Family Christmas Parties!

My favorite thing at Christmas time is the Family Parties. I love to get together and visit, especially with family that I haven't seen in awhile. It's fun to see the little kids playing together and having fun. Thanks to Connie & Jon for hosting the Draper Family Christmas Party in Wallsburg. The white elephant gift exchange was fun.
Thanks to Susan and Russel for doing the Lee Family Christmas party! We held it at my house and up at the park above my house for the sledding. What a great time! Sledding was a huge hit.

We missed those that weren't able to come! Steve, Nikki, Sawyer, Drake, Sierra, McKenzie, Tyson, Dave, Tracie, Taylor, Lana, Drew, Carrie & Shane (hopefully I didn't forget anyone). We love you guys and miss you!

Families are the most important thing we have. They are my life-line. I love all of you, even the ones who have not been a part of our family lately-you know who you are. For those who I've offended or hurt, I'm sorry and I hope you'll forgive me and be a part of our family's life since that's all we'll have in the next life. I love you all! Families are Forever!

Happy Birthday Duff & Carma

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband, Duff. He's now a young 37. Hope this year is as great as all the last ones have been. We Love You and appreciate all you do for us! Also, it's my mother-in-law, Carma's birthday the same day. We hope she knows how much we love her and hope she has a great day!

Last Points Cyclocross

Saturday was the last points Cyclocross race up in Ogden. It was a very cold snowy day. The course was icy and there were a lot of wipeouts. Duff did great again taking 1st. Kace and Kassidy didn't race because we had to get back to Mtn Valley's Christmas Party which was probably a good thing since it was cold, snowy and icy. The drive back to Heber was scary! The road was so icy. Glad to be home safe!

Cyclocross Heber-State Champion Race

Another race! This had to be the coldest race yet. It actually got colder as the day went on. Poor Kassidy nearly froze. She hates the cold. Tough up hill climb especially for Kace & Kassidy. Duff was in 2nd, but got a flat with 2 laps to go so he ended up in 12th. Kace finished with a personal best and did great!(Even more competitive than usual) Kassidy finished 5th overall with the boys and 1st in girls! Great Job everyone.

I bought a new flip video camera hoping it would be good to film, but it's pretty jumpy so I'm not to happy but you can at least get the jift of the race. I also got to excited watching Kassidy and forgot to keep the camera on her. Oops!

Now I just need to figure out how to get it on here.

Boys Trip-St. George

Duff and Kace went to St. George with Duff's friend Darren and his son Caden to bike. They left on Friday and came home Sunday night. They had a great time! They biked each day and had a great time. That's about all I've been told because it's hard to pry info out of them. Will post pics when I get them to download.

Cyclocross Race -Weber Fairgrounds

Kace and Kassidy raced in their 1st Cyclocross race on Saturday! They did a great job! Watching them dismount, lift and carry their bikes over the barriers was fun. It's crazy to see the little kids lift and carry bikes that are half their weight. I think the kids race is great and fun to watch. Kassidy placed 1st in girls and about 4th overall in her division. Kace did great, especially for riding with mostly 14yr olds. He finished about 13th. Fun is all that matters in the end because no awards are given. Duff raced and was in 2nd place until his rear tire went flat. He changed is wheel and was back in the race finishing 9th. It was a fun day and to top it off the weather was great:)

Halloween 2009

Halloween was fun this year as always. Kassidy had a Halloween party at our house on Friday with a bunch of her girl friends. They played games and watched a movie. It was fun! Uncle Brady scared them by jumping through the tinfoil covered windows during the Goosebumps movie with a chainsaw! Kace then had a party with his friends later that night. They played pool and watched JAWS! It's still a scary movie per Kace! It was fun and we enjoyed seeing the kids having fun. Kassidy was a pirate this year and Kace was a ??? Black it ??? Hopefully I can get pictures of the costumes from Grandma since I forgot to take them. Oops!

Saturday, Duff raced in SL at Wheeler Farm. It was fun to watch, especially with all the costumes people were wearing. The witch was my favorite. Duff placed 2nd. Great Job!

