Mitchell's Homecoming

We headed to South Jordan to hear Mitchell's homecoming talk.  He returned earlier in the week from serving a 2 year LDS Mission to the Bakersfield California Mission.  He seems to have grown a little taller but was still one of the fun boy cousins that love to hang out with his younger cousins.

His talk was amazing to listen to.  How much he has grown and matured over these past 2 years.  We learned something new about him.  He is allergic to cats just like 1/2 of our family.  We must be related.

Reganne & Mitchell
Don't they both look so happy to have
their picture taken.

Setting a good example!!
In 12 years this could be Ryder getting home/

We could only stay a short while before we had to hit the I-15 Trail towards home.  We look forward to seeing everyone in 2 weeks for Breeonah's wedding.  

Hogle Zoo Trip

While planning our family event weekend we asked the kids what they wanted to do on Saturday.  They all came up with the same idea going to the zoo.  I reminded them of our last trip and how much they hated it and how boring they found it.  All three were firm in their decision to give it another try. 

It is the year of the bugs.  They were huge, they moved, and even made noise.  This was going to be a fun afternoon with creepy crawly animal life.

Check out the Praying Mantis
Slowly moving and stretching.

Train Ride
My job was to get Reganne happy again.
I wasn't too patient and they were all mad at me.

Check out the new lion exhibit
They are extremely large. 

This one is more my size.
A blast from the past and a must have photo op.

Ryder was fascinated by the Apes.
This is the first time I have seen one stand upright.

DANG!!!
What is he doing climbing into the window??
Look really close...taking a bathroom break.
This made Ryder's whole day and made everyone laugh
around us.  Leave it to boys for potty humor.

Reganne's favorite
He was too tired to get up and move or play..
Other cats were playing around him.

Taking a break in the shade with drinks

Waiting for the bird show.
They are all sitting so quietly.

Love those faces!!!
Even though they won't smile for me much.

Making a donation
I couldn't snap it fast enough to catch the bird
taking his money.
The mom's were all in front of me.

All he wants is a picture with the ape.
Reganne get away!!!

One more try
Slightly better, but still a photo bomb.

Everyone was hot, tired, sweaty, and hungry.  Time for an early dinner at McDonald's.  We even sprung for ice cream.  Time to head back to Grandma Jean Ann's House for a visit and an early bedtime.

A quick note that late summer early fall is the best time for a visit to the zoo.  The animals were much more active.  The babies were also all out and adding fun to each exhibit.

Family Event Weekend....

Trying to get out of town to start are family filled weekend was much harder than any of us expected.  Picking up the kids from school presented a new challenge of wadding through all the high school kids racing across the parking lot.  Then needing to funnel them through the 2 exits from the parking lot.  I was called back into work to get a phone setup that was a must before the weekend.  

After all the delays we finally hit the road at 3:00 and headed North.  No time for food or potty stops.  

We made it and only 5 minutes late to the party for Uncle Mike and his new wife Donelle.  It was time to relax from the long drive and enjoy the party.

Cousin Photo
We haven't seen Jennifer, Christopher, or Mitchell
in a long time.

Boys Table

If only Dave would look up the picture
would have been better.

Great photo op of Rylee

It was great to visit with everyone and they reminisced about good times.  We are always excited to welcome new members to our family.  We also were excited to find out that 2 grand babies are on their way

First Game....

New season, new team, and new fields.  Reganne's new team is Liverpool FC.  The new fields are at Little Valley Soccer Park.  The game is ready to start with Reganne also in a new position Left Defender Position.  She has worked really hard this summer trying to learn this position and trying not to miss being Keeper.

First game is against Heat FC.  Reganne has played with 90 percent of the team + the coaches her first season of competitive soccer.  She was ready to show everyone one what she has learned.

Sticking like glue
Or a flick of her head with that long ponytail
keeps her player in line.

What!!!
Taking over the keeper position.
The  keeper wanted more playing time in the 2nd half.

The first half was a low scoring.  0 to 0  it still being so hot outside wasn't helping the girls.  Second half and before Reganne could get into her goalie zone Heat rushed past her to score the first goal of the game.

That goal was the turning point of the game.  Reganne snapped to attention and was in the zone.  Our girls also snapped to attention and started working together as a team.  The chatter on the field became very productive.

Goal for Liverpool

They Won!!

The final score was 4-1.  The first game is now under their belts as a team.  The coaches did an amazing job guiding, directing, and cheering them through to a victory.  It's great to see that their hard work is starting to pay off.

Reganne will miss the next game this weekend so we wish them good luck.

New School....

The new school year starts with a bang.  The boundary changes that were made back in January were fulfilled today.  CVE is a STEM school full of technology and hands on activities for the kids.  Ryder was a little anxious but up for the adventure.  

Meeting WiFi The Wildcat
the school mascot @ back to school night.

Walking the red carpet for the
first day. Greeted by the staff & principal.

School Assembly 

This looks like its going to be a great year.  There is a lot of fun energy as you walk through the halls, talk to the teachers, and watch the principal interact with everyone.  My favorite part of the day is when his teacher posts on the Seasaw what they have been working on through out the day.

Mrs Young is now out on maternity leave until Thanksgiving.  It's going to be an adventure with the sub a former 4th grade teacher and retired principal.  He may have his hands full with this small class full of energy.

