Sherrie Turns 35!

Sherrie, Happy Birthday again. I am writing a "35 Things I love about Sherrie" blog. It is in place of the card that will be getting to your house with pictures later this week! Of coarse some of these are funny and some are serious so here it goes.

1)She didn't hold it against me & Steph when we use to tell her she was our adopted Chinese sister because she didn't look like us.

2)Even after I stabbed her in the head with my fork to see if she would bleed out of each fork prong (I was almost 3 and she almost 1) she regained trust in me.

3)She blessed and passed the sacrament with me when we were little

4)She let me pee the bed on her for many years

5)She played school teacher with me

6)She played cash register checker outer with me

7)She let me put bright blue eyeliner on her in high school even though her eyes are brown

8)She shared her friends with me

9)She kept me company at he stupid church dances

10)She went toilet papering with me

11)She went with me to early morning seminary for two long years. (The only good thing about that was getting Shipley's donut holes in the morning)

12)She didn't hold it against me that I was cheerleader

13)She let me write mean notes to the boyfriends that did her wrong!

14)She was stubborn enough to tell dad that he could beat her, ground her or whatever else, but she would not sing a solo in family home evening.

15)She got a kiss from my old flame after I moved away because she was naive enough to open the window at 1 am so he could "TALK" to her about me- him drunk and all!

16)She told me what the "paper bag" was between the mans legs were at the car wash.

17)She died laughing with me when I finally clued in and almost wrecked pulling out of the gas station.

18)She would climb the trees with me in the back yard and talk about "fire hoses"

19)She looked like she might faint of embarrassment when told she could kiss Brian over the alter.

20)She is caring and concerned about our whole family

21)She always gives me good advice

22)My kids can call her to get help on their homework like diagramming sentences (STUPID)

23)I can count on getting extra added advice about educational opinions she has which totally crack me up!

24)SHe is willing to help out whenever needed

25)She never settles for just getting by and always goes beyond what's expected

26)She is persistence, not a quitter

27)She is slowly starting to loosen up. I could work on her a little more if she would move closer to me.

28)She loves her husband and is a good wife

29)She is an amazing mom with alot of patience

30)SHe has made it through staff, lice, and almost every other possible bad situation this summer and is not committed in a mental institution.

31)She makes it a priority to come and visit us in Utah

32)She has true concern for me as a sister

33)She has a strong testimony of the gospel and lives it

34)She is a loyal and trusting friend

35)She has blessed me by being my sister!

Love you little sister! Hope your birthday was great!

The Pumpkin Patch

Another favorite fall past time is going to Bishop Sorenson's pumpkin patch and letting the kids pick out their own PERFECT PUMPKIN! And just to let you know- finding the perfect pumpkin can take quit a while. Especially since they each need to find the PERFECT ONE! It has to be the right color, no green or pale spots and also the right size, not too big but definitely not small , and the right shape, not too round or too oval. The kids seem to like them tall and not as round. It is fun to watch them search through the patch and roll over pumpkins, pick them up to inspect them, and then sit them back into the dirt because they think they can find a better one. What isn't funny is when they find a nice one , but still think they can find a better one, then realize the other one they left was probley their PERFECT ONE and then can't find it again. This year and last year Cooper has been with the kids on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin. Here are some cute pictures of the outing! Oh ya, how do you like my impression of implants- probley as close as I'll every get but they look good exept for the color - don't they!?

Fall Football

How I miss the days of spending my Saturdays at Kyle Field watching Texas A&M football. If I wasn't at the game it was probley because I had to mow the Insitute lawm with my dad. (One of those not so fun memories) I thought it was cool to see all the fans in marroon and white and be able to hear the croud cheering all the way to my house! I love college sports. I especially had fun cheering at Kyle field in high school because it was so gigantic! Just being at the games with all of the AGGIE PRIDE! It was so much fun! Midnight yell practice and everything! Texas sports in general rock! Sorry all you Utah people but the athletics up here doesn't even compare! Utah State football doesn't do it for me and neither does BYU . Last year- to my disapproval- Kyle signed Ty up for flag football. Like I said, I love the sport, just don't want my little son smashed! "It's FLAG football" you might say, but what I know is that it will lead to REAL FOOTBALL because of course he will LOVE IT. (Just like every other sport he plays) Needless to say we are on our second year of Flag football and he loves it. Especially since this year he has made two touch downs and and extra point. (Running it in after the TD) He still has two games left but thinks football is a blast even though he is half the size of the other kids. The child doesn't know he should be very intimidated. I guess that it good. Here are a few pictures of this season. In the one picture where he is being handed off the ball, he ran it 30 yards for a TD!