Eventful Saturday

Well, another eventful Saturday! Duff race in the Cyclocross race in Heber. He did a great job! He placed 3rd in his class! Then we headed to Wallsburg to Gr Helens for Dave & Tracie & Family's farewell party! They're moving to New York and we will miss them! I've always been blessed to have all my family so close with Nikki & her family being the farthest away, so this is going to be hard! We love them and will especially miss the kidos, and the parents too! One of my good friends, Sheralyn, who I haven't seen for awhile stopped by with her kids. It was great to see them and catch up.

It was also the 1st day of the Deer Hunt and Kace is 12 and so it was also his 1st deer hunt that he was able to hunt. Scary to know 12 yr olds are packing around guns if you ask me. Anyway, he went hunting in the afternoon with his uncles, aunts, dad, grandpa and cousin. He took a shot at one and didn't have the gun tight against shoulder and the scope came back and scoped him. Duff heard Kace say ouch and looked back and Kace said I'm ok. Duff looked at the blood running down his face and said no your not. Needless to say, a hospital trip, 6 stitches and no deer.

After that, home to finish grouting the tile in the basement so the carpet can come on Monday:)

24 Hours of Moab

Great time at 24 hours of Moab. Duff, Steve, Dave, Casey and Troy did great! I think they all enjoyed it but don't ask them to do it again anytime soon. Night riding was a new experience for all of them but Steve. Dave and Troy both had a cold so they weren't feeling to hot. They ended up 6th in the Just For Fun class. I'm totally wiped out from being the support and I didn't ride. It was pretty cold at night but we managed.

Found these pictures on the web. Hopefully I'll get some more from Steve since I forgot the camera.

Soccer

Soccer season is almost over. Here's a few pics!

Cyclocross

Duff raced in his first Cyclocross race on Saturday up at the Weber County Fairgrounds. Kace went with him to watch. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a race around a track with obstacles. Jumping off your bike and running over them or riding over them. Duff took 4th place and had a lot of fun! Kace thinks he might try it next time:)

Kassidy and I stayed home for her soccer game. Kassidy did amazing in soccer. She's very competitive and fast. Great Job Everyone!

We're excited for this next week. 24hours of Moab!:)

Bike 2 Bike Heber Valley Century Road Ride

Duff rode in the Heber Valley Century Road Ride. It's a 100+ mile ride around the Heber Valley, up through Francis, Kamas, Oakley, around Rockport, to Coalville and back to Heber. It was a great ride! 106 Miles in 5 hours 10 minutes. Great Job! I was a little bummed not being able to ride it with Kace because of my surgery. Hopefully, the next one we'll be able to do. Kassidy & I had a fun time driving around and seeing Duff and different places. Kace spent Friday night and most of Saturday at a Scout Camp in Wallsburg so he wasn't able to go.

Thankful

Thank goodness for good doctors, surgeons and nurses (even though they wake you up during the night)! Hopefully we don't need them often, but I'm sure happy when they're there. After 2 days in the hospital though, I'm extremely glad to be home. Thanks to everyone who called or helped out. Especially my hubby who took over the mom jobs and to my mom & dad for coming in the middle of the night so the kids wouldn't be alone. It's sure nice to know I don't have to stress about making sure things get done, meetings canceled, and kids taken care of. Love Ya All!

PC P2P

Duff race the Park City Point to Point today. He was awesome! The race was a 75 mile mtn bike race with 14,000 vertical feet of climb. The race started in Round Valley (right by the PC turn-off of Hwy 40) and went up to Deer Valley where there was a water stop so I fed him there and then he left for about 1 hour and came back trough a second time. Then on to Park City Mtn Resort where I fed him again. He looked a little hammered and wasn't feeling to well, but kicked it in. Next stop-The Canyons for the finish. The race was all single track and was pretty rough on the body. Duff ended up 23rd overall out of 174 riders and 4th in his class. Time 8 hours 28 minutes. WOW, he's amazing! Great job!

School This Week-Thankgoodness!

I am so excited for school to finally be starting for my kids. Don't get me wrong, I've had a great summer with them, but I'm ready to get back to a schedule. They are both excited to start too. We went for a Mtn bike ride on Friday up at Deer Valley and had a great ride and even ran into Uncle Kurt working up there. Then the new Wasatch High School open house party, shopping for a new TV for the basement & dinner at Tucanos on Saturday. Maybe on Monday a rode bike ride in Provo Canyon would be fun, but I'm not sure when the Story telling festival begins so that could be a problem since I hate crowds. Then 4 days of school before Labor Day weekend which I always enjoy thanks to Swiss Days & The Park City Showcase of homes.



