Talent Show

Brock was selected to participate in the "Mountainville Idol" talent show at the end of the school year.  He auditioned with "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People, but the teachers felt it was not an appropriate song for a school talent show.  He had to learn a new song within two weeks and the teachers required him to cut a video for their approval prior to the show.  Here is a demo of the song he did perform "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz.  He stole the show.....

Stake Trek

Charmayne and I were asked to be a Ma and Pa for Stake Trek, which took place this past week.  Each Ma and Pa was assigned a "family", ours consisted of 9 kids (4 boys and 5 girls).  We were responsible for these kids on our 30 mile handcart trek, cooking, cleaning, setting up and tearing down camp over 4 days.  Each of us was asked to walk for an ancestor, which required a little family history research.  Having never done this I learned much about my heritage, my independence appears to have been inherited, not acquired.  I have genealogical proof that I am not the only "wolf pack of one" in the Packer line (although I think my dad and grandfather posses this attribute as well).  Jonathan Taylor Packer was part of the Brigham Young Company (1848), which was the first wagon company to arrive in Salt Lake City.  Jonathan left the company and arrived one month ahead of them, which is why you will not find his name on the company archives.  He built the first house in the 1st Ward of the Church on 900 South and 700 East in Salt Lake City.  His grandfather Aaron and uncle Jesse fought in the American Revolution for the Upper Pantang Township of Pennsylvania. This was revelation to me, one of which makes me very proud to be a Packer!

Charmayne walked for Margaret Bowman Duncan, who has an amazing story herself.  However, more improbable was that a girl in our family was walking for Margaret as well!  Charmayne became acquainted with Carissa - her distant cousin!!!

The story of our trek was hot and long.  Every medical IV bag that was brought on the trek was utilized the first day.  37 kids were taken off the trail the second day and more the third.  Several kids were hospitalized, taken by ambulance to Evanston, WY.  Dehydration and heat stroke were the main ailments, however we lost two kids for a day, one was run over by the handcart and another was out for a day due to a bad knee.  Both completed the trek walking the remainder of the trail.  In conclusion, I am an ardent believer in survival of the fittest.  The Mormon Pioneers are the most fitting example of "the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life".  Only the strong survive.  I came to learn why it was necessary for the early Saints to trek across the plains to the Rocky Mountains.  The Lord needed to shelter his people, so that he could build them up and make them strong.  Most possessed the physical strength necessary to make the trek, but he needed them spiritually strong to send into the world as the great "dragnet" promised to reclaim scattered Israel.  He could only do this in the shelter of the Mountains I have come to love.  Charmayne and I are charged with building the next generation and this trek, however important to the kids we went with, was equally important to me.  It helped me see clearly the vision I need to have in strengthening Paige, Brock, Sidney and Braden. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:12-13

Daddy Daughter Dates

One of the opportunities the girls and I have taken is to participate in Daddy/Daughter night with the Achievement Days girls.  The girls have made sure the night was scheduled on my calendar and insisted that I not be allowed to travel.  The nights are fun, filled with dinner, dessert and dancing.  The evening is also a little humbling, the girls fill out a questionnaire, "how well do you know your dad", one of Paige's questions was "my dad is smart because he knows.....  ?"  Her answer.....  EVERYTHING.  Sidney had a similar answer to a different question, "my dad's favorite food is...... ?"  Her answer..... EVERYTHING.  One of the leaders is a photographer and has taken a few really great pictures.  The picture of Paige and I is over a year old, but Sidney's picture is from earlier this year.  I have been asking her for the original photos for a while and she finally delivered.....

PS - If you visit the web page www.barefootchildren.blogspot.com you can download high resolution versions of the pictures, instead of the scaled down versions sent in the email.  Also, when I post video you will need to visit the web page to view them.  Such as the video I will post in the coming days of Brock hitting a ball off the center field fence in his All-Star game last night.

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to two great dad's.

