Bantam Wrestling Adventures.

Brody has been participating in the Wayne Wrestling program since October.  I am very proud of how far he progressed this year.  This was his first year participating in more than just the Wayne Tournament and I think he did really well.  The first tournament Brody competed in was the Monroe Tournament.  We had to leave early that morning because it was snowing and we didn't know what the roads would be like.  Not feeling well, I got out of bed and slowly got ready.  When we stopped to get Allen, I was wondering if I would make it to Monroe without vomiting.  I started feeling worse on the car ride over.  When we finally arrived in Monroe, Shane agreed to go get Brody registered while I stayed in the car to rest and he would call me when Brody was on deck.  I stayed out in the car until Shane called and then went in to watch Brody wrestle.  Needless to say, I don't remember anything about that tournament.  I had to keep going outside (while it was snowing) to vomit.  I remember him receiving his first place medal and Shane saying I am taking you to the Hospital.  Thank goodness Dustin had come over to watch Brody wrestle because he agreed to take Allen, Brody, and Haylie back to Wayne County while Shane and I went to Gunnison.  After several tests at the Gunnison Hospital the Doctor came in and said I needed to take and ambulance ride to Provo to get my appendix out.  I was so sad.  I knew my kids would be sad and nervous.  Thank goodness for Grandma Connie and Grandpa Allen being so generous to keep them at such short notice.  I called Daphne on our way to the Hospital and asked if her and Ty could meet us at the hospital so that Ty could give me a blessing.  What amazing family we have.  They dropped what they were doing and arrived at the hospital shortly after I did.  I am so very grateful for the power of priesthood blessings.  What a comfort and testament they are of the love our Father in Heaven has for us.  Thanks Ty and Daph!   You are such wonderful people and I appreciate your willingness to help whenever needed.

Grandpa Gumbo (Allen) was Brody's biggest supporter.  I don't think he missed any of his tournaments.  Brody really enjoyed having Grandpa there and hearing him cheer (yell) from the stands.  Grandpa can be quite loud when he wants to be.  I am very grateful for the support and love Allen shows to my children and for always making them feel special.  THANKS GRANDPA!!!

His tournament results were as follows:  Monroe 1st Place, North Sevier 1st Place, Panquitch 1st Place, Wayne 2nd Place, Piute 3rd Place, and he did not place at the State Tournament this year but he wrestled really tough and we couldn't be more proud.  He had a team of coaches that were really helpful and encouraging to him.  Thank you Greg Pace and Tony Jackson for your time dedicated to these little people.

 

Brody trying to get this little fella folded up to go for a pin. 

Note the chin in the side?  I told Brody not to do this when he first started but he assured me that this is what he was supposed to do and after watching a few matches I found out that he was 100% correct.

He doesn't wrestle really aggressive until something happens and he gets angry.  I hope this doesn't become a habit for him to carry with him for the rest of his life.

I didn't think this hold was legal but I was told by his coaching staff that it was.  I sure felt bad for the little spud on the bottom.  One good thing about Brody was he didn't like making the kids cry.  He felt bad when they would start crying and he even let go of a couple of them.

1st place at the Panguitch Tournament.  Haylie and I had to miss this tournament because I had (vertigo).   Allen said I had better stay home because he didn't want to get stranded again.

1st Place Medal but I don't remember what Tournament.

Haylie loved teasing and playing with Grandpa.  She told me "Good thing Grandpa wears his hat cuz we can spy him."  I have to say, it was pretty easy to "spy Grandpa with his cowboy hat on being as how there were few if any men wearing cowboy hats at the tournaments.  Brody was wrestling a difficult kid and Grandpa was trying to watch.  Keri Pace was sitting by us and said that Haylie kept trying to tease Grandpa and Grandpa kept swatting at her to get her to leave him alone.  Funny thing about that was.....Grandpa didn't even realize he was doing it.  Keri grabbed Haylie sat her on her lap and told her that for the next 4 1/2 minutes Haylie was hers.  Haylie was bummed but Keri was absolutely positive that that was the safest place for her.

Once again I don't know the names of the moves but Brody is in control here.  At least for the time being.

I think this was at the Monroe Tournament where I was so sick.  I did manage to take a couple of pictures.

Usually Brody would have this kid really tight but if you look close you can see this little guy is crying.  Thus the tender not so tight hold.  Good for you BD!

Another highlight for Haylie and Brody was when Uncle Dust would come to watch.  They truly love their Uncle Dust and feel bad that we don't get to spend more time with him.