I Love FALL!

I just love fall. THe air is a touch cooler in the day and then really cools off at night. I can open my windows and let the fresh air flow through. Also the leaves in the tree's on the mountains are all different colors. Its just so pretty. I even love Texas fall, football season, drier air, and just a titch cooler. I remember (as stupid as it may sound) in Texas feeling like I could conquer the world. It made me so happy for just less humidity and a few little drop in temp! Plus, that meant Texas winter was coming and that is awesome. I could live in Texas from November to March with no problem! Up here however it means that winter is right around the corner and that is not cool at all. But for right now it is wonderful. We live about 5 miles away from Porcupine canyon and each fall we go up and take pictures in the leaves. It is very pretty. Anyway- here are some of the family photos.

Fishing in Alaska

Pictures of the Alaska Trip
Tawni & Kyle overlooking the ocean outside of Micks cabin!
Tawni & Britt with their halibut that only weights about 30 pounds less than they do.

Tawni in her camo with her dad and some silver salmon! Micks fishing boat out on the ocean!

Tawni's "HOOKED" eye after the removal of the hook!

Okay, I am always so late getting things posted but I guess better late than never. A few weeks ago Tawni and Kyle had the opportunity to go together on a fishing trip to Alaska. The trip was a ten day adventure! Paul and Brittney went with them so that Tawni and Britt would have some "girl" company instead of just the other 9 men that went. Brian flew up from Texas with his friend ,and Hunter (Kevin's son) also went with them. Before leaving, Sherrie gave Tawni strict instructions on the "rules" that Brian was to abide by while in Alaska. Tawni got a kick out of that because she knew if Brain decided to do a "fly in" or something there was nothing she could do to stop him. But if it gave Sherrie piece of mind it was worth it. The rest of the guys I didn't know. Anyway, Tawni was so excited to go with her dad. She has been begging him to go since the first year he went to Alaska right after he finished his cancer treatments. He promised her he would take her with him one year and this was her lucky year. I had to laugh because she was a little worried when they went shopping to find warm apparel, hip waders, etc and she came home with "CAMO." I guess in her mind she thought they should have some cool pink and brown outdoor wear. I was also worried about her going to the bathroom outdoors because she has never had to "GO" outdoors. All I could think about was that it would end up down her leg and fill up the bottom of the hip waders or something. I told her she needed to go and practice outside in the backyard a few times before she left but she wouldn't do it. Everyday I got calls from Tawni to let me know how things were going. She called the first time so excited with how beautiful it was there. She even took a picture out over the ocean from Mick''s cabin and sent it to me on my phone. It was crazy that her and Kyle could be out on the ocean or fishing the Keynie River and they could still be in contact with me. For that reason, I am thankful for cell phones. If a bear were to have tried to attack them they could have called me while they were being eaten- and knowing that makes me feel better. Kyle was so proud of her. From what I hear- her and Brittney were real troopers. They didn't complain and act like sissy girls- they embraced their opportunity to be with their dads and do some awesome fishing for halibut and salmon in one of the prettiest places on the earth. One day, as I was emptying the dishwasher at he house, I got a call from Tawni's cell. I answered it and she was upset. I asked her where she was and what was wrong. She said she was river fishing for salmon and that she "thought" she was okay. Tawni then explained that she had caught a salmon and was reeling in the fish which was obviously tyring to get away. Then all the sudden she felt a sting on her upper eye lid. She wasn't sure what had hit her but then when the blood started running down her face she reached up to where she had felt the sting and realized that she had the fishing hook through her eyelid and it was still in her eyebrow. Then she kinda freaked out and called me. The hook had entered right below her eyebrow- went completely through the upper eyelid and poked out the other side. Fortunately, the the barb also had make it completely through the skin. In other words- she had a "fish hook" eyebrow piercing. Anyway- Kyle had to cut the hook and pull the rest of it out of her eyelid. I am so grateful it didn't hit any lower on her eye or her eyeball would have been torn up. Who else but Tawni could have a fish in the middle of the river, snap the hook and have it fly back directly towards them, and hit them in the eye. I'm glad she is watched over. I think the angels have to work double time for her. The scar is slowly going away now. Other than that little mishap- she had a blast out on the ocean and rivers fishing and hanging out with her dad and Britt. Her and Britt caught he biggest halibut on this trip which was a fifty pounder. They aslo caught tons of salmon. Unfortunately for Kyle- I think Tawni thinks this is going to be an annual trip for her. I can't wait to see him try to get out of that one.

