Cleer Creek

Ryan had the opportunity to go to Cleer Creek for 5 days.  It is a educational summer camp run by the Alpine School District up in the mountains.  He went with his friend Hunter, from school and met many other great kids.  They slept in cabins, built traps and caught animals, hiked, played games, performed skits, did rope courses and many other fun activities.  He had a marvelous time.

He caught 6 pot guts which was the second highest number out of all of the campers.   (Don't worry, it was a catch and release process)  Since then, he has really been into traps and snares and have built several around our yard.

The Cubs' Pitcher

Wax Museum

Ryan's Wax Museum Subject was John Muir.  Ryan enjoyed learning about someone that has the same love and passion for nature that he does.  He wrote an awesome report, we put the props together and "Tadah", John Muir came to life . . . or at least to wax.

The Big 11

Happy Birthday Ryan!!

 

7 Loud, Energetic Boys, the X-box, Board Games, Piles of Sugar dumped on Icecream, Soccer Matches and thoughful gifts  =  an Amazing and Fun Birthday Party

Arrow of Light

After almost 3 years of Cub Scouts, great leaders and hard work on Ryan's part, he earned his Arrow of Light, the highest honor you can receive in the cub scouting program. 

It was a nice evening and our Cub Master, Chris Hyland, did a wonderful ceremony in honor of Ryan's achievements.  The Scout Master Jarin Stevens was also there to receive Ryan as he crossed the bridge of Cub Scouting to Boy Scouts.  Ryan did great reciting the oath and them of the scouting program in front of so many people.

Grandpa and Grandma, as well as Missy's family came to celebrate the achievement.

Now we are on that super fun path leading to being an Eagle Scout.  Hurrah!!

Champions!!

Ryan's competitive basketball team had an 11-0 winning season.  I couldn't have asked for a more positive experience for Ryan.  All the boys on the team were so kind to each other.  They worked hard and played as a team, thus the awesome record.

We went into the tournament as the #1 seed and had a bye our first week.  We then played Lone Peak which turned out to be a tough tough game but we were able to pull it out.  Last night was the semi-finals and we played Lehi.  Even though that was my alma mater, I had no trouble cheering for Westlake.  Ryan had one of his best games ever.  He was a defensive animal and even scored a free-throw.  After we won that game we were in the championship against Salem Hill.

It was an exciting game with much cheering.  Our boys played their hearts out and working together like a well oiled machine, won game.  It was so thrilling for the parents, the coach and especially the boys.

I am so grateful that Ryan was able to play with such outstanding boys and a positive, inspiring coach.  He learned so much and grew as a player as well as just had a fun time playing.  We will live on this high for quite awhile.  And the best part it, the coach said he wanted to keep these boys together as a team next year.  So this opportunity keeps paying it's dividends.

Westlake Basketball

Here are a few photos of Ryan during one of his basketball games.  It is so hard to take a decent picture in a gym.  I haven't figured out how to do it yet.  Oh well.  They won this game which puts their record at 9 wins and no losses.  They have done awesome.  The tournament is coming up and we will be going in as the #1 team.  It should be great fun.  But most importantly, Ryan is having a super positive experience.

I am not sure if I mentioned, that one of Ryan's teammates is the son of a friend of mine that I played basketball with in High School.  It is wild that now we are cheering on our sons together after the many hours we spent playing together.  It is a crazy world.

In the "thick" of Sports

We have become Gym Rats.  Yes, it is true.  And I am loving every minute of it.  Almost.  Well that isn't entirely true.  I love seeing my kids play.  I love that they are getting exercise.  I love that they are enjoying themselves and developing their talents.  I don't love how competitive I feel while watching the games.  I have to work really hard to "not care" about the outcomes.  And that is difficult to do sometimes.  But I am getting better at it.  I am even trying to focus more on the "fun" aspect of it :)

Alyssa's soccer team signed up for an indoor season and it has been a great experience.  Indoor soccer is very fast paced and aggressive.  You can't be timid and do well.  I have seen Alyssa blossom and her skills develop by leaps and bounds.  She has learned some great footwork and the desire to go after the ball whole heatedly.  She has even had to step up and play goalie at times and actually has done alright.  I can't wait to see how the team plays in their regular spring season.  There has been definite improvement all around.  It even made those 6 a.m. games worth it.

