Spring Break '09 - Utah

Trellany & Brianna - Visit 'Brighton'

"Snow Bunnies"

Powder Mountain - Cute Girls

Cute Girls

Trellany went to Utah for ‘Spring Break – Snowboarding’ with one of her best friends ‘Brianna Carter and her family’. Thank you to the ‘Carters’ for taking her….she had a blast. At the end of the week they decided to leave Friday night and drive all night so they could get home on Saturday. They drove through Las Vegas so as to avoid the ‘Deer’. They decided to stop in Vegas and see if they could find an ‘All You Can Eat Buffett’. Of course it was 4:00am.

When they pulled in to Vegas Trellany was sleeping and the lights on the strip woke her up and she was like wow…this is so bright…she was amazed at how bright the strip was.

Trellany visits Las Vegas & The Joy of Innocence:

Here is her recount of Vegas:

It’s 4am in the morning and I’m astounding that there are people everywhere. They are walking down the strip and it’s totally disgusting. We are trying to find an ‘All You Can Eat’ Buffet. We are walking in 2’s and these Mexican drunks are saying ‘oh there’s our dates’…I then realize they are pointing to us…then these other 2 guys say ‘we’ll protect you’..I’m like we don’t even know you…it was so scary…everyone was just drunk. Jake (Bri’s cousin) who’s 12 was approached by some guy who was drunk and they asked him if this was his first time to Vegas…Jake was like yea..I’m 12 man. We kept walking around the casino trying to find the ‘Buffet’ and everyone kept staring at us because of the way we were all dressed (we were basically in our PJ’s travelling clothes). I was wearing ‘basketball shorts’ – a big baggie t-shirt, hair tied up on top of my head with my zebra headband and the majority of the people were still dressed from the night wearing the shortest short skirts, stiletto heals and they were all drunk– I got asked by some door guy if I was going to go on a ‘run because of the way I was dressed all I could do was laugh. Vegas is so weird.

She told me that she felt is was totally sad because everyone was drunk that nobody has a life and basically it is the most disgusting place she has ever visited. She told me that she never wants to go to Vegas again.

Volleyball AD's...

Volleyball Program AD's for 2009:

The official 1st game of the season opens tomorrow for Gilbert High's Boys Volleyball Team. Needless to say we are way excited. Along with open season it's also 'Program Time'...this is where the boys sell AD's or sponsorships that are printed in a nice program book that is handed out at all the games. There are business AD's and a ton of family, friends, grandparent well wishes too.

Here's the color renditions of the AD's that will be going in this year for Trennon. He's such a 'Tiger'.

For those of you new to Volleyball or not sure what a 'Dig' means...it's when you dive for the ball when it is almost hitting the floor and you save it with your hand and 'Dig' it out from nowhere...in this shot 'Trennon' made an unbelivable 'Dig' and saved the ball, popped it back into play which allowed his team to win the point. Like I said...he's a 'Tiger' and there is nothing that will stop him from giving it is all.

Congratulations Trennon - You ROCK!!

You are looking at the 'newest' Varsity Boys Volleyball Team member at Gilbert High. Yes...Trennon about gave me a 'car wreck' when I picked him up from Volleyball practice on Tuesday. 

Let me back track a little.  Last week was the Gilbert High Boys Volleyball tryouts.  Trennon played last year (his Freshman year) on the JV team and fell in love with Volleyball.  I think it runs in the family...LOL!!  So he made a goal after last years season to work really hard and try to make 'Varsity' this year.  We knew it was a long shot as competition is fierce at Gilbert High but we also knew that with hard work, determination and the will to succeed Trennon would do his best to achieve his goal. 

After his school season...he knew it was going to be a tough road but one that he was definitely up for the challenge.  He put in a lot of extra training with a 'sports specialist' that helped build his vertical skills, participated in a 16 week in home DVD training and attended the BYU Volleyball training camp this summer.  It all paid off because this fall (when the Boys Club Volleyball season starts) he made the 'Molten 16-1' team and really excelled. They all went on to win the Region under the direction of coach Jesse and Austin who were the defending champs.  The 16-1's were proud to bring home the Regional Championship again for Coach Jesse and Austin.

Last Friday the Varsity Coach asked (5) of the JV boys to come and practice with the Varsity team. Trennon was one of the (5).  They were all pretty excited and played very well.  (Trennon has the stitch to prove that he went all out hoping to secure his spot on the team-he split his chin open during this practice and we ended up getting him stitched up friday evening with our wonderful Doctor Bryan Gallman - Thank You!).  At the end of practice the Coach informed the boys that they did not make Varisty...that he just needed them for practice because some of the boys were still wrapping up their other sports (Basketball, etc.)  So last Friday we were happy that Trennon made the JV team again and knew that he would continue to grow as he would probably be getting a lot of playing time.  So now you probably know why I almost had the 'car wreck' when he told me Tuesday of this week that he did make 'Varsity'.  Because up to this point we were happy that he was on JV.  Ok..I've probably lost some of you now but hang with me just a little longer and hopefully this will all make sense...LOL.