Trout & Berry Days 2008

top photo- Tawni after mud volleyballk 2nd photo- Kyle, Tawni & Ty at Sherwood Hill Golf Course. 3rd photo- Ty pulling back his ball in the sling shot drive on hole 3. (By the way, its a par 3 and he made it 5 ft away from the hole on the green)

Tawni & Shyanne scoping out which fish they are going to jump in and catch! GROSE!

Tawni after the mud volleyball, beautiful -huy!?
Ty, Gavin, & Whitney on the float!Nice and hot summer day!

Trout & Berry Days in Paradise rolls around every August. It is the "town celebration" that every community in the state of Utah has. Of course, it is always a busy weekend for us. Kyle has been the chairperson over the whole thing for 3 years and assistant chair for 2 years and he & I have been over the golf tournament for 15 years now. It's crazy how time flies. The activities for the weeks events include a youth rodeo, trap shoot, auction, parade, booths, trout scramble, pie eating contest, (which Tawni has won!)kids games, 5K run, mud volleyball tournament, trout dinner, dance with a live band, and the golf tournament. I'm not sure if I listed it all but its alot to be in charge of. The golf tournament alone is too much for two people. However, when it is all said and done I think everyone has a good time. This year Ty rode on the primary float and threw out Popsicles and suckers, Tawni as you can see, participated in the trout scramble where you get into a shallow man made pool and catch a trout with your hands. Some of them are tagged and if they are you win a prize. Then she played in the mud at the mud volleyball game and when she came home she got to undress in the back yard and get sprayed off thoroughly with the hose before entering the house. Ty usually likes riding the horses they have down at the park and play on the blow up games. The golf tournament is a blast because you can be a horrible golfer and still have a super time. For example: on the first green you sit on a toilet seat and tee off, on another green you have to hit your ball through a dog house that is on the fairway, another hole you have to put your ball into the homemade sling shot and sling

your ball instead of teeing off, on another hole we have a huge orange cone (like they use on the highways) and you place your ball on the top of it and use a bat to tee off, on one of the greens where you putt your ball you have to use a pool stick & on another one we have a putter that we cut in half and put surgical tubing in the middle of it so that it makes it a rubber putter and the end just swings back and forth. It is alot of fun. If any of you are up here you need to come play. After the tournament there is a dinner served and prizes for the winners and losers. We usually get between 90-140 golfers. Any way, now that is over it is a nice break. Here are a few of the pictures I took.

Miracles still happen!!

I have always thought it would be awesome to see an actual miracle. I'm talking the major kind like the parting of the red sea or Jesus bringing the dead back to life. Obviously, none of us will probley ever have that chance- but it doesn't mean that we aren't blessed with our own little miracles. Sometimes I think we even pass off our miracles as being "Lucky!" Well, yesterday without a doubt, my daughter & her friend Karina were blessed and protected and I consider it a miracle. Tawni had asked to me if she could take the four wheeler down to her friends house (her friend lives one block away). I said sure b/c they usually just come right back and then drive around our backyard and stuff. They never go for a ride anywhere. But yesterday Tawni & Karina decided to go up to the Paradise cemetery to see her cousin David's grave ( the cemetery is about a mile away & neither of them had on helmets) . David was her 18 year old cousin who passed away when she was 5 in an automobile accident and she was very close to him. On their way down the hill she lost control of the four wheeler in the gravel and she over corrected and flipped the four wheeler. She said it felt like someone threw her up into the air. Her and her friend both landed in the hay field. Didn't even hit each other as they flew off and the wheeler rolled and landed upside down in the gully. After realizing she & Karina weren't dead (and I say that b/c she thought she might be) she of coarse burst into tears realizing what could have happened. Her and Karina both came home with a few scratches. No broken bones, paralasis or even death. They were blessed, protected, and it is a miracle. Feeling grateful is an understatement. So many children and adults die every year from rolling there four wheelers on themselves or from being thrown off- and my daughter comes home scared to death but untouched. The four wheeler was also just fine. Some friend of ours saw them flip and ran over to help them because they thought for sure they would both be badly injured. When Tawni & Karina both stood up my friend and her husband where shocked. They rolled the four wheeler back over and got it out of the ditch and made sure Tawni and Karina were okay. When Tawni came through the door in tears the first thing she said was, "Mom, I need to say a prayer and thank Heavenly Father, I could have killed myself and my friend and he protected us with his angels." I was so happy she realized it wasn't luck or chance. We knelt down in prayer together and she said a prayer. Tawni cried the whole way through the prayer. I just couldn't get over the thoughts about what could have happened. I love my Tawni & Ty. I am so grateful they are here with me and that miracles still happen!

