Mostly Smiles

This year Southern California was the destination for our family's summer vacation. Disneyland (and Disney's California Adventure) was our first stop. As expected, there were smiles all around--especially on the new Radiator Springs Racers.

WAIT. Someone is not smiling. Is that the look of pure terror?

Kellie?!

The ride is just not that scary.

I still laugh whenever I see this photo, and to her credit so does Kellie. The only explanation she can give is that she wasn't expecting so many hills.

Abby could only persuade her dad to go on California Screamin' with her. They both LOVED it and somehow convinced the rest of us to give it a try the next day. "It would be such a fun ride for the entire family," they insisted.

Travis and I should have known better. Our faces say it all. It took hours for both our stomachs to settle.

There really were plenty of smiles--particularly when candy was involved.

I saw some smiles in the line to ride the Matterhorn

and at Autopia,

especially when it became apparent that Travis couldn't fit behind the wheel of his car.

I caught a few at the top of the Ferris Wheel, although mine was a bit forced. Heights are not my forte.

I did love the parades--something about the music and the dancing and the colors.

Mostly smiles and magical memories--it was a fun trip.

Dear Rachel (#17)

Dear Rachel,

School's out for us here in Provo so our days have slowed down a bit. Let me show you some of Abby's latest creations:

She isn't afraid of the sewing machine.

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The Provo City Center Temple is coming along. It's interesting how they have dug the foundation out from under it. This view looks north.

This one looks south from the same spot. The Travel Lodge used to be right there.

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I've been doing a bit of creating myself with new pillow covers to brighten up the house for spring.

It all started when the fabric store had all their fabric samples on clearance for $2 each. They were the perfect size and I got a little carried away. 

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Memorial Day weekend found us at the Clearfield and North Ogden cemeteries as usual.

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Abby and Kellie had played (and coached) the U14 State Cup Finals earlier that day. It was an awesome game, but we lost in overtime on the sixth penalty kick. I couldn't be more proud of these two.

I'm glad you had a good 26th birthday on Sunday. Thank goodness for Skype. Love you and David lots!

Mom

A Good Coach

Recently my kids' high school was searching for a new boys basketball coach. The principal asked us to create a profile of the ideal coach to aid him and the search committee in the interview process. We asked Kellie to send us her insights. Below are her thoughts. I think they are spot-on. (Kellie wrote this at 1:00 in the morning after a long night of studying.)

A good coach:

1. Knows the game--proper technique, good plays, good tactics, good play calling etc. Probably needs to also have been a good player and have coached at that level before.

2. Good communicator--what do you need to improve on, what are your strengths, why I am taking you out, why you are running, why I am yelling at you? Uses the right tone of voice at the right moments and for the right kids. Ask him how he will correct his players.

3. Charismatic--inspires the players, makes the players love him/her despite having to punish/correct every once in a while. This can be done by humor, loving/serving the players, exuding excitement or love for the game--every good coach or teacher has their own style, but not every coach is charismatic.

4. Cares about the players on and off the field. They talk to the players individually about things unrelated to the sport. They know and communicate to the parents. They are approachable, honest, respectful, and listen to the parents, but is not controlled by them. 

5. Organized. Practices and games are run well. You know what the schedule is in advance. Ask what he thinks a good practice looks like.

6. A good administrator. Can they raise money for the team, can they handle the overwhelming logistics of it all (tournaments, jerseys, grades, liability)? 

7. Cares about the entire program, not just varsity. Do they go to 7th and 8th grade games? Do they do camps? Do they watch and are involved in JV and Sophomore and Freshman? Do they hire good assistant coaches? Are they respectful and supportive of the girls program?

8. Has a handle on his authority. If they are too authoritarian for their own good, then the players will literally hate their coach. If they are a wimp, then the players won't play for him. How much does he care about discipline?

9. Good role model. Does he care about school? Does he swear excessively? Does he lose his temper too much?

That's all I can think of for now.

Kellie

(Kellie was a 4-year varsity basketball player and a 4-year starter on the varsity soccer team at Timpview. She was also a scholarship athlete on the soccer team at the University of Utah. She currently coaches a premier U14 girls soccer team for Celtic Storm in the Premier 1 division.)

Dear Rachel (#15)

Dear Rachel,

This picture of Linus is how I've been feeling this month--my birthday month even--lazy and unmotivated. I am fairly certain our rainy cold spring has had a lot to do with it.

You said you wanted a blog post no matter how uneventful life seems to be, so here it is.

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Kellie asked your dad to make a white chocolate cheesecake to celebrate her 23rd birthday. He obliged and it was decadently delicious.

Travis didn't really dress up for the auspicious occasion. He had just arrived home from a band concert. March was a busy musical month for him. Do you recognize this venue?

