State Diving

Stockton had his state diving competition today. The person who was supposed to do the snack table had not arrived so I volunteered Jorja to run it. She had joked with Mike before we came asking if she could run a booth. The lady eventually showed up, but Jorja told her she was fine doing it. I think Jorja enjoyed it.

Jorja & Preston

There were a lot of divers at this meet. More than at most of the meets this year, not surprising though. What was surprising was that there was more boy divers than girl divers.

Stockton during warmups

Stockton did great on three dives and okay on three dives. I picked one picture of each dive for this blog. Mike also had a couple of videos that I was able to get.

Stockton ~ Front 1 1/2 pike

 Inward 1 1/2 tuck

Back 1 1/2 tuck

 Reverse 1 1/2 tuck

 Twist ~ I can't remember which one, but he hates them all. :)

 Front 2 1/2 tuck

Stockton ended up sixth place. At least he was able to get a medal. He was .5 points away from Camden. Matt actually failed his last dive, but the judges didn't catch it. The divers all did and were laughing when he got fives on the dive. He only did a half twist when he was supposed to do a full twist. Not only was he supposed to get a zero on that dive, but the degree of difficulty was higher on the dive he was supposed to compete than the dive he actually did. This put him in fourth place and ahead of Stockton. That was a little disappointing for Stockton. Matt did tell someone that he did the wrong dive, but if the judges don't catch it it doesn't matter. He just lucked out. Stockton said, "How do they not catch that but they catch me if I turn my feet even a little bit?" Stockton has this habit of twisting his feet on entry, especially on his inwards. The judges are ruthless on that. Dives that could be given sevens have been dropped to threes. That is a huge point difference. Well, the judges know these divers pretty well and I think all of them look for Stockton to twist. They kind of expect him to do it and nail him on it. I don't think they were expecting Matt to do the wrong dive. One of the girls did a back flip instead of a back dive. That is a lot easier to catch though.

Stockton, Matt, Christopher, Mickey, Gavin, Camden

 Stockton & Gavin

 Cougar Club Divers

Christopher, Stockton, Matt, Mickey

We went to Pizza Pie Cafe after the meet. I just had salad. Boo! One more month of no sugar, no dairy, no grain. On the way home I saw this on my phone. My eyes about popped out of my head. I can not believe that little Cameron has his mission call! What has happened?

Mike and I went to the temple tonight. Mike had signed us up to do sealings over a month ago. I was so tired when I got home I went to bed early. I can not believe I forgot about the BYU/Gonzaga game! I remembered before we left to the temple, but just forgot when we got home. I woke up to texts from my brothers about it. Oh man! I would have loved to watch that one! (BYU won 79-71. Gonzaga was ranked number one and would have finished the season undefeated if they won this game.) Anyways, I have now watched several recaps and hopefully will watch the entire game soon. Boo on me!

Friday Diving

Preston got to play at Brian's house today. He was able to get a few hours in before I needed to leave for diving. I am not good at inviting people over, so I love it when Preston's friends take the initiative. I took Stockton and Gavin to the diving competition today. It was an All-American competition. Gavin went for it and was able to score high enough to apply. Stockton didn't want to go for All-American because he hates doing voluntary dives (back dives, front dives, inward dives . . . ) Stockton wanted to do his eleven dives on both the one and three meter board. Turns out Stockton was the only one who did this, which surprised him. It was nice to have a relaxing meet though. Stockton did great. I picked my favorite dive from each board.

Reverse 1 1/2 ~ scored 6 1/2, 7, 6 1/2

Front 2 1/2 ~ scored 6 1/2 bingo

When the announcers say 6 1/2 bingo it means that all the judges gave the same score. It is really funny when the kids dive with the rec summer program. The little kids are so excited when the announcer says 'bingo'. Even if it is 3 1/2 bingo. They will yell to their friends, "I got bingo!"

After the meet we went to Hires Big H by Bubs house. It took forever! I have no idea why it took so long, but we were there for an hour before we got our food. I hurried over to Bubs house afterwords so I could drop off some things for him to take to the cabin. He had the stockings I had made him out. I had wanted to get a pictures of the stockings because I wasn't sure if I had one of all of them. I don't think I got pictures of the ones I made for Steve and Shannon. Anyways, I took this opportunity to get one. It looks like the golf clubs in Santa's golf bag are missing now. That's to be expected after several years.

