Taking One for the Team

Tonight we enjoyed a classic family activity together. Tara is the Women's Athletic Director for our Stake and for the past several months she's organized the ladies to practice playing volleyball every Tuesday night. Earlier tonight they made their grand debut against another Stake. The first game was a rousing success as they won the match 2-0. Tara was the star, serving the team to 10 consecutive points in the first set (could you expect anything less?). Kennedy and I were the cheering section for the team, rooting "Mama" on to the victory.

The first victory would have made for a fine evening, but then there was the second match of the night. No one on the team knew they would be playing twice on the same night, so much of the babysitting help from the earlier match had to leave. Guess who was the lucky one who got to stay and watch four little boys while the moms were playing? Some of the activities during my watch included: jumping off the chairs in the foyer (not my idea!), throwing all of Kennedy's toys at one another, kicking a volleyball up and down the halls, and some miniature version of the Ultimate Fighter (I learned that Daniel Ball is a master of Mou Tai, a form of ancient shoot fighting. I don't think he knew he was performing Mou Tai on his little brother, but he still took Joshua down pretty quick). In the end, everyone had fun and no one went to the ER. The women lost the second match, but it was a fun family night for all - even if I didn't talk to Tara the entire night!

The Deer Hunt Party

Ever since I can remember, most of the men in the family would head off to the big deer hunt on opening day and leave the women alone all weekend. Well, the girls decided to have our own fun and when I was a teenager, we started the annual deer hunt girls only party. The girls in my family would get together over the deer hunt and shop, eat, watch movies and just hang out for the weekend. The tradition continues but it's not quite the same anymore. This year's party included a newborn, several toddlers and a bunch of tired, worn out moms. There were no shopping trips, no browsing craft fairs (which was fine with me), not even an outing to a restuarant.
We were lucky to get out for a walk on Saturday. But no matter, the deer hunt party was just as fun as ever. There was lots of good food. Bonnie made her famous cinnamon rolls, we ate lots of leftover Halloween candy, and had takeout from La Casita (the best mexican food in Happy Valley)! What more could we ask for! The funny thing about it-not one husband goes hunting anymore. Just ask Jared the last time he even looked at a gun and see how he reacts. But the party continues. Maybe the men need to have their own party. I know Jared felt a little left out. Don't feel bad for him, though. As he already mentioned, he quickly organized a Monopoly party for Friday night. I'm sure he was just fine without the women at home for a night. The tradition will continue next year, and there will probably be a couple more newborns or a some on the way. It might be a few years before the shopping resumes. Until then, the deer hunt parties will consist of eating lots of food and maybe catching a walk on a beautiful fall day.

The Church Lady

Yesterday, we went to Brant's ward for Baby Madison's blessing. I can't tell you how excited I was to go to a different ward. No, it's not that I don't enjoy the people in the good ol' Cottonwood 4th. Since Kennedy was born in December, I've only been able to sit with my family one time during church. I like being in the bishopric, I don't like sitting on the stand.

I was ready to give Tara a break and sit with Kennedy during Sacrament Meeting. Everything was there; books, treats, toys, keys - I was ready to play with the babe. Of course, like always happens, reality doesn't quite match your imagination. A few minutes after the blessing was over, Kennedy was done! Instead of enjoying the meeting with everyone else, Kennedy and I sat out in the foyer listening to the rest of chuch over the speaker. The joys of a toddler on Sunday!

My Evening Alone with KFC

Last night it was just me and the colonel. No, this time I am not making a joke about Kennedy's initials. It really was a night alone with a bucket of chicken from KFC. Tara and Kennedy were out at the annual Deer Hunt Widows' Party with all of the women from her family. My question is this: Since I don't go on the Deer Hunt and I'm not invited to the party, does that make me a Deer Hunt Widows' Party Widower? In some strange way it makes sense, doesn't it?!

I took advantage of the Bachelor Pad the way any healthy 30 year old male would. I invited over some friends and we had a good time - playing Monopoly. I know some of you out there are shaking your heads in disgust, but Monopoly is one or the greatest games ever! My friends and I have a ritual of playing anytime one or more of them is in town. Last night Jason, Ian, and I had some intense battles with Jason's Lord of the Rings version of the game. I don't mean to brag, but someone won 3 out of 5 games. I may have been a widower because of the Deer Hunt Widows' Party, but I'm not dead yet!!

How Many...

You've all heard the old joke about how many members of the bishopric does it take to change a lightbulb. Well, while we were out tonight visiting one of the widows in the ward we came up with the answer. All three. One to hold the lightbulb (Dick), one to make sure no one gets hurt (Bishop), and one to change the bulb (me). I don't know if it's funny or not, but it sure was a joke!!