Sargent Sayings 2012

We bring you a little Holiday Cheer with the things said in our house this year. Our Sargent Sayings holiday card is a family tradition; 

with family collected quotes from the past year.

 Ho, Ho, Ho, Hope you enjoy it!

"Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing." Joy to the World

Jacob, 13 yrs old

Jacob:  He is in 8th grade and loves: football, making lego movies, biking and skiing.  He's known as a "teenager". Let's say that together slowly...
We were folding clothes and getting rid of those too small. I told the kids, "anything too small put in this pile."  Jacob said, "Sperry you better get up there on that pile of clothes." One day while I was "making" dinner Jacob said, "Let me get this straight... you are watching Pioneer Woman teach how to make a nice home cooked meal on TV while you put in a frozen pizza for us".  During a time while I was not feeling well, Jacob said, "Mom, you are like a cat. You are up and about for a little and then back to bed." I'm not a cat person, but I appreciated his humor.  Jacob on career day: there were a whole bunch of work places that tried to make their job look exciting, by giving away free pens and stuff. But really it just made me not want to grow up, cause a lot of the jobs looked boring.  Jacob: I have money because I don't buy things.  I tell other people about how cool it would be to have that thing and then they buy it!  It's strategic, how do you think Carter bought all those wii games by himself. Scott said, "I see a career in advertising for you".

Carter, age 11.75

Carter: Now a middle school kid and is in 6th grade.  He loves riding his ripstick, skiing, golfing, biking, and camping.  He's known as a "pre-teen" and is excited to be 12 next year.  "Sperry you had better enjoy your field trips because when you get older, they are all about being educational."
"Mom, there was a girl at school that called me 'yum-a-licious'."  What did you say Carter?  "I just said, 'uh, okay... thanks".  "Mom, can I go play Peggle? I'm on a roll with Bah-jorn"  (Bjorn).  "I have a great group of friends that I eat lunch with and they are pretty wild."  I clarified if they are wild meaning they break rules and don't care.  Carter responded, "no, more like wild like a pack of dogs. They are loud and funny." Carter recently sold some wii games on Craigslist and has been dog sitting to earn money.  He originally planned to put a lot in his mission/savings fund, but after there was money in hand, he became very quiet on the ride to the bank.  I told him that he needs to be sure to but a good amount into savings.  "Mom, but then I don't get to enjoy it. Isn't that what life is about enjoying things?  I went from lots of money, to only a little.  I'm not sure I like this."  I reminded him that one day when he needs the money, he will be glad that he did.  Carter said, "Mom, I don't think it's going to work that way.  That day is too far away and I could have enjoyed it now. This is not fun, mom.  NOT fun."

Sperry, age 8.

Sperry: She is now in 3rd grade and loves soccer, crochet, camping and skiing.  She loves watching the movie, "Fred".  She makes the best "Fred's mom" voice ever.  "Fred, you can do this...you are a Figglehorn, Fred".
 She is known as a "pre-pre-teen".  But we are happy that she is not a "drama queen".  While looking at Marci's  2nd grade class picture Sperry pointed to one of my friends in the photo and asked,  "Wow, who is that with the big hair? Was it crazy hair day that day?"  "No, that is how she wore it". I answered.  Sperry said, "good thing I didn't live in the OLD days".  Sperry about our dog: "Fawna is my little sister, can she share a room with me?  Fawna baby lovey pants."  "Mom and Dad do you want to go eat at a place with a romantic candle on the table and maaah maaaah kiss"?   "MOM...Why do you keep buying healthy cereals... are you trying to make us CRY"?  Whenever Scott and I are sitting around, Sperry comes up and says, "Can I just squeeze in the middle? I wanna squeeeeze in the middle!"

Scott ~n~ Marci, age of parents

After 14 years of darn great marriage, 3 kids that we think are pretty super, and a dog that's a little broken-but loveable... we want to thank you for all the gifts of support and love given to our family.  We have happily settled in Colorado and have made loads of good new friends. We have been blessed to have so many life long friends who live in California close to the beach, Disneyland, and LA. We are grateful for a new job that Scott enjoys and to have only ONE house to worry about this Christmas. 

Click on Picture to get free Christmas music, inspiring stories and more.

We are grateful to be learning more about Jesus Christ.  

