Science Fair 2013

 Cole and his friends, Harrison and Ivy, did a project on the affect of energy drinks on heart rate.

Jack added his dramatic face to his class' experiments with simple machines.

Valentines Day 2014

Utah is all about competitive parenting when it comes to Valentines Day boxes. But I think Jack's pretty much ruled the school this year. This is the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) aircraft carrier. You can't get more Cresap appropriate than that. The cards dropped into the smoke stack. 

 Trace's was a Skylander Portal.

  Cole has a made-up Troll language: "Trollo-lo-lo-loh!" And he loves talking about Trolls. So this is what he wanted for his box.

I wrote poems for each of the boys and gave them a little candy and small toys on Valentines Day. Here are the poems.

Trace, Trace, Trace

What is it about that Trace?

He has us all by the heart

We love him so and that's his art

He never minds a hug

He ends his words with a shrug

He's as cute as a bug

Maybe that's why we love this lug.

Jack Pack, with the full hair

His frienship with all he does share

With energy galore

No one does he bore

On the piano he has rhythm and flare

His drawings are all worth a stare

On the court and in the pool

He is Mr. Cool

A very wise thinker
We think he's a keeper!

Coley Poley, Kolipoki

He's a real good boy

At obedience he is tops

Teaching him's a joy

Brains he has and plenty

But even more, what ups the score

Is this boy can work harder than 20

A great sense of humor

Keeps a smile on his face

We're so glad,

Our family he does grace.

Tal

Getting taller

Getting thicker

At Math and Writing getting quicker

His trademark smile lights the room

He likes games and movies that go boom

He loves his bros, for peace he strives

He'll be their leader all of their lives

Strong of faith and strong of heart

We're so glad of our family he is part

And for the actual romance. Clint and I had a nice date to Ichiban Sushi--the building the Della Fontana used to be in. It was such a nice setting for a quiet talk. We are looking forward to our 20th anniversary this fall! This man tells me I'm beautiful many times a day. He loves me unconditionally. He does my laundry and bakes me delicious bread. He always smells good and looks so very fine. I am blessed. We are looking forward to our next chapter. Whatever that is!?!!!?!!!

Trace plays Jr. Jazz Basketball

Chad Orison's Art Show

If you don't know my cousin Chad, you should know he was one wild hellian of a little kid. He always had on cowboy boots as he raced motocyles around the ranch or scrambled up the hills to catch blue-bellied "lithards". Then when he was seven he started tripping and falling down a lot and crashing on his bike. A month later he couldn't even walk. He has Dystonia which keeps all his muscles in a state of constant contraction. He's in a lot of pain most of the time and even his ability to talk comes and goes. But his mind is 100%. He graduated from highschool with a 4.0. He and his parents, Randy and Shauna are my heroes. My favorite story of Chad is when another cousin was on a mission and having companion problems. Chad said, "Tell him to be patient!" If anyone knows about patience it's him. It's been a long and hard 38years. Recently his aid decided he needed something new to do besides watch sports on TV, so she started him painting. He holds the paintbrush in his teeth. I love all these paintings!

The four-wheeler is titled "Self Portrait". Which I think is perfect. This is how I envision Chad.

The one on the left is "World's Without End" the Center is "Lightning".

We bought "Tabby" the painting of the elk Chad shot near Tabiona, Utah.
If you'd like to see Chad competing in a triathlon click here. His aid organized the race and ran the last leg.

Chrstmas Eve

No one does Christmas Eve as well as Grandma and Grandpa Hale. We had a lovely dinner. Then we had the sharing of talents and Christmas songs. Cole and Jack played their piano recital pieces as did some of their cousins. Bracky did a dance that was amazing! He's created his own dance style.

 Before the pinata, this year there were presents for all the little kids! Here you can see them lined up youngest to oldest to pick their gifts. Dollar store toys that they absolutely went wild for!! I think we got a little high from the fumes of all that silly string!

Then we returned home for our own Cresap Christmas Eve. The modeling of the new PJs!

 And the opening of the new books.

And the mugging for the pictures.

On Christmas morning we had our traditional Christmas birthday cake for Jesus. I added some eggs and bacon to cut the sugar a bit. Then I prepared this Feast of Forbidden Foods for the family to snack on throughout the day.

It was a quiet and pleasant Christmas.

 Oy!

Cole's Birthday Party

 All of our birthdays are starting to look alike! But Lazerquest is what all the boys want.

 The traditional TP gun...

 Cole invited: Gavin, Sage, Harrison, Keegan and his brothers.

Fragile Icicle

This lacey creation hung for a week outside our bathroom window. I was amazed that something so fragile could last for so long.

5th Grade Holiday Concert

Serving as the Den leader for Cole's age group, may have been one of the best things I've ever done for Cole. Over four years these 15 boys have become such good friends. With 60 kids in their grade, they are half the boys in their grade! Here are three: Ethan, Harrison and Cole after the 5th Grade Christmas concert.

Cole turns 11!

About six months ago, Cole started asking for an IPOD or a tablet. We told him yes, if he could demonstrate before hand that he could live a balanced life, playdates with friends, homework, chores, piano etc. He pretty much was doing all those things remarkably well, except playing with friends. Cole enjoyed his digital weekends. But after that challenge he started inviting friends over every weekend. He really enlarged his friend circle. We felt he really deserved a device for all the times he earned time, but a device was not available. We got him a Nook and he immediately downloaded Clash of Clans, which he's enjoyed playing with Dad, Anderson Songer and friends from school.

Breakfast in bed. Hope he didn't get syrup on himself! Ooooh!

That night we cut cake with friends the Nielsens.

With buddy, Gavin.

Swim Team

Since June the Cresap boys have been at this pool two times a week swimming laps with the swim team.

 It's always a trip to see the white snow through the windows, while it's steamy warm inside. The swim team has improved our family life tremendously. A tired family is a happy family--especially when your family is all boys.

Ranchgiving

A rare view of the Ranch blanketed in two feet of snow!

We had freezing fog every night, creating this frozen-cornflake crust that sparkled like crazy. The kids kept on bringing pieces of it inside for the adults to see, like it was a pretty rock or bone.

Trace with his Wookie hat.

We brought down two sets of snow shoes we rented from the U. Clint and I went for an hour stomp and it was great exercise! We saw the Batemans sledding down their hill.

Jack treated us to Jiggle Bells a few dozen times a day. Ethan sidled up to him to see how it was done.

Our dinner was wonderful. Present were Barbara and Phil Hale; Jenny, Mike, Jon, Annie and Sam Pulsipher; Katie, Jeff and Ethan Brown and we Cresaps. Highlights were the Raspberry Carrots from Katie Brown and the lime-sweet potatoes from Jenny Pulsipher. I made a apple caramel pie that was well received. I was requested to make another the next day--so I obliged. We had our pie eating at the Brians. It was fun to visit with Kam and Katherine Brian, Ashley and Regan Whimpy, Tani and Lee Radebaugh, Sherry Brian, Brandi and Jacob Terry, Amber and Jon Benson and Jani Radebaugh.

The last day we went up Boulder Mountain and cut our first Christmas tree. It was magical up there. But we had to adjust to the fact that it would be a Charlie Brown tree and not a symetrical tree like you see in a lot. 

Pretty, magical place.