Playing Dress Ups

Rylee was invited to the Homecoming Dance this year.  We needed to go shopping to find that perfect dress.  The first store was way over the top in prices and styles.  Nothing grabbed Rylee's attention  We were off to Dillards with hopes that they had a good selection to choose from.  Walking to the Junior section of the store we found a lot of dresses ready to be tried on.  Walking around the racks each full of enticing dresses begging to be tried on.

While Rylee started trying on the first round.  Reganne was just excited when I told her to find ones she liked.  

20 or more dresses later Rylee decided between two.  Calling all friends to give their opinions and help her decide.  The green sparkly dress won!!!  

Decisions made it was time to check out.  Instead of checking out Rylee was invited to participate in the Homecoming Fashion Show next weekend.  She could get a free makeover and other fun giveaways that would make it fun to be a part of.

The girls are growing up so fast.  Watching them put on fancy dress really show how grown up and how beautiful they are.

Fall Fling Swim Meet

Short Course Season is in full swing after a month of practicing.  It was time for the Fall Fling Meet @ WCCC.  Oops!!! I signed Ryder up for both days without checking with his coach.  I also volunteered to judge both days.  Ryder couldn't swim on Friday night since he is not 13.  There weren't enough officials so instead of leaving we both volunteered instead.  Me as an official and Ryder as a timer.  He got pizza & treats and I got soaked.

We had a quick breakfast and made it in time for check in & warm ups.  Ryder was ready to get the meet started.

Capped and ready to warm up.

The pool is calm 

The kids were ready to jump in

His arm wasn't big enough
for all his events.

Sliding in for his flip turn

Dang the touch pad didn't work
on this event either.

I am not sure if the problem was the touch pad itself or if he wasn't hitting it hard enough.  None of events registered at final time.  We will have to wait until the final results are posted in a couple of weeks.

He swam with everything he had and is hoping to improve all his times.  This is the last meet before he moves up to the next age group.  This means he will have new time requirements for each even

Happy Labor Day!!!

Labor Day is here already.  I know August flew by way to quickly but I am hoping September doesn't follow the same pattern.  We were ready for the 3 day weekend and a trip to the lake.  Rylee's work schedule kept us away on Saturday but we found time for a movie instead "Mission Impossible"  We loved it however, I was exhausted when it ended.

Monday morning arrived and it was going to be a beautiful day.  Everyone was up and ready to play.  We ran into a small problem... the lake was filling up with boats, jet skis.  Dave hit a huge wave which sent us into the air and only to land harder back into the water.  We were all a little shaken but soon found a spot to claim.  There were a few too many waves to try the knee board maybe next week.

Ryder + Tube= FUN

Let me dip my toe in first.

Not too bad
The water is a little warmer than the air.

Soaking up the sun
What better place than in the middle of the lake.

Way too close

It was a crazy fun morning but it wasn't long before the jet skis started getting a little to close for my comfort.  They love to jump the waves the boats are making.  One minor problem is they forget that it's not cool to get that close.  Especially when we are riding on the tube.  Making the trip back to the dock proved interesting as well.  More boats were getting on so there wasn't much space to pull the boat out.

It was a fun morning but we need to conserve out energy for a fun afternoon with the Wheelers for an end of summer barbecue and games.  They brought Tenzie to play all together.  It was a blast until the Water's Competitive Spirits kicked in and the dice started to fly.  We found all the pieces but it was time to call it a night.

August Moments

I am not sure where August went but looking back at these pictures it was a busy one.  

School shopping with
your little brother can be a challenge
I love that they were holding hands.
I am hoping they continue to like each other.

This boy LOVES sports cars
He saw this one at the eye doctor.
He only had eyes for the cars and
thank goodness no glasses needed.

Summer boredom equals
yummy treats.
Ryder discovered cooking
Cookies, brownies, and grilled cheese.

Learning to clean up afterwards.
What a wonderful surprise!!!
Let's go out to eat so the kitchen doesn't get dirty.

 He baked his way through 20 cake mixes in my food storage.  He over came his fear of the oven.  He even made cookies for Rylee & I's ministering ladies.  He bake them, put them on a plate, and covered with plastic wrap.  All we  had to do was deliver them. 

School Outfits
Have to find the right one for the
first day of Junior Year.

