A busy summer.....

I'm not sure where June went and I'm still trying to figure out how July got here so fast.  This summer just seems to be flying by.  We have kept a lot busier this summer than any other summers that I remember.  June started off with Jake and Alexis taking a trip to Yellowstone with the youth from our stake - all 150+ of them.  They had a great time. 

They were then home for a week before heading out to church girl's camp and football camp.  You would think that we would get a break - oh no- it was time to get Jake ready for the National Scout Jamboree for two weeks.  He will have lots to share when he gets back so stick around.

Alexis headed off to Cheerleading camp this last week for four days and will be gone again next week to EFY.  Hoping by the end of the month we can get back to some type of normal routine.  Oh wait, we just might. School starts the 19th of August.

Alexis was also in the 4th of July parade with the cheerleaders - They got to take the easy way out and ride:

Off to High School

On Tuesday night, the middle school had their closing ceremony for the 8th graders.  Jake and Alexis both completed all the requirements to be able to move on to high school.  It has been a challenging year for both.  They had to read alot more than they ever had to in their old school.  But on the positive side, they both have made some new friends and seemed to adjust pretty well to a new school this last year.  Because of their accomplishments this year, they were able to go on the 8th grade trip to Lagoon for a fun filled day.

The principal, Mr. Strate - met with him a few times this year.

Alexis receiving her certificate of promotion

Jake receiving his certificate of promotion

All said and done, it was a pretty good year.

Let's play ball....Church ball

Church ball has begun.  It's so fun to see these boys play ball and be able to laugh and have a good time.  They all have the attitude that it's more important to have fun than to be competitive. So far this season they have had four games all with different results.  They have won two, lost one and had to forfeit one due to not having enough players.  But all is good.  The one they had to forfeit, the other team "borrowed" us a few of their players so that they could still play for the fun of it.

Here are some shots of the boys in action:

Fun time is had by all.  Can't wait until next week.

Tis the wrestling season

Yes, it is that time of year.  No I'm not talking about Christmas (we all know that it has arrived).  I'm talking wrestling.  This year Jake decided to try his hand at that sport.  So this is how he will spend three nights a week practicing, one night a week at duels and Saturdays at tournaments.  Last Saturday we spent the day in Delta.  He had five rounds and only won one of those.  But that's okay because he is getting lots of practicing in.  This week we are off to Nephi and Salina.

Eatin'..Shoppin'...and Shootin'

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We were able to get together with my family at my sister's house. Unfortunately I forgot my camera.

Jake wanted to go do a little Black Friday shopping so out we headed.  Fortunately for us, living in the country doesn't give us a lot of places to choose from.  It was quick and painless.

Saturday we went and did a little skeet shooting with some neighbors.  We went through lots of clay pigeons and ammunition.  Lots of fun was had and lots of laughs were shared.

Setting up more targets - after we ran out of clay pigeons.  The kids went and found the pieces and strategically placed them in the sage brush

It was a fun afternoon - it helped that the weather was beautiful.

Where did August go !!

So I'm not sure where August went and I would like to say that we have done something wonderful but that's not the case.  Jake and Alexis got registered at their new school and started back on the 22nd.

Each year on the first day of school (and then the last day) I measure their height - it's fun to see how much they grow in just the short nine months of school.

This year on the first day:
  
     Jake is 5 ft 4 1/2 "                                  Alexis is an even 5 feet

The end of the month brought a surprise in the way of a bountiful garden.  I wish I could say that it was my garden but no such luck.  My sister's father and mother in-law has a large garden (haven't seen it but have heard about it).  They were very generous this year to us and gave me about 3 bushels of tomatoes, green beans, zucchini and yellow squash, carrots, cucumbers and other wonderful fruit and vegetables that I am sure I have missed.  We have thoroughly enjoyed his graciousness (is that a word?)  So after the kids would head off to school I got busy with my canning supplies.  Here's what I have been doing-

 



 

 

Here's the count to date:

 

27 pints of salsa

9 pints of beans

17 pints of tomato juice

6 quarts of tomatoes

26 pints of tomatoes

 

With our recent move I was actually pretty lucky to even find some of my canning supplies - I guess it was just meant to be, when I went to look for the bottles and canners they were on the tail end of the storage.