New School Year

Is beginning today.  I am not exactly sure where summer vacation went how do 11 weeks fly so quickly?  Everyone is ready to get back into the groove or maybe it is just me.  This year is going to be full of new adventures.

We can't start off the year without scones.

YUMMY!!!!
We may need to hide these from Ginger.

7th Grader. Ms. Reganne
Ready for new adventures, challenges, and new friends.
School starts early @ 7:45

10th Grade, Ms. Rylee
Our high school  sophomore
She is also ready for new adventures and hanging out with friends
School starts @ 8:15

4th Grade, Mr Ryder James
New school, friends, and teacher
He is ready to try it all and have fun doing it.
School starts @ 9:00

Dropping each one off today I am amazed at how fast they growing, developing,  and learning.  My only wish it that they continue to grow, learn, and be happy.  Let's throw a little kindness in as well.

Here's  to new adventures this school year......

Select Camp

Ryder has been waiting patiently for Select Camp.  It has been really hard having 2 weeks off away from the water.  He was anxious to get there and get the camp started.  We were lucky with blue skies and a few clouds for an early Saturday swim.  A quick introduction to the coaches and the kids were off to warm up.  It was time for the parents meeting and intro to the swim program.

In the zone !!!!

The kids were soon paired up with a coach and working on their strokes.  I am not sure who was having more fun the coaches or the kids.  The screams, giggles, and shrieks it was probably both.

It was now time for the tryout portion of the day.  However, those dark clouds were inching closer all the time.  Would we finish before the rain or after?

Swimming for all his is worth.

The rain came tumbling down, down, and down.  I would have thought they would stop until it let up.  Not so they all kept right on with the tryouts, games, and plain craziness.  They didn't even seem to notice it.

He made it!!!!

He did his best and with all his hard work he was invited to joining the Royals Competitive Team.  Practices start on Monday.   Every afternoon for and hour and a half.  He is required to attend  a minimum of 3 practices a week.  If he continues on it will move to 5 days a week.  Ryder was all smiles but  his stomach soon took over.  It was time to eat lunch and enjoy the afternoon.  

Monday would come soon enough and so would the nightly practices.  

Summer Swim Team Ice Cream Social

Ryder was excited for this party to happen.  He had waited patiently for his last ribbon from the last meet.  Time to party and eat lots of ice cream.

Finally, his last ribbon of the season
Third Place for his IM.

Trying all the water features
at Sand Hollow

Jumping off the diving board

Climbing the rock wall.

It was a great party full of screaming kids, drippy ice cream, and smiles.  They reminded all the kids to register for Select Camp on Saturday.

July Odds & Ends

July coming to an end and I still have so many extra pictures.  All good memories but maybe not enough for their own post.

Here we go with a quick catch up.

CVE Principal brought this
goodie bag to all of his new students.
Ryder loved all the stuff inside and is excited for his new adventure.

Reading his fines down.
What a better place to snuggle than in a bean bag chair.
A great summer program for the kids to get extra incentive to read.

Patiently waiting for Mom to take our picture.
In the parking lot at the hotel in Rock Springs. 

Hanging with the cousins
at the zoo.  Nothing is better than being with family.
Unless, you lose one.

Great play
Thanks, Julie for inviting me to go.
It was a great girls night out.

New Slip & Slide
Waters have fun in the water.
Even the dogs got into the act.

July was a great month full of family, friends, and awesome times.  School is around the corner so not many more days full of fun in the sun.

Good Morning ..... Pine Valley

Everyone was asleep to be awakened at about 4:00 to thunder and lightening.  Quickly followed by heavy rain.  Dave & Blake quickly jumped into action making sure everything was secure and not drowning too bad.  We are definitely in the mountains camping in the rain.

Time to rise and shine!!! The sun was shining!!!! Blake & Julie made an amazing breakfast of biscuits and gravy.  Afterwards I could have just sat in the sun and snooze a little more.  I did just that.  One group headed towards town for Pine Valley Days.  A few of us lazed around camp like slugs enjoying the peace and quiet.

Quiet doesn't last long as the travelers returned.  Ryder reminded everyone that it was game time.

Yummy food

Crazy inventions

Silly boy trying to keep cool.

Striking a pose

Let's play in the water

Someone needed a shower.
Too bad it was so cold.

We had a small break between rains storms.  Ryder followed Dave around securing everything once again.  Dave poked at the awning and rain came tumbling down. Next thing we noticed Ryder doing the same thing.  One minor problem when you are short the water will come down on top of you.  We all thought he could use a shower.  

We are planning on another campfire tonight.  Will the weather cooperate or will we end up in bed sooner than we planned.

YEAH!!! Fire  

Yummy Smores

The rain stopped just in time to build a big fire and enjoy the night.  We broke out the graham crackers, peeps, marshmallows, and chocolate.  There is no wrong way to make this gooey treat.  There are many different ways and all you have to be is adventurous to try them.

Everyone was full, sugared out, and even a little tired.  Everyone settled down to enjoy another quiet night perfect for sleeping.  However, there was a noise outside the motor home.  Just the ladder Dave tells me.  He tried moving it just a bit through the window not good enough so he headed to the door.  He opened the door to a horrible smell.  SKUNK!!!  It must have been close to the motor home and Dave startled him enough to spray.  Close the windows and hold your breath.  It would be awhile before anyone falls asleep tonight.

It was a great camp this year but way to short.  We don't say goodbye instead see ya next year.