Summer

Last kinder, first freshman

We spent much of last week up in Greer. The weather was great, at least in the day. For some reason we only packed two camping mats, so the nights were a little a uncomfortable..hard, cold ground. One night, the girls and I slept in the van because Rachel was terrified that a bear was going to get us. We left the boys out there in the tent and since they were ok in the morning, Rachel thought it was safe to return to the tent the next night.

Short Haircut for Lizzie girl

 Hard to believe the end of school is right around the corner. I've decided that having kids in school puts me in a time warp...time seeming to move fast and slow at different times. We just finished track this week for Matt and Meg in middle school and Michael just tonight found out he didn't qualify for the state meet..bummer but he's just a frosh and there's plenty of time. Surprise of season...Meg's favorite event was the 400m! She started with the mile and didn't think it was that fun..imagine that. All three did great, but we are kind of excited to come home right after school to eat popsicles and watch Arthur.
Rachel played soccer and did running club this year. She enjoyed both as long as it wasn't too hot. She is extremely competitive, reminiscent of Meghan, who we are reluctant to play even a board game with, for fear of the fireworks that come with a loss. Rachel's little soccer team lost all but one and that one was a tie.

Rachel in running club fun run

 Despite my insisting that they weren't keeping score, she was and doesn't want to play anymore games because she doesn't want to lose...will just let it rest for awhile :0
Lizzie came home one day toying with the idea of cutting her hair shorter. Three days later she was begging to get it done. We love it!

 Jonnie boy had his Pinewood Derby as a new Webelos. He had a great car that he and Dave worked at. Dave couldn't be at the race. My fear always is that the car will be to heavy. Guess what, too heavy by a full ounce! So there we were trying to drill out an ounce out of the body, right up until start time. Then he got entered as a Bear. Oh well, not our night, but a great car for sure.

Jon with Night Train

Heart Day

Jon doing homework on Friday night :)

I love Valentines...with all the red and pink everywhere. Rachel and Lizzie have made lots of hearts this week. We wanted to make sugar cookies and give them out as treats, but we have had a sick week. On Thursday, for the first time ever, all six kids were home sick from school...all throwing up, but Jon, who just felt like he was going to. Yuck and tiring. Dave is in Arkansas, missing the fun. I remember a few years ago...I think before Rachel and Liz were even born, also on a trip of Dave's to Arkansas all the kids got sick...like every 45 minutes another one started throwing up. It was crazy..back then they just stood wherever and out it came. It's so much easier now that they can all make it to the toilet. A learned skill, I guess, for which I have been very thankful for this week. Meg got it first, and still has it the worst. She has had a hard week. One good thing is that I haven't had to cook a thing, really. We made a pot of pasta tonight, put a little butter on it and that was it. For the rest of today and yesterday it has been mostly canned soup, saltines and gingerale, if anything. Tonight as I was putting everyone to bed I heard all the little "happy Valentine's day, Mom," as I walked up and down the hall.

Lizzie loves this bandana she got at school today.

It is like that on every holiday. They just can't wish us enough happiness on special days...Halloween, Ground Hog Day, St Patricks, etc. Not just the big ones. So cute.

Outings

A couple of more September events (how did we fit them in?) We went to camp Lo Mia for our ward camp out. It was so fun, as always. The kids were outside the whole time, just loving it. It is just a great place for families to play together. I'm so thankful our ward still does it.
Dave wanted to be in Flagstaff the morning the campout ended to see a meet, so we hurried and helped clean up, and then were off. About 10 minutes into the trip I realized I hadn't given anyone Dramamine yet. I quickly passed it out, but this experiment tell us that it does not work immediatly. The road was windy...which is was what reminded me of it in the first place. Matthew was sick and miserable the whole way. Luckily, we carry ZipLock in the car....


Another fun thing...Michael's team did a long run with several other teams participating called the Dam Run. It was 14 miles, lots of stops along the way for water, and vans close by in case someone has had enough. He made it the whole way...tough guy that he is. They end up by the Dam by the Salt River. Amazingly we have never taken the kids to the river! A great Saturday activity! We met the team, and then played in the river.

September Happenings

 At the end of September, Michael's team went to CA for a xc meet. As soon as we saw it on the schedule we planned to go. We wanted to go to San Diego this past summer, but it never happened. A couple of weeks before we figured out that Dave's team had a meet at UOFA the day before..actually the evening before. We didn't end up leaving for San Diego until about 1am on the morning we needed to be there. It was our first drive all night with kids..much quieter than a day trip, but not sure we'd do it again. We got to the hotel, checked in quickly and off to his meet. He ran the freshman race and got17th. It was at Balboa Park and incredibly hilly. I ran there a few times in college...didn't remember the hills being that big! He is a great racer. He moves the entire time through the field..so fun to watch.

 Then, off to the beach. This kids loved it. Meg was a boogie boarding expert. Rachel let her feet get wet, which is an improvement over the last time we were there 2 years ago.
So nice to be in the cool weather. Thanks to Grandma and Granner for always taking care of the pets.

Lots of drip sand castles

And then on Sept. 24, our little dear turned 6! Can't believe what a big, independent girl she is.  We still call her baby and she is always complaining that she is the youngest. She loves, loves kindergarten and has lots of friends.
Some things about Rachel at 6.
*tank tops and biking shorts are her favorite outfit, no matter the occasion or the weather.
*loves to draw and write and now reads everything
*great imagination for playing "school" or "store"
*loves all animals
*likes to make sure everyone is happy
*loves lotion, food coloring, nail polish, paints, all manner of colorful messes.
*gets right in all the wrestling matches with all the kids

Cross Country

For years and years our Saturdays have been consumed with soccer games...now we find ourselves at cross country meets. It's so fun and I love to watch them. Both Michael and Meghan are so new to running. We have been so careful to not get them into it too early or to ever put any pressure on them to run, but maybe because of Dave's team or probably running camp, they seem drawn to it. Meghan's team only runs about 3 days a week and 1-2 miles at a time. It's so low key...perfect for middle school. Michael's high school team runs quite a bit more, has a great coach that makes it fun for them. They are off to California this weekend for a meet and Disneyland...so fun!

Arrow of Light




Matthew

I thought I better post this picture while I'm here...this guy is onto Boy Scouts! Seems like we just bought this Cub Scout shirt ...we remember it clearly because he had a sick stomach and was laying on the floor at the Scout Shop while we contemplated the right size..doesn't seem like three years ago.Our new Cubmasters have such a great Arrow of Light ceremony, complete with facepaint stripes.

 We are proud of you Matthew!