To my dad:  You never told me how to be a man, you just showed me.  I'll be forever grateful for the example you set, for the lessons taught, for expectations given and for the legacy of hard work you passed on to me.  The weekends at Deer Creek, the summers at Pine View and of course the baseball and football games in our front yard, will always be reminders to me of what a childhood should be.  I would not trade you or my childhood for another's.
Love,
Preston

My Dad is the best Dad ever!  I love his love for life and hard work.  I love that he always wants me to be with him. When I was little we would always go out to help him in the field.  Now, he is always inviting me to go visit him, and bring the kids.  I love how patient my dad was with me when I did something wrong; such as running the tractor or truck out of gas or getting poor grades.  He was always there to help fix it. I am most grateful for his great love for me and his great example of faith in the Savior.
Love,
Charmayne

Girls... and Taylor Swift

I kind of feel like the boys have been dominating the last few updates, which means I need to give an update on the girls.  Most recently (last night), the girls and I went to see Taylor Swift in Salt Lake City.  I took Paige last year to see Taylor Swift and was pleasantly surprised.  This year was no different, with the exception of a musician who was her "opening act" - Ed Sheeran.  This guy was good, at least in terms of music I like.  He put on a fantastic opening and left me wanting more.  Ed performs solo and uses a loop pedal to blend harmonies, back ground vocals, bass lines and leads, which he creates himself while performing.  Brock has been using a loop pedal for similar things in his guitars classes lately.

We invited one of Paige's close friends (Morgan) to go with us.  So there we were, the four of us, a dad and three girls heading to a pop queen's concert.  We parked and then followed various drunk homeless men on our walk to the arena.  Paige and Morgan were asked twice by said drunk guys to stop laughing.  We then stood in line to get the girls t-shirts, I always receive an email after the concert to buy apparel at 20% off but it just wouldn't be the same.  After fighting the t-shirt throng we headed to the concession stands to get the girls 'dinner', that is if you think dinner is kettle corn, sour patch kids, swedish fish and a churro.  That dinner sounds like a square meal Buddy the Elf would approve of - "we elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup".  After 'dinner' we headed to our seats to prepare for the entertainment.  Taylor Swift changed wardrobe 11 times in 2 hours, the girls enjoyed every song and could still document the set list from memory this morning.  After her final song 'We are never getting back together', Sidney asked if it was time to go down and meet her.  Just when you thought you have delivered a home run, your daughter asks a question that makes your fear you have struck out.  Wish I could have delivered on that one.  What had started out as one dad and three girls turned into one dad and 14,000 girls.  If you don't believe me check out the men's bathroom....

Whitesox 8 Giants 2

Brock is human, at least on the mound.  Everyone just learned that last night.  He struggled pitching, walking 5 over 1 1/3 innings giving up 4 runs.  Problem for the other team is, even when he has an "off" night, he's on.  He made three plays in the infield that saved at least 4 runs.  He made a play at third with the bases loaded, two outs, batter crushes a one-hopper which Brock fielded cleanly and threw a strike to 1st for the out (had to be there to appreciate how good of a play it was).  Earlier in the game he was at short and made a play on a ball up the middle, which he read off the bat and his momentum carried him onto second base for a force out (again, had to be there).  I joke about him being slow, but his baseball instincts always have him in the right place - those are things you cannot teach.

At the plate, not much was happening for the Giants.  The Whitesox had two flame throwers, both very aggressive and competitive pitchers.  Brock's first at bat he grounded out to short, but was the only kid in our lineup to make contact, let alone put the ball in play.  His second at bat, let's just say everyone at the field learned his first name.  Another line drive over the center fielders head, off a kid the Whitesox coaches said has thrown a 'no hitter'.  I wasn't sure what to make of that statement, other than Brock is as good of a hitter as I have seen in our league.  He scored our first run on a pass ball.

Now we wait for word on the playoffs.  Hopefully the Giants can get on a winning streak....

  

Giants 8 Phillies 4

Second to last game tonight, last game of the season is tomorrow at 6:15 PM MST.  The Giants record through 9 games is 4-5, a win tomorrow night will guarantee a .500 season heading into the playoffs.  I was the only coach present tonight, I made two kids cry and honestly didn't think I was being mean - just holding them accountable and teaching baseball.

Brock was devastating at the plate tonight.  He blasted a triple to lead-off the second inning, he was one spot short of batting twice in the first inning.  His triple was to dead center, cleared the center fielder by 20 feet and rolled to the fence (187 feet).  He must have his mother's genes in the speed department because Paige, Sidney and Braden could have walked around the bases for a home run.  Brock....  had to slide into third to beat the tag.  It may have something to do with wearing a size 7 shoe at 10 years old? but slow is slow.  He's going to wind up a corner infielder, pitcher or catcher whether he wants to or not.  Truth is, as long as you can hit they'll find a place for you.  Just ask the Detroit Tigers about Miguel Cabrera.

