My Volleyball Girls!!!

( I know it's blurry... phone picture:( sorry )

This season we put our old Players/UV team together... such a blast... We just took 2nd in the league but we only had 5 players for the finals... if we would have had our 6th I am certain we would have dominated... Adri and Chelsea were missing and I am sure there skills and laughs would have helped out.

I so look forward to my volleyball nights... It is all about fun, laughs, high level volleyball, oh... and of course exercise.... I love it!!

Mark's Hockey

We always love watching Daddy play... today was an especially fun game to watch... he had 2 goals!!!

Defense.



This shot went in for a goal!

Hockey dad and kids... Jacob was with a friend... He would have loved to see this game.

They were getting the Olympic Oval ready for a speed skating competition so the bleachers were down. We had to just stand around the rink... as we walked by the players bench there was a horrific smell... Mace even said "Mommy that's stinky!" Hockey players stink!!!

But we still love him! :)

Colorado Thanksgiving

We headed to Denver for Thanksgiving this year. Instead of pulling an all-nighter drive like we usually do, we decided to stop for the night in Grand Junction. Best decision ever! We will have to do that every time... I took the kids swimming in the morning and then we started for Denver.

We spent Thanksgiving with the Hayson crew... After a great meal we all watched the Broncos dominate!!!!

Alex working hard on her famous Yummy Potatoes!

Grandma Linda and the kids.

The little ones watching a movie in the basement while we watched the Broncos.

Ireland and Vaughn fell asleep like this.... ahh...

Wrestling Match... Dog Pile... watch the pinching!

Auntie Alex and Mace.

Grand Pappy and the kids.

We had an awesome visit as always with Mark's dad. The kids were in heaven with all the toys and we just sat around and talked. Jacob hit the jackpot... Grand Pappy gave him a bunch of his old Bronco memorabilia... Super bowl hat, countless pennants, and an awesome Elway sketch... he has decided this will be the theme of his room. Go Broncos!

Ireland, Mason, Grand Pappy, Levi, Jacob and Izaiah.
Always fun to play with the cousins.

Izaiah and Ireland became best buds!!!

Great-Grandma Hayson

We always love visiting with Grandma... she has great stories, and mouth watering German Pancakes. The day was so nice we were able to play a little in the yard.

Great-Grandma and the kids

A nice shot of Grandma Linda and the kids... so hard to get them all looking, or find a picture without hair in Ireland's face... cute enough!

3 Generations!

Just couldn't resist... I got him good!

Mace had pretty good aim coming after me with a snowball.

Larkspur with Grandpa and Cullen

Grandpa, Mark, and Jacob set out to gather firewood. I had no idea this involved a chainsaw and my 8 year old!!!!

I think he is having a little too much fun... I love watching this guy grow!

We celebrated Grandpa's 50th and had a blast with a Pinata.

Grandpa the Ninja!!! Mark the puppeteer didn't let him hit it much.
Jacob finished it off and the kids had a hay-day with the candy and toys.

Make your own pizzas... the kids favorite! Too bad their mom burnt them...

Yummy!!!... Pizza and Chocolate Milk!

Mark and the blow torch! It takes a lot to light those 50 candles!

Yes Mark is Crazy! Just glad he didn't set anything on fire.

"Don't spit on it!"

Love relaxing around the fire.

The kids loved the hot tube... and I loved how easy they went to sleep right after. The first thing Mace asked to do in the morning was to get in the hot tub.

Early Kirby Thanksgiving

This year everyone is at the in-laws for Thanksgiving, so we just had our own a little early. It is always so fun to get together and just hang out! Everyone was able to come except Michelle and her family and Ryan. We had a great time as always!

Andy thought it would be fun to let the kids use the china and eat first... that way we could help them and then send them downstairs to play while the adults enjoyed a kid free dinner... Brilliant! We talked, laughed, and I didn't have to keep getting up to be of service to the kids... you should try it!

Oh Yah!!!

Love the burgers! Love the memories! Love that it is now in Utah!