So...back to Tuesday of this week...I pick Trennon up..we are driving down the road..I'm calling home to ask Bromley what he wants from 'Taco Bell'...(I think when you are a teenager...there isn't any other place that exists in their vocabulary except 'Taco Bell'...at least in our home that is)...and Trennon very calmly says..'Oh..Mom...I made VARISTY'...I seriously almost dropped the phone, ran into the curb and screamed all at the same time...the minute Bromley heard me scream on the other end of the phone...Bromley said...uh...let me guess 'Trennon made Varisty"?...guess my kids know me.  Needless to say...it was an exciting few minutes.

Trennon said that he asked the JV coach right before practice if Coach Grover had his 12 for Varsity.  The JV Coach said no...he's got 11 and there's one spot left.  Trennon was a little puzzled but thought just maybe it was his.  So he stepped it up one more time during practice to really show how much he wanted that spot.  At the end of practice Coach Grover called him over and said something to him like 'I like your hustle, like your enthusiasm and I've got one more sport to fill on Varsity...'How would you like to play'...Trennon was in shock...said "I would love that Coach"..he said great because it's yours.  He told Trennon that he wouldn't be hitting (because those spots are filled) but that he needed a really good 'Utility' person, passer and defender...Trennon was so excited and told the coach 'I'll play whatever position you want me to play...I just appreciate the opportunity and I'll do my best for you'....so here we go...

It's definitely going to be a lot of hard work and a level that Trennon is going to have to really step up too...but we know he can do it.

Way to ROCK Trennon...We are so proud of you...You are the total BOMB!!

Pie Time with Nanna...

OK..some of you may know this and some of you may not...but my MOM is pretty much known for her unbelievable, mouth watering, incredible Pies...yes my Mom is better than 'Marie Calendars', Sara Lee or Village Inn. Her Pies are the ultimate BEST in creativity, flaky (to die for) pastry and everything in between. The problem is - it's a 'family' secret and she is very reluctant to share it with anybody.

You see I have to give you a little background first. My parents are both from England.  My Dad came over 6 months before he called my Mom and proposed and asked her to come over to America and marry him.  (My Mom came over to America in 1958). My brother and I are the only 'American' born in our entire family. My Dad came over to fulfill his dream of being a 'Professional' Golfer and my Mom gave up her dream when she moved to the states. You see my Mom was a 'Professional' Ballerina on the 'London' stage for 9 years before she moved over here to marry my Dad. They have quite a story which I will share at another time, but to get back to the 'Pies'. Daddy and Mommy met a 'Texan' who gave them their start in the 'golf world'. Basically Dad was hired as the 'Head Golf Professional' for a 9 hole executive course in 'Coeur d' Alene, Idaho'. He built this into an 18 hole master plan community that he managed and developed for over 30 years. During the winter's Mom and Dad would come to Mesa and run the 'Apache Wells' Country Club until one day Dad was approached to build his own course. He and Mom built 'Camelot Golf Club' out in east Mesa and owned and ran it for over 25 years. This is where Mom started sharing her 'Pies'. When Camelot was first started all they had was a trailer for the clubhouse. Part of the clubhouse was a snack shop that Mom ran. She made wonderful sandwiches and pies. She would bake 10 pies a night at home and then bring them into the coffee shop and sell them by the piece for lunch to all the golfers. Well one day...she made this amazing 'Chocolate/Pear' pie that everyone who tried it wanted more. There was a Doctor who came in everyday for lunch (he loved her sandwiches too) and once he tasted the 'Chocolate/Pear' he wanted to buy the whole pie. Mom said to him...I can't sell you the whole pie because then there won't be any for the other customers. Needless to say he was not happy. The next day the Doctor came in and approached my mom and said "If I pay you for each individual piece of that pie, you can't refuse to sell it to me"...the Doctor had her...so he paid for each piece and took the whole pie home. I asked Mom later on after she told us this story...why she just didn't make (2) Chocolate/Pear pies each night...she said it was the principal of the thing and so to teach the Doctor...she quite making the Chocolate/Pear pie. The one thing I learned early on with Mom...don't ever make Mom mad because she will always Win in the end...LOL..but seriously Mom's pies are the creme de la creme of pies.

