And we thought SUMMER was busy???

Back to school we go. Yeah for having my schedule back ... and bed time ... and structure. Everyone is loving school and doing great. We've got great teachers again and we LOVE living across from the school. It's just so CONVENIENT. We're so blessed to have such a good school and such high quality teachers in our community. I love being involved with the kids' school and knowing that it makes a difference to them that I am. I love that they have other positive role models in their life. I love that they get to spread their wings and put into practice what they've been taught. I love seeing their confidence grow as they succeed and work through problems. I actually got a job at our school as a 504 aide for four hours a day, and I'm having a good time with that. The little boy I work with is DARLING and we have a lot of fun together. And honestly, you just can't beat the commute. I love getting out for a few hours a day and keeping busy. Heaven forbid I get bored. Honestly, no one wants that.

London's a big third grader now. She loves her class and her teacher.

T.J. is a big first grader now, and he thinks the whole lunch at school thing is the coolest. I get to see him and London at lunch and lunch recess while I'm there, and that's been really fun. Also, I can make sure T.J. gets the cheese Dorito mess off his face before he goes back to class.

He's pretty sure he rules the school now that he's in FIRST grade. Just ask him. Cool stuff.

Jackson is a big sixth grader now and actually does "rule the school." Just ask him. He'll tell ya. He is LOVING this year. Love his teacher. Loves his class. Is OBSESSED with his friends. I'm glad he's happy.

Wow. Middle school? Really? I don't feel this old, and if anyone tells me I look old enough to have a middle school student, I'll punch em. Despite all the panic and anxiety, he's doing great and loving it. He likes all his classes except for keyboarding ... which I made him take anyway, and I stand by that decision.


Jackson ran for Student Body Secretary at his school and won. His cousin, Landon, won vice-president. They're having a great time with that, and so far the student government advisor hasn't killed either of them, so that's good. He ran a great campaign based on making sure every one has a friend to play with and that no one is left out on the playground and stopping bullying by standing up for anyone getting picked on.


Jackson giving his speech to his peers. He was nervous but did a GREAT job!

Way to go Jacks! And a special thank-you to Nike for their help in his campaign.


And we've been doing lots and LOTS of football. Between the boys three two-hour practices a week each and one game a week each, we eat, drink, and breath FOOTBALL. And when they're not playing, we're watching BYU, and that's just the way it is. It's the way we roll around here. We LOVE football.





Austin's coaches have a new strategy of sending their big guys out there as team captains for the coin toss before the game. If you look close, you can see the opposing team in purple and white standing across from them. Look at the size difference! That's not even nice! Haha. Intimidating the other team before the game even starts. Dave says it's part of the game, and I don't argue with him when it comes to football.



After struggling for a few years, Austin's team is having a winning season this year, and they are all SO EXCITED! It's fun to see them having success and all their hard work paying off.


Not sure when this happened, but I OBJECT! Also, I'd like to point out that I'm not standing up completely straight.

That's Austin in the white blocking #16 and another guy.


Jackson's LOVING playing on the same team as Landon again this year. His good friend Josh is on his team this year as well. They have so much fun playing and working hard together. It's fun to see them having such a good time. And it helps a TON to have people to carpool with. I don't even want to know how much we've spent in gas since July.



And this is another reason I love football. You see Jackson there in the middle? His coach has his UNDIVIDED attention. Jackson is such a good kid, but when I'm talking to him about homework, chores, making his bed, coming home late, life, WHATEVER, I get a lot of blank stares, goofing around, attitude, eye rolling, and snarky comments. When his coach talks, HE LISTENS. No exceptions. And slowly through the season, I see those good habits creeping into our home. More respect, more listening, more obedience, more discipline. Love it. I could care less who teaches it to him, and if his coaches can get through to him where I can't, bless them.

That's Jackson (#88) there in the front. Dave says I shouldn't take pictures of him while he's in the process of committing a penalty. Holding on the offense #88. Ooops.

Listening to his coach again.

That's Jackson there in the front again blocking a kid who is a lot bigger than him. He has that responsibility a LOT, and he works hard on every play. I'm so proud of him.

And it looks like it's time for a haircut. I guess I didn't notice since it's been under a helmet for THREE MONTHS.

The Fast Version

Here's the fast version of the rest of our summer. We discovered Herriman Reservoir and spent several days there soaking up the sun and visiting with friends. The kids loved the sandy beach and playing in the water.

Jackson spent a lot of time tormenting the girls. SURPRISE, SURPRISE.


I'm already excited to go back next summer ...

We took the kids on a hike to Stuart Falls up by Sundance. It's a beautiful hike and not too long. One of our kids was having a bad attitude on the hike. Can you guess which one?

This trail is usually pretty crowded, but we did it on a Saturday evening and had it just about all to ourselves.





Dave enjoyed playing with his new fire pit. He's wanted one for a while, and I have to admit it has been fun to sit around the fire and roast marshmallows in the backyard.




T.J. used to be really photogenic and would willingly post for pictures. Not exactly sure what happened ...




Also, we now officially have a TEENAGER in this house. Austin turned 13 back on August 11th. Wow.
His chosen birthday activity was going to see Captain America with his friend Keegan. I had Dave take them since it seemed cooler to have your dad take you and your friend to the movies, rather than your mom. Am I right?


We're not much into traditional cakes around here, so a stack of peanut butter bars became Austin's birthday cake. The boy is obsessed with peanut butter.
We spent the day as a family at Trafalga for Austin's birthday.
They have these cool water boats there. I stay away from such things. But thankfully Dave was like knocking over little kids to get out there, so at least the kids had someone to play with. I am the photographer ... photographers do not get wet.


Dave was egging on our kids and total strangers, and as a result got seriously wet. Serves ya right hon.




Dave's little bro got married. Congrats to Brian and Meghan!




Didn't even mean to be all matchy-matchy, but check that out!


And lest you think Dave is the only INSANE BYU fan in his family, this is a picture of Brian and Meghan on their special day with .... wait for it... Tom Holmoe. And WHO is HE you ask? He's the Athletic Director at BYU. REALLY?!??!! Yes, multiple members of Dave's family recognized him and someone finally went over and asked him to pose in a picture. It was definitely one of the highlights of the day for Dave's family.


We did LOTS and LOTS of boating this summer. Thanks to Grandpa Morton's boat and his generosity with his time, the kids spent lots of time riding around in the boat, getting pulled on the tube, and learning to water ski.

I even got on that contraption once myself. I got thrown violently from this tube (I think my dad did it on purpose), and I'll have you know I came up out of the water with my sunglasses on my face and my earrings in. I'm tell you, it's a gift. Of course, I had fish bathroom water in my mouth, so I wasn't too happy.


Grandpa is helping the boys with their boating merit badge requirements for scouts. There's actually a lot they have to do for it, and they're just about done. Thanks grandpa!


And did I mention, cute little Raylie was born in August. London finally has a girl cousin on my side of the family who lives 0.7 miles way. She COULD NOT be more excited! She is obsessed with little Raylie, like we all are, and loves to hold her and hover over her and just be around her. What a cutie!