Clarence Vera Clan: Dale Shelby-Betty Nelson Shelby Life History

Clarence Vera Clan: Dale Shelby-Betty Nelson Shelby Life History

Bridger floats his way into our hearts each and every day....on a log.....

Bridger is our 11 year old son, who lives in Salmon, Idaho with his mother, step-dad, sister and baby brother. We don't get to see him as much as we would like but he is on our minds always! He is an incredible kid, everything you would want in a son: smart, athletic, thoughtful and kind. He started football this year and from what we hear, he did quite well in his position. He has played hockey for the last four or so years and does completely well in this sport. He is a kid who shows dedication by working hard to get better at what he does each and every year. We miss him so much and hope to get over to see him more often. His brothers (all) think he is a pretty cool dude!

Justin and the hip hop songs that play in his mind....

My Justin is what many of you would call a man's man! Which is just the way I like him! He is rough around the edges, even a little grumpy at times but one of the kindest, loving, most honest people I know. If you are in a corner and need someone to come to your rescue - he's the guy for you! He has kept our family afloat through some pretty tough time over the last 9 years! We all look up to him and love him very much! Although, in a new developement, Justin has been leaving me for another women every Sunday. Her name....Mother Nature (thanks, Darcy)! He has found a new love in climbing big, scary mountains. This picture is of him at the top of Mt. Borah (highest point in Idaho). He wasn't in the greatest shape when he decided he was going to climb that peak but he did it - from what I've heard, not very gracefully - but he did it! Since then, he has climbed Mt. Timpanogas twice and Mt. Nebo once. He has gotten into a lot better shape and has every intention of climbing Mt. Hood. Wow!
He works at IM Flash Technology, in SLC as a oh-crap-I-don't-remember-his-title, well any way, he works. : ) He is so focused on our family and our ability to get out in the life to have fun and be successful - he takes life head-on! I love that about him! But, most importantly, he is a great dad!!!!! An important tid-bit about Justin, he quite literally knows the words to almost every song out there. So much lyrical ability, yet can't dance to save his life. I mean, really...he is a bad dancer.

Hayden out to crush the competition in the world of elementary school....

Hayden, Hayden, Hayden...like his brothers he has a nickname, too. We (well, I should say his dad) has christened him: Hay-dawg. He is 7 years old, with the mind of a 30 year old - it is full! For as much as he would love to be like his dad, he is in complete awe of Justin, he tends to follow more in my footsteps. Which is to say, he worries a lot, loves as much as he can and is extremely thoughtful about life - both the good and the bad. What can I say, I think highly of myself, get over it! Luckily for Hayden, he is much more coordinated and athletically talented than his mother. He is a natural at whatever he tries - not just athletically. He is also extremely smart! He does so well in school! Also, he is quite the little engineer. He builds things out of paper, cardboard, legos, sticks and whatever else he can get his hands on. At 3, Hayden used to build the most incredible train tracks out of the wooden Thomas The Train sets. His tracks would include bridges and other intricate designs...it was amazing. Hayden has a love of football, too! He played quarter back (see Hayden's fall fiesta of football posting) this fall, on his football team. He scored at least 4 touchdowns (I can remember) and did an excellent job of leading his team. He is beyond the brainiac of the Furey Family! He is destined for some form of incredible success in life! I should know, I'm his mom!

Taylor headin' into the jungle... that is Willowcreek...

Taylor or T-bugg as we like to call him, is 13 years old. Holy crap! He has been living with his mom in Idaho but came to school in Utah this year. We are beyond happy he is here! He started junior high, this year, after being at a private school (in Idaho) with less than 20 kids (in the whole school). He has about 2000 kids in his new school. You think a kid would have a tough time transitioning into such a different environment...not this one. He has done so with grace and a smile on his face each step of the way. And...here is the big news: he has a 4.0!!!!!! Hooray, Taylor! He is so proud of what he has been able to accomplish at his new school! As are his father and myself. We are incredibly proud of our Taylor-buggs. It seems like just yesterday, we put him on the bus, for his first day of kindergarten.....now he is only five years away from graduation (I'm positive he will be at the top of his class...chalk it up to mother's intuition) : )!!! Taylor is an extrememly positive kid, with a love for Wierd Al Yankovic, Cold Play, playing video games and reading. He is going to start playing basketball this year - that should be fun for him! He is a natural! This kid is the greatest of the great!

Kaleb's 1st day of the rest of his life....

Kaleb, or KK, as we like to call him, is my baby. Well, he is 5 1/2years old. This is him on his first day of kindergarten. He is full of personality (like his mom :) )! I've got to say, I was nervous about this guy heading into the public school system. Not because I was worried about him...no, simply because I was worried about the public school system! On Kaleb's first day of preschool, two years before, he had a note sent home with him from his teacher, it read: "Today was my first day of school. I did break my crayons, rip my book, hit my friend and throw my stool but I promised Miss West I would be better next time. I gave him an extra year at home before we tried again at the "school thing."
Nevertheless, he has done incredibly well this year. Like his brother, Hayden, he - much to my frustration - is already noticing girls. He likes to come home bragging he has a new girlfriend. When I ask him, what is her name? He says, he doesn't know but she is cute, so she is his girlfriend. He changes girlfriends on a daily basis. He acts so grown up somedays. The other day, he called one of his friends, he hadn't seen in a while...he said, to his friend, "Hey, Micheal, it is your ol' buddy, Kaleb." How cute can he get? Out of all of the boys, Kaleb has an inherent rhythmic ability. The kid can dance. We have a lot of impromptu dance sessions in our kitchen. Kaleb generally steals the show! He is chalked full of personality and just a little bit of "crap" - he makes us laugh each and every day.

Hayden's Fall Fiesta of Football...

Hayden, our 7 year old son spent the fall of 2008 playing football for the Saratoga Springs Spartans. He did very well and fell in love with the game of football. It didn't hurt that he played quarterback during most of the games. He was certain the position of quarter back would garner him some extra attention from the girls. Until, I broke it to the poor kid, " dude, you're only 7, let's cool it with the ladies for a few more years." The Spartans are a new team, in an already established league so it was a rough season, with only 1 win. Still, the kids played their little hearts out and held their heads held high no matter who won! One of the best parts of the season was watching the dads, on the sidelines, who were (obviously) feeling nostalgic watching their sons on the football field each Saturday. I am convinced that given the opportunity, many of the dads would have jumped at the chance to hear from the coach, "Suit up, we need ya in there!" Good job, Hayden, on a great season and great dedication!