Duff has the Park City Point to Point race on Saturday which is a 75 mile race starting around the exist to Park City (Round Valley) and going to Deer Valley, Park City Mtn Resort and then on to the Canyons for the finish. I think he's a little nuts. There's around 14,000 ft of climb (insane) and should take anywhere from 8-9 hours. I'll be dropping him off and then checking in with him at Park City Mtn Resort and then waiting for him at the Canyons. Go Duff! You're amazing!

Mount Ogden 50K Mtn Bike Race

Duff competed in the Mount Ogden 50K Mtn bike race on Saturday. He did an awesome job as always. I thought he'd be a little wiped out from being at Lagoon all day the day before, but he was so on. The first lap he was 27th overall and 2nd in Amateur. The 2nd lap he kicked it. He ended up 16th overall with the Pro's and Amateur, 2nd overall amateur and 1st in his class. What a stud! The kids stayed home so I got to relax, read a little & hand off water bottles to Duff and a few of his friends. Then we hung out and visited, ate lunch, and listened to the band. Duff won a heart rate monitor for the 2nd overall amateur.

Great job to brother-in-law, Dave on his Triathlon and Sister-in-law, Lindsay on her Marathon who both competed on Saturday also.

Duff's Fishing Trip

One of our suppliers took Duff on their annual fishing up in Idaho. He had a great time, caught lots of fish, and didn't even take his bike:)

Kace's Eagle Project

Kace did his Eagle Project this week. Wasatch High has a new school building so he coordinated help and unpacked all 9000-10000 Library books and put them back in order and on the shelves. He still has a little work left to do, but for the most part it's done. Great job Kace! Thanks to all those who helped!

Duff's ULCER Road Race

Duff competed in his 1st road race, The BCC ULCER, which started at Thanksgiving Point went down around the east side of Utah Lake, then back up the west side of the lake and back to Thanksgiving Point. The race was 111 miles and took him 4 hours 49 minutes. Their team, Skull Candy, took 4th place. Great Job!

Sierra's Baptism-Nevada

Saturday the kids and I drove to Logandale, NV to see Sierra be baptized. Congratulations Sierra! After the baptism, we had a great bbq and pool party! Thanks Nikki for the great time and for all of your friends who let us stay in their houses and play in their pool.
Duff stayed home to race his last race in the IMC series. He bumped up to Expert, and finished 4th! Great Job! Duff and Kassidy also both won 1st overall in their class for the series! They both received a plaque.

Grandkids Party!

My mom & dad host a Grandkids party every year. You have to me at least 5 to attend. This year Kace & Kassidy, Drake, Sierra, Makenzie & Sara attended. Tuesday they went to Ogden to I Fly. They got to sky dive indoors! The kids loved it. Then they stopped by the Hill Air Force Museum. WOW-they sure liked it. Grandpa also took them to Chuck-a-Rama, his favorite place were the kids are in heaven. Wednesday they hiked to Stuart Falls and had a picnic. Fairdays is in full swing so they were off to the Carnival and the Dutch Oven Cookoff. They kids had a great time! THANKS Mom & Dad for spending time with them.

2009 Draper Family Reunion

This year Dave & Tracie were in charge. They reserved us some campsites up Little Cottonwood Canyon at Albion Basin. It was beautiful! First and foremost-Thanks Dave & Tracie it was great! Thursday we all arrived, set up camp, ate dinner cooked by Dad & Mom and then took family pictures.

Friday, Breakfast served by Brady & Angie, then we went down the canyon and hiked a little to a great spot to Rock Climb. The kids had a blast playing in the water by the little waterfall and learning how to climb. Back to camp for lunch prepared by Carrie & Shane and Casey & Lindsay. The Boys all took off on a great Mtn bike ride! I think it kicked a few butts, but all in all a good ride! Right Steve?? Who's anger level was at a 10 on parts. Kids made a bubble blower and some faces on plates that Natalie brought. Kace & Drake spent much of the day trying to catch a potgut. Thanks Natalie! Dinner, served by Dave & Tracie. Then the Dutch Oven Dessert Cookoff. Team Locals-Dad & Mom, Duff & Amy, Brady & Angie. Team Utah County-Dave & Tracie, Carrie & Shane, Cody & Natalie. Team Outsiders-Steve & Nikki, Steve & Lesa, Casey & Lindsay. Locals made Jumble Berry Cobbler, UT County made Cinnamon Rolls, Outsiders made pineapple upside down cake. Larry, the campground host, got persuaded to be the judge. The Ut County Team ended up being declared the winner, although, the next day Larry said he had a dream about the cobbler.-Hmm:)

