State Debate 2013

March 10th:  Region Debate

McKenna took away a gold in Extemporaneous.  Garrett qualified for state in same category - big deal as it was his freshman year!  McKenna was so excited to go to state and share her love of debate with her brother!

March 16th:  State Debate

"WOOO!!! State Debate Champs! So grateful for my amazing team and coach! My last year doing what I love was a definite success!  Rowdy Miller and McKayla Heaton took 1st in Public Forum, Rowdy also took 3rd in Impromptu with Donny Owens taking 4th! Frecia took 4th and Katelyn Parkin took 5th in oratory! And I took 2nd in Extemporaneous and Lincoln-Douglas!  Good job debaters!!!  love you guys!"  - McKenna (as seen on Facebook)

And of course, the icing on the cake is the welcoming committee at 10 mile by the town and fire engines to escort the bus to the High School for a impromptu assembly.  

The senior debators:  Dallin Bennett, Katelyn Parkin, Baylee Palmer, McKenna, Frecia Houston and Josh Henrie.  There were a few tears as these seniors thanked Mr. Ryan Houston for all that he has taught them and helped them achieve throughout High School.

Leighton Selfie

February 28th:

Love when I find little pics like this on my phone Leighton has taken!

It's What?!?

February 20th:

Relief! Finally got Leighton's skin biopsy back from her facial lesion! After a month, 3 different pathologists and her skin sent on a trip to San Fransisco to a world renown pathologist, we know it's "probably" benign. Ready for the diagnosis? It's a whopper! Primary cutaneous CD4-positive small/medium-sized pleomorphic T-cell lymphoma. I know it sounds awful, but the Dr. says its most likely benign.  One more appointment with the dermatologist to check the site, determine if there is lymph involvement, if she needs to get more taken off or if steroids will do. Whew! Happy mom this morning!

Post biopsy and healing:

She Must Be Comfy!

January 13th:

I have always loved when our kids fall asleep in places other than their bed.  Love a sleeping child!

For several years, McKenna and I have tried to talk Garrett into wrestling.  It's McKenna's favorite sport to support at school - really - she loves it.  And every year he tells us "no".  Imagine our surprise this year when he stayed after school for wrestling practice!  First year ever wrestling and as a Freshman - he surpassed his coach's expectations!  First year for Jeff and I to go to tourneys (tournaments) and duels and we learned a lot too!

Garrett's first match of the year was at the Panguitch Invitational.  Quite a large tourney with over 30 teams from all across the state attending. 

 

 

 

His first match ever - A win!!!  He hadn't even matched off in practice yet!

 

 Thank goodness for a great photographer who has a better camera than me.  He emailed me pics at the end of the year!  All the great ones come from him - mine are the blurry long range photos!

Garrett even came home most tourney's with a medal around his neck!

 

The last home match of the year - Senior Night:

Warmups

The cheer team really love the wrestlers.  In McKenna's view - the wrestlers are the "better" boys - treating the girls with more respect on road trips and just in general at school.  Here they are exchanging gifts:

 

McKenna's last year cheering for her favorite high school sport

Garrett getting "in the zone"

The best conclusion to a year of wrestling was qualifying for State.  McKenna made her brother this sign just for him :)

I don't have any pics of Garrett's match's at state - must have been too busy cheering.  Wow is all I have to say - it's quite an impressive sight!  1A-3A in the UVU McKay Events Center!  Busy, crowded and high energy is all I have to say! 

 

In the end, Garrett finished 5th in the state.  Pretty incredible for a first year wrestler.  After Garrett would win a match through the year, folks would stop me and say - "if they only knew it was his first year and they lost to him!"  You did good Garrett, you did good!

Homecoming 2013

The week of January 22nd through 26th was Homecoming in Panguitch.  Yes, it's a basketball thing here - no football.  You kindof get used to it...kindof.  This year McKenna tried out for Homecoming Queen and finished with 1st Attendant!  Great job! 

The Royalty:  Lauren, McKenna, Frecia, and Cassidy

Baylee- last year's Queen got into the photo shoot too.  

  Homecoming game night.  Waiting to make their grand entrance!

Homecoming Royalty:  Queen and King Fecia and Donny, 1st Attendants - McKenna and Dalan, 2nd Attendants - Lauren and Dason, Congeniality - Cassidy and Wyatt

For Homecoming, the cheer team will wear past basketball uniforms while the girls basketball team wears past and current cheer uniforms.

Flashlight dance at half-time - a tradition.  

Too Cute!