Devin's got lots of chicks!

Devin spent the summer getting ready for his new chicks. What this really entailed was building a chicken coop. On September 03, 2009 we received a call from the post office that Devin's 26 baby chicks had arrived. Since then, we've all had fun watching these adorable little fluffy birds eat, sleep, chirp and grow at such a rapid pace it's crazy! We've already moved them from their temporary home to the actual coop. We are all looking forward to fresh eggs this winter and Devin will be starting his own egg business for some pocket money and hopefully he'll be making enough to put some away for his mission. Anyone want fresh eggs?

Summer Vacation Highlights

June 20th - 27th
Summer vacation started out with Devin going to Big Bear as a youth camp counselor for YMCA Camp Oaks. He came back with a new understanding of just how much patience it takes to keep 8, 9, and 10 year old children in line. He also is thinking about writing a book..."Impromptu Bedtime Stories" (guaranteed to put your kids to sleep). He found that bribery works very well and candy is a definate motivator.
July 4th Weekend
Indepence Weekend started off with our Aunt Sarah's baptism. Awesome experience for us all. We couldn't be more excited for Troy & Sarah and their beautiful family. We BBQ'd and enjoyed the Water Park Oasis in their backyard. Fourth of July ended in Big Bear where we met Grandpa and Grandma Hampton for a boat ride on the lake watching the most amazing fireworks ever!
Water Polo Camp
Natalie and Savannah participated in a water polo camp at LaQuinta High School and Devin helped coach the program. What a blast! The kids formed teams, played games, kept cool and had a great time learning the game.
July 10th - 17th
Trevor was asked by the Desert City Slugger to accompany their team to Cooperstown, NY and play baseball. Gerald also went as a coach to experience Cooperstown Village once again. The team went 7-1 loosing in the semi final game. They ended up placing 4th out if 24 teams.
July 13th - 18th
Devin attended Especialy for Youth @ BYU. He was able to attend with 3 of his cousins who live in Utah. Nathan, Erica, Samantha and Devin had an incredible time together. The boys ate cold cereal 3 meals a day. They both commented on "The Cereal Wall" that saved their lives because the food was so bad. On the flip side, the girls swear they gained 5 pounds from all the great food their cafeteria had to offer. Food aside, they came home uplifted and inspired having had an amazing experience.
July 15th
Natalie, Savannah and Aunt Lynelle made my birthday extra special this year. I had a fun lunch date with sisters in Salt Lake and shopping at Nordstrom Rack.
July 19th - 21st
The Gibb Family Reunion started with church in Brigham City. Josh spoke in his ward after returning from his mission in Monterey, Mexico. Monday the family hiked to Timpanogos Caves. Tuesday we went on a bike ride through Provo Canyon and BBQ'd. The kids had tons of fun at Grandpa and Grandma Gibb's house using the new zip line in their back yard from the tree house.
July 29th - August 2nd
Our baseball season ended with a great weekend enjoying the cool weather in San Diego. The team battled back making it to the championship game. We ended up loosing in the championship game... it was heart breaking. Looking back, it was a great season of growth and accomplishment as a whole.
August
Gerald and Trevor have already transitioned into football crazy as it sounds. The month of August will be spent conditioning and getting ready for games that begin in September. Devin also starts his Water Polo conditioning with the High School in hopes for a position on the varsity team. We will all do our best to endure the rest of the hot summer in hopes for early Fall weather (if we could only be so lucky).

Father's Day...40th...Championship

It was a very happening Fathers Day weekend this year. Along with it being Dad's Day, it was Gerald's 40th birthday. He received some great gifts from the players that will be used in the near future(reading glasses, denture powder and cream, self portrait of a 90 year old coach, nerf football). To top off the weekend, Trevor's team won the championship game ranking Team STC 1st in USSSA Baseball - AAA Division. Lots of laughs, good freinds, nice weather, championship game victory...One Great Weekend!

08-09 School Year Ends

It's hard to believe another school year has ended. We were blessed with beautiful 80 degree weather the last few weeks of school making end of the year activities much more enjoyable this year.
Savannah received student of the month ending the second grade just like she had hoped for. She also loved their second grade water day which consisted of blowing bubbles, side walk chalk, cleaning desks with shaving cream and ending in the fire department coming to the school and spraying their fire hose over the school yard while the kids ran and played under the downpour.

Natalie ended her school year with an outstanding power point presentation in front of the school and parents. The 5th graders were all required to pick a topic of conflict that was of interests to them, research the topic and come up with a way they could make a difference and help in their community. Natalie chose "Homelessness" and her group sold waters at the school to help raise funds for the local Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. We all celebrated in her moving on to Middle School and she was surprised to also be awarded the Presidents Academic Award in her class.

Trevor got involved with the campus beautification for John Glenn Middle School this year. We were able to help in donating some trees for the campus.

Devin survived his frosh year at LaQuinta High. He decided to throw a party in celebration of this... "La fiesta Del Fuego". Everyone who came to the party was required to bring notebooks, tests, papers etc. to burn in a bon fire bidding good riddens to their Freshman year.

Gramma B's 99th Birthday

For Gramma B's 99th birthday this year a handful of the family made a last minute trip to Montana. Our trip happened to be 2 days after a major storm. It was beautiful weather with lots of snow on the ground accented by sunny skies. The highlight of our trip was without a doubt, seeing Gramma B's face when we surprised her unannounced during lunch at her home. She was able to meet Harley (Troy's son) and Preston (Trina's son) for the first time which was priceless. She is still as strong willed and determined as ever and has her outfit and earings already picked out for next years 100th. Devin was able to play on stage at the Orpheum Theater in Conrad, Montana. Take a look it was so cool!

April Updates

The month of April started off with the annual Spring Break Vacation with Grandpa and Grandma Hampton (grandkids 10 years and up). They set sail from San Diego on April 2nd, destination was Encinata, Mexico. This year there was a total of 7 grandkids that qualified for the trip three of which were Devin, Trevor and Natalie. Everyone came home with great stories to share. The kids really look forward to this trip with their Grandparents and cousins and are so fortunate to have Grandparents that extend this annual invite. Our actual Spring Break was very low key and relaxing with an overnight trip to Trina's house and Laguna Beach.

Easter Eggs turned out extra unique this year. Hailey, Harley and Aunt Sarah joined in the fun and the evening ended in a much needed bubble bath. The Easter Eggg Hunt was a little extra exciting too. By the time all the eggs were hidden the kids were finding eggs at dusk and into the dark. It was a challenge for sure!



The month couldn't have ended any better that with Devin getting a clean bill of health from the Neurologist and getting his neck brace off after 8 weeks on 4/27/09. After taking the brace off Devin described the feeling as this, "Like an orange on top of a toothpick".

Second Grade Salad Bar

Savannah's second grade class has been growing a garden this year. The class was able to enjoy a salad bar with the fresh produce they picked from their garden. Check out their green thumbs!