Football!

We spend a lot of time at Football.  Between Practices and Games it most certainly adds up, but I would have it any other way!  This year Tyler played football for his Middle School.  Much to my dismay getting great pictures from the stands in the dark is impossible, so I didn't get any great shots of him in action.  Playing in MS was a much different experience, but I think it was good and Ty learned a lot.  I learned that EARLY morning practices are really hard to get up for!  As always, I enjoyed watching my #24 (he didn't get to pick his number) play.  He loves football and there were maybe 2 mornings he complained up getting up for practice!  Nana and Granddad were able to come and see him play in very cold and wet conditions, it is always nice when they come!

Josh played for the same team this year as he did last year - the RAVENS!  With the addition of Steve as an Assistant Coach.  The Ravens had a great Season with only one loss and then Lost in the Semi-Final game.  We were so proud of Josh as he transitioned from Flag to Tackle this year.  He started out playing on the DLINE at Tackle or End and then mid season he moved to Middle Linebacker.  He was a machine and made some great tackles.  I loved not only watching him, but trying to get pictures of him in action.  Here are a few of my favorites.

First Day of School 2013

My kids are growing much too fast!  The first Day of School this year was a good one and I'm grateful for the amazing teachers who these kiddos spend their days with!  

Noah started a couple of weeks after the Big Kids, but he loves his teacher and going to school!  He was so thrilled it was finally his turn!

Summer..... Post 4

On our way back from the Cabin, we stopped at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Idaho.  It was wonderful to have one-on-one time with Grandma and Grandpa and to spend a nice evening with our Wayment Cousins.  We don't get to see them very often and when we do most of the rest of the family is usually there. 

Once we arrived back in Utah, Steve flew back home and we spent the next few weeks playing -  a few days swimming, a day at Trafalga with the Empey, Smith and Averett Cousins, and lots of days being lazy.  We went down to the BYU Bookstore which the kids always love, we hit Snoasis and some other great snow cone places and overall had a great time playing and hanging out with our cousins.  I love that we are able to spend an extended period of time in the summer with our Family, it almost sort of makes up for all the time we are far away. 

Amanai

Kari and Baby Jonah

Jake and Josh

Mike, Ty, Dev and Eli

Noah and Savanna

Josh and Jake

Hannah and Brookie

After we got back to Utah, I took Tyler in, after 10 days, to have his stitches removed.  I was not overly impressed with how his foot had been stitched up in the ER and was a little worried that it wasn't quite ready, but after talking to the DR - she thought it looked good and should be fine and that he would be able to swim etc, no problem.  He was beyond excited to get in the pool.  We put some steri-strips on the wound and off he went.  He had a great time and then in the midst of a Chicken Fight he stepped wrong and it split open again.  Thankfully it was not as deep, but it definitely required some glue or to be restitched.  Off we went to the Urgent Care this time and the Dr there recommended it be restitched because of the location of the cut.  Tyler was crushed - that meant that almost his entire vacation was ruined, no more water/swimming.  He requested a "Do Over".  In my desire to ensure that he still had a great time, I tried to come up with things to do that were not water related.  I think overall we were successful and Ty still enjoyed our trip.  The Highlight was definitely our last major activity - Zip-lining in Provo Canyon.  I'm not sure how many of us went, but we split into 2 groups to make our way down the mountain.  Even with the Minor scare that the Babysitter back at home couldn't find Josh (He had fallen asleep in a pile of laundry on my bed and they couldn't see him), it was SO MUCH FUN.  

All I can say is - I LOVE MY FAMILY!

Summer..... Post 3

Our cabin adventure continued with going up to the shooting range and shooting some clays.  We all had a turn and a great time.  Ty was grateful he was able to be involved due to his foot injury.  Josh and Noah and Brook even tried shooting the shot gun.  Of course the boys thought it was pretty cool, but it freaked Brooklynn out, she tired it a couple of times and then was pretty much over it.

While we were at the cabin, we had different evening activities planned.  For a couple of nights, we had movie night.  We watched an Old John Wayne Western (I can't remember the name of) and The Ghost in the Darkness.  One night we had a fire in the fire pit and cooked hot dogs, smores and sat around and talked.  Thankfully the mosquitoes weren't too bad this year. 

Our last full day was a little overcast and rainy, so we headed over to the Five Pin Bowling Alley - "Valley Alley"  We split up into groups and had a great time.  The fun thing about 5 pin is that the bowling balls are small and so the little kids had no problem.

 I am always grateful for the wonderful family I belong too. We are far from perfect and sometimes drive each other crazy, but we mostly just enjoy spending time together.  I also LOVE seeing my kids with their cousins - they love being with their cousins.  It is also fun that my kids have great memories of a place that was such a big part of my growing up.  Until next time.........