Bike rodeo...the end of an era...

So for the last like 8 ish years I have been the PTA health and safety vice president. It has been lots of fun. I get to plan the bike safety rodeo, red ribbon week, vision screenings,  roadrunner mileage club, maturation, and help with white ribbon week. Its been a lot...a lot of fun and a lot of work....now with church responsibilities I just need to cut back so I think this is the end of an era as far as PTA goes. Of course I'll still be involved but maybe not on the board....BUT it was a hot good time!

Cutest Smile Ever!

Creed lost his first tooth while we were in Alaska last summer. I was super bummed that he purposely wouldn't pull it out until I was gone because he knew I wanted to be there.  Like we weren't even to the airport before he had pulled it out....Stinker....but once the first one came out the others followed quickly and seriously he had the cutest smile ever! And I was there for all of them so I feel better.  

Happy Birthday Old Man

The kids think its super funny to tease Brent that he is old...Its not that funny...But hopefully he had a great bday and felt loved.

Cross Country...a whole new kind of awesome!

When Cami was playing soccer and not loving it the one part she did love was the warm up run. I told her I could see her really liking cross country in high school despite the fact that I knew nothing about it. So now she's hitting 9th grade she decided to truly go for it and joined the cross country team. BEST DECISION EVER! She first of all has really enjoyed the running. Second the cross country kids are all super nice good kids. The seniors help out the youngers and give advice. Everyone cheers for everyone. The only competition is you vs. yourself which suits Cami's personality great. Anyway, cross country is such a great way to spend time. Cami had a meet in Cedar City at the beginning of the season and I got to go cheer her on. It was nice that it wasn't 3000 degrees outside since Cedar is higher in the mountains. It was so fun to watch her in her element and the other parents were super nice in helping me figure out what was going on. And just so we can track progress her starting time was 26 minutes/5k...

Back to School Schmool 2018-2019

Going back to school is a hard day for everyone. The kids are excited to see their friends and they do like learning. I do like schedules and routines....but man it seems like summer was about half as long as usual and we all weren't quite ready to hit the grind again...BUT time doesn't wait. And I just have to get used to missing my people. So this year Cami is in 9th grade. Taryn's in 7th grade. Jocelyn is in 3rd grade and Creed is in 1st grade....full day for everyone one...

 Taryn sewed like a crazy lady to get this backpack done in time to use. It is truly amazing. I looks like something that you could buy in any store...

 Too cool for school pictures so I had to chase her down the street to get some...with a threat that I would just keep following her unless she smiled....

 Not that you can see her backpack but holy blinding sequens....But also big smile in love with it so I am prepared to squint a lot this year.

 I cannot believe my little man is old enough for all day school. He is sooo growing up!

Sleeping under the stars

The weekend before school started we wanted to camp/play just a little more. We had a party to attend in Pine Valley so we just threw sleeping bags and a tarp in the back of the truck and took off. The kids had never slept under the stars and we wanted to fix that lapse in parenting. After the party we ventured off the road a ways and hiked down a ledge to get to a stream. There was a bank wide enough to set up. The sound of running water was awesome. The kids were a little nervous and fought over who had to sleep on the outside edges  (no one anted to be eaten by a cougar) but once everyone was settled the stars were amazing. We saw multiple shooting stars and before long the kids were all sound asleep. It was super awesome and memory making. When the kids started school two days later two of them used it as the "what they did last summer" memory.

At the top of the ledge before hiking down to the stream.

Everyone tucked in safe and sound.

Everyone slept great!

Such a beautiful place for a sleep under the stars.

Pine Valley Play Date

After we got back from Alaska we had a fun reunion with Brent's college roommate Logan and his family. The kids instantly hit it off and it was a really fun visit. Because its stinking hot here in July we headed 45 min north to the mountains. We hiked and tried to get a fishing lure out of a tree. It was really cool to watch the fire helicopter swoop down and get water to drop on the fire on the other side of the mountains....and Creed was super territorial about his walking sticks...especially after the park ranger made us move and he had to leave one behind....It was such a fun way to spend a day and it was great company!

Home Sweet Home

While in Alaska we got the kids a few souvenirs. Nothing too exciting. Socks, shirts, and hats....Jocelyn and Creed were partial to the hats... And I am partial to them. No matter how beautiful Alaska is these kids will always be more beautiful to me.

Family Party and Puppy party

Grandma Rice got back from her mission in July. It feels like a huge gift to have her back. We really missed having her around but appreciated her good example to all of us. And I feel proud knowing what a good job she did.

Melissa also had a birthday party for her puppy Beaslie. The kids love Beaslie and we have never gone to a puppy party before so we were all in. Melissa really went all out it it was a great time.

Summer Youth choir concert

All summer Cami participated in a youth summer choir. In August they had their concert and it was sooo amazing. The music selected was great as were all the soloists and accompanists. It was a great way to spend time during the summer. I hope next summer both girls participate.

Summer PE online is the best!

Cami likes school classes too much. To fit in all the classes she wants to take she had to take something online over the summer. I was a little nervous that it would not be easy to do. BUT in true Cami fashion she finished the class work in about two weeks. Then she just did her cross country preseason training and all the hours added up to enough for an A in the class. BUT she was required to run a 5 K as her final....luckily Uncle John kicks bum and helped her with her 5K race. He really is such a life saver since I am sure if I tried to run it with her I would keel over....We're lucky he's willing and able and here.

When it rains in the dessert and you want to catch a lizard...

Summer rain in the desert is the best. It smells good and feels good. No one can stay inside.

I just can't enjoy lizard traps the same way Creed and Jocelyn do....but what lizard wouldn't like grapes and gold fish crackers...and a fake buddy.....

A bit of an annual Regency Garden Party

The annual cousins garden party was regency themed this year. We had fancy finger foods like cucumber sandwiches and fancy goblets. We wore fancy dresses and hairdo's. We had archery and picnic games outside.  I'm pretty sure Jane Austin would have been proud. This has been such a fun fun fun family tradition. The kids embrace it and love going all out. I'm thankful for creative people in my life who come up with great memory making ideas.