Our future athlete! He lives for football, basketball, and baseball. I think he has older brothers.

Dawson loves playing flag football, but he is asking for Christmas for us to let him play pop warner tackle football next year. He is just such a little guy. He is my amazing offensive player. He has made a touch down at every game! I love watching my kids play sports. It is so fun!

Blake and Dawson are playing flag football. They love every moment of it. Blake is my aggressive deffensive player.

"Ashland High School assistant football coach and Bellview Elementary fifth grade teacher David Kitchell passed away early Sunday morning after losing a long battle with cancer.
Kitchell was long regarded as one of the elementary school's most popular teachers. Students of all ages often looked forward to his overnight field trips. But he was also a cornerstone of the Ashland High School football team since the 1980s."

This is a sad day today in the Abel family. Dave Kitchell was the coach who got William and Blake to be waterboys for the varsity football team the past years and was Blake's third grade teacher and now was Blake's fifth grade teacher. He is a wonderfull, kind teacher and friend to Blake and Will and many others. The story is here: http://www.dailytidings.com/2007/1119/stories/1119_kitchell.php Many of the kids in Greg's seminary class know Dave's daughter who is a junior in High School. This has been an opportunity to teach the plan of salvation to the children but parting is such sweet sorrow. While I teach to my son the grand vision of the plan of happiness, I am caught up in the depth of my own sorrows. I grieve for and with Blake, I grieve for Dave's family and Blake's classmates and for the loss of Dave's friendship. Many times I have sat with Mr. Kitchell and discussed my son, other sons, football and life. I can still see in my mind the last time we spoke and remember the things he said. The world has lost the benefit of a great man. Thomas Paine, in a time not unlike our own, defined Dave Kitchell: " I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death." Thomas Paine.

Aren't these the cutest cousins? I love my babs and mads!

Getting this picture of the kids was a killer. How do you have 5 kids stay put and all be looking at the camera? Any suggestions?

Kendyl and my mommy when my mom was totally healthy. It makes me sad to realize what she has been through since this picture. She was totally healthy then. Spring 2006.

Kendyl, Coson, Halle at the beach. What can I say we have beach bum kids. My kids are the happiest when they are at the beach in Southern California!

Kendyl in hog heaven with her Abel family girl cousins at Meg's baptism.

My Kendyl and Colson are such good buddies too! It makes me soooo happy to have such good kids are such good friends to each other!

My cute boys. They are such good buddies! It sure makes me happy!

To the Cox family, I just want you to know how sorry I am about Uncle Doug. He is such a good man and has lived a good life. Yesterday my mom and I were talking and we were wondering at that moment what uncle Doug was doing and we figured he was probably visiting with his parents. I am sure he is so happy. I love you Cox family. My heart truly is sad for you. It hits home for me too, with my mom being sick. Thanks for such a good example.

Will the water boy

Will and Blake have been the water and ball boy for our high school team the Ashland Grizzlies. This year we are undefeated and now we are going to the state playoffs. The boys have had so much fun being a part of the high school team this year. Will has been the ball and water boy for the last 3 years. He has gotten his brother helping out too! Will was in the newspaper for his dedication. Here is the picture. It is kind of fuzzy but I am a proud mom.

Hi, this is Greg and Shalyse! Trying to fill in for Julee. We will now hack into Julee's blog from time to time and update for her! Check back often as we will be updating regularly. In fact, at this moment Bill, Linda, Brian, Shalyse, Hallie, the Weske's, Bonnie and the Abel Family are in Ashland watching the BYU-TCU game, eating dinner, and discussing Shalyse's cravings. I am sure you are all jealous and wish you were here. Dinner was Julee's chicken enchiladas, chips, beans, guacamole, and five day old, twice baked home made rolls. William is doing homework, trying to find the Ural mountains with his Grandma Abel and Blake and Dawson are playing catch. The littles are chasing Hallie, or Hallie is chasing the littles. Julee is drinking water and looking hot! Her job tonight is to stand there and let me look at her! Fairly average Thursday night in the Abel home.