Las Vegas Blackjacks 2010- National Champs!

Ti has played rugby for years, but always in Salt Lake. When we moved out here he stopped- which honestly I had no problem with ;) I'm sure it was because back in Salt Lake he knew EVERYONE and out here it was the complete opposite. This year he finally got out of his bubble and started practicing with a team at Sunset Park. He ended up trying out for the Blackjacks and made it. He's had the opportunity to travel with the team as they've competed in several different states... their latest destination being Glendale Colorado where they played in the final 4 for the national championship.

rugymag.com said...
"GLENDALE, Colo. - Without much dispute, the two best teams in DI played for a national championship Sunday at Infinity Park where Las Vegas defeated Belmont Shore 36-22 to take home the crown that evaded them in the same game and venue a year ago."
Ti was on cloud nine! And I have to admit although I am not a fan of the sport I was ecstatic for his accomplishment. He loves the game so much and I was so happy that he was able to work toward a goal, achieve it, and reap the rewards of hard work and dedication.

^Ti and his team mates on the front cover of LV City Life. The boys thought this was super cool!

The 2010 rugby season is over and (for me) it could not have come at a better time. I'm going to enjoy this short break from rugby and soccer and cannot wait to start sleeping in on Saturdays!

Kickin Littles: Spring 2010

Spring soccer season has come to an end- thank goodness :) Siope and Nic have played with Sarah and Cheryl for a couple years, so although they are not new to the sport- this was their first time actually competing in a league. I've always wanted to put them in RYSL along with Mote, but never enrolled them for fear that they might end up on a team that wasn't based in our area. Right before the soccer season started I got a text message from Sarah saying that she was putting together a team and wanted to know if my boys would be interested in playing. I was a little hesitant because we were pressed for money, but I knew it wouldn't be fair to pass up the opportunity and only allow Mote to play. This season has been so much fun. Their first game was hilarious to watch! They have amazing coaches who are super supportive and patient. They've helped the kids develop and improve immensely. Today Nici & Siope had their team party at Grazziono's Pizza. The kids had fun playing games and eating pizza and then we had an award ceremony where each player was recognized.

^Nici got an award for "Most Agressive"

^Siope got "Best Ball Control"

We have been lucky enough to find a team that we love for Mote. He has played on the same team since we've been in Vegas. I'm so happy that we've found a "home" team for the 2 younger ones as well. Although the season has come to an end the boys are both looking forward to Fall season when they will meet up with their coaches and fellow Kickin Littles again.

^Nici & Siope with Coach Sarah

^The boys with Coach Sarah & Coach Steve
{Kickin Littles Spring 2010}

(pre)School's Out!

Siope completed Preschool today! I can't believe the school year has come to an end. I am so grateful that the Morgan's allowed us the opportunity to enroll Siope in school as well as the chance to get to know and love their youngest son Cruz.

^Brianna, Siope, and Luke

One of Siope's classmates, Mia, just got back from Hawaii and brought each of the kids these cute shell necklaces. Siope has been wearing his ALL day.

^Brianna, Miss Marci, Siope & Luke
(Siope closed his eyes on purpose- that little clown!)

Hopefully he'll meet up with his preschool friends again in Kindergarten. I'm so thankful for both the mental and social preparation he has received that will aid him in succeeding next year in Kindergarten. This has been a wonderful experience.

Preschool Pool Party

Siope's last day of preschool is this Thursday - I can't believe it! Time has really flown by. Today they had their end of the year party. Since the Yellowstone pool doesn't open until next week Stacey offered her parent's pool for our little shin dig. Marci always delegates each of the students to bring food to their parties and Siope was assigned to bring a dessert this time. I wanted to do something fun and special since it was going to be their last party together, so I stayed up all night baking cupcakes. I knew that I had bitten off more than I could chew because I have never ever touched a frosting piper... is that even what it's called? Well whatever it is, I've never done any cake decorating in my life. It took me several trips to the grocery store and lots of text messaging and phone calls to Sila, but I finally got the cupcakes baked, iced, and decorated.

Voila! Cookie Monster and...