Back to School for Tawni & Ty

Sad day for me. Tawni & TY are back in school. Now that Ty is in 1st grade he goes all day long and I am not sure what to do with myself. My house is so quiet, no laughing children, no "Mom, I need your help," it does not feel right. Everyone says how great it should be to have time for myself but when you have devoted every second of every day for the past 12 years to your kids it is hard to see that being alone now is something good. I love having my kids at home with me and doing things with them. It's what makes life great. Tawni was excited to see her friends again but still gets a little anxious when returning to school after the summer break. Ty was mainly ticked that he has to spend 6 and a half hours at school because it will cut into his play time. On the back to school night his new teacher said, "So Ty, are you glad to be in first grade?" his reply, " No, not so much, I won't have time to play anymore." His teacher just laughed and said , "Well, at least he's honest." I warned her that he may be more honest than she cares him to be but she said she is use to it. They both picked out their own "first day of school" outfits and I had to laugh because it looked like they coordinated with each other. Both in blue plaid. Tawni woke up at 5:30 AM and I could hear her clinking things around in the kitchen. I went in to see what she was doing and she was cooking herself some french toast for breakfast. Then she wanted me to ringlet her hair and put her make up on. After that I ran her down to the bus stop at 6:45. Can you say WAY TOO EARLY! Then I woke up Ty at 7:45 and got him up and going. then dropped him off at 8:45, very sad to be leaving my baby for a full day of school. However, I told him that I would bring him a Mc Donald's happy meal for lunch. Of coarse I needed to make sure he was doing alright there all day long. (Obviously it was more for my peace of mind than anything) He was good but told me he didn't think he could stay for another three hours. I agreed and told him that I would be happy to stay with him and he told me that I had to go home. I guess they both are going to grow up whether I like it or not. Tawni came home from the first day of school disgusted because she said that now that everyone is back in school they think they need to "go out" with people. She had a few guys ask her out that day and she told them all no because she isn't going out with anyone until she is 16. Good girl! Ty on the other hand told me he chased around Emma (his crush) on the playground at lunch. I told him to watch out because she might stop running one of these days and chase him back. He assured me not to worry because he is so fast that she would never catch him. Probley true. I will miss them at school. Any ideas of what I can do to keep myself busy, I am open for suggestions.

Okay Jenn- Here is another post!

Since I am sure so many of you check this blog & because my sister Jenn just emailed me and told me to get on the ball and get blogging, Here is a little blurp!LIFE IS TOO BUSY!! SUMMER IS TOO BUSY!! I AM NOT READY FOR MY KIDS TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL! How do you like that? I spent the first of the summer in Texas, which was too short. Then we had the Utah Summer games in St. George for a week. Following that we have had baseball games. softball games, soccer tournaments for both Tawni & Ty and practices. Tawni had BYU soccer camp for a week and Ty went to baseball camp for a week. In between we have had family members up from Texas and family reunions. Tawni also had young womens camp for a week. There are a million other things but I don't have time right now to list it all. I had 7th grade school registration for Tawni and tomorrow night I have Ty's back to school night and then they both start school this Thursday the 21st which is the same day Kyle & I are over the Trout & Berry day golf tournament. (The wonderful Paradise Town Celebration) Tawni starts her State soccer games for the fall season this Saturday and Ty starts Infinity soccer training for two weeks and flag football next week. Doe anyone see why things are too busy! When they are both back in school I will have time to blog to my hearts content but that won't be for a couple of weeks. Here are a few pictures of what the kids have been up to.

Our new "Brown" brother

Meet the newest member of our family "Taz" Smith. Yes, a three month old teacup chiwawa. The reason I titled this posting, "our brown brother" is because Pepper (our toy poodle) is our "black" brother. When Tawni was about 4 or so I had taken her into a hair salon to get her hair cut and styled. Well, the stylist was asking her about herself and what she liked and so on. Then the stylist said, "Do you have any brothers or sisters?" Tawni said "yes, I have one brother." I was sitting within ear distance and thought to myself - what is she talking about because at that time she was an only child. Then the hair dresser said, "that's nice what is his name?" Tawni then said, "His name is Pepper, and he's black, that's why we named him Pepper, he is just two years old." Imagine my surprise to hear this. I didn't want to hurry over and explain that Pepper was really our dog because Tawni did consider him her brother. When she would get sad that she had no siblings Kyle would always say, "Tawni, you do have a brother, Pepper is your brother and your his big sister." The stylist just had a surprised look but was very nice and I never took Tawni back to that salon again. She probley thought we were racist pigs! So anyway, since Taz is brown so I guess he is our Mexican brother. He is cute and is as spoiled as a child. Pepper is not liking him very much. We have not had any accidents yet and I am glad. I am constantly taking him outside to do his business because I will NOT have a dog pooing and peeing in my house. Yuck! Oh ya, the reason we have this new addition to our family is because my niece, Chelsey, (Steph's oldest daughter) decided to take her graduation money while on vacation in Texas, and purchase this dog. Without permission from her mom & dad who have had there share of bad dog experiences. So we took Taz off her hands after she was told she could not keep him. Funny huy?!

