4H Pig Show in Casa Grande

Mak & Wanda - Brennen & Fat Mama Competing against each other!
Brennen & Fat Mama during Showmanship

Mak & Wanda

We spent our Valentines Day in Casa Grande at a 4H pig show. It was Makenna's first time to show her pigs ever, she was super super nervous! She gets pretty spun up and nervous about things, at one point she was so white, she looked as if she would vomit at any moment! Her first time out in the ring she did really good and tried her best. She didn't place, but we were just proud of how well she did for her first time, and she was in the ring with some really experienced kids. Then it was Brennen's turn to show, he was thinking he was all macho man cuz this is his second year of showing, however Fat Mama didn't want to cooperate, she just wanted to run around the ring and Brennen spent a little to much time trying to chase her down, he did a good job with what he had to work with! These first showings were for Showmanship, which is how well they are able to control their pig & stay in contact with the judge. Some kids like showmanship, some could care less, it is fun to watch the older kids who have been showing for a long time and are really good at it. Then it was time for lunch, we went to the cars & fixed sandwiches and pigged out. Then back to find out when the kids would show again for the market class, which is where they judge the pig itself. All the pigs were put in to weight categories. Mak's pig, Priscilla, which is a Yorkshire is the lightest weighing pig, so Mak showed her first, she got penned (which is a good thing) and ended up placing 6th and she got a ribbon. She was so excited. Next Brennen & Mak had to compete against each other with Brennen's Duroc, Fat Mama and Mak's Hampshire, Wanda. Unfortunately neither one of them placed, but there was some really nice pigs in that group...according to the pig experts! Then last to show was Brennen with his Crossbred, Lawn Mower, no deal with her either. We were proud of the kids because they did a great job and they seemed to have fun doing it! It was a great day!

I feel so blessed & lucky to have such amazing family support! The kids had a huge crowd there cheering them on! Grandpa & Grandma, Papa & Grandma, Aunt Lindy & Uncle Adam, Lexi, Bri, Clint, Uncle Pat, Aunt Meg, Jordyn, Maddy, and the new baby Zack were all there to show support! It is so nice to know that we have such great families that are continually there for us & our kids...thanks to you all for being there, it really meant alot to the kids & to Todd & I. You guys are great!

(I will have to get pics from my mom with the other 2 pigs, I guess I didn't get any of Priscilla & Lawn Mower because Russ was sleeping in my arms!)

I just have to add...who knew there was a pig world going on like this...seriously totally baffles me that huge groups of people get together & they PAY a judge to come in from out of state to tell you if you have a good pig or not, is funny what you are unaware of that can be going on right in your backyard, but until you become apart of it you have no idea it even exists! The kids enjoy it & I am hoping it is teaching them responsibility and gives them something to do & hopefully stay out of trouble!

My Nephew Has Arrived!!

On Feb. 5th around 5:30pm the newest memeber to the Powers family made his appearance into the world! Zackary Jay Powers is his name. My brother Pat has wanted to name his son that since we were little kids (I think it is from watching to many episodes of Saved by the Bell) I love the name & it totally fits the little chubby guy! He weighed in at 8 lbs 2 oz and was 21 inches long. He is sooo cute and has the chubbiest little cheeks & a cute little roll under his chin & on the back of his neck. I was so glad we got to go to the hospital last night & see him. It is good to have him finally here and know that everyone is healthy & safe. Congrats to Pat & Megan for a job well done, I am glad my brothers are finally figuring out how to make boys, now they just need to each have a few more!

I think I am now up to date on the Hall happenings....for now!! Enjoy!

Clint's Blessing

Sunday Feb 1st we were able to go to Florence and support Lindy & Adam for little Clint's baby blessing. He is so cute & such a good little baby. You can't help but squeeze the little guy! It was a fun day and I am so glad we have such a great family that is always there for each other, we are so lucky to have such a great support system from our families!

MoNsTeR JaM!!!

Todd was able to score some free
tickets to the Monster Jam on

Jan. 24th. We dropped Russ off with Gma & Papa, hit In N Out Burger & headed to Chase Field to enjoy some car crushing mind deafening noise! They all went last year, but since Russ was a newborn I skipped out, they all said this year was really lame compared to last year. There was a few good crashes, but nothing to intense. They seemed to have a great time and was something different & fun to do. Garret was in his usual form, as you can see by the picture. He was full of it that night. At one point the song "It's Gettin Hot in Here" came on, he starts busting a move like you wouldn't believe and making all kinds of noise, was a little on the verge of embarrassing, but hey, that is our Garret, he is either full of life or ticked off at the world, not a lot of in between with him! As you can see Mak is thrilled to be a part of this, she actually did have a good time, but she was wiped out & it was way past her bedtime!

Just Playing in the Snow

Grandma Peg & Russy
The kids on the tube

Pat...styling in his snowsuit

While we were in Taylor over New Years weekend it snowed! My kids were so excited because sadly they haven't seen much snow. We weren't exactly prepared with the right snow gear, but with kids...they really don't care to much. My brother Pat busted out my dads snowsuit from the 80's I am assuming (check out the belt!!) I was cracking up, he was so proud wearing that thing, he didn't care what it looked like cuz he was keeping warm in it. They got out the 3 wheelers & pulled a tube behind it with the kids. They had so much fun. Is always such a good time at my parents house when we are all together as a family, I just wish it could happen more often.

On January 28th we celebrated our 14th anniversary! Is hard to believe, but if I really sit & think about what we have done over our time together...I guess it makes sense! Oddly enough on our anniversary night we were at the Buckeye High School Future Freshman Night with Brennen....Ironic don't you think?!

We were married in 1995 at the Snowflake LDS Social Hall. I was only 16 & Todd was 18 (and we have survived this long for anyone who doubted our love!) We lived in Taylor for almost 3 years then we moved to Mesa December of 97. We had our first little home built, it was great to be out on our own...living on love! After a year of living there we decided it was time to sell and get a bigger house because baby #2 was on her way! We sold that house in Feb. 99 and started building another one a few miles away. While we were waiting for it to be built we lived in a rental...this was the most interesting place we ever lived, I will save myself the embarrassment of divulging any details of the magnificent trailer park we lived in!! In August we finally got to move in to our new home, thankfully. We lived there for 8 years and enjoyed most every minute of it. In June 2007 we moved to Buckeye to start our new adventure together which brings us to the present with 4 kids, a dog, & 4 pigs just living that dream of a small town country boy & a small town city girl!

Through our 14 years of marriage we have had many ups & a few downs, but through it all the love we have has only grown stronger. I am so lucky to have Todd for my husband. How proud I am to be called his wife. Here's to another great year with the man I love...love you babe!