Pride

The kids and I had the chance to watch my brother, Clay, and sister, Deseret, swim at their high school district meet here in Idaho Falls.

As my van-load drove the 8 blocks to the pool, I gave them all a warning:
"You will get along.  You will not fight.  You will not argue.  You will not run up and down the bleachers.  You will be obedient.  You will behave.  You will be kind.  It will be hot.  It will be crowded.  It will be long.  But we will stay as long as you're good!  The moment one misbehaves, we all leave."

And then we pulled into the parking lot where I proceeded to take the last available non-space...exactly where cars are to pull in and out of said parking lot.  Okay, so my back end was sticking out a little, but hey..at least cars could get past me!!

Can I just say, that my kids were SO AWESOME!!!  for 3 hours and 45 minutes, they sat quietly, colored, visited civilly, and asked for our treats politely.  They returned promptly from using the bathroom, instead of the normal lingering and messing around.  I am SO thankful for such AWESOME kiddos!  Aside from marker EVERYWHERE, they did great in our little cramped bleacher-bench.

To top it off, Clay and Deseret had AMAZING swims!  They're going to do so well at state.  I'm so proud of them and their hard work, and the dedication they put into their sport!

Way to go, NORTH GEM!!  Couldn't be prouder.  If you can't hear me, I'll yell a little LOUDER!

...wait....did I just type out an old cheer?!  Oh, boy....

Anywhoo....Guess you could say I finally genuinely have school pride.

First Day of Kindergarten

I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't have taken him in myself, but my first-born is a Kindergarten-er!!!   WHEN did THAT happen?  HOW did THAT happen?

It really snuck (sneaked?) up on me, that's for sure!  We were ready last night, after Father's Blessings and family prayer, and 10 hours of sleep for the little boys.  Despite the fact that we forgot to set out clothes, (so I put his backpack and supplies and clothes out at 12:15 this morning,) we still had a yummy breakfast and got hair combed early enough to snap some pictures. 

Growing up we'd always stand on 'the rock' in the side yard for our "First Day of School Pictures"...and since we don't have a rock, we opted for the front steps.  Of course, Taylor and Kortlen had to be part of the excitement, too!

We walked Tanner to school and found a surprise when we got there - the teacher we thought would be teaching took a retired teacher's place in the 1st grade, so we are now the students of Mrs. Holten.  She is really nice, new to the area, and I hope Tanner is on his best behavior for her!  She has 25 students in both her morning and afternoon classes!  That's a lot of 5 year old boys and girls...wow! 

**Thank heavens for my mom...who brought me boxes of Kleenex's when I was sick last month...I totally forgot to buy some as part of the school supplies!  Guess I'll just restock when I get to the store next time. 

I tell you, I was more nervous than he was!  "Would he be nice to the other kids?  Would he be a friend?  Would he raise his hand or just spurt everything out?  Would he wait his turn?  Would he cry when I left?  Would I cry when I left?"  He did great, and it didn't even phase him when I walked out the door.  

Lucky for me, I was able to step outside my comfort zone and become buddies with a few of the moms there...I'm really excited (the two I met also had boys) to know some of the parents, and we had a very nice visit waiting for our boys to come out the front doors after class.

He is so ready for this.  I am also ready for this.  I have a feeling it's going to be a GREAT year!!! 

I think that even Taylor is ready for this.  :) 

Congratulations, Graduate!

My middle little sister (got that?!) graduated!

the smudges are for my mom's sanity.  :)  

She's amazing, inspiring, and simply fabulous.

Of course we went back to good ole' North Gem to witness the occasion...and we were so glad we could be there for her!

Love you, Katelyn!!!

You're going to have so many adventures where's you're headed...and you've got the right tools to help you be successful.  You have the skills, the talent, and the standards to be anything you put your mind to!

Go get 'em, Cowboy!

{District Champions}

I was never really involved in sports during high school unless you count:

• being THE swim team
• cheer-leading for one year, I think
• attempting to run track and participate in the shot-put
• and playing in the pep-band

I guess you could say I was kind-of a nerd.  Part of that stems from the fact that I broke my pinky finger the very first day of my very first volleyball practice; and part of it stems from the fact that even in church ball, I sat the bench/stage.  I was that awesome.

However, whenever my little brothers or sisters are involved, and because of their awesomeness and mad sports skills, I try to be there, in the crowd, cheering them on.

My sisters were both VERY involved, even in the top three valuable players on both their volleyball and basketball teams.

Katelyn's Basketball teem was UNDEFEATED 20-0 this season. That has NEVER been done in the history of sports at our teeny-tiny little high school.  EVER!  Even boys' basketball and football!  And I think that includes non-district games as well.  

Graduating Seniors, Katelyn front and center

To make the season even sweeter, their team earned District Champions by winning against one of the meanest, most un-sportsmanlike teams in the district.  We're talking these girls blatantly trip and pinch and throw elbows, just to irritate and give welts.  

Way to go North Gem Cowboys!  

Lady Cowboys

WE LOVE our team.  

we LOVE OUR team. 

we love OUR TEAM.

WE. LOVE. OUR. TEAM!

Me, Katelyn, our mom, and Deseret. 

Clay took the picture and dad was off visiting, as usual.

Ryan was very sweet, and offered to stay home with all three boys, so I could go and enjoy the game.