Happy Fathers Day Daddy...

So.... This year (as of most) Eric is out of town. We wanted to do something special for him that he could read while he was over in Alaska. I remember seeing on Carrie's blog a cute tag in which you ask your kiddos questions about yourself and giggle at their response. I decided to use this tag as a tribute to Eric on Father's Day so here we go:

1. What is something Dad always says?

Mick: "Are you Serious?"

Macee: "Stop!"

Maddux: "I love you."

McGwire: "Don't do that anymore!"

2. What makes Dad happy?

Mick: Me and Macee not fighting

Macee: When Mick and I don't fight.

Maddux: When I play with him

McGwire: That I don't do anything to Mays.

3. What makes Dad sad?

Mick: Me and Macee fighting

Macee: when he can't be with you.

Maddux: That he spanks me (like Eric EVER spanks!)

McGwire: If I hurt somebody like my brothers.

4. How does dad make you laugh?

Mick: When he says funny words.

Macee: Funny jokes and tickles me.

Maddux: Tickles me.

McGwire: Cuz he tickles me.

5. What was dad like as a child?

Mick: He worked on the farm. Probably wild.

Macee: Sometimes good... sometimes bad...

Maddux: A dog.

McGwire: Funny

6. Hold old is your dad?

Mick: Going to be 40 this year

Macee: 30, turning 40

Maddux: 39

McGwire: 10

7. How tall is your dad?

Mick: 6'1

Macee: I have no clue... maybe 8 ft

Maddux: 12 ft

McGwire: This big (showing me the size with his hands!). Probably 50 hundred feet!

8. What is your dad's favorite thing to do?

Mick: Coach baseball and play with his kids.

Macee: Play with us

Maddux: Wrestle with us when he is home.

McGwire: Work

9. What does dad do when you are not around?

Mick: Plays with my brothers.

Macee: Watches TV

Maddux: Drinks Diet Coke

McGwire: Goes to work

10. If your dad becomes famous what will it be for?

Mick: Baseball

Macee: Baseball

Maddux: I don't know

McGwire: Having a birthday (?????)

11. What is your dad good at?

Mick: Coaching

Macee: Teaching Baseball

Maddux: Coaching

McGwire: Work

12. What is your dad not good at?

Mick: Soccer

Macee: Teaching Dance

Maddux: Volleyball

McGwire: Nothing

13. What does your dad do for a job?

Mick: Coaches baseball

Macee: Baseball

Maddux: Works as a baseball coach

McGwire: Just goes to work and plays on his baseball field.

14. What is your dad's favorite food?

Mick: Burgers

Macee: Steak

Maddux: Fruit Loops

McGwire: Steak

15. What makes your dad proud?

Mick: When I do something good

Macee: When I do good stuff like hit the ball and do good at my competitions.

Maddux: When I'm good at church

McGwire: If I be nice

16. If your dad where a cartoon character who would be be?

Mick: The buff guy on Bugs Bunny

Macee: Mickey Mouse

Maddux: Goofy

McGwire: Sponge Bob

17. What do you and your dad do together?

Mick: Play baseball and watch ESPN and Sports Center

Macee: Practice baseball downstairs

Maddux: He takes me to Idaho

McGwire: Go to Grandpa Cows (Grandpa Farmers) House and see the Cows.

18. How are you and dad the same?

Mick: We like the same stuff and are both really nice.

Macee: We both love steak

Maddux: We are the same age

McGwire: We match

19. How are you and dad different?

Mick: He hates video games and I don't

Macee: I dance and can do back handsprings and he can't

Maddux: We are not the same

McGwire: We don't match

20. Where is dad's favorite place to go?

Mick: Home

Macee: Yankees game

Maddux and McGwire: Tepanyaki (I think they forgot it's the kids that beg to go there. Not us!)

21. How do you know your daddy loves you?

Mick: He always snuggles me and tells me

Macee: Cuz he acts like he loves me and he always shares his love

Maddux: Because I go with him everywhere and he brings me things when he flies.

McGwire: He hugs me

Not only am I sure that I picked the greatest man to spend the rest of my life with but I am positive that I picked the best daddy in the world (besides mine!!) We wish he could be here with us this father's day but hope he enjoys his fishing!!! I am so proud of what a wonderful example he is to my young boys and hope they all exemplify him as they grow into young men!We love him so much... Happy Father's day Daddy... from all your kiddos!

Rain... Rain.... Go Away!!!

