Football...Flag not Tackle

Gavin really wanted to play football this year. Football of the tackling variety. I am so not ready for two boys with such full practice schedules. I know it's gonna happen soon and I realize that we'll eventually have 3 boys playing at the same time...maybe even 4?!? Let's see, when Harrison is old enough for tackle (9 or 10), Cam will be 18 or 19...so Cam will be on his mission! Good, only 3 boys will play football at a time. Glad we got that figured out. Ha!

Anyway, I convinced Gavin that he should play at least one year of Flag Football to make sure he wanted to play Tackle. And tonight was his first game. Because Owen had a soccer game at the exact same time, Spencer went to O's game (they won 6-4) and I took the twins and went to G's. Cam was at practice. Callie & Ivie and Grandpa & Grandma Styer came too. 

Gavin is just fun to watch in whatever he does. He smiles all the time...

He played good defense. 

He also got to be the QB for a series of plays. He even threw two (incomplete) passes. And he made the hand off for the teams' only touchdown. 

It's gonna be a great season...even if we lost 12-6 this game. 

Berry Pickin'

This morning the twins and I met up with our friends, Erin & Harrison, Whitney & Berkley & Sovie. We loaded up in our big SUV...3 carseats in the back row, 2 carseats and an adult in the middle row. I'm so grateful for our BIG vehicle. We drove to a little place called McBride's Briar Patch in Mapleton, Utah. 

We were met my Farmer McBride and his wife. He quickly showed us where to pick and outfitted each of us with a bucket, tied to our waists. 

The twins were awesome berry pickers and we went up and down the rows, picking just the "beautiful berries" according to Madi. When we were finished, we had close to 3 pounds! 

Then Farmer McBride told us to meet him at the end of the raspberry rows. There was a large fenced in pasture with numerous deer and one goat. Farmer McB brought some cut up apples and let the kids feed the deer and goat through the fence. Harrison enjoyed watching but didn't want to touch. Madi was pretty much afraid. 

After paying for our berries ($3/pound), Mrs. Farmer McB told us to pick a few flowers on our way back to the car. So we did. 

We ate lunch at Cafe Rio and then came home for a much needed nap! What a fun day!!

3rd Birthday

Our babies turned 3 today. And we celebrated! First though, we had to go to Cameron's football game (which they won 20-0). Then we went to Astro Burger for lunch, presents, and cupcakes & ice cream cones. 

We were happy to have both sets of grandparents, one aunt (Callie), and two uncles (Tom & Chopper) to share in the festivities. And the twins were absolutely spoiled!!!

Granny Jane & Grandpa Rick gave the babies some cash. We'll go shopping for fall clothes or shoes and something fun. 

Grandma Tisa & Grandpa Dave gave Harrison a new pillow/blanket set that is super soft and a stuffed animal. They gave Madi a purse that was filled with jewelry, chap stick, and hair accessories. She's been packing it around all night. 

Uncle Tom gave Harrison a Spider-Man airplane and Madison a Repunzel doll. 

Aunt Callie gave Han a Spider-Man costume and Madi a Sophia the First princess costume. They put them on immediately after their nap and didn't take them off until bedtime. 

Hardings sent a package from Virginia...princess jewelry, elastics and hair clips, and a little purse for Madi. A candy spinner toy and a giant sticky hand for Han. The brothers were super excited to show Han how to stick the hand to the wall. 

Ryan & No'el sent Han some Halloween pajamas and Madi an adorable Halloween shirt/skirt. 

We gave them each a toy laptop and a game...Minnie Mouse Bingo for Madi and Monsters, Inc matching game for Han. 

We sang Happy Birthday and they blew out their candles. 

Can't believe we've survived THREE years of crazy twin life!!

Track

In his mind, Cameron's world runs from the end of football season to the beginning of football season. To keep busy and try to stay in shape, he played 2 sessions of basketball and he also participated in track. 

Track was a bit of a joke. It is ran by high school kids so they aren't really trained on how to teach the different events. But many of his friends went to practice so Cam had a good time. 

He even went to two track meets. They were encouraged to do 2 running events and 2 field events. Cam is not a very fast runner so he didn't look forward to racing. But he did the 4x100 relay at both meets. Callie taught him how to throw the shot put and discus and he was pretty good and natural. But when you go to a track meet with hundreds of kids where they don't announce the results, you never really know how you did. 