When we lived in California we had an In-n Out just down the street. It was my ritual to go get a burger after every home match I played.... funny you work out and then you crave something like a hamburger.

We waited for 30 min, in a long line that wrapped around the block... Well worth it!

They only serve a limited menu, but my choice is...
Cheeseburger with fresh onions
Fries
Chocolate Milk Shake

Oh Yummy... I just wish I ordered 2!

My Volleyball-er

Mark played this weekend with some old teammates. His shoulder finally doesn't hurt and has full range of motion, now it just needs it's strength back. I love watching him play... I am so glad I married a volleyball-er :) !!!

Go line, Go line!



What? Yeah! Them? Yeah!



They were lacking in players the first game... Mark played middle blocker and started the game off with a nice block.

Crazy eyes!!!

I'm just rambling...

This one is going to be long... so if you don't like long explanations of my life just skip this part and scroll down the the cute pictures of my family.

So lately I have been a little overwhelmed!... I love life, I love having fun, but sometimes all the things I put off come to a head and I have to get reorganized before I can move on cheerfully.

The month of October pretty much knocked me off my feet... but I am starting to feel grounded again so here I am telling the computer all about it. I guess I also want people to know I have ups and downs like everyone else... I really try to be positive and happy in my downs, it helps me move on faster. Anyway... here are a few of the real me facts of the last month or so.

Hey Thanks Kristi (if you read this) I stole music from your blog... love your taste in music!

Sickness
The whole family was on their death beds the week of Halloween. Mark stayed home from work sicker than-a-dog and luckily the kids were off track and they just laid on the couch all week!!! I should have taken a picture but I didn't so let me describe the scene.

Blinds Closed
Sink and counters full of Dirty, stinky dishes.
Leftovers, left out on the counter.
Half empty Gatorade bottles everywhere.
Everyone in baggy sweats or PJ's
Bed Head
Laundry out the wazoo!!! germy blankets, clothes, sheets and everything else they touched!
Mom in her glasses. (not a pretty site)
Blankets covering coughing children with pink fevery cheeks on the couch.
Cars (the movie) on the tv for the 10th time just to keep little boy from whining.
Dad in bed (all day)
Mom not feeling good but getting up constantly to get meds, drinks, food and whatever requests were coming out of families mouth.

All I could do was hope that no one knocked on the door.

Church
I just gained a lot more responsibility in my church calling... a little stressful... knowing that I am responsible for 145 little ones is a little overwhelming but i take it very seriously... I want to make sure they all know that God loves them, that I pray for them, think about them, and love them... Yah I know... but I am still trying my best to make sure they all feel this from me.... Like i said... just a little stressful, I have been waking up in the middle of the night thinking of things I could and should be doing...

Coaching
I decided to take a shot at coaching volleyball while still being a mom.... all I can say is "Nope, not yet!" I loved my team, and I LOVE coaching I just can't be away from the kids so much, always scrambling for a babysitter or coraling them in the corner of the gym. When I make a commitment I have to stick with it all the way through, so I did finish but was left feeling exhausted and a little guilty. I hope I will be able to coach in the future... I love it!

Facebook
... need I explain... I think I have recovered from my little addiction. So now I can move forward with blogging and an occasional facebook check and maybe a few comments. It is so fun to see how everone's lives are going... but really... OK, enough said!

Budget
I am determined to be a smart shopper... for the most part I see myself as a deals only type of buyer but I have never really stuck to a budget... I guess I feel like if it is a good deal it is ok... my goal now is to set a budget, and stick to it... After some financial classes my ward held (church) I am up to the challenge... they taught us things I already knew but it gave me a new strong desire to really use these strategies.
Budget
Doesn't mean no fun... just budget for it!
Save
Financial Security for the future and an emergency
Give
Be able to help others

I am excited about our new goals but it is a source of stress also...

