to Salt Lake to one of JJ's games (my nephew, Rhonda's son).  We said sure, set the date, and anticipated the trip.  As the time got closer, my other sister, Anny decided to have a birthday party for Brynn since Maren was going to be down there (Brynn's birthday is this week)

We pulled into town Friday at 5:30 and the party was at 6:00.  Brynn was very excited, can't you tell:)

The theme, if you couldn't tell was black and white with a little pink.  It was so cute.  They started off with  pancakes with chocolate chips, played a cute pin the tale on the Zebra, 

then decorated cup cakes like zebras.  Anny and mom had made zebra aprons and the kids got to take them home.  It was so fun to watch the kids and see how much fun Brynn was having.  Some of the adults were in the other room catching up.  It was a fun filled night.

Saturday was the big game.  University of Utah Vs Air Force.  My brother Gary came from Idaho, my brother Curt from Sandy, my mom, Kass and Mick with Cade and Cal and Sam, Sammy, Maren and I were all sitting together cheering the team on.  Rhonda and Doug had special parent seats.  Jackson stayed home to play his own football game and Aliza was at Kass's playing with Abby and Brynn.

If you click on this picture, you can see number 13 out there.  That would be our JJ.

The game went into overtime, Utah ended up winning, mostly because JJ made two important tackles stopping Air Force from making a touchdown.

After a great game, we headed down from our 54th row seats to congratulate JJ.  Mom had a little spill on the bleachers, but made it down with a little help.  Here, she is wearing my dad's sweater that he got from playing football at the U of U years ago.  She is so cute.

Sam and Maren were headed to the car not knowing we were heading to the field, so they missed being in this picture.  I can't believe Sammy is almost as tall as JJ. (I'm really short)

We headed for mom's for an after game party.  Rhonda and Doug brought pizza's and salad, and we watched BYU get stomped.  (That made me sad)  Maren was really sad that she didn't get in the picture earlier, so we made sure we got it here.  

We are so glad we were able to go and all went well.  Jackson did lose his game on Sat. but he said he was glad he stayed to play.  "Besides," he said, "JJ would have stayed to play his game"

Blessing #30 Jackson

My Jackson is now 11 years old.  Let me tell you, it has been a very adventurous 11 years.  Jackson is very caring and is always making sure everyone is o.k.

As you can see, he is just starting football.  He hasn't even had one practice yet, but has been wearing his uniform for a week.  His neighbor, Isaiah, is on a different team, but they have been practicing together everyday.
One of his favorite candy bars..... 3 Musketeers.  He was so excited to get 5 as a gift.
The main gifts this year are football accessories.  Gloves (he just knows he is going to be carrying the ball a lot:) mouth guard, socks, chin guard, and smelly shoe deodorizers.
He loves showing off his muscles!
Really showing them off here, at the Oleson Family Reunion
Here are the latest in his animal finds.  (I'm not sure if he found them or Zack or Max, but he was all over it.)

I love these pictures.  Anny took them and did a fantastic job.  Thanks Anny.

Jackson is one of my main Blessings in my life.  What a great example he is to me.  I love you Jacks!!!!!   Happy Birthday.