So a few months ago...Trellany wanted to make a pie for her friend Robert as a surprise for Christmas and guess who just happened to be at the house...MOM...so it was a perfect opportunity to learn from the best. Mom (Nanna) was gracious enough to get in the kitchen with Trellany and teach her the 'family' secret crust and help Trellany make an 'Apple Pie' that was truly to 'die for'. My Dad even got in on the action as we set him up to 'peel the apples' with the nifty apple/corer tool that I just love from 'Pampered Chef'.

Enjoy the pics that follow of 'Pie Time with Nanna'...

Nanna showing Trellany how to roll the pastry

Then you place it in the dish

gently roll the paper from the pastry

then you pinch the side to make it look pretty..:)

fill the pie with the filling...this one is Apples...yum

Nanna explaining to Trellany how to cut the apples and what kind of apples to use.

Papa loves to help...he was in charge of peeling and coring the apples

Hey...this is a pretty cool tool..it does the whole thing for you..(peels, cores and slices)

This is saving me hours of work...whoopee!!

The pie is almost full..

Wow...I did it...now I just have to put the top crust on and bake it...hope it turns out good.

I think Robert was a little shocked...he said 'Wow' you made me a Pie?


The verdict came back a few days later...that was the best 'Apple' Pie I've ever had.  

Trellany you scored...although Robert is now preparing for his Mission and is focusing on this we are grateful and thankful for all that he did for Trellany during their 'fun' dating time.  We wish Robert all the success in the world on his mission and look forward to his safe return in 2011.

It's the B-MAN...Watch Out Shaq..

Bromley...LOVES Basketball..

The season just started and he's fortunate enough to be on Coach Dan's team with his two good friends Hayden and Brycen.  These little boys have been playing together now for 4 years and they are really learning the game, learning what it means to be on a Team and that it's not always about winning, but about being the best you can be win or lose.

Bromley plays 'Center' and 'Power Forward'...he's definitely a force to be reckoned with when he's underneath the net.  Of course it helps when you are head and shoulders above the rest of the kids but he's still got the moves and the power to get in there and rebound the ball. Bromley is a lot of fun to watch and I'm just grateful he has a good team, a great coach and awesome team mates.

Going for the shot...

Nice move..got around him

He shoots, He scores...

He shoots, He scores...again..nice form B-Man

You Rock!! and we love you so much...:)

Hair Cut

I love long hair but felt I needed a slight change...so my amazing, fantastic, hair wizard...did a little shorter variation.

Tell me what you think....

Do you like it longer:

Here's the new shorter look...

I didn't realize how much was cut off till I looked back at these pictures...(the great thing with hair...is that it always grows back..LOL)..WOW...but all I can say is Katonna (my hair wizard) is simply amazing with color and cut..I love her to death.  She darkened it too but of course the B&W doesn't reflect the color...but I love it...thank you Katonna for always making me look good and for being my friend.  I love you girl.  You truly are amazing..:)

Christmas Morning...

It has been tradition in my family that Christmas Morning is unique.  My parents (mainly my Mom) would never let us open presents until we had all eaten a really good breakfast. Mom always said when we were young that was the only meal she was guaranteed we'd eat because the rest of the day was spent playing with all the new toys. So to honor tradition I started it with my children when they were little (of course Mom and Dad made sure because they come and celebrate Christmas morning with us.) The other reason it works is because all of my kids are late sleepers (yes even when they were little - they never got up before 8am...I know I'm lucky......). The other tradition we have is separating the presents into piles and everyone taking their seat and we go around the circle and watch everyone open one present at a time. This always made sure we were able to see what everyone got instead of one mad rip, tear and shred and then it's over in 5 minutes and nobody knows what each other got. So after breakfast we all went into the living room and sat in our respective seats and went around the circle and watched each other open presents.

My Mom was so excited cuz she got the newest Michael Ball CD. He's a young Michael Crawford and I heard his music a few years ago (just searching for new stuff) and all I can say is WOW....what a voice and my Mom fell in love with him. So I found his brand new album on Amazon.com because his records are only available in England...so needless to say she was pretty excited.

My Dad is a PGA Golf Pro and he got the Greatest Game Ever Played book and was thrilled...since he knew Eddie Lawry (the caddy that helped change the game of golf forever).

Bromley looking pretty mischievous...wonder if he's been naughty or nice...LOL.

Trennon...waiting patiently to have his turn to open a present.

Trellany and Bromley excited to get the presents started.

Look...I got new shoes...:)

My Sister's the Bomb...baby...Volcom Rocks...

My Sister knows that I only wear DC...she's the BOMB!!

Trennon & his Papa

Mamma Mia...one of my all time favorite movies.

My Dad..getting his Golf Book.

My Mom LOVES, ADORES Michael Ball..

Mom and I laughing because we both got POISON...

Our friend Susan and Mom doubly spoiling her with

a genuine 'Brighton' wallet...WOW.

Susan knows we love Movies..so AMC

here we come...Thank You!