The kids are back going back to school tomorrow and it will be nice to have a more regular routine. (Though this summer was so busy it's just going to be a different routine.) This year we've got two 10th graders, an 8th grader, a 5th grader, and a pre-schooler. We'll also have lots of football games (though we attend to watch the marching band mostly), marching band competitions, several musicals with rehearsals, and multiple symphony and concert band performances. Hopefully I can keep track of it all!
Derek:
1. Took two weeks off from work to go on back to back backpacking trips with the scouts (12-13 year old boys) and the teachers (14-15 year old boys). James and Jeffrey enjoyed having him along while hiking King's Peak, the highest point in Utah (13,528 feet).
2. Has had several grant deadlines recently and is still working on more--gotta keep that funding coming in!
Aly:
1. Worked some crazy long hours this summer. Thankfully the older kids pitched in and helped out with meals, housework, and watching Faith. We're grateful for the needed extra money and that I can at least work at home.
2. Spent anytime that I wasn't working driving kids around several times a day. I'm grateful to have so many older kids I can depend on for help with child care.
James:
1. Got a 5 on his AP Environmental Science Exam. He worked so hard and was so stressed about it. That was good news! He'll get some college credit for that.
2. He and I made a White Tree of Gondor flag that he took to the top of King's Peak so he could stick it in the ground and take a photo of it.
3. Played beautifully in his first Davis County Symphony concert.
4. Has been reading Shakespeare and enjoying his writing a lot. Also read Beowulf and thinks Beowulf is Chuck Norris. (Don't ask.)
Jeffrey:
1. Got a 4 on his AP Human Geography Exam. We're super proud of him, (he'll also get some college credit for that) but disappointed that his teacher didn't do more to prepare his class especially considering they were 9th graders.
2. Sadly got sick (either from exhaustion or the altitude) on the last leg of the hike to King's Peak, so Derek took him back to base camp and neither of them made it to the top. Considering the inclement weather they faced at the summit (snow, wind, rain, and lightning) we're just thankful that everyone came home safely!
3. Enjoys marching band and did great in the three parades this summer. Also survived three 7-9:30 am rehearsals each week plus band camp at summer's end (7am-5pm Mon-Friday) and is now ready for marching band competition season.
4. Ashley:
1. Got her new set of braces--gold metal with pink bands. Total teenage girl!
2. Enjoyed a quick trip to Vegas with Lexie and my parents to see their cousin perform as Annie in a children's community theater production.
3. Enjoyed two 13th birthday celebrations--one with my parents, my brother and his family, and Uncle Jeffrey; the other with three of her friends to watch Princess Bride and eat pizza. She got some funky socks, a fedora hat, a watch, a gift card to our favorite frozen custard place, and some money.
4. Though she and the boys were very good to not complain about working at the farm picking crops all summer, she was very happy to be done.
Lexie:
1. Loved her 2-week long parks and rec archery class. She was even the end-of-class tournament winner!
2. Enjoys her musical theater practice each Wednesday for a local children's theater production of "The Littlest Angels" that opens in early November. She was cast as Jessie, one of the older angels, and she's very excited.
3. She and Faith and I enjoyed an afternoon at a resort in Park City swimming and hanging out with Lexie's best friend and her mom.
4. Found out her 5th grade teacher is an awesome lady that used to live down the street from us. We were all thrilled to hear that!
Faith:
1. Attended a two-week long parks and rec playschool last month. The first few days she struggled with cleaning up and going home when it was time, but learned the routine and did great after that. She had so much fun and it gave me hope that she may end up learning the behavioral and social skills she needs to learn for preschool.
2. Will miss having the kids around during the day. Mom is just not as fun as they are!
3. Is working on cleaning up one mess before making another. We're trying to keep the house from being floor-to-floor toys all day long.
4. Keeps asking when she gets to start preschool--she's so excited! She starts the day after Labor Day. Woot woot!
Here are some photos of our summer fun. We love you all and miss you!
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| click to enlarge |
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