A couple of days ago, I went to get the mail and there was an envelope addressed to Cameron Styer. When he opened it, there was a 4th place ribbon for the 4x100 and a 3rd place ribbon for shot put! He was pretty pumped and we both giggled about it. 

BAV

When Harrison was born, they noticed that he had a heart murmur. The pediatrician at the hospital told us it was somewhat common when babies are born prematurely. (The twins were born at 36 weeks, 3 days.) The doc just told me to tell my regular pediatrician so that she was aware of it and could keep up on it to make sure it was no longer an issue as Han grew. At his 2 year well-child check, Dr. Sheri told me that if the murmur was going to discontinue on it's own, it should've happened at that point. She advised us to have him seen at Primary Children's to have a full chest work up. So we did that last year. 

We saw Dr. Jou (pronounced Joe) and after an EKG, chest x-rays, and an Echocardiogram, Harrison was diagnosed with Bicuspid Aortic Valve or BAV. Dr. Jou assured us it was a very minor case but that he wanted to see Han every year for an Echo. 

So it was time for his check-up on Friday, September 6. I didn't want Han to worry or be nervous so I just told him we had to go to the doctor and have some pictures of his heart. I told him that daddy and I would be there and it wouldn't hurt. Harrison and I dropped Madi off at Aunt Callie's and went to the hospital. (How happy we are to have Aunt Callie live so close. She helps us out a lot.)

Spencer met us there and we were taken right in to the Echo room. The nurse/tech weighed and measured Harrison and then let him pick a movie to watch during the procedure. He chose Cars. We weren't surprised, he's a little obsessed with Lightning McQueen at the moment. The nurse started the movie and then Han started getting worried. He was trying to be so brave but his little chin was quivering so I asked him if he wanted to hold hands and he nodded. The Echo is like an ultrasound of the heart. They look from all angles and listen and take lots of pics. The patient is supposed to be as still as possible and Han did great!! When it was finished, we were taken into another room to wait for the doctor. 

Dr. Jou came in and did a physical exam, listening to Harrison's chest for a very long time. He then told us that his murmur sounded higher in pitch, which usually indicates more leakage. He then went out of the room and read the Echo results. He came back in and told us that his condition had "progressed"...which sounds like a good thing but really it's not. It means that the valve has more narrowing and more leakage. 

We get to go back to see the doctor and had another Echo in 9 months. If it progresses at the same rate, Harrison will start having to have procedures done, eventually having valve replacement. However, the doctor told us that it could quit progressing and we would simply go back to annual check ups. We believe in miracles so we're thinking positively and praying for our handsome boy. 

This pic was taken the night before when Aunt Callie came to our house to cut hair. We couldn't believe Harrison's hair had gotten so tall!!

Are They Friends?

I get asked this questions often, by family, friends, and strangers. Most of the time, Harrison & Madison really enjoy playing together. They seem to understand each other and can translate for me if I'm struggling with their 2-year-old English. Madi is super sensitive towards Han and won't take a snack/treat unless she takes one for him too. I'm so glad they have each other to entertain while the boys are at school. I started an episode of "Super Why" on the computer for Harrison while I loaded the breakfast dishes this morning. A few minutes later, I walked in to this:

Dance Class

When we moved to our new house, we were excited to learn that a dance teacher lived 4 doors away. She told me that Madi could start dance class when she turned 3. Today was the day! (The twins birthday is Saturday.) Madi listened to the teacher and had a great time learning First Position, how to Sachet, and dance with butterfly wings, a cowgirl hat, and a magic wand.  I took a couple of pics before we left the houseand then   snuck a few as soon as we got to the studio...this is such a fun and new experience to this mother of boys!

Green Dragons

Owen has had two soccer games this season. He scored in the first game and played great defense in the second. He is an awesome soccer player. He runs fast and he's totally aware of what's happening on the field, a rarity at this age. The team chose their name...the Green Dragons! I could be mistaken but it seems he has been the ________ Dragons every single season!! These are (by far) the strangest color combo uniform I've ever seen. Lime green & school bus yellow. But the uniforms don't affect our Outstanding Owen. Here's to scoring numerous goals!!

Weekend in Idaho

We spent the long weekend in Blackfoot to celebrate my birthday and relax on Labor Day. Callie was driving up on Friday afternoon and offered to take Gavin & Owen with her. They were able to go to the Eastern Idaho State Fair Parade Saturday morning and saw all three of Ryan's girls in the parade. Abbie held a banner and Avery & Jette were on a float. They caught a lot of candy and other goodies, including a t-shirt for Owen! 

