Since We've Been Gone ......

Our computer was bogged down.  I couldn't upload pictures.  Excuses, excuses I know.  Instead of going back I thought I'd blast you with photos I've missed blogging about and then start anew.  Here goes....

Brock with his lacrosse team 

Brock's first dance.  He wasn't scared to go after the ladies.  Can you see him in his white shirt?

Jeff and Ethan at Entrada High Adventure camp

Ethan and friends canyoneering at Entrada

Girls getting cozy to watch Brock play

Pretty Hayley

Working Man

Fun at the Saratoga Splash

Getting Dad ready to ride in Harmons MS Bike ride

Silly girls

The girls and I at Lagoon

Rollerblading on vacation

Slip n Slide

splash!

Brock's ordination as a teacher

Pretty Paige 

My kids all growed up

Jump!

Hayley in Seussical

Brock in pink in the lacrosse face-off

He always has a stick in his hand

fun on the lake

Dad and Paige

Basketball

The girls played on a little basketball team this year.  It was so fun to watch them play.  Paige was on a 3rd/4th grade team.  Her games were jungle ball on a small court.  She had a great time and improved throughout the season.  At the end she finally found her rhythm and became a leading scorer.  Hayley was on a 5th/6th grade team.  Hayley played full court with all rules enforced.  It was exciting and nervous making watching her play.  She did great and was a fabulous defender.  Her coach would often have her, by herself, put on some full court pressure.  I am also ashamed to say that I got a little too involved in her games.  My heart started pumping and my palms got sweaty as I watched her games.  It just brought back all the competitiveness I felt when I used to play.  Her games were very tough and all seemed to be pretty close.  Most teams full court pressed the entire game (I hated that - the girls are just learning how to dribble, they should be allowed to get it past half court).  Hayley's team did great and only lost two games.

Both girls loved basketball.  They both want to play again.  I worried that they said they liked it because I love it, but they assured me that they really did like playing :)

Saying Goodbye

Paige has had this blanket since she was born.  It was a gift from my sister and Paige Loooooooved it!  It had been time to get rid of it for several years now and I was finally able to get her to do it.  I said "Paige, you are nine, it's time to say goodbye".  She wasn't very happy about it but I convinced her it was the right thing to do since she was growing up.

Halloween

Ok, I'm waaaaay behind.  Here is a glimpse at our Halloween this year.  I only had two trick-or-treaters.  I went out with them and the boys passed out candy.

Paige decided to be a ghostie this year

Hayley's an Hawaiian chica

The cousins!

Nine

I am always amazed by how fast my children are growing up.  Paige, my baby, is now nine years old.  Paige is a fun loving girl who makes friends easily.  She is always bringing home phone numbers of friends from school.  She is a good student and a great reader.  

Paige and Jeff at her birthday lunch!

Here are some of her favorites:

Favorite color?
---- Purple
Favorite food?
---- Costa Vida salad (a girl after my own heart)
Something you don't like?
---- the boys teasing me
Favorite thing to do?
---- play with friends and Hayley
Favorite song?
---- All I Want is Everything by Victoria Justice
Favorite show/movie?
---- Shake it Up
Who do you like to hang out with?
---- Hayley
What do you want to do when you grow up?

 ---- A teacher

It is fun to see Paige grow up but it is hard too.  I'm thankful she's my girl and in our family.  Our Paigie-poo!

Driven

My sweet Hayley.....

Teenager!

Brock is now a teenager, hitting the big 1 3.  I guess I shouldn't be amazed that he is that old but I still can't believe it.  Brock has always seemed like a younger brother, but I'm now seeing Brock as a big brother.  He is growing stronger and taller each day.  I'm taller by only about an inch or so.  Brock is a good kid and I'm excited to see him find himself and what he is good at.  He will be trying lacrosse this year and will be playing with some friends and I think we are both looking forward to it.

Favorite color?
---- Blue
Favorite food?
---- Lasagna
Something you don't like?
---- Reading (I think we need to change this way of thinking!)
Favorite thing to do?
---- Sports
Favorite song?
---- Wild Ones by Flo Rider
Favorite show/movie?
---- Avengers and The Amazing Spiderman
Who do you like to hang out with?
---- Targhee and Dallin
What do you want to do when you grow up?

---- A professional lacrosse player or a cop

Brock and Jeff holding the world on our lunch date for Brock's birthday.

Brock sitting on the new shelves he helped Jeff build in the garage.


Brock is a joy to have in our family.  He's always willing to help and fun to have around!!  My big boy!!

Oh boy, what have we been up to?

Life has been different.  Change has happened, and I feel like we are still adjusting.  I'm hoping to find a new normal when the kids go back to school.  We are now in our new home.  We have been here for nearly 3 months.  We love it, but there is a lot of work to do and it feels like a lot going on.

Jeff did his, now yearly, Salem Tri.

The kids love going and cheering Jeff on.

Jeff's favorite leg - the bike

Ethan joined the West Lake High School marching band.  So far he has had plenty of practices, parades and fun.  He is totally enjoying it and has made lots of friends.

Here is Ethan performing with his band in our little Saratoga Springs parade.  Ethan is at the end.  He was told not to look or wave at anyone during the parade.  He said he couldn't hear our cheers.

We were also able to go to Harmon's annual Lagoon day party.  We love this, it's great fun!

The girls love getting their faces painted.

The boys and I are ready to ride The Bat!

Jeff is always Paige's preferred riding partner - Mom screams too much.

Shortly after we moved in, our little city, went up in flames.  Here is the view out my bedroom window.  We were fortunate and the fire wasn't too close to us.  The firefighters set up camp at the fun park in our neighborhood.  I should have taken pictures of that.  They were sleeping and living there until the fire was out.  It was quite the sight to see them return from the mountain with blackened faces from the smoke and dirt.

Most recently we have been busy putting our yard in.  Lots of raking, shoveling and sweat.  Each morning I woke up singing "everyday I'm shovelin"  Corny, I know, but really I thought that every day.   Sprinklers are finally in and we just need to rake and level so we can get curbing and then sod.  

Here are the girls helping their dad.  

It has been a busy summer and doesn't seem to be slowing down.  We'll get to our normal soon, and I know I will miss my crew when they go back to school.