Northrup Family

Wax Museum....Dr. Seuss!

2009-04-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

Just a heads up....4th grade is a lot of work for parents!! There is no such thing now as a normal, hand written, 1 page book report. Every month the kids are required to read a certain genre of book and then do some crazy book report to retell it to the class. One had to be a game board, the other was a gift box, posters, etc. This last monthes genre was to read a biography and then they would retell their book as part of a wax museum. Seriously! The kids not only had to present their report to classmates, but the entire school as well as parents!

Braxten chose to read about Dr. Seuss. I must say I was surprised by his choice, but it turned out to be very interesting! They kids were required to create a tri-fold poster with at least 10 interesting facts on their subject as well as pictures or other interesting items representing them. They also had to dress up in costume and become the character. Finally, they had to give a 1 minute oral speech in first person, as if they were the character! As you can imagine, this became way more work for the parent than the kids, and yes, I gripped the entire time!!!

They set the "museum" up around the entire school with each child, I think that there is over 80 students, displaying their tri-folds, in costume with a money collection cup in front of them. When anyone would come to their display and place money in the cup, they had to get up and give their "speech"! Again, they had to do this for all the elementary students during school hours and that evening for the community.

I have to say, that evening when we went I was totally suprised not only how much I enjoyed it, but with the students!! There were very few kids that duplicated each other and I learned so much. Most of all, I was impressed at the creativity of the kids and how brave they were to get up and down 300 times and repeat their report, especially to the grown ups! I was also so impressed by how supportive the community was and the enerosity they displayed. All of the money that was raised went to help the Luchin family, who experienced a horrible tragedy just a week prior to the event. I understand that they raised over $2,000!!

Braxten did a great job, he memorized his speach and was totally confident presenting it to anyone, except Tristen, she would make him laugh! Anyway, here are a few photos of Dr. Seuss! By the way, the most interesting fact I learned about him and everyone seemed to enjoy, was that although he wrote numerous children's books, he never had any children of his own because he was slightly afraid of them!

It's been a double double great week!

2009-04-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

So in my post earlier this week I mentioned that Tristen was going to be trying her double straight aka double layout on the floor this week. She did it! Unfortunately, I had a rough night with the camera (just using the little digital). The first time one of the coaches walked in front of the camera just as I started to tape so it focused on her, not Tristen. The second video was not her best pass, but at least you could tell it was her and the third time the battery died. Anyway, you will get the idea! She was pretty happy but understands that she has a lot of work before she can include it in a pass. She has become very critical of herself, which is ok as long as she doesn't get to out of hand. Anyway, her she goes....

Double Open on the floor and another medal!

2009-03-31T13:05:00.000-07:00

Last night Tristen's tumbling coach wanted her to try and throw a couple of the new skills she has been working on on the floor, rather than into the pit! I was sick to my stomache, but this was her first try!

Piece of cake....

Also, this past Saturday she competed at Weber High School. This is the last meet prior to State so she was really wanting to do well! She looked great and is tumbling really well right now. She placed 1st and was well above qualifing score for Nationals. Hopefully, she can do it next month!

Tristen's New Trick...

2009-03-16T10:28:00.000-07:00

So last week Tristen started learning this fun new skill! Her coach was surprised how quickly she started throwing it so well (straight body), but I'm sure it will take her a while to master it. Anyway, I thought it was pretty cool!

Food connoisseur...

2009-02-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

So, as I was going through pictures from my camera so that I could delete them, I came across several of Tristen eating. We tease her all the time because she eats like a horse. It is unreal what that girl can put away!

I honestly think that she eats more than most grown men. Yet, she doesn't have an ounce of fat on her body. I realize that she tumbles and such, but seriously, how can a little girl eat that much and be so lean?

I try to work out and stay in shape, I really do, but if I were to eat half of what she does I would be a beached whale and even when I was 11 and active I could not have done this.

What I also discovered is that we travel and eat out... A LOT! It is sad that she is a food connoisseur in several different states across the nation!

We have been to Tampa, Houston, San Diego, Disneyland, Las Vegas, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Chicago, Kansas City, Seattle, Portland and then some for tumbling or cheer events and I think we managed to hit every Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Hard Rock, California Pizza Kitchen, etc.

