Newspaper Worthy

Our Tyson... #10 made the paper!
"Hutchins ended up with two catches for 73 yards"
Check out The Tooele Transcript Bulletin for the full story.

Love Is In The Air

Jeff and I recently celebrated our

18th Wedding Anniversary.

We went out for a night on the town!

Lucky for you, we had our video camera

so you can see what a fun time we had!

It's for all to enjoy ... just look below!

Jake and Heath ... thanks for the link!

Still got it after 18 years...

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

The Mother is a LIAR

Hummer is sick. He let me take him to the doctor after I promised him that every appointment does not end with a SHOT ... ummmm, wrong! Don't make promises based on how things "used to be".

He simply has Strep Throat and they wanted to give him an injection of antibiotics. WHAT? ... do we not believe in prescription drugs anymore? After I practically signed over my first born and swore on my life that Dill would take EVERY SINGLE pill, the Doc allowed us to leave with a prescription. WHAT THE HECK??

To top it off, Dillon called me a liar... pointing out that every appointment does end with a shot. Well, what can I say? I thought I was telling the truth.

My heart belongs to the Toy Department

We've been trying to remodel Tyson's room for some time now. The problem is he doesn't know what he wants. However, he does knows what he DOESN'T want ... go figure!

So the other day I headed to Salt Lake to see what I could find that didn't fall in the "doesn't want" category. After a few hours, finding myself empty handed with a headache to beat the band ... I decided to visit the ToY DEpARtmeNt. Well, low and behold, there was plenty to find there! So, I loaded up and headed home. Happy as a lark. Headache long gone!

Oh, how I love shopping for ToYs and how sad I am that my boys don't need or want them anymore. Oh, how I can't stand the Electonic Department!

Maybe we can try shopping for the room re-model again another day or maybe I'll just go back to the ToY DEpARtmeNt ... OH WAIT, I don't need anymore ToYs ... I'm loaded up for 2009 (and some of 2010). BUMMER!

In case you're wondering ... I did buy all the ToYs for 2008 awhile ago when I had a headache looking for electronics. Did I say how much I love ToYs? My heart really belongs to the ToY DEpARtmeNt.

Dip Every Day!

Tyson is ECSTATIC!
A form of "Dippin' Dots" can now be found in the freezer section of your local grocery store. About $1.25 per serving and almost as good as the real thing.

Cowboy Up!

Cowboy Football is in full swing!

We loved watching
#10 ... "HUTCHINS"
The season kicked off against Wasatch.




The Haka ...
a new tradition to
Grantsville Football.
Loved it.







Ty played a great game. He caught 2 long passes for 2 first downs.
He also made some great plays on defense, knocking the helmet off of one player with a fabulous block.
We went into half time up 17-10.

The 3rd quarter brought some trouble for Ty. He cramped up and couldn't get it under control. Do you know how to prevent this in the future? So far we've heard: banana's, pickle juice, calcium, tums, water, Gatorade and potassium. Have anything to add?




Ty was finally able to re-enter the game in the 4th. But unfortunately, the Cowboys came up a bit short with the game ending 24-30 in favor of Wasatch. Luckily there is always another game to play. We'll be at Juan Diego next week.

Win or lose, we still celebrate. All the Fam came over for pizza. We were so happy, but not surprised, that the college kids came home for the season opener.



Tenille even joined us after cheering for the Tooele game (they lost). I think,
in her heart, she's really a Grantsville fan.

Ty and Aust, we're so proud of you. You played with so much heart.

Way to start out the season.

Grab those helmets

and let's go again.

Just for Maddie

This blog is dedicated to our FABULOUS niece, Maddie. She is KIND, BEAUTIFUL, HELPFUL, GENEROUS, LOVING, AFFECTIONATE ... and just plain WONDERFUL in every way.
Oh, and she is the best softball player EVER!

Thanks for helping Dill adjust to the Jr. High Maddie! We Love You!

Don't wait for the FULL 20

A 20 GB video camera seemed like a dream when we bought it. It didn't cross our minds that someday those 20 GB's would have to be moved off the camera... Surprise!!

This little surprise has left me starring at this screen for the last 2 days. But not to worry, I'm only spending about 12 hours a day working on it... and no stress, I'm nearly 1/4 of the way through! Oh Glory!!

Define "Vacation" ...

With the past few months consisting of 124 Baseball Games you may be asking yourself if The Hutchins Family has been able to go on vacation this summer ... well that would depend on your definition of "Vacation".
We've had to re-define the word in the last year or so, since our boys have become so busy with things they feel passionate about.