Christmas Diving

I took Maysen to her laser hair appointment.  She hated it as usual, but she still survived.  I got Maysen dropped off and then went to the UPS store.  I was able to get her text books that we rented from Amazon sent back.  They had to be sent back today or we would get a fine.

Stockton had a diving competition at the U.  He did so well!  He got second place.  This was an eleven dive competition.  You could choose to do all eleven on the 1 meter if you were going for All American. Stockton decided to do a mixture of 1 and 3 meter.  Other than his twisters he hit everything.  He was quite happy after the meet.

Look at Stockton's entry!

 Stockton ~ pike

I'm not sure which dives the pictures above came from.  I put several dives below, but not all eleven.  Stockton did an awesome dive on the 3 meter.  I think it was a reverse 1 1/2.  I was watching and trying to video, so that dive all I have is a video of the ceiling.  Whoops.

Inward 1 1/2

Front 21/2

Reverse 11/2

Back 11/2

Front 21/2

There were some divers who only competed six dives.  Once their families left the place was quite empty.  It was nice that there wasn't a swim meet at the same time.  Swim meets are LOUD!

Mike

We went to Hires Big H after the meet.  I was disappointed that I didn't have my birthday coupon with me.  Oh well.  Katlyn was gone when we got back from diving.  Her dad had come and picked her up.  Jorja had a lot of fun having her over.  The rest of the day was spent getting ready for gingerbread and Christmas tomorrow.  Mike helped me put together 27 houses.  We had pizza and eggnog for dinner.  One of my favorite Christmas dinners.  Mike and I were at Harmons getting the eggnog and we ran into my dad. That was fun!  Mike also noticed the mail place inside Harmons was still open.  I was able to mail my brother Mike his book.  Luckily my dad was there and had Mike and Christen's address.  I had left my phone home.  I'm glad to have that done!  We opened Christmas jammies and the kids all slept together in the boys room.  Even Maysen.

Stockton, Jorja & Preston, Maysen

 Jorja, Stockton, Preston, Stephanie, Maysen, Mike

 Stephanie & Preston

Mike and I stayed up until 1:00 getting everything ready.  We practically fell into bed.  I'm so glad I don't have to teach tomorrow!

Jorja's Smile

Happy day!  Jorja got her braces off!  She was terrified that the orthodontist would change his mind.  Nope.  Done deal.  We need to go back in over a week for a retainer though.  Weird.  They still put a permanent retainer in, but I guess she needs another one for awhile too.

Jorja ~ before

 Jorja ~ after

 I couldn't decide which one I liked best....

 What a beautiful doll!

I think she's happy they are off

Jorja and Preston had diving today.  They were the only ones there today.  They loved that!  I talked to Maysen during their lessons.  That was fun.

Jorja and Preston

Preston ~ back pike jump

 I failed and held my phone the wrong direction

Jorja back dive

Laurel helping Preston with a back dive

Preston was super nervous...I can't imagine why!

So....in other big news....John and Cassie are moving to Virginia!  Brett and Rachel are only living there for six more months.  Mike also lived there for awhile.  Too bad my brothers couldn't coordinate their lives better!  I was kind of sad yesterday when I thought John wouldn't be able to go to the cabin for Christmas.  Cassie and I came up with an awesome plan that will work.  We just have to move things around, but yay! yay! yay!  Christmas at the cabin with John!

McKenzie

I had something bother me today that I don't want to write about on here.  As a result I was feeling a little down.  I have a hard time making friends.  Usually it doesn't matter because my family is so awesome, but today I was a little upset.  I took Stockton to diving and stayed to watch Preston.  Mike brought Preston up and took Stockton home. Every once in awhile Adi's mom comes.  We are not always on the same schedule, so I never know when I'm going to see her.  Her name is McKenzie and about a month ago we became quick friends.  I was wearing my Evan McMullin shirt and she came and started talking to me about it.  McKenzie is amazing and I already adore her.  It makes me so happy to see her.  Just what I needed today.  McKenzie's husband is going to medical school in Georgia.  They went there for Thanksgiving.  They are also planning on going for Christmas.  She is so excited.  They have a little girl that is 6 and a boy that just turned 1. McKenzie is staying in Utah while she finished treatment for breast cancer.  She discovered it in July.  She was 29 years old.  She is now 30. I see her a few days after her Taxol chemo treatments and I can't even believe it.  She is having surgery on Friday.  I hope it goes well.  Her last surgery put her in the ICU for four days.  I'm not sure if I'll see her before she goes to Georgia for Christmas.

