Summer continues on and on....still

I love it when these boys get to play soccer together. And go to soccer games together. And go to track meets together. It's so much fun, most of the time, to be their mom and to watch them grow into different people, together. They are so blessed to have each other. Love my Alex and Triston. 

Ethan and the boys have been in CARA track this summer and we had one hour to attend a track meet. The boys could only participate in the first events. Too much going on in one day. Anyway, Triston chose the softball throw and came in 4th out of 8. He was disappointed, but I'm so glad he tried. Alex did the 1600 and came in 2nd. One mile in just over 5:35 I think.  He was so proud of his second place finish that he carried and played with his ribbon for two days after the meet. So grateful for the opportunities provided through the city for my kids to grow and be healthy. They love going to track twice a week for 1.5 hours and I love working during the time they're gone! 

Kedzie was at her only summer swim meet that she'll be at with Travis. She took home a 1st, 3rd and 5th among a few others I can't remember. She took 1st in the back stroke. She doesn't like getting up at 6am for swim practice, but it's so good for her emotionally and physically and she knows it. She also loves her coaches and teammates. We love it for her. 

Here's our first attempt at doing Come Follow Me with the Thornton's and Harris's. It was a success with dinner, a lesson and dessert. We have some great friends doing great things and helping us grow closer to the Savior. 

This kid...have I mentioned how silly he is?! Don't you think this is perfect for 7th grade?!

The 4th of July...

A day that was not the day that I had planned, but it worked out, sorta. We didn't crash when our tire went flat on the freeway. Walmart automotive was open in "SO-Tho," DEFY was open for the kids to jump and play for the 1.5 hours it took for the tire to be fixed. After lunch at Walmart's McDonald's, we finally made it to Denver for a little skate park action (with too many people smoking pot to stay long), the zoo (where the animals were in hiding because of the heat) and our highlight of the day, Liks ice cream (which was delish.) Man, what a day, and we got home with five hours left of sunlight. It was kinda rotten. I tried to find the positive. But, in the end, it never fully showed it's face. I melted down the next evening. So, apparently, I just needed to cry! Kedzie and I didn't care to go find fireworks, so the boys went and had fun while we read books. Better luck next year? I need to leave town on holidays. Note to self. 

We did find some fun the next day in Boulder as we drove go carts, played some mini golf, hit some baseballs in cages and hit some balls on the range. We made it to our favorite mall and had a yummy lunch. This is the day I cried, but I'm doing much better now! 

Alex loves to run and our favorite charity was benefiting from the proceeds of a 5K in Henderson so I signed Alex up. He was the only one that wanted to run. We got there too early, but everyone kept it together. The boys scooted around the school until it was race time. It was sponsored by a local church, so it was well attended, and supported. Alex ran 3.1 miles in 23:32.  The winner ran in 23:11. Alex took 3rd place over all! We are so proud of him and so impressed with his skills and athletic abilities. What a fun thing to watch him do. Travis, Ethan, Triston and I cheered for him and celebrated his accomplishment. What a kid. If we can get his anger under control, he's got the whole world in his little pocket! 

He started the race 5th off the line. At mile two when we saw him, he was 5th as well. Then, he was coming around the track in 4th place. Once he took the corner, he sprinted right past a gentlemen to take 3rd place overall. It was a thrill to witness. Go Alex!

Also, today the US Women's National Team won the World Cup vs. Netherlands 2-0. We've been watching and involved since mid-June. They were undefeated the entire tournament and pulled out a beautiful, well deserved win today. Proud to be American. Proud to be a soccer fan and proud of those brave, tough, independent women who represented our country with such energy and drive. 

Go Team USA

Summer continues...

Here we are in June. The snow has finally begun to melt and the rain showers are in the evening. We finally feel like it's summer after a really wet, snowy spring. 

The boys enjoy playing 3v3. The first 3v3 tournament, Alex was the only one that played with members of his new team. Later in the month, we joined up with old teammates and added Triston to the mix. The boys lost horribly, but had so much fun playing together as the IDK's. Love all these boys. Their commitment to each other and to soccer. 

Kedzie had the wonderful opportunity to drive to Utah with our friends, be picked up by Iva and spend a few days with the Kirk's before going to EFY with her cousin Emi; at Utah State of course. When trying to decide where she'd go to EFY, she straight up said she'd refuse to go if it was at BYU! That's my girl. Did we go to far in educating her? Nah....anyway, we didn't see her for about 10 days. She had the best time and truly strengthened her testimony of discerning the Holy Ghost. I'm so grateful she had Emi to go with and had such an amazing opportunity to learn and grow. 

While Kedzie was at EFY, Ethan got to go to basketball camp at University of Colorado with his buddy Owen. They had a great time together. It's a lot smaller than BYU and it's not a sleep over camp, but the players were more involved in the camp which was fun for Ethan. Grateful for good friends and their families to help us give our kids such great experiences. 

Ethan in his crawdad phase! He's such a funny kid. 

We have had a lot of rain. We got the hot dogs cooked over the fire-pit, but had to do marshmallows in the garage! It worked, just a little strange!

In addition to 3v3, the boys are playing on Tuesday or Wednesday nights in the Broomfield 5's. This is a picture of Ethan's team. It's a mixture "Sirs Mix-a-lot" of '07 and '06 bottom, middle and top teams. It's pretty fierce, especially when playing against teams from Broomfield. We are 3 for 3 right now. Ethan's teammates are Tad, Austen, Roman, Kemper, Jayden and Jaxon. I don't know why I don't have a picture with Alex and Triston and their teammates, but I'll get one soon!

We weren't going to do swimming lessons this year because the boys thought it was boring...until it was time to do swimming lessons...the boys didn't want to do swim team, so there was a spot in the level 7 swim class, so they did that for a few weeks.  They are fish. They are great swimmers and had the best time with their teacher Scott.  

Boulder with the crazy clouds of rain and snow in June. 

Triston falling asleep under the beanbag and Wiley taking advantage of a good nap spot!

Jacob returned from his mission in the Dominican Republic! We were all thrilled to see him. Can't believe how fast two years went. Grateful for his example for my boys. They all grew just a little!