Potty Patrol

Okay- I realize I have raised my children to be a bit of germ freaks. As I was just standing in the kitchen emptying the dishwasher, Ty came running up from downstairs where he had been playing Transformers with his buddy Gavin. I hear him knocking on the bathroom door saying,"Hey Gav, are you in there, you've been in the bathroom a long time, are you done yet?" Gav replies, "I'm almost done, just wait a minute." Ty replies, "Hurry Gav, I'm going to wait out here for you." Then the toilet flushes and Gavin walks out. Ty says, "Are you done using the bathroom?" Gav- "Yep, lets go play." Ty- "Did you go poop?" Gav- "Ya, why do you think it took me so long." Ty- "I was standing out here and I didn't hear you wash your hands and anytime you sit on a toilet and go to the bathroom you have to wash your hands. My mom says for 20 seconds." Gav- "Fine Ty, I'll wash my hands." Ty -"Okay, now I'll go downstairs and wait for you because if you don't wash your hands you can't touch my toys."

WoW! Maybe I've went a little over board. I have heard him tell his friends to wash their hands before and it always makes me laugh. A few weeks ago him and a friend went to a movie. I sent enough money with him for the movie and to get a kids snack pack for Ty. Well, because the family he went with had more than one child and also had taken a cousin with them they decided to buy the family pack and just share it. That way it would be equal and everyone would have the same. (I totally understand that) Well, they sat down in the theatre and the mom handed Ty and Gavin a bag of popcorn and an enormous drink. Ty said, "Is that my drink or Gav's?" His mom replied that she had just bought one huge drink for them to share. Ty then goes, "No thanks, I don't want to get Gav's germs, my mom won't let me share." Luckily, his mom knows TY all too well and got a good laugh out of it. Gavin is such a good sport about it all, I thinks he probley thinks Ty is a clean freak but he Gav is so good to just go with the flow! Tawni is no better. She will not share her food with anyone, however loves to share everyone else's food with them. I guess she can only get germs if someone drinks out of HER drink or bites off of HER food, not the other way around. They are also constantly telling their friends to cover their mouths when they cough and all other sorts of motherly advice. The funny part is hearing the two of them correcting their friends.

Family Fun

Sean & Kellye's BIG DAY! (left-at the Houston Temple)

(below) Hatch Family Photo outside Kellye's home)

Okay everyone out there, I am new to this blogging stuff so bare with me. Hopefully someday I will figure it out and get good at it. I am super excited though to be able to communicate with you all via the internet. Thanks Jen for helping me out and getting me up and going. Hopefully I won't have to bug you too many times while I am trying to figure it all out!

We just got back last night from a two week trip. The first and most important reason for the vacation was because Sean was getting married to Kellye Murray. She seems to be a great match for Sean and the wedding and reception were very nice. They were married in the Houston temple and had a reception the following night in Tyler, Texas at her parents home. Wow! Over the top! Everything was beautiful! It has been fun getting to know her a little and we can't wait to get to know her better throughout the years. Here we come Kellye, ready or not! What I thought was most cool about the whole thing was the fact that there are 7 children in our family, 6 of which were in the Temple with their spouses to witness the marriage of Sean and Kellye. Tyler can't go to the Temple yet (he's only 17 so hopefully he'll wait a few years) but I can't wait for the day when we can all be there together. It is such a blessing and so humbling to know that my brothers and sisters & spouses are trying to do what is right. Obviously none of us are perfect or even close but to know that we each are trying and working through our issues and set backs and still on the right path is all I can ask for! I love all of you siblings & spouses. I guess we owe a bit of thanks to mom and dad as well. You did a good job! Congrat's Sean and Kellye. we are so happy for ya'll! Now we have 6 awesome sisters in the family!

Okay- I am going to post this before I screw it up again. (this is my 3rd try) I am going to recap the whole vacation but I wanted to get atleast one post up. Hooray for me! I know ya'll are happy for me.