Having a happy heart even during times of trial 

is something we learned this past year. 

We are glad that peace can meet you in any situation, as you seek.  

And that adventures are best holding someone's hand.

Put your world on "pause"

 Sometimes we forget that our world has a "pause button".  Something that we can do that wasn't on our to do list, or in our plans. But something that can make the day feel a little brighter.  Please press "play" for some perspective while you are on "pause". Here's the link for more "pause-a-riffic" things. http://mormon.org/Christmas


Now, don't ya feel like things will be ok... oh, "un-pause".

Ski day & mini miracles

Great day to ski December 1st 2012  was the first time in several years for me to be on the slopes.  Quite frankly, I count it as a little miracle I was able to go skiing and felt great the next day.  I never know how my body will react to something so physically demanding. Sperry and I were partners that day and we were so excited to hang out all day. We did 4 runs like a pro... well a beginning pro level anyway.  First time off  the lift I was so excited to make it off, I celebrated too early and fell.  Sperry is the turning queen and Carter the speed king. Jacob got ill but still could carve it up and somehow Scott made it look easy.  The funniest part was when Sperry and I were left to our own and we tackled the ski lift together.  She likes to hold on to someone when she exits the ski lift and I wasn't used to a passenger.  Funny thing, we left the chair and we were so happy that we didn't fall on each other.  We didn't realize that we started to go up the embankment which propelled us backwards.  We don't know how to ski backwards and were laughing as the lift operators were watching us make a scene laughing and trying to come to a complete stop.
We had a great time in Loveland today.

Ski "green dots" only today. No makeup, no hair done, no problems.

Snow patrol: l-r  Carter, Jacob, Scott, and Sperry

Lodge pizza goodness

Fry guy

Carter who ski's without brakes, he likes the speed.

Christmas shared: Fondue recipes

Christmas Eve, is filled with Fondue and the sparkling cider.  I wanted to share some of these EASY recipes with you.

Here are recipes for the Fondues:

• Herb Broth Fondue: onion, black pepper, garlic & basil with 2 cans of Chicken Broth. Throw in potatoes, carrots to enjoy when cooked. For dipping: Melanesia beef, mushrooms, potatoes.
• Marinara Fondue: make your spaghetti sauce or jarred is fine. And this sauce is great for dipping bread, meatballs and tortellini (each must be cooked already).
• Blue Cheese fondue: 8 oz blue cheese (not salty) 1 pkg cream cheese, 1 cup milk, 2 Tbs. of half and half, 1 tsp corn starch. For dipping: cubed sourdough bread, meatballs and tortellini. (don't dip raw meat into this, meatballs must be cooked.)
• Dessert fondue: semi sweet morsels or white chocolate chips (at least 2 packages) 2 tsp. of half and half and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk (depends upon your preference for consistancy). For dipping: pretzels, cubed angel food cake, candy canes, bananas and apples (you could use rice krispie treats, strawberries, oranges or shortbread cookies). After dipping, have out crushed candy canes, sliced almonds, or sprinkles to roll it in.
• NO Fondue pot, no problem, just use a small sauce pan and adjust the heat. Each of these can be made stove top as well.

Scott eats cake

Scott eats cake, made by his cake designer Sperry.

Scott, it's your birthday

We looked you up in the dictionary and found your definition.

Scott: 

funny, thoughtful, exciting, awesome, super and ultra, 

serious injury game creator, tickling man, cyclist, ice cream maker, 

wonderful dad, rocket scientist, BSA enthusiast, genealogist, and accountant.

Expert of all things "er" (like: skier, backpacker, camper, geo casher). 

Child of God, skilled Christmas lighting specialist, supportive, happy, great friend of all broken corgi dogs, healthy eater, pie maker and taker, smart, skilled, loved.  See photo's below for a "Scott" in his natural habitat.

Happy birthday, to an amazing father, husband and friend.

Carter's Clarinet

Carter is quite the good looking musician with his clarinet.  I though they all sounded very squeaky when someone was learning how to play, but with Carter...he made it sound beautiful during the first day.
In his beginning band class, after a review from the band director,  he got under musical skills "full and exceptional for a beginner".  Well, I could have told his band teacher that.  Bring on the Christmas music.

Carter at "play"

Poetry with Sperry

Sperry brought this poem she wrote home today it is called "money" it is an acrostic poem. 