Saturday, breakfast served by Steve & Nikki. Then we all hiked up to Crecent Lake. It was a beautiful hike and lake. The kids played for a little bit, Duff tried to catch polywogs or something like that. Steve S, Brady and Dad enjoyed through little rocks at all the women enjoying a little moment of rest. Lunch served by Cody & Natalie. Pioneer contest was next. I think Brady & Angie ended up winning the fire building contest, because of a few cheaters. Next, the food handcart building and eating competition. I think the winning team was the Houghs. Downing 2 twinkes, 2 jelly filled powdered donuts, licorice and cinnamon bears for each person in the family proved to be a hard thing to do! Girls decided to let Duff show then a nice trail to go on-Sometimes we're just plain dumb to believe it when Duff says it would be a nice easy ride. Ride up was great, then we got within 10 feet of 2 bull moose lounging in the trees. Then came the steep, switchback. A little scarry for some, including me. Not being able to get my feet out of the peddles, caused me a little wreck. Seeing a rock come up and gouge my knee-OUCH!! Finished the ride back to camp and sent the everyone else up to check out the moose. I ended up needing stitches, so Duff took me down the mtn to a clinic. Dinner supposed to be served by Duff & Amy, but thanks to all who pitched in to help when I wasn't there! Cody & Natalie, Dad & Mom, Casey & Lindsay, Carrie & Shane headed home.

Sunday Lesa & Steve served up breakfast. We got packed and headed home.

It was an enjoyable weekend. Fun to spend time with everyone. What a family! They're the best:)

Solitude Bike Race

Kassidy did great for not racing for a month. She took 1st place a received a metal for State Champ. Great Job!
Duff finished 1st also and got a metal for State Champ!

Week in Review

Kace got his cast off on Tuesday! Arm's interesting looking:o
Getting ready for Scout Camps!
Cousins coming up!
Sara's Baptism on Saturday! Brunch at park after.
Duff's Race at Snowbird. 1st place again:)
Kace wrecked on 4-wheeler in Wallsburg.
Kace spend the night with cousin Drake at Aunt Carrie & Uncle Shane's house
Kassidy spend the night with Girl Cousins at Sara's House after Baptism!
Twins, Lana & Drew, baby blessing on Sunday, family lunchen after.
Double check backpack for Kace.
Duff leaving for 50 mile hike at 4am
Kace leaving for his camp at 4am

The Dash Poem

I have never seen this poem that was posted on Facebook. Thought it was great!
www.dashpoemmovie.com

The Crazy Things They Do!

I was looking through my pictures today and had a good chuckle at the crazy things my brothers, brother-in-law, and husband have done. What would we do without them.

Priesthood Power!

Wow! Kace was ordained a Deacon yesterday! We are so proud of him and the choice he made to receive the preisthood. Congratulations! We love you!

After the Ride Saturday

12 Wow

Kace turned 12 yesterday. It's amazing how time flies. It's an exciting age. He is so excited to get the priesthood. His friends gave him a surprise party on Tuesday. What a great group of kids. Then on Friday, we took a few friends and went down to Boondock's in Draper. He had planned a dinner with his uncle Brady on Saturday at Tucanos since they have the same birthday.

Words to describe Kace:

Mellow
Content
Cautious
Loves music
Biking
Skiing
Soccer
Soft hearted
Big Brother Tormentor

Kace update

Kace is at the Timberline Scout camp this week, but we picked him up and took him in for his permanent cast on Tuesday. They did an X-ray and said the bones and shifted and he would need surgery to align them. Then after some discussion the doc decided to put a cast on him and try to push the bones together and smash the cast to hold the bones. So, they took an Xray after doing that and found it might have moved one of the bones a little. They are going to leave it for a week and then xray it again to check movement. If the bones move anymore he'll have to have surgery. Bad thing is he'll need 1 surgery to put plates or nails in and another to take them out. Kace was pretty upset about it. He toughed it out when they were pushing on his arm though and still didn't need any medication. So say your prayers that everything will be ok and he won't need surgery. I think that may just ruin his whole summer. He went back up to scout camp though. Hopefully that will take his mind off things.