Elmo cupcakes

The finished SESAME TREATS

I went to bed at 4am, then woke back up at 5 to drop Ti Tonga off at work. After I dropped Mote off at school- me, Siope, and Nic headed over to Rhodes Ranch where the party was being held. Holy cow can I say that as soon as I had a view of Brianna's grandma's backyard my jaw dropped! It was the nicest/coolest pool I have EVER seen!!! It was great! The kids had an amazing time!!! The food was great, company was cool, and Siope's cupcakes were a hit.

The kids started off in this first hot tub. Once me and Marci saw that fire pit on the right we had to repeat "Thou shalt not covet" a couple times to ourselves.

Nici in the bigger pool. Behind him is a cave with a 2nd hot tub/jacuzzi. It had water that would fall from above splashing into the pool, but they turned it off so that we could see and hear the kids clearly.
There was so much detail put into their backyard! On one end of the cave there was a staircase leading to an outdoor shower and bathroom. On the other end was the entrance to the cave aka "Pirates Cove"

The kids in PIRATES COVE. They LOVED it!

Quick bite to eat

Me & my soon-to-be preschool graduate!
Of course he chose Elmo!

It was so gracious of Brianna's grandparents to allow us into their home. I don't ever remember any of my school parties being this cool... but I guess times have changed. Thursday is the big day for Siope then he will be off for summer vacation and come August he will be joining his brothers at the "big boy" school.

One Shrek of a Finale

Ti made it home from Texas Monday morning. I thought it would be fun to go watch a movie as a family since I had the day off of work. I have been eagerly waiting to watch the new Shrek movie. I may have been a little more excited than the kids to see it. Since watching a movie at the theaters here practically costs an arm and a leg we normally wait til they hit redbox, but Shrek is definitely an exception in our household! Shrek is almost like a bookmark of how long our family has existed. The first Shrek movie was the very first DVD that we bought for Mote. I still remember sitting down in our room (at my Mom's house) and watching Shrek with Ti Tonga and our (then) only child Timote. Soon Nici and Siope joined our family and they all shared a mutual love for Shrek. We cut back on purchasing DVD's but the Shrek sequels always seemed to find a way in to our home. The boys can recite Shrek 1 verbatim - ogre accent and all!
We went and watched Shrek The Final Chapter in 3D XD at South Point. The kids seemed to really enjoy it and I personally loved it! I was surprised that it had a lot of sad parts in it. The past ones for the most part have just been funny. The comedy was still there, but this time there were a lot more serious moments. I thought it was a perfect way to end Shrek and Fiona's story.

Big Texas

Ti left to Texas on Friday for a rugby tournament. It's only been 3 days, but we miss him so much! We were hoping to have him home today, but he didn't make any of the flights, so we will have to wait one more day before we see him. He called today and Siope asked him where he was and if he was going to come back. When Ti Tonga told him he was in Texas Siope asked him if he met Sandy out there.

You know you're a huge Spongebob fan if when you hear the word "Texas" the first thing that comes to your mind is Ms. Sandy Cheeks. Unfortunately Ti Tonga did not get the opportunity to meet Sandy, but they did win both of their games- not as cool I know, but still worth the trip (for Ti Tonga at least).

Siope's Teddy Bear Picnic

Siope's preschool class had a Teddy Bear Picnic at the beginning of May. He was so excited when he told me about it and asked if he could take his shark to the picnic instead of a teddy bear. I told him as long as his teacher said he could then it would be fine. He was so happy when he got approval from Mrs. Marci! Marci told me later that day that while they were discussing the picnic plans during class her son Luke was telling everyone how his teddy bear has a BYU sweater and Siope immediately stood up and said "What?! I HATE BYU!!" She thought it was hilarious. Fatu must have instilled that hatred in him on our last trip. Anyway the morning of the picnic we made Siope's sack lunch and hauled him and "Sharky" off to preschool. They walked to the Yellowstone clubhouse where they had lunch amongst each other and their guest stuffed animals. Siope came back and was so excited to tell me about everyone's teddy's and I was surprised that he knew each bear by name. I asked him if anyone else brought an animal beside a teddy and he said that one of the other kids brought a bunny.... that's not too far of a stretch from a teddy bear I thought. Leave it to my child to be the only one with a red shark. He said everyone loved Sharky and he had a great time.