M: Mom give me MORE!
O:  Oh yeah!
N: Never gets old
E: Every time I use you
Y: You are my love.

...and then she tells me that I need to go back to school because I didn't know what an acrostic poem was.  Like I'd ever want to go back to 3rd grade.  I'll just learn from her. (and probably have to pay her for teaching me).

"money" by Sperry

Inside, outside, upside down

Here in Colorado the weather is an adventure.  It snowed before Halloween and the boys made a snow dog like Fawna.  A few weeks later and its been so sunny. Today it's warm enough for Sperry to be outside playing on the playground and tomorrow is expected snow again it's crazy, but we love it.  Where else could she run through  the sprinklers 1 last time WHILE the sprinklers are getting winterized.

Mr Trumpet, Jacob

Jacob is in 8th grade concert band this year playing the trumpet.  Not only does he play well, but he can rock a tie and cumberbun like nobody's business .  Yep, he is a talented looker for sure. My favorite piece they played was one of the most difficult, it was the theme used traditionally for the Olympics written by John Williams.

Superbowl Sunday

Football fever is taking over our house. Please see pictures for proof.

The times they are a changing

The times they are a changing... that's the theme in our house lately.
Candy, Candy, Candy I can't let you go.  Since Halloween, we have been swimming in candy.  I find every year that my sweet tooth is a black hole and I could eat it all day long.  I have passed this trait along to my children and the only one in the house that eats fruit more than fruit flavored candy...is Scott. 

So my new tactic: they can eat what they want and tonight, 3 days later, we took out a sandwich sized ziploc and said they could keep whatever they could fit in the bag and zip closed.  I quickly threw the rest of the candy in the garbage can and we took it outside so I wouldn't cave to pressure.  It calls me, it constantly calls me. 

Here's a few other things that we have tweaked in our family:
-In school: if you have any missing assignments, your electronic play time (wii, ipod) is to be used to make up the assignment. If the assignment is still missing by the weekend, the electronics are missing that weekend as well.
-We pay for grades as early as 6th grade. The money goes right into their savings for mission/college. If they have any money to add to their savings from their own pocket, we will double the amount.  Grades before 6th grade are rewarded as well, special night out or new book or toy.
-Night out: every Monday is Dad's night out.  After our Family night, Scott trades off kids to take them out for a little treat. It's been a time they all look forward to.
-Every Sunday, we have been doing "family council" this is a time when we quickly go over the calendar.  Then, we discuss a solution to a problem that has come up.  Recently we have discussed: Cell phones for kids, how to split the cost of the new WiiU (how much do the kids contribute, and what mom and dad will pay), discontinuing the cable TV with tons of channels, allowance and extra money job questions, family goals, or whatever has been the arguement of choice that week.  It's nice because we can discuss it as a family and everyone's voice is important. After listening, we talk about a solution and work through it together.
-At home, if you don't use manners at the table (toot, burp, etc.) then you are asking to do the dinner dishes.  This has direct impact and has reduced the amount of giggles at the table from this stuff.
-Work/chores: For years we have divided up the main areas of the house and bathrooms into a job list.  The big job day here is Saturday, we don't worry about it much during the week except for the dish day or cook day.  On Saturdays, they have to complete their jobs by 9 am to get electronics for the day. In addition to their bedrooms and folding their laundry, the rest of the house is divided.  The master bathroom and loft, downstairs and guest bathroom, family room and sweeping the stairs.

We are still working on refining the process of raising a family.  Now that we  have a teen, a pre-teen, and a pre-pre-pre teen, we have found that our family rules need a little tweaking.  Hopefully our efforts will one day pay off and they will be responsible, independent and giving people who love their mom and dad.

See the world

I'm falling in love with fall all the changes that brings in nature and here's a few pictures from my walk this morning. All I need comfy shoes. My predictably - unpredictable dog, Fawna. Some good tunes in my ears. A little warmth from the sun. And, plenty of things to look at.  Add each of these ingredients and stir for a great day.

the robin, my neighbird

 

pile of stones

Drapes of berries

What do a vampire, football player and blackmail have in common?