He had three plate appearances tonight, the triple in the second a single in the first inning and a walk in the fourth.  His third at bat was painful to him, he doesn't like to walk and he fouled off the only good pitch he saw.  He scored 3 of our 8 runs and played solid at third base tonight.  I didn't want to be the dad who started his son at pitcher, so two other kids got the chance.  I'm sure he'll get at least three innings tomorrow night.

Week of May 12, 2013

Good things happen to people who make good choices....  Our niece, Jessica married Scott this past Thursday in Twin Falls, ID.  The kids had a fun, but non more than Paige.  Having a cousin that has made outstanding life choices has been impactful to Paige, she has a role model who has reinforced what her mother embodies.  

Braden insisted we leave Twin Falls a day early so that he could be home for his soccer game on Saturday.  The kid continued his goal streak, scoring the first off an in-bounds play.  He put a bender in the net from the left sideline, and then made a circle around the field showing his "U".  Watching him play soccer might make you think we practice at home....  we don't!

Brock was his usual self on the baseball field this week.  He pitched 3 innings Wednesday night and struck out 9.  He struck out in his first at bat, which carried over into the top of the 2nd inning.  He walked the first three guys he faced before settling down.  The coach on the other team approached me after the game and said "your son is really, really good, if you don't know.... he has long arms and long legs and big feet.... when all of that comes together, he'll be unstoppable."  I have already been approached about Brock playing All-Stars, everyone wants to make sure we don't have summer plans....

Sidney is obsessed with cartwheels and round-offs, it is a daily endeavor.  I'll post a few pictures when I have some.  Maybe on Tuesday night after her tumbling class....  She spent her entire day today "borrowing" the neighbors tramp to practice flips, front hand-springs and round-offs.  She'd probably be a good gymnast if her parents were remotely interested.  When she is not practicing, she's chasing and "bossing" Braden, somehow he still adores her.

Finally, I think Charmayne had a good week (minus any difficulties I may have caused, which were probably many).  Getting together with family has always been a highlight for her, especially if it includes seeing here sisters.  Camille was busy with the wedding, but had time to stop for pictures, Jeanette was present and we missed Tora because she is about to have child #5 (if she hasn't already - I'll be the last to know).

Hello 2013

Well I just noticed that my last post was November 2010.  In many ways I wish Charmayne was a little more "tech" savvy, that way you would hear more from us, but she does was she does very, very well.  Summer is fast approaching and the kids are ready for their freedom.  Here is a summary of their recent activities and I hope to update while we go, not every 18 months....

• Paige - quit track, she doesn't like the pain.  I though she was a natural, but motivation has to come from within.  She will be starting tumbling this next week, which was her big idea.  Her hope.... to be able to pull off front and back handsprings.  I think this may have something to do with impressing the boys.  If she's not talking to me about her favorite boys at school, it is her BFF Morgan (best 13 year old we know besides Paige), Taylor Swift and all things involving pop culture.  
• Brock - baseball is in season and so is Brock.  He took a year off because he wasn't having fun.  You might think I'm just proud parent if I say anything, so come see for yourself.  I was out of town this week and received a text from his coach on Wednesday night.  It went something like.... Brock single-handedly kept us in the game, we were down 5-8 when I put him into pitch.  He struck out 6 of 7 batters over two innings (walked one), didn't give up a run and then had a big hit.  We won, 9-8.
• Sidney - wanted to play soccer until she heard Paige was starting tumbling.  Sidney, like Paige wants to pull off front and back handsprings. This kid works and works, she comes home from school, finishes her homework and then is not seen or heard from again until bed time.  She lives to be outside.
• Braden - funny guy.  Got caught taking an iPod to bed, it was glowing under his covers.  When Charmayne reminded him "you may not take an iPod to bed" he replied "I may can" and promptly hid it.  First of our kids to be a demon on the soccer field, he scores at least one goal every game.  This kid practices baseball as if he were playing.  Soccer cleats will soon be hung up and baseball spikes put on....  He's reading and writing.

There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think "what were we thinking, having four kids" and that is generally followed at some point by another thought "it is amazing how great it is to have four kids".  We are getting older.... gray hair, physical ailments, lack of energy.  Funny how one day you wake up and have a 13 year old kid and realize life has changed.  It's not about us anymore and that is a sad and exciting thought.

2010 Baseball Season in Pictures