We went to Cameron's football game Saturday afternoon and then drove to Idaho, stopping a few times for potty breaks and once to get some deliciousness from the Burger Bar in Roy. (I had been craving their deep fries mushrooms and they didn't disappoint.) 

We got to Idaho around 7 and went to Ryan & No'el's. Ryan had to go to work basically when we arrived but No'el was a fabulous host, as always. Spencer grilled hot dogs while my dad prepared fresh cut French fries. As we were sitting outside waiting for the food to be ready, I turned to Callie and told her I was going to go jump on the trampoline and I handed her my phone to take a few pics. I did a ton of toe touches, hurkies, etc and laughed the whole time! I'm such a dork. 

The kids loved playing with their cousins and we enjoyed our time. We finished the night with cupcakes and then went to my parents to sleep. 

We woke up Sunday and got ready for church. Cameron was throwing a little fit about having to go to Primary because, now that Abbie's 12, she goes to Young Women's for the last hour. We told him he could go to Elder's Quorum with Spencer if he wanted. He went back in the bedroom to get dressed and then came back out and said "I have a problem. I forgot to pack my church clothes." We're still not sure if it was intentional but he assures us it was an accident.

My mom was playing the organ, as it is her calling, and when she started the Opening Hymn, "How Firm A Foundation" I turned to Callie and said, "something is wrong, this song is way too high." Sure enough, someone had turned the organ's transposing switch up 3+ steps so when they highest note, a high E was played, it was actually a high A! Very few people in the congregation were singing because it was too high so after the first verse, my mom stopped, fixed the problem, played another intro, and we continued the hymn. Callie and I were laughing so hard that when my mom looked at us, she started laughing and none of us could gain our composure. Immature? Yes. But it was SO hilarious!! I giggle just thinking about it. 

It was testimony meeting and Ryan bore his testimony, as is his tradition at the beginning of the school year and fair time. Grandpa Baldwin used to bear his testimony every September and preach to the young people about being smart with your money, especially at the fair. Ryan echoed that advice and then added his own sermon about being kind to others as we begin another school year. He also told the youth to renew their commitment of not partaking of alcohol or drugs. He told them how quickly a single drink can become an addiction and how their choices can affect those around them. It was such a nice testimony. 

 

[Side note...A few minutes before we left for church I got the following text message: 

All church meetings have been cancelled today and we have been advised to stay indoors by our Stake Presidency. There is a dangerous man on the loose in this area of Draper.  Spread the word!

I was saddened to hear later that a police officer was killed by a gun shot when he stopped to assist a couple who was having a verbal disagreement. The couple was also injured and were taken to the hospital. How sad for the officers family. The city of Draper residents are leaving their porch lights on to honor the fallen policeman. ]

After church, we were lucky to have Uncle Tim, Rachel & Mike, Shon, and Matt's son Matthew Levi for dinner. My mom prepared a Grandma Marie meal of Roast Beef, Potatoes & gravy, Rolls, Veggies, Green Salad and Chocolate Cake & ice cream for dessert. It was fun to catch up with our Arizona relatives. After dinner, we caravanned to Uncle Nick's where most of his family was visiting. I was so happy to see my cousins and get to visit with them for a few hours. My kids loved playing with all of their kids and the weather was so nice that they all played outside. Aunt Susan & Uncle Nick have a lovely yard with a lot of fun things to do. It's fun for all ages. 

Monday was Labor Day. Spencer & my dad went dove hunting as soon as they woke up. Cameron joined them and "retrieved" anything they shot. It started raining a bit so they came inside and reported that they'd shot 9 doves. My dad took care of the birds, putting the breasts in a baggie for a friend of his. We had a delicious French Toast breakfast. The rain had stopped so Spencer & dad went back out, this time taking all of the boys & Madi! They were out for a while, only coming back to the house because it started pouring again. I think they got 4 or 5 more doves. Spencer enjoyed the chance to shoot his gun and the kids thought it was great to be outside with grandpa and riding the 4-wheeler. 

We left Blackfoot around 2 o'clock and drove in a complete downpour for at least the first hour. I was nervous but Spencer is such a good driver and I'm so thankful for our safe car. 

What a relaxing weekend and a great way to spend my 34th birthday!