The Updike's

Crew had such an amazing basketball season! He played his heart out and learned so much!  Though he is the smallest on his team - -we are amazed at his shooting skills.  He can definitely hold his own on the court.  Initially, I was worried about how his season was going to go.  When I registered Crew for basketball through our rec center, I signed him up for beginner level because he had never played it before.  The first day, Coach Dale, starting teaching them all of these strategic power plays.  I was even a bit confused.  (Definitely not a beginners team).  Crew was also initially worried because he couldn't remember all of the plays.  But as the practices and games continued - Crew really just thrived.  I give all credit to his Coach that really pushed the boys and it really paid off.  Crew has absolutely loved it and has made some great buddies on his team.  He is excited to continue another season with the same coac...

Let the Christmas Season Begin!  Bring all of the Christmas decorations out!  (Early this year!)  Since it is crazy during the holiday season with my job - I was pretty excited to set up our decorations mid November this year.  Pretty early for what we normally do - but I love it! We love that our little Stonegate neighborhood likes to kick off the Christmas season with a visit from                   Santa and his reindeers.   When Santa asked what the kids wanted for Christmas: Lily - Dog Boston - BB Gun Crew - Drivers License Presley - Cat Hot chocolate at the food truck   We try to do 25 days of Christ every year for the month of December.  It was sweet to watch Lily be in charge one night. She had all of her siblings help her read some scriptures. 

We were all so sad that we couldn't make our planned trip to Utah for Thanksgiving.  We had been watching the weather forecast constantly and in the end felt like it wasn't worth the risk to travel this time.  (Our experience traveling home from my grandmother's funeral has scarred us for life).  Because the kiddos were especially sad, we thought it would be a fun distraction to take them sledding.  It had been a couple of years since we have had a snow storm that yielded enough snow to go sledding.   Despite the freezing cold . . . the kids loved it!   Crew was a little hesitant to go down the big hill at Chaparral High School - but when he figured he could settle himself to start mid way down, he was awesome.   It was all fun and games until the accident.  It was so sad!  Boston was sledding on his stomach and another little boy slid down at the same time and they smacked into each other hard!  ...