Also, no trip is complete without Coldstone for "Coffee with Cookie Dough" or Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a "Apple Pie Caramel Apple". Have I created a monster....yes a girl after my own heart!!!

Sleigh rider extraordinaire!

2009-01-28T08:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve at Gorgoza Park

Adrianne, the side kick!

Here's to sleigh riding...

Day after Christmas with little buddies Kasin and Kelby...

So yesterday I committed to being a better blogger and I'm really going to try and do that. However, my focus was on Tristen, so I thought it was only fair to spotlight Braxten today.

I have to laugh because he says the funniest things sometimes. He reminds me so much of my Grandpa Ted when he sometime confuses words and such, but then sometimes he just says the most off the wall things. Anyway, he absolutley loves to play baseball football, tumble, wrestle ect, but his real passion is sleigh riding! I swear to you the other night we were talking about little league spring wrestling and he said, "you know, I really think I'll take the spring off, so I can focus on sleigh riding!" No kidding! I don't think there is a kid on earth that loves to sleigh ride more than Braxten. Except maybe his little counterpart Adrianne. They are hilarious. They will go in any weather conditions, snow, sleet, rain...doesn't matter. Adrianne just lives next door and can be on the hill in a matter minutes. As you can see, she isn't afraid of the snow and is willing to try anything. In fact, Braxten will try to sleigh ride down the dirt hill in the summer! He will go with anyone that is willing, big or small, old or young he isn't picky! The more jumps and crashes, the better. Of course, lest we forget that we have to come in the house, sopping wet and frozen and have a big cup of hot chocolate with marshmellows. This is also my favorite time, because I get to enjoy all the play by plays and giggles as they discuss the major air or wipe outs they had! What a kid....

I'm such a horrible blogger....

2009-01-27T12:49:00.000-08:00

I have found myself recently bowsing all of the fun blogs of friends and family and it makes me realize what a slacker I am. I thoroughly enjoys observing everyones family happenings and the photos are wonderful. I really wish I was better at it. We are on the go so often and participating in so many things everyone would get sick and tired of hearing the same old thing. My life is crazy busy, but boring and repetative all at the same time.

This past weekend Tristen had her first tumbling competition of the season and the first with her new gym. For those of you who do not know, Tristen moved to the Northern Star Bounders gym in Ogden. She outgrew Head Over Heels and she still had a desire to continue progressing, so we made the big move. She tumbles 3 nights a week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) which is a huge time commitment, but it has been so worth it. She has progressed so quickly and the other athletes and parents have been awesome. It has been so refreshing after struggling with conflict and jealously the entire time she tumbled in Coalville. I think it also took so much pressure off her that it is part of the reason she has really taken off since going there. Anyway, she did great at the meet. She took first in her level and age division and was very competitive with the other athletes at that level and all ages. These videos are not from the competition, but from the "cheer night" 2 nights before. She has 3 different passes and stuck all of her landings at the competion, thank goodness.

Of course, what would a Saturday or any day be if we didn't do Tristen's favorite thing....eat! That girl can put it away. I often tell her she will have to tumble forever to keep up with her eating habits. Really, it is just because I'm so jealous. She can eat anything and a lot of it. We laughed as she was shoving her face...she really can do it. About 30 minutes after eating a huge plateful of spaghetti, she was ready for ice cream, popcorn and the movie and the Panda Express. We limited her to popcorn and pizza at Target, she's incredible! Anyway, I will try to do better at posting and thanks for letting me be part of yours!

Wow....what a weekend!

2008-09-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

This weekend was so crazy, but so much fun. On Friday, I was able to leave work a little bit early and head over to Swiss Days. What an adventure that always is. I am forever in awe of such creative, crafty people. Since money is tight right now, I didn't buy anything, except treats for the kids, but enjoyed looking and people watching. We rushed back from Heber to watch the Braves play South Sevier. It was a perfect fall night for football. I love it! I love watching football, but high school is especially fun for the socialization too. I love visiting with old friends and class mates. Of course, the Braves won which was an added bonus.