Yes, that tall percussionist on the left is your brother.

Here's a close-up of him during a solo/ensemble competition.

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Abby's science fair project made it all the way to the state competition at BYU this year. It was dark in the room where she spent the day so this photo isn't the best, but you get the idea. (She's always so cooperative when I take her picture, yes?)

Abby made each of the Faraday cages completely by herself and when she was done her fingers were quite sore.

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Travis has been doing track this spring. Lately he runs the 400-meter and the 800-meter. He has even competed in the high jump. I thought you might enjoy seeing him run the 4x400-meter relay. He ran the third leg and his team won.

Would you believe that your two youngest siblings spend a good hour outside on the basketball court with no squabbling whatsoever? They actually had a really good time together. Perhaps they are growing up.

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Finally, I will leave you with a view of the tulips in our yard. At least they are thriving in our chilly weather. I will try to follow their lead.

I love you and David lots!

Mom

Send in the Clowns

Pink polka dots, pink pom poms and a pointy hat describe my favorite Halloween costume as a child. As with most of my wardrobe at the time, my mom made the outfit so my sister and I matched. I remember this clown costume with incredible fondness, but the mask . . . that I did NOT like. (Thank goodness for modern day face paint.)

me, my sister Charlene, and my cousin Jennilyn (Halloween 1969)

When my own daughter, Rachel, was young the typical costume conundrum arose. She had outgrown her first costume--a Raggedy Ann outfit (borrowed from the adorable over-sized doll my mom had made me.)

But, whatever happened to that pink clown? I called my mom in Virginia. The costume was long gone, but she did still have the pattern, and soon it was in the mail. Never the seamstress my mom was, I sewed up a new version with much trepidation. I barely finished it in time, and I distinctly remember my good husband staying up late with me the night before making the big red pom poms while I frantically stitched away. It wasn't perfect. Poor Rachel had marks on her wrists and ankles where the elastic was too tight, but we all were quite pleased nonetheless.

Rachel and friend Sara in Albany, California (Halloween 1990)

I couldn't believe when 11 years later I made ANOTHER clown costume (a few sizes larger.) Kellie wanted something unique, and that is what she got. Sadly, by this time clowns were no longer seen as merely fun humorous circus stars. They had taken on a more sinister role, and I didn't like it one bit. I suppose we all just wanted to hold onto the comedic delights of clowns past.

Kellie, age 11, 6th grade (2001)

We are firm believers in reducing, reusing, and recycling so I couldn't have been more thrilled when Abby decided to wear Rachel's clown costume 16 years after its original debut. (Mostly, at this point in my motherhood career I was burned out with thinking up new Halloween costumes each year.)

Abby didn't mind that the sleeves were now 3/4 length and that the pants were knickers. She eagerly added colorful socks, yet opted to omit the pointy hat.

Abby, age 7, 2nd grade (2006)

That same year Travis wore Kellie's old clown costume adding a nose and rainbow wig.

Travis, age 10, 5th grade (2006)

Finally, two years later, Abby had her turn with our second clown costume. And with that, a Halloween chapter had closed for our family.

Abby, age 9, 4th grade (2008)

Despite my obvious lack of face painting skills, I still like the sweetness and joy of good old-fashioned clowns. So, yes, just send in the clowns!

Dear Rachel (#12)

Dear Rachel,
I love this picture of you and Abby at the Atlanta airport. She was SO excited to see you. Actually, we were all looking forward to our few hours together on the way home from our "Education Vacation".

It was incredibly sweet of you to bring those white chocolate cupcakes to the airport to celebrate your Dad's 50th birthday. They were decadently delicious!

I thought you might like this picture of your most awesome husband.

I'd say we were quite fortunate to realize we had time to take the train to your apartment. It makes all the difference for me now when I picture your home and neighborhood.

The view from your roof was pretty cool. I think our smiles say just how great is was to see you after being apart for a whole year.

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School and Fall sports are upon us. Travis is running cross country

and Abby and Kellie are in full soccer mode. Kellie is doing a great job coaching Abby's premier Celtic Storm team. They are currently undefeated. I never tire of the views from their home field at the base of Mount Timpanogos.

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One last thing I wanted you to see:

For some reason Abby found it too difficult to walk around to the proper exit of Copp's Hill Burying Ground in Boston. Before I could correct her behavior she had safely plopped onto the sidewalk.

By the way, do you see the red brick line on the sidewalk? THAT is the Freedom Trail. I am sure that some day you will walk it yourself.

In the meantime, enjoy all that Atlanta has to offer so when I get a chance to spend more than a few hours there, we will have much to explore.

Love you!

Mom