Brianna started her first year in basketball.  She got a wonderful coach, Ben Lungren, in our ward.  He taught these girls the basic fundamentals and from the beginning of the season to the end you could see vast improvements and understanding of the game.

Brianna really enjoyed playing and practiced really hard.  Brianna is right-handed (I think).  She writes and eats with her right hand.  But anything physical she does with her left.  She kicks with her left foot, throws with her left hand and dribbles and shoots the basketball with her left hand.  It is the darnedest thing.  So it took her awhile how to figure out how to shoot the ball.  But once she got it, she did quite well and made several baskets throughout the season. She was an excellent defender but also super kind if the girl she was guarding got hurt or something.  She wanted to make sure everyone had fun.

My favorite thing was watching her curl and stick out her tounge whenever she had the ball.  It helped her concentrate I guess. 

She had a great season and we will have to see what the future holds for her.



I currently don't have any pictures of Ryan on his Westlake Bantam Basketball team.  This year we decided he should give competitive basketball a try instead of playing for the city.  Tryouts were held and he made it on one of two teams for his age group.

It has been a rewarding experience.  He has an excellent coach who is so positive and has taught him so much.  His team his really good and so far they are undefeated.  We travel with this team, but so far we haven't had to do it too much.  Many of his games are at our high school. 

This league is run through the high schools to prepare boys to someday play for the school.  It is super competitive and quite rough at times.  Ryan has had to learn to toughen up and fight in the key for the ball.  He is a great defender and can hold his own against the big boys.  he is refining many skills and this experience should be a good indicator or whether or not he would want to play in the future.  So far he loves it.

I am the Coach for our Young Women athletics in our ward.  We are currently playing volleyball.  It has been great fun getting to know the girls in our ward and even teaching them a few things.  We are doing well against the other ward teams (not that it matters.  Hehe).   Our tournament is in a couple of weeks and it will be interesting to see how we do.

On top of that, Roger and I are still running at the Legacy Center and on our new treadmill.  It has been great having an exercise option in our own home.

Well that about sums it up.  Our life in a sports nutshell.

Another School Year

Well "it" happened.  Yep, no matter how much I fought, it still came.  No matter that I did everything in my power to make time stand still, the day arrived.  Even though I crammed every possible moment with things to do, the inevitable happened. . . .

The first day of school!

Normally this is a cause for celebration.  Usually at this point in the year, moms are counting down to the time when they can have that wonderful peace and freedom that school affords.  Kids are anxiously assembling their school supplies and dreaming of recess, friends and even learning.  But this year, it just came way too fast.

I don't know why I have been dreading the end of summer.  Maybe it is loss of carefree days of sleeping in, playing and reading in the sun, having no set schedule and hours of conversations with my kids.  Maybe it is the thought of colder days to come.  Maybe it the frantic pace of carpools, soccer games, early morning scripture study, homework, chores, and school functions.  Perhaps it is the knowledge that someone else now has more time in influencing my children's lives each and every day.  Who knows.  I even wonder if deep down inside,  the fact that my youngest child is gone for the whole day makes me a little melancholy.

I find myself in a weird position.  It doesn't feel like that long ago when I dreamed of having just an hour to myself.  When I was in the thick of diapers, nap times, car seats, tantrums and all that comes with it.  The idea of doing errands by myself seemed so elusive and yet enticing.  And here I am at the other end, with a quiet house and endless possibilities.  I realize that once again I must reinvent myself as a mother of all school children.

Don't get me wrong.  I am excited in many ways.  I have 13 years of projects to catch up on.  I hope to even have a completely clean and organized house at some point.  There is a list a mile long of things to do.  I am sure I can keep myself busy.  I just hope that I feel that all my productivity is meaningful.

Needless to say, the kids went to school whether they were ready or not.  Brianna was thrilled.  She has been counting down the days,  She loves to learn and couldn't wait to be a 1st grader.  Ryan was okay with going back.  He had an activity in the summer with his teacher and I think it got him a little excited for the fun things ahead.

Alyssa has been dreading it.  Well at least she acts like it.  Deep down I know that she truly enjoys school and couldn't wait to get back to see her friends.  She is 13 after all and has to act like it is uncool.

So I got some neat pictures to start the day.  My children have grown so much and I am so proud of them.  I wouldn't trade them if I could (now you know I am being a little nostalgic :)  Anyway I love them and I hope their day is as wonderful as mine.  (Roger took me to breakfast and then I got a pedicure).