So this morning we sent Eric off to Alaska for 10 days! Of course to make the day gloomier it rained all day... But we shall still play ball! It's finally our little guys turn to shine! Coach Pitch just started for Maddux and he is playing with his buddy Wacky. They think they are the coolest kids ever... and they are! They are so stinking cute...

McGwire was supposed to have his 1st T-ball game today. You didn't know they let midgets' play T-Ball? Well they do... my McGwire is so small.... Not only did I kinda put his wrong birthdate on his form (ok I lied... they don't let them start until they are 5 in Lehi.... STUPID).... but he was 2 heads shorter than any kid there. But I think that's what made him so stinkin cute because he knew exactly what he was doing out there! They had cancelled his game when we got there but they still played a practice game.... thank goodness... he would have been crushed if he weren't able to play tonight!

And then there is my cute Macee! It's a darn good thing she looks like a ballplayer because she is lacking in skill..... I still ask myself on a daily basis how I have a dancer and not a ball player! Oh well.... time will tell!!!

Mays really wanted to be in the baseball pitcher.... but below... this is what he and Murphy do while the brothers... and sister play ball! Mick's city league team.... the Pirates are going to be playing for Championship tomorrow.....

Speaking of City League..... bear with me... I am going to go off on my soap box for one minute. For those of you who knew the "High School Athletic Jessica...." I must apologize now. I was so intense and so competitive.... now that I am older and wiser and more importantly.... a mother... I am appalled to see GROWN MEN that are so worried about winning a baseball game that they can degrade 11 year old boys and use horrible profanity and body language.... I can't even begin to explain what we have seen up at the ball field this week. I think we all need a constant reminder that.... "It's just a ballgame..." Ever heard that before? After years of playing... and years of being a "you know what" on the court and ballfield... I am ashamed at that person I was! Really... I am so glad my kids won't ever get to see that side of me! I pray that my kids inherit Eric's calm, rational, athletic personalities otherwise we will need boxing gloves right?

K - I better go! I have some work to get done tonight and would like a few hours of sleep... BTW - I was finally talked into Facebook and I would really like to know how all you wonderful ladies can blog and facebook.... I am seriously such a slacker!

Since I've been Gone.....

Or should I say "Since you've been gone.... I can see for the first time...." K - we got the chance to ROCK OUT to Kelly Clarkson at Eric's stadium last week. Super Duper Fun!!!! I took Macee, her friend Brinley, Maddux and McGwire and Carrie and Bub down to the concert.... Mick was supposed to be joining us but that's a sore subject... he had a STINKING BASEBALL game that he would have loved to miss but you know.... "team commitment." His game was supposed to start at 6:30 and end at 8 so he could be there at 8:15. Well, the fields were wet, the game started an hour late, and he arrived at 9:15 just when Kelly walked off stage....

Nevertheless... we shan't dwell on the bad... WE STILL ROCKED OUT! It was alot of fun. Sprinkled on us a few times but it was great. Thanks to Carrie for rockin with McGwire on her shoulders most of the concert. She had to have got a workout! The girls had a great time and so did McGwire.... Maddux... not so much but oh well for him huh?

This is my happy boy McGwire with the garbage sack over him and the rainbow above him!! Cute picture huh?

Maddux Graduates!!!!

Okay... so better late than never... A few weeks ago Maddog graduated from preschool! It was a very short and sweet graduation!

Here is a pic of he and his cute little buddy Jaxon aka Wacky!!! Eric said I better get a picture since this was the only diploma these boys ever see. Haha... hehe... these are future doctors, lawyers.... inmates.... Just Kidding! These little guys are awesome and Maddux was soooooo glad he had Wacky in his class!

And here is a pic of the entire graduating class! Maddog is in the very back right under the 2009! He was very enthused and tried to do every action! Totally unlike his older brother.... We love you Maddog... congratulations... and watch our kindergarten.... HERE HE COMES!

Miracles Do Happen!!!

Okay... so really shortly and quickly... I took ALL the kids to the dentist bright and early this morning. Note to self... 8 am is too early to get your kids to the dentist. They are super grouchy from the get-go!! Anyway, of course Murphy just hung out but ALL the other kids did the whole routine and the miracle part.... NO CAVITIES!!! I just had to journal this because I am pretty sure this is a once in a lifetime thing with this clan of kiddos!

My kids swear that it's our new dentist... In and out of there... 5 kids remember... less than 1 hour! Seriously... it was awesome! So once again... Dr. Peterson is right on main street in Lehi... blocks from our house!! If you would like more info... you have got my number!! Have a great day!

