What is it that makes 6 and 7 year olds want to be champions?
For the past five weeks, these little guys have worked their little tails off preparing for their first tournament, with the chief goal of winning 1st place. We talked about what that required, and they wanted to do it!
From the first competition, they left it all on the mat and went home with a taste of victory.
Both of these little guys executed perfectly, the bug had bitton them.
Tonight they entered the house undefeated, where they would have the opportunity to wrestle four times for the rights to there respective weight divisions. Two hours later, they emerged victorious, winning all four each, earning them the gold in their weight class.
They dug in and fought for the gold.
From start to finish, they kept their sights set on achieving one goal.
And it absolutely amazes me how focused and driven each of them
were in their efforts to achieve.
In the end it came down to desire.
Spent the day with The Duckman at the Bear River Bird Refuge Visiter Center, and the Venture Academy of Slaterville Utah, learning about wood ducks. During this two day program, 3rd, 4th & 5th graders were given the opportunities to work with the Wild Over Wood Ducks (WOW) nesting program in a hands on environment.
The Wild Over Wood Ducks (WOW) program celebrates It’s 75th Eagle Scout Service Project. Sean Diepeveen of Lehi has completed his ESSP of twelve boxes, bringing the total number of boxes produced in the WOW program to a whopping total of 900 boxes.
For more information on the WOW Program, visit wildoverwoodducks.org
In early April of 2011, I was made aware of a former classmate, Cindy McDonald Contos and her conditions with breast cancer. With a little help from FaceBook, I was easily able to track down this high school friend and learn more about here story.
Cindy and her husband Tim (pictured above) and her story:
Thousands of people converge at the Gateway Center in down town Salt Lake City for this annual event.
Locating your team in this sea of pink and white can be very chaotic.
A little texting and sharp eyes, we where able to locate Cindy and her following.
After a few good laughs, I dawn my new team shirt and became one with the crowd.
If you are at all sensitive to words or innuendos regarding the upper portions of the female annadomy, best stay home because these folks are very creative in there efforts to educate.
With a little meet and great, the stories become so real as visit with these lady’s and learn of their trial, each of them carrying a series of the Breast Cancer Awareness symbols to show the world of their strength and abilities to survive breast cancer: This young lady respectfully displaying 36 years…what an amazing women.
Here is another photo that speaks of a survivor, her friends and family rallying around her, celebrating life. With so many people supporting the cause, it becomes apparent just how many people’s live that breast cancer has and will effect.
Having grandmothers, a sister, relatives and close friends that have battled with breast cancer, it is amazing to see how these people have chosen to openly deal with and try to educate the public as they “race” to find a cure.
With October coming to an end, the unseasonably warm days have led to blue bird days here in the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake valley. With the severe storm pattern that brought cold winds and driving rain to the valley just in time for the Youth Hunt, local waterfowlers were given a sense of hope that this would lead to a perfect “Fowl Weather” season.
While early forecasts were boasting of Waterfowl Management Areas holding great numbers of ducks and geese, an early cold snap in September pushed many of the birds out, and given the storms approach and direction of the jet stream, there would be no dramatic temperature change to the north to drive new birds into the valley. The current effects of warm days will have birds loafing through the days, and feeding under clear sky nights. While there has been a few days that have had wind in the decoys, these conditions have no doubt taken it’s toll on the overall success here in the Great Salt Lake region.
Tips To Success
Hunting early morning on blue bird days will have the hunters catching a chance at these fare weathered fowl on their way back from feeding in the grain fields to their loafing areas. With the colder nights, the metabolism of ducks and geese will be on the rise, forcing them to seek out higher portions of carbs in their diets. Early mornings will have them feeding in the grain fields, and returning to the wetlands extremely thirsty and easily deceived. A quick check of the craw will help you to identify your trophies breakfast choice of champions. Once the temperatures begin to drop up north (Canada) fresh birds will begin to trickle down. Once the Great Falls area begins to freeze, the valley will then begin to see the real push of those old red legs of the north.
Mid-season mallards harvested in the company of good friends on a Blue Bird Day.
An early winter storm on Friday night brought a foot of snow to the high country in northern Utah. The effects from this storm made traveling the back roads to Willard peak impossible by 4wheel drive, allowing only a few ATV’s to make their way to the top, only to spend the day in a white out. While the fresh snow made for perfect conditions to find and locate the elk, the spotty cloud cover took it’s toll, forcing many hunters to return to camp for the day.
California resident George R. Orduno, A.K.A. Bobby, was successful in drawing the non-resident tag for the Willard Peak Rocky Mountain Goat tag. On September 10, Bobby sealed the deal when he took this mature billy.
View the full story here on Hooked On Utah CLICK HERE
Where ever I am, whatever I may be doing, when I see the stars and stripes, I cannot help but clear my mind for just a moment and thank my lucky stars…..That I Am An American. To my ancestors that journeyed over sea, to those who fought valiantly, believing in a better way. To the men and women who continue to lay it down for this land, I love you for that which you do. May God bless us all…Old Glory flies over the land of the free, the home of the brave!!!
A salute to the toughest old country boy I know, to country boys every where CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO
A day on the pond yields some monster Bear Lake Mac’s! I recently teamed up with the hottest hands on Bear Lake, the Orduno’s, and their fishing vessel Big Red. Nothing short of a spectacular day catching Mac’s, Native Cutthroats and Bonneville…what a trip. Enjoy!!
MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE – For the past five years, Cody and Amy Anderson have endured a grueling “prep school,” leading up to what will be his greatest test — a liver transplant.
Anderson, 31, has primary sclerosing cholangitis, a disease that causes swelling, scarring and destruction of the bile ducts both inside and outside of the liver. In January, doctors told him he needed a liver transplant.
Cody’s family and friends decided to host a benefit dinner/auction with a 5K run in an effort to raise enough money to assist in expenses of his liver transplant. In these efforts, Cody’s family teamed up with a foundation group that would assist them through technical end of collections and contributions.
Given our relations with Cody and his family, I was more than happy to rally the troops and run for this cause.
Cody, his wife Amy, and the entire Anderson family are such amazing people. To see Cody face his challenges, always having a smile and sense of humor, speaks volumes of his winning character and strong spirit.
The entire community (valley wide) came out to participate in this benefit. The term “Anything For A Friend” was more than just a slogan at this event, it was the foundation of these people and there relationships with Cody and his family.