 

Thanks Mark & Ruth for the produce it has been greatly appreciated.



 

 





The boys of summer

Okay, so it's really not officially summer but the boys are out.  We have been busy spending the last month and a half at baseball games.  Every Wednesday after school and double headers on Saturdays.  It has once again kept us very busy.  Jake started out as "bench warmer" and has worked his way up the ranks to a starter.  He loves baseball.  He loves any sport for that matter.  This has been his first time playing and I don't think it will be his last.

He plays for the school team and they have done quite well.  I think they've only lost 3 or 4 games total.   They even have a girl on their team because she said "the girls team is too whimpy."  Gotta love Bailee :)

My Point Guard

For the last three months we have been busy with basketball at our house.  Jake has been playing basketball for his school.  It's been a very busy three months with practices 4 nights a week and games on Saturday.  Needless to say, I haven't gotten much of anything else done but it has been fun to see him and his team practice and improve this season.  They started off really well, but as the saying goes "practice makes perfect" - they did get better each week but so did the other teams.  By the end of the season they really had to put up a good fight.  Last week marked tournaments and the end of the season.  Unfortunately, the tournament was a single elimination game and they didn't make it past the first round.  They played hard and definitely have nothing to be ashamed of.

Way to go Jake and the Eagles !!!

Three Teenagers

It's official, as of today I have three teenagers in the house.  Thirteen years ago today, our family doubled in size.  Two of the cutest babies I had ever seen (ok so I'm a little partial), joined our family.  They have been such a joy and a challenge to have.  Never did I think that I would have twins one day but here I am and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.  

I remember back to the day before they were born - it was a Tuesday.   I received a phone call from my doctor asking me when I would like to have these babies.  We had known for several months that it would be a scheduled delivery.  I asked him "when is a good day for you"?  He replied, Friday looks good".  Well, I was already one step ahead of him because I knew that Wednesday was also one of his surgery days so I replied back and said "tomorrow would even be better".  He said "let me call the hospital and check with them and call you back".  Within five minutes I received a call back saying that "tomorrow" was good to go - be at the hospital by 1:00.  And as they say, the rest is history.  

I am so glad that these two are a part of our family.  I am so proud to call them mine.  I thank my Father in Heaven each and every day for each of my children.

 

I love you guys - Happy Birthday !!!

My Budding photographers

This weekend, Jake and Alexis took over the camera for a bit and this is what we ended up with:

OK - so they may not be perfect but those two are mine - I guess I'm a little partial.

Jake and Alexis in the kitchen

After church today, Jake and Alexis decided they wanted to make something in the kitchen, so why not start with dessert? Even though it was a box mix it turned out pretty good. I guess a kid has to start somewhere right?


End result:

Lucky for me they both love to be in the kitchen creating.

Blue & Gold, Cakes and a contest

This last week our cub scouts had their Blue and Gold Banquet. This will be our last year to attend one of those - for J will be in 11 year old scouts next year. One of the traditions that they do here is have a cake decorating contest and then we get to eat them for dessert. So we once again racked our brains to try and come up with one - last year we did a race track.

There were lots of good entries this year as you can see from the pictures. So on to the contest - Everyone who leaves a correct guess in the comments will be entered into a drawing for a little prize. And who doesn't like getting a surprise in the mail? So leave me a guess by Wednesday-the 4th- at 8 pm to be eligible for the drawing on Thursday.

Good Luck

PS - here is a list of the cakes from left to right:

top pictures: Volcano, campsite, fish, baseball hat/balls, Jurassic Park, round w/sprinkles

bottom picture: treasure chest, hot air balloon with army guys and a police car.

Derby Time !!!

Last night was the cub scouts pinewood derby and our last one. Next year Jake will be in 11 year scouts - so no more Pinewood Derby's for him. He did pretty good - he took 3rd in his den. There were only a couple cars that he couldn't beat - and that's the reason for the 3rd place finish. He had a great time so I guess that's what is most important.

Here are a few pictures from the fun filled night: