Excitement Personified

Quade was the highlight this year....with his Christmas list, that we heard about constantly. And when I say constantly, I mean C-O-N-S-T-A-N-T-L-Y!! over and over every day for at least the last week. CENA, PLAYER, HELMETS, CENA, PLAYER, HELMETS......SO guess what Quade got for Christmas???? yep, you guessed it.....do i even need to say it again!?!?! First he opened his iPod Shuffle (which was prefilled with his favorite songs, thanks to Hayden) Its purple too!!! So i think he was pretty shocked and amazed with that...then next came his box of wrestling guys....Hardy, Triple H, and some other dude that I cant remember what his name is....but Quade knew who he was, and thats all that matters. He has asked for all three of those guys in the same sentence as CENA, CENA, CENA....in the box was another wrapped present, any guesses what that might have been??? (This guy is so hard to find, I actually had to order him off the WWE site. Quade was SOOOOO excited, he was actually shaking as he was opening up his wrestling guys! Don't ask me what the fascination is with the wrestling guys but its equal to his love of music and "players". And his last gift had none other then little football helmets, equally thrilling for Quade....??? It was so fun to watch the excitement in his eyes...he makes Christmas so worth the time, effort and money spent.

Christmas Morning

We woke up this morning to more snow! about 3 new inches...so not only did we get a white Christmas but we got a FRESH white Christmas. The kids called us (on the cell phone LOL) because, as tradition would have it, they all slept in the same room together with Hayden sleeping in front of the door to prevent any sneaking and peeking.. so back to the story...they called us and woke us up at about 6:30 (per instructions NOT to call before 6:30) So we got up and went to relieve them of their waiting...They lined up, youngest to oldest (again, per tradition) and then they marched out to see what surprises awaited them. Here are some pictures from Christmas morning....

Christmas 2008

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas....

We got about 12 inches of snow last night and the forcast calls for 4-8 more inches today and another foot between tonight and friday night! We will be having a white Christmas!!!

Sunrise had 16 inches of new snow overnight and now has a 58 inch base....which is actaully all new snow from the last week or so....

pack up your ski's and get up here!! (well maybe after the weekend since its gonna keep snowing)

EF Holiday Party

Over the weekend we had our Holiday party for the exchange students. We had 12 kids over and 3 other Coordinators. It was alot of fun....we have a gift exchange, and they bring desserts from their home country (oops...I forgot to get a shot of the dessert table!) We sure love being involved in the exchange program!

Opening their Americana Ornaments...
Emanuel (Mexico), Niklas (Germany), David (Germany) and Philipp (Germany)

Helena (Norway), Monika (Germany), Hilda (Norway) and Ida (Norway)

Anna(Germany), Rebecca (Norway), Oda (Norway)

Rebecca opening her coveted movie....that she ended up loosing to in the game

Options....

Hayden is still very much up in the air about what his plans are after he graduates this May. A mission has not been ruled out but he is applying to several schools and keeping his options open....

He was accepted to ASU today!!!

Dear Santa....

A Conversation with Quade....

Quade- Santa?

Me- Yes Quade, Santa?..

Quade- Santa Come?

Me- Yes, Santa is Coming?

Quade-Wait?

Me- Yes, we have to Wait for Santa to come

Quade- Presents?

Me- Yep, Santa will bring presents

Quade- Player? (as in some type of music player)

Me- You want a player? what else do you want Quaders?

Quade- Cena (as in Johns Cena Action figure)

Me- oh, ok...what else do you want?

Quade- Helmets (as in miniature NFL Helmets)

Me- What else do you want from Santa?

Quade-"H" (as in Triple H Action figure)

Me- Is there anything else?

Quade- Santa Come.....

Thus....Quade's first ever verbal (or any other kind) Christmas list!

I was shocked and amazed...and we have heard nothing else besides the above conversation for the last three days...over and over and over again....

good thing I'm a Super smart Santa's helper and not only could I understand everything he asked for but I'm also pretty sure we (Santa and I) have the list covered! whewwwwwwww

Another proud mom moment....

This Blog is starting to sound like the "Chronicles of Hayden"

Being his Senior year, there just seems to be alot happening with him.

Ok so this is another Proud Parent (I will include Rich this time! LOL) moment....

The 3A ALL-STATE list came out today....

here it is....