Falcon Basketball

This year Brody had the opportunity to participate in the Falcon Basketball program at the Elementary School.  He played with kids from the town of Torrey.  Tyler Torgerson was his coach and had great patience.  When we went to their first game I laughed so hard my sides hurt when I left.  These poor little people (some of whom had never even touched a basketball) didn't have any idea what they were doing.  It was so funny to watch them pick up the basketball and literally run from one end of the court to the other without the ball ever touching the ground.  All the while their coach is yelling "dribble, dribble, dribble, you have to dribble!"  Oh, and when they picked the ball up, if they didn't run with it, they just shuffled their feet or jumped around until they could get into a better position to pass or shoot.  By the end of the season these cute little things had learned so much.  Brody would talk to us about the game on the ride home from Loa and we would discuss things that had taken place during the game and he would always want to know what he could do to make himself better.  I think he just about bugged Tyler to death.  Tyler mentioned to me that Brody was always asking him what he could do and how to do it.  Brody is one determined little boy and when he sets his mind to it can accomplish anything.  I am very proud of the way he meets challenges head on and is not afraid to work hard to get results.  Way to go BD!

Waiting in line to shoot during warm ups.  I figured I had better get a picture now because it is hard for me to get a picture when they are moving.

Coach Tyler giving some instruction before the game starts.

I think he was driving in for a lay up.

 

This is called the cluster defense/offense.  Where ever the ball went, that's where EVERYONE went!

Fast Break! Go Brody Go! (Do you think Destiny even knows he's coming?) 

Hey look, Destiny's open.

Rebound Brody.  It's nice to see at least 1 red shirt under the basket.

He had a funny little shot at the beginning of the year but progressed to be quite a good shot at the end of the 6 weeks. 

Can you guess where the ball is?

Brody got to be quite the team player.  Often giving up shots he could have taken himself and looking for the open man to pass to.  I would dare say that he was the assist leader of his team.  Quite difficult to do being as how at this age it is so much more fun to shoot and claim the glory than it is to pass.

Under the basket...waiting for a pass.

Woops...Out of bounds.

Quite the look.

Ready...Shoot. 

Have you ever seen a "ref" wearing a cowboy hat and boots?  Here is proof that one exists.  Thanks Uncle Lance for being a good sport and trying to keep control of the game even though no one told you the rules before we started. 

Fighting for position?  He thought so.  All in all it was a good time for everyone.  It's nice for children to participate on a team at an early age.  It gives them the opportunity to learn good values and lessons that they can use as they get older.  I really LOVED watching him play.  GO RED!

Haylie's Dance Recital

Over the past few months Haylie's little personality has really blossomed.  She is turning in to such a cute and fun little girl.  She has had the opportunity to take dance lessons the last 18 months and seems to really enjoy it.  She has a great dance teacher that has nothing but good things to say about her.  Haylie enjoys spending time dancing, twirling, and giggling with all of her girlfriends at dance.  Her dance teacher has a studio with floor length mirrors.  I don't know how she gets these girls to do anything besides look at themselves in the mirror. 

A typical Haylie expression.  Her face usually has a smile on it with a twinkle in her eye.  She spreads happiness to everyone around her.

This is at the rehearsal before the night performance.  Even though it was just a rehearsal Haylie had to get dressed up in her dance outfit or she didn't want to go.

She was always spot on in her performance even when the other girls thought it was time to take a break.

Haylie's little friend Laine had the funniest expressions clear through both of their dances.  I got a chuckle out of watching her.

Up, up, you're supposed to be up!

Prepped and ready to go.  She absolutely loved her dance costume, putting on makeup, spraying glitter, and the feather in her hair.  I have to admit...I think she cleans up pretty good!

One of her favorite poses from her 2nd dance routine. 

Haylie and her good little friend and cousin Aja just before the performance started.

Pose girls!

Kierra, Aja, Haylie, and Brinlee.  I told them to give me a pose with some SASS!  Good job girls you all look absolutely beautiful.

SHOW TIME!

A lot of my pictures didn't turn out very good because of the lighting and where I was sitting in the auditorium but it sure was fun watching these cute little girls.

Haylie and her beautiful dance teacher Diane.  Haylie really loves her and enjoys taking her class.  After watching the boys perform a clogging routine Brody started taking clogging lessons and will be dancing in the next recital.  I was a little worried about him being able to keep up being as how he is only a 2nd grader and the other boys are in 5th grade but Diane said she was really surprised and proud of the way he keeps up and tries really hard to do ALL the steps perfect.  I am really looking forward to their next performance sometime in May.