Halloween of course.
Sperry planned on being a vampire, Carter a football player, and Jacob within the award winning 15 minutes for a costume came up with creative "blackmail" where he had a stamp on a black shirt.
Before the festivities, there were a few last minute details.
And I mean last minute!  We figured that we had about 2 hours to decorate the porch with spider webs and to do something with our plain Jane pumpkins.  The kids pull it off.  To continue our lackadaisical style...
Another great addition last minute, we invited a few families over for hot chocolate and to group together for  trick or treat.  The dads worked the chaperone around duty this year and all had a fun time.

Going with a group Of 10 kids, The night was successful, they brought home heavy bags of candy. It was so much fun and I really loved seeing all the kids of our new neighborhood.  It feels so good to be in this neighborhood.

Sperry and her pet Cat

Carter, the only one who would gut & carve a pumpkin

Special effect pumpkin: added a strobe inside: spook factor

Came late to the party, but now I'm staying

I like someone else to go through all the first revs of a product. Why, well it's easy to explain:  Maybe we are very budget friendly bargain shoppers, maybe we like to hear the excitement of others echoing through the world, maybe we are slow to embrace the next best thing.  I like to think of it as all of the above, but it's not that we hate technology... I'm sure you haven't guessed it by now, but I'm a new "bells and whistles" phone user. I just got a phone that I am learning to use that will text, web...oh and make phone calls.

I told Scott it's now a "need".  Recently at Jacob's party, we went to a corn maze. The problem was, the maze was too muddy and they had closed it. So I was scrambling for something else for them to do.  We were already there and the guys were looking forward to it.  Scott suggested I look up another location on my phone. Wowwie wow, wow! I found one and then I looked up a pizza buffet near by.  Another triumph for this mom.  Can't wait to continue becoming a super hero mom thru the uses of the phone. (which used to be used for calling and texting, this cracks me up).

Golf: tee plus three

Magic Soda machine, nothing to do with golf.

Scott goes for the putt

Sperry all ready to get crack'n

Scott in action, whoa that's manly!

Carter for the wind up

Carter just as a pro in mid-shot

Follow thru and lets it fly

Extra bonus points for a dad who makes time and takes time with our kids

At the start of summer, Carter had golf lessons for 1 week.  He loved it and his class included a golf pass on the par 3 course for himself and his family for the rest of the season.  Scott and Carter would meet at the course several times a month and sometimes Jacob would go, sometimes Sperry.  I was the "driver for drop off".  I love hearing all the adventures that they go on with Scott.

The best part of the story is the golf clubs we scored during the garage sales early summer.  I got Carter a great bag, shoes (which were my size), nice set of clubs for about $30.  Scott decided to go unattended (which won't happen again) to find him some clubs during the big neighborhood sale day.  He came home with a retro 80's ugly bag that has bright fushia and a teal colors on it.  The clubs are just as old and normally I'm not a snob, but this stuff that probably came out the year before they upgraded the style from the '60s is stuff that I can't bring myself to use.  My plan: break out the clubs in the summer neighborhood garage sale, try to recoupe a fraction of my money and get some clubs that are at least made within the last 20 years.

Jacob, turning 13 gotta be easier than surgery

 This is a story about a boy who loved football, who experienced delays, and who continued to move yardage to get what he wanted.

#60 is in blue on the far right side

Jacob, #60 far right in blue

There are so many reasons to love your Local Jacob. Today is his birthday we love him so much. Recently, I've learned a lot from him while watching him go through delays and more delays...

 Jacob loves football.  He's tough, a great athlete, and we found he's a quick healer and very patient. Last year he was ready to play his first year of tackle football. He trained hard during a month long training camp. By the time the season was starting, our family moved and Jacob had to wait another year to play.  This year would be different. We were all moved in, signed up, and ready to go.  During the practices before the season began, Jacob landed on his hand and we thought his finger was sprained. He insisted it didn't hurt and we put it in a finger splint and waited for the swelling to go down.  Well, it's a good thing I'm not a Dr. because when we got an xray 9 days later, he suffered a broken bone and it was misaligned and would not heal properly without surgery. 

Jacob #60 in the middle of the mix (blue jersey)

#60 Sargent right in the middle

During his surgery, a 2" pin was placed inside his finger to help hold the bone together while it healed. There was a nice cast in a "crossing guard orange" helped to further protect it. A few weeks of recovery and the pin was removed, the cast was cut off, and we were off to physical therapy.  Each week, Jacob continued to go to football practice and took on the "water boy" task with a smile.  The Doctors always remarked at how quickly Jacob healed and that he must have had a high tolerance to pain because he was off any meds one day after the surgery.