(for clarification of what this means- see the all region post below- but change the meaning to State rather then region)

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

POSITION ATHLETE NAME SCHOOL

QB Dustin Simmons Blue Ridge

RB Griffen Sturm Blue Ridge

RB David Carlen Payson

RB Matt Reidhead Snowflake

WR T.J. Peters Round Valley

WR Stacey Berg Winslow

WR Brady Wager Globe

O-Line Matt Wilson Payson

O-Line Blake Crissman Wickenburg

O-Line Connor Rupert Fountain Hills

O-Line Logan Garner Payson

O-Line Hayden Jones Blue Ridge

Kicker Stacey Berg Winslow

Returner Ty Webster Blue Ridge

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ATHLETE NAME SCHOOL

Ridge Halenar Payson

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

POSITION ATHLETE NAME SCHOOL

DB Shane Keith Payson

DB Chase Peterson Fountain Hills

DB Sheldon Murphy Wickenburg

DB Justin Smith Safford

LB David Carlen Payson

LB Eric Lyes Coolidge

LB Steel Armstrong Blue Ridge

LB Tyler Savage Payson

LB Zach Rollings Fountain Hills

D-Line Bryan Burke Payson

D-Line Alex Forehand Fountain Hills

D-Line Matt Wilson Payson

D-Line Gavin Clark Show Low

P Cody York Payson

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ATHLETE NAME SCHOOL

Steel Armstrong Blue Ridge

Blog Frog....

Just a shout out to all my friends to check out the link on my site for "BLOG FROG" its a handy little gadget that has some great features! check it out ---------------------------------------->

Winter Formal....

This is Hayden and Brynn going to winter formal.......

Ha HA ...actually this is after their day date.....

For the 1st half of their day date....they went to Snowflake to take the ACT's

and then they went four wheeling in the mud.....

This is what they looked like when they got home....

....and this is what they looked like a mere two hours later


I'd say they clean up pretty nicely!

Today's the day...

Two words.....

SNOW DAY!!!

Christmas Wish Lists.....

Noah and Sawyer have compiled their (very short) Christmas lists....I find it very interesting, the differences in these two boys...you will notice that the top list (Sawyer's) is very colorful and took time and detail to create. While the Other (Noah's) is very black and white and straight to the point. I know that is probably how most kids list are to Santa but it brought back to mind, how i have seen that its this way in everything they draw. Sawyer's drawing are always very alive in color and picture, while Noah's pictures are always in black and white...he hardly ever uses color in his drawings....any Psychologist's out there? I want to analyze why its this way. I have never had a "non-color" kid...what does it mean, what does it say about him? anybody? anybody?

I love what Noah wrote here.... " Dean Santa, I like your work." lol that is GREAT! (alittle positive reinforcement for the jolly big fella!)

Thats my boy! (not his dad's, just MINE! :P )

ok this is a totally proud mom, self indulgent post....I apologize right up front!

The 3A all region selections came out today.....

and even after a very heartbreaking loss on Saturday....

I could not be prouder of my son and his accomplishments

Hayden was named All Region, First Team Offense for Offensive Lineman!!

I'm sure some of you understand what that means...

but for those of you who don't....

the Coaches Pick the best Players in each position from all the players in the 3A East

and name them to

either

First team Offense

First team Defense

Second Team Offense

Second Team Defense

or

Honorable Mention

15 are selected for each team and 2 from each school can receive honorable mention.

only 4 kids from Blue Ridge were selected for 1st team Offense and they were (in this order)

Dustin Simmons - Quarter Back

Hayden Jones- Oline

Tyler Beus- Oline

Gerald Steed- Oline

this sure was a bright spot in what has been a very depressing last few days....

What a game...

It was an amazing evening...the excitement was in the air....

Blue Ridge had such a great turnout of fans...i was amazed at the numbers that came out to watch our boys play....And the incredible amount of noise they produced for our boys!

First they announced each boy by name and had them run out onto the field. They showed them up on the "jumbo tron" just before they ran out onto the field.

Then we had our Captains come out for the coin toss...We love our Captain!

This was the score with 51 Seconds left in the 3rd Quarter (We are the guests)

before the 3rd was over Payson scored.....

after this, the tides changed...Payson scored 2 more touchdowns to tie the game. We went into overtime in which they give the ball to each team on the 10 yard line and they get 4 downs to score. If they score then the other team gets a turn to tie it up. In the first overtime we scored and then they scored which put us into a second overtime. In the second overtime we scored but did not make the extra point....so then it was their turn and they scored and tied it up and then went ahead with the PAT.......so, the final score was

34-33 Payson

I just have to say first..congrats to Payson, you had a heck of a season. And secondly....congrats to our BR boys for giving it your all...this was a season of unknowns. No one was talking about BR at the beginning of the season...or halfway through the season for that matter. But you showed em what it takes. You did have heart and you wanted this just as badly as anyone else out there. You guys played a terrific game tonight and you laid it all on the line, "Whatever it takes" was your creed and you gave it all you had! We were so happy to be able to be behind you this season. Not to shabby for a bunch of undersized, nothing to talk about boys. You have nothing to hang your heads about, you played one heck of a game and kept it a lot closer then anyone expected or predicted. YOU made us VERY PROUD!

nurves....

6 1/2 hours till kickoff.....

Happy Turkey Day!

I know its a day early but i will be out of town tomorrow so here's to wishing you a HAPPY TURKEY DAY! with lots of family, friends and fun!!

Our Thanksgiving will be a little different this year.. we are splitting up! well not in the normal sense of the word but just for the day LOL....Hayden has football practice both Thursday and Friday( you gotta do what ya gotta do when you get this far in the playoffs) so Rich and Quade will be staying here with him, cooking a very small (for 3) kind of dinner and I and the rest of the kids will be going to the valley to do the "family thing"

Brittnee and James will be coming home for thanksgiving which we are very happy for...seems like we just don't see that girl nearly enough!

FOR OUR FAITHFUL FOOTBALL FANS...

you can catch the game Saturday with us at the NAU skydome in person (we would love to have you!!) or you can catch it live on the Internet (audio) at http://www.fnfshow.com/

or you can watch it live on video at http://www.aia365.com/

what a treat!

Please keep your fingers, toes and anything else crossed, say a Little prayer, think positive or whatever else you do for good luck! We will need it...its going to be a VERY tuff game!

Baby News...

If you have not already heard the news...I thought i would take this oppurtunity to let you know that Brittnee will be making us grandparents come June! How do they grow up so fast?

Semi Finals

Blue Ridge Played an EXCELLANT Semi final game tonight against Fountain Hills beating them 40-0

Next match up....Blue Ridge vs Payson for the 3A State Championship!

Next Saturday the 29th at 5:00pm at the NAU Sky dome!

GO JACKETS!!

(Here) is a link to the bracket if you are following along

Still Winning!

Our Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets had a great game tonight and won over Estrella Foothills 46-7

We want to thank those who came out to support Hayden and his team tonight...

Lynn and John and their exchange kids

Jamie and Brayden

Tammy and Natalie

Debbie

Bryan, Liz and Davin

It was sure fun seeing all of you and getting to visit with you (in between plays! LOL)

On to the semi finals!!!
We will meet up with Fountain Hills next Saturday night at

Paradise Valley High School...

and the winner of that game will go on to play the winner of the

Wickenburg vs Payson game

for the 3A State title!

if your following along... (here) is a link to the bracket

Its SNOWING.........

YIKES...I'm NOT ready for this.......

We Win again....

Blue Ridge won tonight over Santa Cruz in the first round of the playoffs 40-0

Hayden did dress out tonight but he did not play...he sat out of practice this week trying to heal a muscle pull. Should be back playing this week

Next Saturday night we will face Estrella Foothills (#7) at Williams Field High School at 7pm

(HERE) is a link to the bracket if you are following along

Picture of the week...

This just in.....Hayden Taking down the Snowflake Quarter back for his second sack of the season

Whats in a name...

I can sure see most of these traits in myself....obviously not all of them but it is pretty accurate!

What Francie Means

You are loving, compassionate, and ruled by your feelings. You are able to be a foundation for other people... but you still know how to have fun. Sometimes your emotions weigh you down, but you generally feel free from them. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic “Type A” personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

The Cute Couple...

For those of you who have not already read it on Brittnee's blog.... She and James are Engaged.

No date has been set yet

We are very happy for them

We think James is very nice and we also think he is one LUCKY guy!

Congrats you two!!

We Win...

Blue Ridge won over Round Valley tonight 21-3

We finished the season 9-1, our only loss being to Payson

It turns out that this Loss was not such a bad thing...

It did strip the region title from us but it also put us in the better half of the State tournament bracket! So we (#2) will play our first round for the state title next Saturday at home against #15 Santa Cruz.

you can click ( HERE) to follow along with the tournament bracket