Anyways, McKenzie had the coolest story.  She flew back from Georgia yesterday.  She had a message from a lady that runs a cancer support group that she joined.  McKenzie called her back while she was at baggage claim.  She was told that Angela Johnson (the sculpture that just finished the pieces for the new Light of the World Garden at Thanksgiving Point) wanted to use her as a model for her next sculpture.  She wants to do a sculpture of a woman with breast cancer and Christ helping her through the process.  She went and sat for Angela that very day.  McKenzie explained what it is going to look like and how she felt.  It was one of the most spiritual experiences she has ever had.  I am so excited to see this new sculpture.  I am so glad McKenzie was at diving today.  Just the pick-me-up I needed.  I am extremely thankful my problems aren't anywhere close to hers.  It is amazing to here her talk about her cancer.  All she talks about is the 'tender mercies' she has seen.  For example, her boy was born premature.  She wanted to get pregnant right away because she has a hard time getting pregnant.  There is a 6 year gap between her two kids. When her boy was premature her doctor told her that she shouldn't have other kids for a year and a half.  I think the doctor wanted this child's immune system to fully develop.  (I had never heard of that before.  My doctor didn't tell me that after Stockton.  Anyways, it is what her doctor told her.)  She followed that advice and found out she had cancer when her baby was about seven months old. She has a super aggressive type of cancer.  If she was pregnant, she would have horrible decisions to make.  McKenzie is such a light in the world.  I hope she can survive the cruel disease.  It was weird though.  I saw a picture of her from a year ago.  She laughed when I gasped, "Look!  You have hair!"  She said, "That's right.  You have never seen me with hair, have you?"  She is beautiful with and without hair.  Some people just are.

The Flying, Flipping, Twisting Turkey Classic

Yes, that is the actual name of this diving event.  I got the kids up at 6:00 so we could get there in time for warm-ups.  Jorja didn't want to wake up.  I told her she needed to go or she should have stayed overnight at her young women's activity.  I let her come home early in order to go to this.  Preston really wanted her there.  Mike came later. He went to our exercise class first.

This meet seemed to last forever!  I thought it would end at 1:00 at the latest.  It didn't end until after 2:30.  I felt bad.  I should have packed some food.  Stockton was starving by the time it was his turn to compete.  He had eaten half of a protein bar, so I thought that was all he wanted.  In the middle of his meet he came and found us and asked for the rest.  I had just eaten the rest of it about thirty seconds before.  I felt so bad!  I had nothing else to give him!

I did the paper scoring for Preston's competition, so I was able to video his jumps from the deck.  I didn't bother videoing Stockton's because I was up too high.  Mike took pictures though.

Preston back dive 

Preston front dive

Preston front jump tuck

Preston falling front dive

Preston back jump

 Preston got 1st place on 1 meter

and 2nd place on 3 meter

 Stockton front dive pike 101B

 Stockton inward pike 401B

 Stockton 1 1/2 pike 103B

 Stockton inward 1/2 tuck 403C

 Stockton 2 1/2 tuck 105C

 Stockton back dive pike 201B

 Stockton 1 1/2 pike 103B

 Stockton 2 1/2 pike 105B

Look how folded over Stockton is on that last dive.  Amazing!  I absolutely love watching him dive.  It just took way too long today!  I hope Preston loves it as much as Stockton does.  There were a couple of reasons this meet lasted so long.  They were planning on having two judging tables.  One for three meter and one for one meter.  They couldn't do this because they didn't have enough judges. If they had this both three meter and one meter could be diving at the same time. The other reason it took forever was they had the Junior Olympic divers (Stockton) dive 11 dives on each board.  There were also at least twice as many divers at this meet then there were last year at this same meet.  Anyway, we survived.

We went to Sizzler after the meet to stuff our starving selves.  That food tasted delicious!