solo soccer

Solo soccer...
that's right...
Jace is the solo soccer player
in our family this year
and I'm kind of loving it!
I've juggled 2-3 soccer schedules
for...well, a long time...
so only having to worry about
one set of games/treats
is heavenly.

the face above cracks me up...
those boys are havin' some
serious soccer talk!

don't ya just love it when the entire team
clumps up around the ball and
steals it from their teammates?

this is my FAVORITE picture!
Jace is using his intimidation skills
to scare off the other team...

as soccer goes,
Jace is my first kid to actually
enjoy playing the game
MORE
than getting the end-of-game treat.
Who knows?
Maybe this soccer thing will stick around?!

...and we're back...

that's right...
we're back....
back to school,
back to schedules,
back to piano practicing,
back to dinner every night
and scriptures every morning,
and all the other stuff that reappears
along with the beginning
of a new school year.

the freshman...
early morning seminary (by choice!)
and all honors classes...
she is my clone, only better!

the "sevi"...
yep, that is slang for 7th grader
everything is new and slightly scary,
but she memorized the schedule
and the locker combo
so she will survive!

the fifth grader...
already figures this year will be a breeze
and plans on playing soccer
for EVERY recess

the third grader...
so excited her teacher just had a baby,
and thankfully, lovin' her substitute teacher.
constantly reassuring the younger brother
about everything from
lunch to spelling.

the first grader...
everything is new and AWESOME!
hamburger for lunch...awesome
playing on the big playground...awesome
walking home from school...awesome-est!

How did it happen that I have now sent my last
first grader to school?
Tomorrow will be my first day
as an official
"all my kids are in school all day"
kind of a mom.
In some ways, I want to cry
In other ways, I want to jump up and down
....guess I'll have to see how I really
feel about it in the morning...
The morning that now yanks me out of bed by 5:45 am
instead of my 8:00 am summer morning.
man... I miss summer already!
But I do have grand plans to keep me busy
for as long as the weather stays warm :)

end of the road

Last night was the end of the road
for Carter as a Cub Scout.
I think he earned EVERY award offered
in the cub scouting program.
He couldn't even fit all those belt loops
onto his belt anymore.
He has loved every minute of scouts,
so much so that he was better
at remembering the day
and time of the meetings than I was!
He earned his final award...
the Arrow of Light

Our new cubmaster was out of town,
so Tim filled in at the last minute...
once in a calling, always in a calling.
He was pretty excited to be able to present
Carter's last award.
It was even better because two of his best friends
also received the same award.

Tim talked to the boys about the importance
of continuing on as Boy Scouts,
working towards their Eagles,
and being examples to the younger boys.
They each got a headlamp
to help "light the way"
on their new Boy Scout path.

As usual, we painted up their faces
to make the award even more visible.
Usually...on the cheek...
but Carter wanted it centered on his forehead...
Don't ask....I have no idea why?!

Andrew, Carter, and Wyatt
such a good group of boys!

Such a fun night for all of us
and a proud moment for the mom and dad!

also...to keep in line with my post title...
we have officially reached the end
of the "Summer" road.
School starts Monday...
seriously!
Where did the summer go?
Guess I'll try and work on all those
summer projects that didn't make it
to the top of the to-do list :)

just sayin'

My new favorite quote:

Love people for the weird things they do.
Love it All!!

just wanted to share...
cause ya know
deep down
we're all a little weird!

the gardens... finally!

No...we did not wear balloon animals to the gardens...
Last week, Tim's new school district had a carnival.
They seriously go all out!
Bounce houses, face painting,
balloon guys who make amazing creations,
all the high school mascots,
and about a dozen small carnival games...
Jace and Lady were in kid heaven!

Lady sporting her butterfly face paint,
matching butterfly balloon wings,
and balloon puppy dog.

Jace showing off the tiger face paint,
balloon sword,
and swordfish hat...hilarious!

The gardens at Thanksgiving Point are one of the places
we visit every summer with grandma & papa.
It was a perfect weather/picture day,
clouds and about 80 degrees...perfect.
With all that loveliness,
I tried for the perfect picture.
After about 25 shots,
I got the one above,
but the one below is my favorite!

Looking for frogs...

cousin love!

frog and snake huntin'

Little game of tag in the roses

Feeding the biggest koi fish I've ever seen!

Kenzie wanted her own personal photo shoot...
I'm still editing, but these two
are some of my favs!

love these kiddos!
and their silly faces make me
laugh right out loud!

my boys

me and my beautiful girls...

Kenz, Brit, & Hunter showin' the love

Summer, summer, summer!
I can't believe school start in two weeks.
I really need another month...or two...
but since that is out of my control,
I guess it's time to finish up
the back to school everything,
get new haircuts & backpacks
and start prepping for another school year.