Therefore, our definition is this:
va-ca'tion: enjoyable time, spent with at least one other person, in a place that is at least 10 minutes away from home.
In light of our new definition ... we had quite a few great vacations this summer!

Vacation #1: Miller Sports Park
Grandpa Johns scored us some great tickets! We spent the afternoon watching motorcycles, eating and hanging out. This was an "extended family vacation" as Grandma and Grandpa Johns were there, as well as Uncle Jared, Gracie, Isabelle and Tanner. Not there: Dad and Ty but still falls under the definition of "Vacation".




Vacation #2: Lagoon
Ty was invited to join Tenille and her family at their Stake Lagoon Day. They had a great time. Even though the rest of us weren't there, this still falls under the definition of "Vacation" (it may be a stretch but, by darn, I'm counting it).


Vacation #3: Hogle Zoo
This is a vacation for all ages and can also count as an "extended family vacation". They're the best aren't they? Aunt Kristina, Hunter, Easton and Danny joined in. Again, not there: (by choice this time) Dad and Ty. We told Dad we'd wait until he could join us, he said to "just go ahead"... and Ty, well he just said, "Ummmm, No." So even though we were "ditched" by 2, it still counts under the new definition.



Vacation #4: Grandma Doris' Swim Party
Although this vacation was almost exactly 10 minutes from home, it was the best because we were ALL there. Not only that, but again it was "extended". The whole Palmer Family was there too. The boys love to prove to Grandma that they are taller than her. I believe they are... you think?

Vacation #5: Boondocks
This was a last minute trip but alot of fun. Dillon and his cousins, Dallin and Beau came. I think the other boys might have joined us for this one but Ty was at camp and Dad had to work. Still... it counts, under the "more than one" clause.





We also celebrated
28 Birthdays this summer, including Jeff and Krista's. No, we won't share our ages. Let's just say we know we're not 18 anymore... we can feel it in our aching bones!



So, with...
124 Baseball Games... 5 fabulous "Vacations"...
28 Birthdays... we are 157 events EXHAUSTED!
What a great summer!

But seriously, let school start we can't go on like this!

50/20 ... Seriously?

A few weeks ago Dill had a quick eye check from the family doctor. When he couldn't see past the huge "E" at the top of the chart we thought we'd better head to the eye doctor! Before we left the office the nurse informed me that she thought he had 50/20 vision ... are you kidding me?! How could I not know this? As we got into the car Dillon turned to me and said, "I knew my eyes were bad. I haven't been able to see the board all year." When I asked why he hadn't said anything he had a quick comeback of, "Do you think I want to wear glasses?!" ... Duh Mom!

The eye doctor did agree that Dill needed glasses. 50/20 was a little harsh ... but the need is still there. Hummer's attitude has changed since he spotted the "Nike" frames. Nike makes glasses now ... who knew?

Will YOU Choose Strength?

Today in Sunday School we talked about

The ARMOR of God.
We discussed how everyone begins life with ARMOR

but that it becomes strong or weak depending

on how we choose to live our lives

The youth shared such great insight and ideas on how to make their ARMOR stronger. Then each one committed to change something in their lives ... therefore, choosing to "PUT ON STRENGTH" as they started school this week.

As I listened to these youth and watched them commit to be stronger it made me want to be like them. So, before the day is done, I will commit to change something ... will you?
Will you put on

STRONGER ARMOR

with us?

Better than GOLD.

Don't you LOVE the Olympics? We turn them on every evening and watch until WAY to late, but we can't help ourselves. After all, what is better than hearing all those awe-inspiring stories? What is better than cheering on the USA? What is better than realizing you live in the best country in the world? Nothing! So we tune in. We cheer, we weep, we outright cry and as we do ... we become part of the Olympic Dream. As I watched the gymnastics All-Around Competition this question entered my mind: "Is there anything BETTER than winning a Gold Medal?" My question was then answered by 3 "Greats" ... Shawn, Darra and Michael. They say "yes".


Let's begin with Shawn Johnson, a member of the USA Women's Gymnastic Team. The team was favored to win the gold and Shawn was favored to take the individual gold in the All-Around ... both times a silver medal was awarded. Yet, Shawn SMILED (unlike the rest of her team mates). When asked how she felt she replied that she only hoped she'd made her coach proud. You see, he was born and raised in China and Shawn wanted to show the Chinese people that he had a good life and was successful in America. For being just 16 years old, it's impressive that Shawn already knows what is better than gold ... HONOR.

