What A Weekend!!

This weekend was one of those weekends I am grateful that I just have 2 children. Matt and I needed to be two places at once, so Matt and I were able to "divide and conquer". Hunter had his first overnight camp out as a scout. Actually, Hunter has gone with Matt on an overnighter with Matt's age group of scouts ( 14 and 15 year old). But this was the first with Hunter's scout troop.Matt and he went together and they had a great time. They both said that it was cold, but that they had a blast! Apparently the food was yummy, dutch oven cobblers and a "scout stew".I was so glad that Matt was able to get the time off of work to take Hunter. Matt was sent with a camera and with very specific instructions to take pictures.... I have no pictures from their campout. I went with Sierra to her first dance competition of the season. Dance comps are brutal especially if you are doing a solo, and Sierra has 2 solos this year :). So we went to Timpview Friday night for solos, and she did AMAZING! Sierra really has two beautiful solos this year! We were there until about 10:30 p.m. and then ALL day Saturday for team comps. Sierra dances in 7 dances for team comps, so it is a busy weekend for her! Luckily my aunt lives in Provo and Sierra and I were able to stay with her Friday night, that was so nice not to drive back and forth! Sitting on bleachers for 12 hours did a number on my back though! I know the boys were glad to be out in cold camping instead of sitting all day on bleachers, watching girls dance......actually Hunter why weren't you there?! Just Kidding ( sort of), Hunter does love the ladies though:) I tried to download the video of her solos....no luck! And of course I didn't take pictures, just video!

Sierra's First "Date"

Okay ...... well it really wasn't a date. I am SO not ready for that!!!! But, tonight our ward did an etiquette dinner. The kids were paired into "dates". They had a hilarious lady come in to teach them about manners, dating etiquette, etc. It was great. They were taught proper table manners. Sierra and I just laughed at how many table manners our family violates on a regular basis. Seriously, I am embarrassed at times. That's okay maybe it will keep her from going out on dates ( I doubt it!!) . I was lucky enough to be a waitress tonight. I didn't get a single tip, and I did a pretty good job if I do say so myself :) Actually, I think I was offered Skittles. I think everyone had a great time and learned what to do and what not to do on a date. Really, I am not looking forward to Sierra dating. Boys have way too many hormones , and not enough brain cells, sorry but its true. Matt has told her that he will answer the door in a pink tu-tu, combat boots and holding a shot gun. He has also told her that he has a lie detector and it will be used on her date before they can leave. There are also several other rules and regulations that must be followed ( I can't give them all away now. It will be fun to watch them squirm!!) Knowing Matt, this will happen :) Boys be afraid, be VERY afraid...........There is an article by W. Bruce Cameron called "8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenaged Daughter." I love it, I am sure all of these rules apply as well. I added the link for those of you who forgot the rules. http://www.wbrucecameron.com/columns/8rules.htm

Hangin' with Baller's

Last night the Utah Jazz hosted a season ticket holder dinner.It truly was a lot of fun. As you can see the kids met D-Will, Korver, Kirilenko, Hart, and of course Hunter found the Jazz dancers. That kid can always find a pretty lady ( I am really worried!!) The kids also got several auto graphs from D-Will, Miles, Harpring and Collins. Hunter was able to play H-O-R-S-E with Price and Okur, Hunter made a sweet fade away shot and got high fives from both players, he was pretty excited. Of course because I love D-Will I had to put his picture in, you know you think he's cute too!! GO JAZZ!!!

February Fun!!

This month has been very busy, even though I thought that it wouldn't be so hectic. With all the snow that we have had Matt and Hunter built a really cool snow fort on our lower deck. It was so much bigger than it appears in the pictures. Matt was very meticulous ( belive it or not) and it turned out awesome. Sierra is just in the beginning of dance competition season. Some friends from her dance studio preformed at the school talent show, they did such a great job! They are a wonderful group of girls, even though they look odd in the pic :)! Both Sierra and Hunter have officially ended their basketball season. Hunters team won their last game 38- 8, they had an amazing season.In the picture Hunter had gone up for a rebound, made a basket and got fouled. 3 point play!! Sierras last game was really bittersweet. She was really ready for it to be over, but she had probably the best game of her life. That girl was everywhere! She had an inbound save that was incredible, and she was the only player on her team to score in the second half!

Where did January Go??

Last week Hunters team lost by 2 points, it was such a close game. They should do well tomorrow. I can't believe there are only 2 more games left in the season!
Last week Sierra team lost. We will all be glad when the season is over for her this year. To say the least it has not been very productive. The positive thing that has come out of this season is that she has made some really great friends on her team!
Here are some fun things we have done this month that I haven't had time to blog. Matt and Hunter went on an ice fishing trip a couple of weeks ago. It was below zero, but they had a great time. We have been to some great Jazz games this month, San Antonio was intense!! Brooke got married ( I have no pics yet sorry) to Karl and it was a beautiful ceremony, I am so happy for her!!! We had one fun "Bridal Shower" at my house, unfortunaly there are pictures floating around.We were able to tend Noah and Jaxon one night, it was so much fun. It was also a reminder that I am getting old and tired. Matts family (brothers and sisters) started a once a month activity together. It was fun Kim and Ryan were in charge this month. We went to dinner at Chin Wah and to see I am Legend. I was fun to get together.Next month Matt and I are in charge ( oh I mean this month!!). I need to work on my family and do this with them. We found out Jeff and Sarah used my Christmas presentI gave them last year (Hee Hee)...they are having a baby in September! I am looking forward to February and more great times!

Can You Spell C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N?

Yesterday was the 5th Grade Spelling Bee at Hunters school. As many of you know Hunter is quite the spelling genius. We have to do a custom spelling list for him each week. He has even pulled obscure words from medical dictionaries, high school spelling bees etc., and spells the words correctly. So, way to go Hunter...congrats!
Last Saturday Hunters team won again, they all had a great game. Hunter scored 4 of the 20 points. His first 2 points of the game were from this basket. Hunters form has gotten so much better, Ashlee worked with him for about 2 hours...and wow he can hit his shots!
Ok so this picture stinks, because we cant download pictures from Hunters phone. But this is a great story. All of us went to the Jazz game last week, and Hunter had his picture taken with his 2 favorite Jazz dancers, needless to say he was in Heaven. I think he still is. The dancers were so sweet to him and he was talk of all the 5th grade boys ( and I think a few older "boys" too).

Tagged Again

So Kim tagged me again, this time it is all about our men.The above picture is Matt on a fire call. I have to say my hubby is amazing, I don't know where I would be without him. Matt is such a great guy, I truly don't know how he does all that he does for our family. So here is a little bit about the love of my life.......

Name: Matthew Oral Birch

How Long Have You Been Married? 15 1/2 years

How Long Did You Date? 1 1/2 years

How Old Is He? 34

Who Eats More? Usually Matt, I have been known to eat more pizza though

Who Said "I Love You" First? I honestly don't remember, probably Matt. He was such a sweet talker when we were dating........not really.

Who Is Taller? Matt, by at least 10 inches

Who Sings Better? Me for sure, but I hear he did sing a pretty mean Johnny Cash Karaoke in Sturgis.

Who Is Smarter? It depends on who you ask: )Matt is such an intelligent guy, he is book smart but also street smart( not like gangster).He amazes me all the time with what he is able to accomplish.

Who Does The Laundry? Both. Mostly I do it because I am home more. Matt does do it better though ( he likes ironed sheets... yeah I know I don't iron sheets either.)

Who Does The Dishes? The kids.. they are 11 and 14 they should do the dishes : ).

Who Sleeps On The Right Side Of The Bed? Right now Matt does even though for 11 years it was my side of the bed. Matt is kind of a Princess when it comes to his sleeping rituals.Lets just say he needs 5 pillows, an eye mask, ocean sounds and he does like me to tuck him in : ).

Who Cooks Dinner? I usually do. I am not the best cook, I am getting so much better though. Matt is an amazing cook, I think it must be a pre-req. to be a fireman! So when he does cook it is delicious!

Who Has A Worse Temper? Ummm........yeah. Matt.

Who Drives When You Are In The Car Together? Matt. When he had both of his surgeries this year I had to drive him for a couple of weeks each time. Matt was just beside himself. He told me that we will never be one of those older couples you see with the lady driving the man around. He told me several times he was genuinely worried for our kids because of how much time they spend driving with me.


Who Is More Stubborn? Although I admit to being very stubborn. Matt wins!


Who Proposed? Matt did and man he went all out. Ladies, this was the proposal fairy tales are made of. Nothing is more romantic than " So do want want to get married or what?" while Kriss Kross ( remember them) is on MTV singing "Jump, Jump". Every time they play that song at the Jazz game when there is a jump ball... I get goosebumps.


Who Has More Friends? Matt. He is just a fun guy to be around, his laugh is so contagious.Matt always has the perfect story to tell or the joke you've never heard. He makes life fun.


Who Has More Siblings? Well we tie on that one. I have 3 and he has 3.

Whose Family Do You Spend More Time With?It is actually great that both of our families do a lot together; Family parties, activities for the kids etc.

Who Wears The Pants In The Family? I truly think it switches off, there are times I do, and times Matt does. We really have a good balance of Matt being strong where I am weak and vise versa.


What Makes You Melt About Him? Just knowing without a doubt that he loves me. He loves, protects, and supports me unconditionally. I love it when he kisses me on the back of my neck, I truly melt.