Saturday Braxten's Mighty Mites team played Morgan for their third game of the season. It was a beautiful day and the kids played great. They ended up winning what ended up being a nail biter 12-7. After the game we went home and watch the first half to the Utes/Michigan game (does there seem to be a pattern here : ). I was so nervous before is started and actually though the first half, but they played tough and lead at the half. At that time we headed over to Park City to the car show to see a friends Mustang that was entered. It was a very cool car, and ended up taking first place in his category. However, my attention was more focused on the outcome of the Utes game, so we ended up watching the 4th quarter in Doolins! That too ended up being a nail biter, but the Utes came out on top in the "Big House." So, 3 games, 3 wins this weekend...doesn't get better than that!

After the game, we took off for a BBQ in Kamas. The party was at a friends, sisters house which was gorgeous. We ended up talking and laughing for few hours then skipped town for the Holiday Inn Express in Evanston! After getting up we all went in our p.j.'s to the Continental breakfast downstairs. As I sat there I could help but laugh at how ridiculous we looked with messy hair and in our jammies and at the same time I couldn't help but to be overcome with happiness. Sometimes it is the silliest things....

Finally, around 11 am we took off to Fort Bridger for the Rendezvous. Wow, talk about red neck fest, but so much fun to hang out with friends, do some serious people watching and of course, eat! Later that evening we all ate BBQ ribs and goodies, but was soon rained out. I think the temperature fell 30 degrees in about 30 minutes. We ended up in Trish's sister garage laughing, making fun of one another, dancing and enjoying being together. Most of us spent the night there and met at the St. Helen Catholic church for breakfast the next morning. We intended to go back to the Rendezvous to find another ceramic crock pot, but it turned off rainy and miserable, so we took off to the store to buy stuff to make guacamole and chips and also that damn chex mix. We hung out at Trish's dad and bonus mom's house the rest of the day being lazy, while the kids played football and we ate, and ate and ate!

Anyway, we had a blast and were completely exhausted, as you can imagine!

Back to school...back to posting!

2008-08-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

I'm am so bad at this blogging thing.... I guess at least I posted within a couple of months this time instead of a year. Life is as hectic as ever, but I don't know how else to live it. The kids are finally back in school and I'm hoping that at least now we can have "organized chaos", rather than the pure mayhem of summer! Braxten is in the 4th grade and has Mrs. Vernon as his homeroom teacher. So far he is LOVING school because he gets to sit right next to his girlfriend, Jenny. They are so cute...oh those elementary crushes!

Tristen is in 6th grade this year and has Mr. Peck for her homeroom teacher. She absolutely loves middle school....the different teachers, friends, lockers and most of all BOYS! She is going to be trouble, I can tell.

Outside of school, Braxten is playing football and loving every minute of it. I don't know who enjoys it more, myself or him. They have had 2 games so far. They played Brigham City last week and won 12-19 and West Haven last week but lost 20-37. Tristen is still tumbling and cheering and she just signed up for volleyball. It is the only team sport she participates in, so I'm happy to let her do it, even though it means more running around to practices and games.

I am so grateful that they are both healthy enough and enjoy participating in sports. It is so much fun to watch them do well and better themselves. They are truly my pride and joy!!!

Almost a year has past....

2008-06-24T10:41:00.000-07:00

So almost a year has past since I originally set up my blog...Wow! How sad is that? I literally didn't do a thing with it, so I'm committing to being better.

As most of you know, my life revolves around my children. This week is no different. Between tumbling, cheer, baseball and track, we will be on the go everyday. Last week Tristen and Braxten participated in a track meet at East High School in SLC. I ran into an old co-workers husband and daughter. I don't think I've seen them for at least 7 years. It was great to see him and their daughter is adorable. He was kind enough to take a photo Tristen which he e-mailed to me. I think its a great picture...love the determined look on her face.

Today Braxten is at tumbling and then has a baseball game tonight. Thank goodness for my mother who has been such a huge help running my kids to all their activities during the days this summer, I don't know what I would do without her! Tomorrow Tristen will be participating in an all day activity for achievement day, Braxten has tumbling and baseball on Thursday, Tristen has tumbling on Friday in Ogden which I am fortunate enough to get to drive to, and then we have State track in Orem on Saturday....phew!

As much as I get overwhelmed sometimes, it truly brings me the most joy in life. I love them beyond words and feel so fortunate to have them as mine!!