Reading
I love reading a good book more than anything! I can't believe I am saying this... I didn't read a book cover to cover until 4 years ago when my mom suggested I try it... I thought people who read were weird! I guess I am in the weird club.
To give you an Idea of my daily struggle with picking up a good book vs. starting on my task list... here are my hobbies in order

Reading
Hanging with Family (sorry family, source of guilt here but I am being honest)
Volleyball (real vb of course)
Surfing
Eating Chocolate anything
Extended Family get-together
Boat time (relaxing)
Hiking
Parks with kids
Watching football in sweats!
etc... lots more...

My house goes to crap when I read... so this is a huge stressor and battle in my head... not quite over this addiction yet, so more messy house days to come.

Kids
I love my kids, but they stress me out! I want them to be so good, cute, nice, athletic, funny, social, smart, adventurous, daring, organized, motivated, cautious, well mannered...etc...

They are great kids... I just need to chill!

Life
Everyday life
I think most of you moms can relate to the endless housework, homework, meals, and drama that is so common in all of our homes... yep stresses me out!

Deep Breath... Awh...

So that is probably enough rambling but is sure felt good to write it all out. I am going to tackle each one of these stressors and knock them out!

Wish me luck... I'm very determined!

Piano Recital........ Check!

Jacob had his first recital... I have to admit I was a little nervous... Why? I don't know... Maybe the fact that I am not the best at having him practice consistently... I swore I would not teach my kids how to procrastinate but I have failed... I constantly get by doing things the night before or even the minutes before... it is how I have always been and I guess my kids are picking up on it quick. Sorry Kids! Well we crammed and he got right up and played his 3 songs great and even bowed... he told me he wouldn't but when it came down to it I guess he decided it was cool!

Our Neighbor and amazing musician is Jacob's teacher... she is great!

Wheeler Farm

The kids needed a breath of fresh air and a day out of the sick house. We went to Wheeler Farm and had a picnic and feed the geese and ducks. The geese were attacking the kids for their bread so I had them stand on the tables... it worked great!

Mace loved the ducks.

The Ashton Family came along also... always nice to have a picnic with good friends.

My only Halloween Picture!!!

At least it rocks!



I thought about having the kids dress up the next day but the costumes had already made there way into the storage bin... just didn't have the energy to get them dressed up again and tackle them for a picture...

Jacob -Ninja
Ireland - Ballerina
Mason - Cookiemonster

More Football...

I seriously had so much fun watching Jacob's flag football that I just had to post a few more pictures of him in action!!! Everyone says they hate seeing their kids grow up... well... I think it is a blast! I love watching them grow and succeed! I am so proud of how hard Jacob works when he sets his mind to something, and I look forward to him growing up!

Making his way around the blocks.

Ireland and Mason playing on the sidelines.

"Don't get my flag!"

This run ended in a TOUCHDOWN!

Mason making his time worth while. Looks Comfy!

Gardner Village

Mason's little preschool had a field trip to Gardner Village. We all had a great time on our treasure hunt for the witches. The witches are doing various things like riding a bike or dancing and we had to find them all. This is the only picture I was able to get because my battery died. All of the other kids dressed up in their costumes but I couldn't get Mason to put on the Cookie Monster costume... He said, "Mom, he is going to eat me." So we settled on him being a basketball player.



After we split off from the group we had to go back to the Doll Shop... Iree said, "This is my dream store!" Yep, with dolls in the $100's I am afraid it is just a dream. Then we headed to the sweets store for some old fashioned candy and fudge. Yummy!

Jacob's Baptism
What a great day...



Jacob has been so excited for this special day. The last few weeks he has been full of amazing questions about getting baptized. Mark, Jacob and I have had some great conversations... I am so amazed how well he absorbs information. Mark's son! I truly believe he understands the importance of baptism, and he was so excited for this day.

I couldn't be prouder of my little man!

When Mark baptized Jacob, his toes popped up out of the water... so Jacob got to be baptized again. He thought that was pretty special. I love that it will make this special day even more memorable.

Baptism Party

BBQ, Family, Tennis, Football, Kickball, Rolling down the Hill, and some Great Conversation. I love these type of get togethers. My family is so great. I love all of you, for your support and for all you do for our little family.