At the end of the football season, his Doctor and physical therapist were still encouraging him to sit out the remainder of the games. But, Scott and I thought that he had recovered well enough to play.  The last two games, he was able to participate and one play got a tackle as he tried for yardage with a quarterback sneak pass.

I learned a lesson from this wonderful young man. Sometimes goals have obstacles that come in unexpected ways.  Sometimes you have to keep patiently trying and keep a positive attitude when you'd rather be playing than passing out water. Sometimes...after all the waiting, you are able to participate in the game and it makes all the waiting and pain worth it.  And your mom and dad cheer you on from the sidelines with unmistakable proud smiles.  Happy birthday Jacob. We love you, we are proud of who you are and the gifts you have been blessed with.  You are an amazing teenager. (note to self: teen boys don't like shirts and sweaters for their birthday presents. If you do this you will be met with the same expression they give you when they open a Christmas present of socks or underwear.)

Elvis loves riding

Scott wanted to be sure to include this picture of Elvis at the bike race.

Cycling Extravaganza

First Day of School

This marks our FIRST year as Colorado-ians.  The kids began the school year with their favorite annual picture, "first day of school".  Funny thing, the boys didn't select from their new school clothes to commemorate the first day. Jacob is now in 8th grade (in yellow) and Carter is in 6th grade (in guitar shirt) both go to the same middle school.  They ride their bikes to and from school, quite impressive! Sperry is now in 3rd grade and the school is .5 miles away so we get to walk to and from school. Can't wait to join her for lunch, she will show me how to get around in the cafeteria at her new school.

Spectators for the USA Pro Bike Race

 Last weekend was a divide and conquer weekend.  The boys had a merit badge workshop day and got to spend their Saturday working on advancements for Scouts.  They have been working so hard and we are so proud of them.  They rode their bikes to and from the event because the rest of the family would be at the big race.  Early Saturday morning, The boys, ate breakfast, got ready and left all before mom and dad got out of bed.  love how those boys can just take on the day!!  And for the race, well please see below:

Starting line in Golden: where I accidentally slowed a cyclists "warm up" while crossing the street.  Luckily, the racer yields to pedestrian spectators who don't look before crossing the street. I'm a novice at this race stuff people!

Sperry and her friend "parrot"  We love the swag and enertainment at the booths before a race.

Scott's "action shot" of a cyclist leaving the RV and getting bombarded by fans

another Scott "action shot"

Bob Roll interviewing while on TV

Can you tell Scott is into bikes??

Sperry and Bob Roll (one of the 1st US Cyclists to ride competitively in Europe back in the day).

Scott and his dream cycles

The Band from College of the Mines (yes some are wearing hard hats)

Sperry's homemade sign, sparkles and all.  She's got sparkle too!

Race warm up laps

Somewhere in the pellaton, there's a racer who has both hands on a breakfast burrito.  

My kind of rider!

King of the Mountains archway was by our "lookout"

And here they go!!

Somehow I got on sign duty

Scott's spectator pictures: zombies

"Cowboy cyclist"

Clean Bottle (sperry loves this ad)

The very happy couple!!

first riders through

 I gotta say, this was such a fun event.  Have you ever seen a professional sport where fans can be so close to all the action?? People were running along side the riders, the sea of people would narrowly part for the riders to come through. Even their "support" cars would swerve in and around riders.  Amazing.

Scott was probably crying during the blurry shots, he was so happy to be here.

There's Sperry's sign, cheering them on! We were roadside and had the best seats for action!

Here's the "sweeper' van meaning all riders had come through.

 The only thing that was a little sad was that most only cared for the popular riders.  I believe that anyone riding that type of mileage should be cheered for. So, I'm including Team Bissel and Team Spider Tech to my official cheer list.

It was such a fun day, to see the riders 3 times. Thanks to Scott and his mapping/navigating skills.  We got to see them warm up with 2 laps and then headed up to the mountains to witness a climb.  Thanks Sckratch drink aid station for the free hot dogs and drinks.  They knew Sperry as "sparkle girl" by the end of the race because they loved her sign so much. Can't wait till next year.