Hawaii... only 1 month later!!!

Sorry it has taken me forever.... I am such a slacker! So anyway, as many of you know Eric's baseball team traveled to Hawaii for their last series in the middle of May. Mick has been BEGGING to go with us and we decided to surprise him for his birthday with a plain ticket to Hawaii! I have to be honest... it was pretty awesome hanging out with my Mick! Plus... I needed a hot model for all my pictures! The above pic was my favorite!! We arrived a few hours earlier than the team and I begged and begged to go on the beach. We were staying at the Marriott right on the beach and all Mick wanted to do when we got to Hawaii was eat (#1 priority) and watch the Yankee game on ESPN (#2). So where does the beach.... Hawaii... come into place. So we waited for Eric and when we went to dinner that night and Mick actually walked on the beach.. he was hooked!

So this was the view from the hotel... ya... I can't lie... It was gorgeous!! I can't believe all the surfers out at like 6 am! CRAZY!

This is a picture the first night we were there. We had walked a few blocks for dinner and re-routed and walked along the beach on the way home!

Don't let Mick fool you... I think he was pretty much scared poopless to hold these birds! See the concentration on the face... Me and Eric kept giggling at him!

We had to wait about 30 minutes for dinner so we went to the International Market (shopping)!

This was us at the North Shore!!! It was phenomenal over there! The beach was gorgeous and the Icee's were the greatest? Have you ever had condensed milk on a slushee? I know... sounds disgusting... it's AWESOME!!!

While we were at the North Shore there was a guy fishing. As we walked past he caught this "stick" fish! I kept calling it a fish stick... but we thought it was pretty cool!

I know this picture isn't anything great but I had to give you an idea of what caused the picture below. The second day we were there we went and paid $3 for these floaties.... great investment since Eric and Mick just went out on the ocean and basked in the sun for 2 hours. Neither thinking the needed sunscreen because of the cloud cover. Needless to say, they called Eric Pepto (he was THAT pink) all weekend. It really was sad how sun burnt they were. I know... mother of the year... what can I say? Mick's chest blistered and peeled 3 times! Look at his sexy swim suit line!
The trip was fabulous and the baseball was awesome! I am glad I got the chance to spend the time with Mick that I did.... I can't believe he is already 11 and I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. He is kind, generous, caring, goofy, comical! He is really a great kid and such a great example to his little brothers. I would go completely crazy without him in this home to help!

Baseball in Hawaii - Could life get any sweeter?

As I mentioned earlier the baseball was great! The stadium was huge... and the fans were fabulous!!! It was like being at a professional ballpark watching YOUR team! These fans were die hard!!! I asked one of the wives one night... I wonder how we can get more attendance at our UV games? The fan in front of me giggled and said that 80 degrees at 9 pm doesn't hurt the attendance count!! Hawaii was the last series for the 2008-2009 Wolverines at which time was said goodbye to 4 seniors!I really hate this part of baseball! Eric LOVES these men! Honestly.... like sons or he'd rather me say brothers cuz ya know... he's just not that old but anyway... they finished off the season strong splitting with Hawaii. I love the opportunity Mick has to be around these men! Most mom's might be scared that their 10 year old is going to learn a cuss word in the dugout but if my Mick can turn out to be 1/2 the men that some of these guys are I will be a happy momma!

And I did have a little obsession with the cute coach on 3rd bases butt! I never get to actually sit at a game... let alone with my hottie husby right in front of me!!! Josh Hinckley got to be my little model since I was sitting by his cute wife Cali and we kinda adore them at the Madsen house. After every home game Josh would put Mays on 1 knee and McGwire on the other as he pulled the field (is that what you call it)! This young family went through quite a trial at a young age and I honestly have learned so much from their endearing strength! We will miss these men (and their darling families). I want you to notice there is one pic of Eric by himself just watching at the end of the slide show. I took this picture as he watched his team get a victory... against Hawaii on their senior night... for their last game of the season. My tough husband got a little teary!

Pearl Harbor

We did get the chance to spend 1 morning out at Pearl Harbor. This was my 2nd time at Pearl Harbor and it still is absolutely amazing to me!!! I really enjoyed getting to the chance to talk to Mick and Eric about Pearl Harbor and it was pretty awesome watching Eric and Mick talk about the history! I am so grateful everyday for the men and women who serve our country!

I think the most amazing thing to me is that the Arizona still, after so many years, leaks the oil. That is what the picture of the rainbow water is! And then the wall of all the men, women and children that died that day... it is pretty awesome!