Flag Football

I am loving it... I think I am one of those crazy moms/dads that walks up and down the side of the field as the plays move down field. I love it... to me it is so much better than watching baseball or especially soccer. I am so happy Jacob is loving football. He has a great coach and Mark gets to help out.

Jacob gets the kickoff and tries to sneak his way threw the defensive line.

In this league they don't have any throwing plays... it is hard for the boys to catch a hand off, I can't imagine a "Hail Mary pass"

Jacob still has a hard time understanding that because he and his dad constantly play catch... he is getting pretty good. My house has wounds to prove it... My banister is missing a post due to a football, and pictures or wall hangings are constantly hitting the floor. From day one Mark has said he will never have a "no balls in the house" rule... I agree... but sometimes my house pays the price.

Team Huddle

Look at the determination... this isn't Jacob, he is following the boy with the ball, but I thought this was a great picture... I will have to give it to his Mom.

Jacob's Friend Football Party

Mark and Chuck playing football with the boys... there was plenty of wrestling and screaming also.

Instead of hitting the pinata with a baseball bat we decided to throw the football at it. It was a blast...

Jacob got some candy to fall.

The boys all wanted Mark to finish it off... one hit and the pinata exploded.

The boys ate candy, popcorn and watched the football movie
"The Little Giants"

Taking a deep breath!

September has come and gone. It is always my busiest month with birthdays (all 5 of us
within a month), school, pre-school, football, coaching volleyball and trying to finish all the things I had planned for the summer. I spent the whole last week cleaning and organizing every closet in my house even the kitchen... I was determined to get rid of anything we didn't need or use. I also cleaned the basement and organized all my bins... I got rid of toys, baby stuff and I ended up with 16 bins of kids clothes, I had people look through and take what they want and now I need to drop the remaining off at DI. It feels so good to be clutter free.
We are now approching my favorite time of year... I love fall! I love watching football with Mark, sitting on the couch in my sweats with a blanket and reading a good book... looking up on the good replays. I love the changing leaves and wearing sweaters. We had an amazingly fun summer and now I am ready to take a deep breath and relax.

Jacob is 8!!!

He had a busy birthday... school, scouts, football game and then a little family party! He is loving football right now... hence the football cake.
Jacob is great!!! He is turning out to be such a good kid. We have a few battles but overall he is so nice and respectful of everyone. He is growing up so fast... I love our conversations and his little mind. Man I love this kid!

He will have his friend party this weekend with 12 crazy boys...

I am officially old!

I have always thought that 30 is old... and here I am. I think I was wrong... I am having more fun now than ever and I feel like I am still 18. I can only hope it continues... I think my biggest fear is getting old and having my body stop working... I never want to hit the point where I can't play volleyball, run around with the kids or surf! For now getting older has been great!

Iree made this cake for my birthday... She had a little help from Michelle. She decorated it with gel and sprinkles... it was a little crunchy when you took a bite but very thoughtful... Iree spent the whole day drawing me pictures and being sweet.

Mark brought home an ice cream cake ... yummy!
My sisters Michelle and Heather took me for my first pedicure. It was great, and hilarious at the same time. I love spending time with my sisters... we always end up laughing so hard it hurts.
I ended up with orange toes with spiderwebs... I figured the kids would love that for Halloween.

The Whole Kirby Clan

It was Grandma's 80th Birthday and we actually fit in a family photo shoot. We are missing 3... Kevin, Spencer and of course my brother Dave.

Grandma and Grandpa Horton
My Mom and Dad
7 siblings with their spouses
23 Grand kids/Great- Grand kids



Grandma Horton's expression looks a little frazzled!

All the Kirby Grand kids... Silly, tons of personality and great friends.


All of Grandma Horton's Siblings, except Sharlene who passed away a few years ago, were able to make it to her party.


We were also celebrating Stryder's Birthday, lots of cake and ice cream bars.


Claire went to town on Todd's fudgecycle.


Dad and Andy took the kids on a snip hunt... Super fun!