My baby's 9!

Kassidy turned 9! Wow, I survived another year with her! What a child!




Words to describe her:

Energetic
High Spirited
LOUD
Loving
Compassionate
Snuggly
Competitive
Generous
Energetic
High Spirited
LOUD

We've loved every bit of the last 9 years!

Kassidy had a Party with some friends. They bobbed for apples, ate donuts off a string, and sat in the hot tub. Then we went to Lehi and had dinner with her cousins (Josie, Corbin, Machi & Keifer) at Tepanyaki and then she stayed at their house for a couple days!
Gr & Gr D stopped by to see her before she went to her cousins. Thanks to all the aunts, uncles & cousins for the phone calls! It made her day!

Lake Powell

Our Lake Powell trip was crazy! We almost didn't go because we were worried about the weather, but we decided to take a chance. The weather was good for about 1/2 day Thursday and then in the morning on Friday. That's when the wind picked up. Luckily we were in a little cove that protected us from a lot of the wind. Saturday night the wind was horrible and it was a pretty cold night. Sleeping was not so fun on top of the houseboat. The trip was still fun even with the wind and cold. Vacation is always fun with the family! Kace even was able to swim with his "Gumby" cast cover! Baby Jack even survived his 1st Powell trip!

A little something......

Here's an email by sister sent me. Great advice!

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and
parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God
never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one
is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no
for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will
this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you
did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd
grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."


****Remember that I will always share my spoon with you!

Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves

The most wasted of days is one without Laughter :)

Sundance Spin

Duff & Kassidy raced the Sundance Spin today. Duff finished 1st. Kassidy finished 6th overall, 1st girls! Great Job! Kace and I enjoyed watching. Forgot the camera. Took a few with Duff's phone. I'll try to have him load them on.

Kace's broken arm's doing good. They ended up putting a fiberglass wrap over the top of the temporary cast because they didn't want to move it yet because it was such a bad break. They'll put a permanent cast on in 10 days. X-ray tech said it was one of the worst breaks she's seen. Thankfully, he's done well and hardly any pain.

Stan Crane Memorial XC Race

Well, another race, but this one was quite different. Because of the rain the race was delayed an hour for the kids and a few hours for Duff. Duff's course even changed at the last minute. Kace's started his race and got a little ways until a girl cut him off which sent him into a rock, which had him falling. I wondered why I hadn't seen him coming for his 2nd lap. Kassidy had started by then after getting wiped out at the start by some kid. She was a little hurt, but Duff got her back on her bike and she finished the race. Still not seeing Kace, Duff and I got worried. Duff headed up the trail until the announcer called for Kace Johnson's parents to come to the tent. Kace had crashed and busted his arm. The bike paramedics were with him, so Duff headed up to be with him. The firefighter/emts carried him down the mtn and to the waiting ambulance. Duff came back and I hopped in the Ambulance with Kace. Duff stayed to race and Kassidy stayed to do the water handoff. What a race. Duff ended up taking 2nd place. Kassidy ended up 2nd in girls after wiping out. I think she was mad and decided to book it. Way to go Kassidy. Kace broke both bones in his lower left arm. They had to set the bones, which was really cool to watch. Kace was in a lot of pain, but he toughed it out. Too bad summer's here and Lake Powell in a week. Oh well! What can you do:)

PS My sister Tracie had her twins last night. Drew 5 lbs even, Lana 5 lbs 7 oz. One vaginal birth the other C-section! We stopped by on the way home to see them. Congratulations! They are so cute!

PCTV Race

Check out last Saturday's race. PCTV filmed it.

Spandex Man

For all of you who want to give him crap! Check him out! Isn't he sexy:) And he use to say he wouldn't be caught dead wearing them!

Another Race-Soldier Hollow

Another race! This time at Soldier Hollow in Midway. It was a beautiful day. Kassidy placed 5th overall and 1st in Girls. Kace placed 8th overall. Duff finished 1st in his class. Amy got fried! Gr & Gr D came to cheer everyone on. It was a fun day! Great job guys!