Side Note: Did you know that Shawn is the hottest Olympian EVER? That's what I've heard in my house and apparently it is the consensus at football practice too! LOL


Next we have the USA 41 year old swimmer... yes, I did say FORTY-ONE! Darra Torres made an impressive (and I think, brave) move before one of her races. The race was ready to start when she walked away and over to an official. She explained that one of the girls had a rip in her suit. The race was stopped until the girl could change. It made me SMILE because it was so motherly and it made me proud because none of the younger girls dared say anything. The race would have gone on without the other girl had it not been for Darra. She helped a competitor because she knows what is better than gold ... INTEGRITY.

Side Note: Darra is old enough to be the mother of most of the girls she is competing against... WOW. Even more amazing is that she is winning! Go Darra!


Let me wrap it up with, the amazing, Michael Phelps ... soon to be the greatest Olympian in history! Phelps is impressive to any spectator but I was even more impressed (if that is possible) when I heard a story about him the other day. Four years ago at the Olympics in Greece, he had won a few medals and qualified to be in a relay race. He gave up his spot to a fellow teammate so that young man would have a chance to win a medal. Oh, how my heart sang to know that Michael Phelps knows what is better than breaking world records and winning gold medals. He knows that the SELF WORTH of another is better.

Side Note: Did you know that if Michael Phelps was a country, he would be in 3rd place for the most medals won. So fun! So fun! Go Michael!

Our lives will continue to revolve around these Olympics for another week. As they do, I hope my two young competitors will learn that there is something better than that coveted "Gold" ... HONOR, INTEGRITY and SELF-WORTH

will always be more rewarding.

Go USA!

Quick ... change your cleats!

Baseball season ended on a Saturday and the following Monday the boys headed to Football practice. They literally threw their baseball socks in the hamper, changed their cleats and just like that, it was Football Season!

Tyson is playing for Grantsville High School. He has been giving it his all the past two weeks, during Two-A-Days. It was all worth it when he learned he was put on the starting Varsity squad earlier this week.

Tonight we got to watch him in action at the Red and White Scrimmage. It's going to be fun cheering him, Austin and the rest of the Cowboys on ... oh, and watching Ally cheer!

Above... who is that "Man in Black"? Oh, it's Jeff. Coach Cloward has asked him to be on the coaching staff this year. He is doing a great job and loving every minute of it. It's good to see him back on the field!

... and they lived happily ever after.

I thought I was going to Forks or La Push but actually ended up spending most of my time in "The Meadow". It was a FABULOUS trip!

As I looked back on my way home, I thought I could see Edward, Bella, Renesemee and Jacob look back at me with these faces...

I can't be reached.

If you need me but can't seem to find me ...
I am in Forks or La Push.
I will be there for at least the next 3 days.
Don't try to call ... I can't be reached!!

Will I see YOU there?

State CHAMPS ... again

Saturday Hummer and his teammates took the title of WBBA STATE BASEBALL CHAMPS! It was a sweet day ... a day we will always remember!

Dillon now has, yet another, state trophy to put on his shelf. For those of you who don't know ... he has many. By many, we mean more than anyone else in all our extended family (or close).

The strategy: 12 crazy 12 year olds must beat the same team in back to back games to win the championship. First game WON. On to game two...

We are down 5-6 with three innings left to play. Hummer is put in to "close the game" ... can you say PRESSURE?!

Our little "Mr. Optimism" turns to coach and says, "I'm ready". He walks out on to the mound and pitches his heart out.

Thirty-three pitches and three runs later, it's all over. Grantsville wins 8-6.
Breathe Hummer, breathe ...

you did it!

Sweet relief!

12 crazy 12 year olds turn into ... 12 State Champs!

All "Hometown Hero's" ... from Military Men to High School Champions and even down to Little League Champions ... have the distinct honor of riding the firetruck through town, with a trail of their greatest fans behind.

As Uncle Kevin says, "A BIG day in a small town"!

Meet "The 12"

Bottom Row: Wyatt Smith, Danny Nelson, Logan Johnson, Dillon Hutchins, Wyatt Barrus, Clay Matthews; Top Row: Dallin Williams, Jake Riding, Jonas Johnson, Cole Mondragon, Nick Arbon, Cody Gibson; Back Row: Coach Rob Arbon, Coach Scott Barrus, Coach Kirk Gibson.

The only thing better than winning is doing it with your best friends. Congratulations Danny, Dillon and Dallin ... We Love You!