Mountain Biking

Parker joined the Westlake Mountain Bike Team in the spring.  He got up early several days a week during the summer for practices.  His first race was on August 24th at Powder Mountain. 

The whole family got up early on Saturday to drive up there.  The canyon roads going up were steep and we started to smell something funny.  It wasn't until a few minutes later that we realized our car was overheating and had to pull over.  There was smoke coming out from the hood which was not a good sign.  Luckily our neighbor, Erik Sewell drove by and stopped to help us. 

He loaded up all the kids and Parker's bike in the back of his truck.  Then took us to where the race was.  Kev stayed with the car and tried to call a tow truck. We were grateful for his help and we all made it to watch Parker race.

Parker is on the Freshman High School Team.  He races other bikers from schools all over the state.

We had fun cheering him on as he rode by.

I hiked over to this part of the trail to get some cool shots as he rode by.

It was hard sometimes to spot him with all the other racers.  I'm thinking I need to put some bright colored vinyl on his helmet so he stands out more.

The girls and I climbed up on a giant wood chip pile to see the race from above.

It was exciting to see Parker cross the finish line and hear them announce his name over the loud speaker.  He rode for two laps which equaled around 11 miles. I was glad he didn't get hurt and finished the race. 

Parker and his friend Whit are on the same team. They both did awesome for their first race.  I'm glad that Parker has found a sport he loves. He worked hard training all summer long. He also earned all the money to buy his own mountain bike.  We can't wait to watch him race again in another two weeks!

Love these girls

I have been blessed with the most amazing friends in my life!  I got together during the summer with these awesome women in my neighborhood.  We were there supporting our friend Emily.  She had been gone the last month in Tennessee. Her son Wyatt was having his radiation treatments there. 

My best friend and cousin Marilee was here visiting for our 20th high school reunion.  I got together with her and Jan to hike to Stewart Falls.  We had the best time laughing and reminiscing. 

My cousin Robyn and her family came to Utah for a visit.  She is always great about making the effort to hang out with me while she is here.  We spent an afternoon together at the aquarium.  You can even tell by the way we look that we're related!

My cousin Steph was here for a short visit.  Her brother Alex was getting married.  I was able to run over and catch up with her for a couple hours.  It had been too long since we had last seen each other. Just being in her parents backyard brought back great memories of when we were teenagers. 

My friend Liz came and visited from California. We got together for a girls night out while she was here.  It had also been way too long since we had last seen her.  We caught up together while we ate sweet potato fries. It was great to hear her laugh and be able to give her a hug.

My friend Robyn came to Utah for Education Week. We met up for dessert one night at a new place called Last Course. We both have a sweet tooth and enjoyed our desserts.  She is due with her 5th baby girl in just a few weeks.

Back to school

Halle had her first day of seventh grade on Monday August 19th.  She looks so pretty and grown up in this picture.

She is excited about learning to play the violin this year.  I thought she would be more anxious about starting middle school but she did great.

I'm glad she has such cute friends like Maddi, and Avery.  I drove them all to school that morning.  When I dropped them off all the teachers were outside and they cheered and clapped for all the students.  I'm glad they started out their year on such a good note!

Mckenna had her first day of Senior year on Tuesday August 20th.  She wore her student council sweater and greeted students as they arrived at school. 

Mckenna is taking a full load of classes this year and two A.P. classes.  She already has "senioritis" even though it's the beginning of the year.  But we know she will persevere and do her best.  

Parker started ninth grade on Tuesday the 20th.  He is taking band again this year.  He is looking forward to learning Spanish. 

I'm happy that he is at the middle school with Halle. It brings me comfort knowing that he is looking out for her.  He even helped her open her locker on back to school night.  When she was struggling to get it open he said, "don't worry Halle, I can come open your locker for you all year."

Halle got up and ready quickly for her second day of school.  She looked cute in the outfit she chose out. She even saved up money to buy her own backpack. 

Hayden started 5th grade on Tuesday the 20th.  He is looking forward to going to 5th grade overnight camp in a few weeks.

I can't believe he is in 5th grade already. 

I'm glad that Hayden will be able to look out for Addy this year at school. 

Addy is going into second grade this year. She is happy to have her friend Tatum in her class. 

I love to see her toothless smile!

Addy with her friends Paige, Tatum, and Nayla at the bus stop.

Hayden waiting for the bus with his friends Brody, Hannah, and Sydney.  He and Sydney are in the same class again this year. 

We were really lucky to get a bus again this year.  I loved seeing Hayden and Brody with their heads peeking out the window.  Now what should I do with all my free time??  When I dropped Parker off at school that morning he said, "enjoy your first day of break Mom!"  I'm going to do just that!

Trial Lake

We went camping at Trial Lake Sunday August 11-14th.  Parker was running around camp with the raptor head on. It was hilarious to watch!

Kathleen and her family were able to come up for the day.  The guys worked together to haul the fishing boat to the lake.  We were happy to see that the lake was full this year after the wet winter we had.

Halle and Eva took the kayaks out for awhile. 

Addy and Sophia also had fun hanging out together.

Kathleen and I both worked hard to cook dinner.  We had dutch oven pasta, garlic bread, and Caesar salad. 

I took some pictures of Halle by the lake as the sun went down.

Mckenna and Grant had fun playing card games after dinner.

The next morning Kev and Parker got the fishing poles ready.

Addy's hair is getting so long.  Kenna kept singing "flower gleam and glow" as I brushed her hair.  She does have long, golden hair like Rapunzel. 

The girls chilling while we were out on the fishing boat.

Hayden did a lot of fishing from the shore this year.

Kev chopped and sawed many trees so the kids could build forts.

Mckenna and I both did some reading. We were glad that Kenna was done working at the Ranch and was able to come with us!

I saw this when I when to the car to get something.  Mckenna kept leaving her raptor head around camp for us to find. 

Hayden built this cool lean to in the trees by our campsite.

The next morning Grandma Sue came up to spend a couple days with us.  We went hiking up to Wall Lake.  It was good to get some exercise.

There was also a lot of water at Wall Lake this year.  The kids enjoyed taking off their socks and shoes to play in the water.

Sue took this family picture of us.  The sky was so blue and beautiful that day.

We went to the upper Provo River Falls.  Kenna decided to strike this awesome pose. 

We tried a new dutch oven recipe for dinner called "pigs in a cornfield".  It turned out good and we all enjoyed it.

We did some more fishing the next morning before heading home.  We caught 30 plus fish this camping trip.