Who let this happen?

What happened to my baby?

Who said he could grow up?

Has it really been 18 years?

At least they picked a good, no, GREAT speaker!

This past Saturday Kayden Ned Calder received his Associate degree from Utah State University in Roosevelt, UT.  We couldn't be prouder of him.  Way to go, son!

And you thought my LAST post was gross...

If you remember, last year was not the most graceful year of my life...  I kept saying "this is not my year, things will get better in 2011." Well, knock on wood - no injuries to me so far. And we are, let's see - 30 days into the year.  On a roll, right?  This last week, "someone" in our family had a little mishap - and I am so happy to pass the bubblewrap on to the new recipient! Before scrolling down, see if you can identify the victim:

I will give you one clue, which you may have already guessed: it is not.....  NED!  A little too much hair for him!  Ha, ha - good thing he doesn't know how to get to this blog!

Guessed yet?

Here is the victim sporting three metal staples - talk about gross!  Too mechanical for me!

If you haven't guessed by now, the lucky dog is:

Yup, my BBALL boy, Kayden.  Had a game Friday night against Manila and just before half, he went for a basket and got called for a charge.  He was a "lil" ticked and started back down the floor when he put his hand up in his hair and his buddy exclaimed "Dude, you are bleeding".  The kid had hit him on the top of his head with his elbow.  Due to it being a head wound and him having his heart beating pretty good, it bled fast and hard.  We went to the locker room and our good friend, Kam J. told me to take hair from both sides of the laceration and braid it as tight as I could.  Kayd wanted to fist me, but put up with it.  We got a little rubber band, put on the end of it, cleaned him up, and made it back out for the third quarter.  NOTE: Do not tick Kayden off... he came back with a vengeance and scored 20 points in the third quarter, then sat out the fourth.  Had another game last night and all was good.  If you want to see the blood and guts in action, go to Mysportsguys.com, find the Rich vs. Manila boys game, and go to about 58 minutes on the slider/timer bar. 

And since this post is on the 30th, I think I will count it for my February post!  Happy day!!!

2 posts in less than 24 hours - beat that!

No comment on this photo - pretty self-explanatory...

i love my family!!!

This One's for YOU, Lar!

Lar has been bugging me cuz I have not blogged in such a long time (what's a couple of months?) so I promised her the other night I would blog SOMETHING, and never did.  So this one is for her - and you, too!  I have never tried to download a video so we shall see what happens.  But let me say....

W*A*R*N*I*N*G!!!!
This video is not for the faint of heart, so
Proceed at your own risk!  And don't say I didn't warn you!!!

So... what do you think of "GUS?"  He and his brother "WILD BILL" were gifts for Kamren for Christmas.  To me, they are rodents.  By definition, they are gerbils.  They eat two toilet paper rolls a day - not for food, but they chew it up for extra bedding.  They sleep most of the day and LOVE to play at night.  I recommend that each of you run right out and buy at least TWO of these furry little creatures for your children...  :0)  PS: guess I should explain... they are rather shy and don't like to be held so we capture them and put them in the bathtub since it is too slick for them to climb out of.  Then Kam climbs in  and plays with them to try and get them used to him.

I know, I know, Winner of Worlds Worest Blogger...

Man, how do you keep up with life?  I just seem to get farther and farther behind... Homecoming week was fantabulish!  Never had so much fun.  Shan has had an awesome vball season, which came to an end this last weekend.  They took third which, for Rich, is like kissing your sister.  She gets my vote for most improved player of the year - LOVE YA GIRLIE!  Got a wicked sprained ankle in the semi-final match, but PT says she will live.  Kayd is having an unbelievable fball season - this next weekend is semi finals down at Snow College then the next weekend (Nov. 13) is finals down at Cedar.  I expect ALL to be there to cheer us on.  Actually, we are trying to move it to a closer venue, but no news yet.  Halloween was ok - not my fav holiday.  Here's a few pics - enjoy!

Kam and his football team - These two are his favorite "big boys".  He knows how to choose his friends wisely!

Kayden running for his life!

Kam and Company for Halloween.

What can I say?

My Little Mario!

Don't be thinkin' it was National NED day... That is Kayds nick name to everyone except us.

Ta da!  The finished product(s)!

Tierneys Vball team made it to State for the first time ever!  Way to go, Wendover~

Absolutely LOVE this pic.  Shani is serving the ball but it looks like Kayden has taken it right out of mid-air.  The big TEASE!!

Shani on the homecoming float "A season to remember"

Homecoming royalty at half time.

Kayden stretching it out for a touchdown during homecoming game vs. Layton Christian.

King Kayden talking at homecoming assembly.

Senior day at final home football game.  What?  Kayd is a senior? 

That's my GIRLIE going up for a block against Morgan, the #1 team in the STATE!  They beat us 3-1.  That's all for now - HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

What a F*U*N week this is going to be!!!

Wow!

Does this look like early Halloween or what?  I know, I should be in heaven, but let me explain...  As most of you know, a dear friend passed away about a month ago from a year-long battle with cancer.  Her passing really threw our little community for a loop.  She was just a little older than me... Last night, another dear friend passed away.  Suddenly, without notice, a blood clot took her away.  One of the sweetest ladies ever... Father in Heaven called another rose back home to his own garden.  I am so happy for her - she was one of those who earned her "Golden Passport to Heaven" a long, long time ago and there is no doubt Heavenly Father greeted her with open arms.  But what about poor Howard, her husband?  I have just sobbed all day for him...  They, too, are just a little older than us.  He is the Bishop in the other ward.  He did most of Jesses' priesthood ordinances for us.  But how do these men carry on?  I just don't get it...

So - is it easier to know death is coming, or to have it happen suddenly?  Are we living each day like it is our last?  Have we earned our "Golden Passport" yet?  Should we be doing more?  Or less?  Are we serving others, or our selves?  Do we stop to view the sunrise on the way to the bus stop, or cuss the kids for some dumb, little thing that really doesn't matter in the end...  Do we eat the raw cookie dough, or make the kids wait until the cookies are cooked?  Do we wave at people who aren't "in our circle" or just hurry on by?  Can you tell I have had a rough day?  Do you let the new puppy stay in the house when she slides in between your feet or kick her back outside?  Do the kids HAVE to finish their vegetables?  Are we living for the moment, cuz it just might be the LAST one we, or a loved one, might have.  UGH!

Back to the chocolate... I have sat here all day writing the program for our Primary program... Got so frustrated I texted a friend and said "I need chocolate" she replied "where and when" I said "JK- still haven't showered, in pjs, teeth are unbrushed, just sayin..." and she was here in 10 minutes with this buttload of chocolate.  Our friend who passed away last night had surgery on her foot the same day Kam had his appx. out.  The "chocolate fairy" had bought flowers for the surgery friend, but didn't get time to deliver them up to her house...  She said she is never going to miss an opportunity to visit a friend again...  Lucky me!  So... Just sayin'... Hug every one you see tonight; and tomorrow; and the next day... Cuz you never know when you will lose them...