Getting to know you activity
in 5th Grade.
Building a house of cards
"All About Me"

Not sure if he is feeling well
or trying to be patient as his teacher Mrs. Demke
takes his pictures.

When it rains it floods
in St George.
The kids had to find alternate routes to get home
from school.
The clean up lasted for another couple of days
with crazy traffic jams.

This amazing girl overcame one of
her fears and got a job.
Working at Brick Oven as an Expo.
She is excited but nervous to learn new things
and to have her own money.

Labor Day is knocking on our doors and it will soon be Fall.  I'm excited to see what new adventures will find in the next 30 days.

Webelos Adventures

Ryder has had a lot of Webelos Adventures with his Den Leaders this summer.  One of the fun projects they built together was a rocket launcher.  He came home with a sparkle in his eye wanting to see how high it would go.  

Should I be nervous?
Ginger checking it out.

Official flag ceremony

They have been practicing with
their leaders to set a good example
for the younger boys.

A lazy Sunday evening what else can we do but try to send it up into the atmosphere.  Ryder begged me to come out and watch.  WHAT??? are you going to do with the air compressor?  Just Watch!!

Hooking it up
Let it rip....

Dave showing how to add pressure
without blowing it apart.

Line it up carefully

It flew way up high but watch your head for the falling back to the ground.  I don't want any concussions.  Let's try something else.  How about adding water.  It didn't fly as high but if you are too close you will get wet.  

He only has a month left in cub scouts.  I am so thankful for the leaders taking their time to teach these boys new skills as well as how to have fun and to be safe

Time to Relax

We survived the first week of school!!!  It was time to play, relax, and have fun.  Most importantly get wet.  It's still summer of course and the temperatures are still 100's we all need to cool off.  Sand Hollow here we come.....

Dang!!!
What is wrong with my phone?
It won't switch views...6 pictures later Rylee fixed it for me.

Ryder
Conquering his frustration.
He even jump the wake a time or two.

Ms Rylee
Showing how easy it looks but
in reality how difficult it is to master.

Tube Time
Ryder is king of the water

It was now time for mom to climb aboard and go for a ride.  Ryder joined me and soon we were moving across the water.  Next thing I knew a large wave was heading our direction.  Should I hold on or jump off??  To late we flew up and landed hard with my chin smashing into my hand.  I was done for the day.  It was time to call it a day before anymore injuries.

Time for lunch, a movie "Alpha" it was a good day.

New School Year 2018-2019

Wait a minute how did 12 weeks pass so quickly? Summer vacation has come to an but not the high temperatures.  I totally get how the calendar is made each year but I can't figure out how time is moving so quickly.  

Reganne, 8th Grader
Desert Hills Middle School

Rylee, 11th Grade
Desert Hills High School

Ryder, 5th Grade
Crimson View Elementary

It was crazy busy first morning. Gone are the days that I can dictate what each one needs to do to start the day.  I am slowly learning this but today I can still persuade them with yummy scones fresh out of the pan.

How many did they eat? 

Everyone made it on time to start their first day of the new school year.  I waited anxiously for reports of how they each one survived.  Rylee replied it was awful, Reganne replied it was terrible the bus was late getting them home.  Ryder replied it was awesome and the best first day ever.

I am hope that they will find the fun and excitement to learn new things each day.  If not the fun then maybe excitement of learning new things.

Crazy Busy Saturday

What else can we cram into this crazy Saturday.  It was time for a little pampering with the girls.  I was in desperately in need of a pedicure.  The girls both wanted manicures for the first day of school.  Beware of "Walk Ins Welcome"  after trying a few places that were way to busy and no appointments available until Monday.  We found an opening at a salon in Walmart of all places.  It was also crazy busy but welcomed each new person with a smile and a seat. 

The girls picked this color.
No pinks allowed today.

Rylee waited patiently
amid the crowds and noise.

Reganne's turned out great
Black nails her favorite.

After relaxing and enjoying some additional pampering the girls were ready to head home.  They wanted to be away from my eyes to continue to relax on their own.  Ryder was begging for more fun before Monday.  How about Fiesta Fun and the bumper boats to cool off and even laugh a little.

and soaking wet

I did a little better at not getting soaked but enough to cool off.  It was fun to hang out, play, and even spray each other with water.

It was a crazy busy day but also full of fun, a few giggles, and a lot of smiles.  Monday will come soon enough and along with it the craziness of the school year.