Are we ready for the real deal?

Zach and Seth played flag football this season. They are trying to decide if they have enough interest to play tackle football next season? Flag football was tough on Jeremy. He wanted to get out there and have some involvement with the coaching, they had enough coaches this time. They had a lousy season (due to coaching, says Jeremy). They didn't win any games. Zach and Seth are not ultra competative, so they didn't seem to mind.

As a result of Jeremy's observations, he has committed to coaching the spring flag football league, we will see how that goes?

My observations tell me that Seth will try tackle football next year. I think that Zach prefers being home, taking something apart, and finding a new use for it? I don't think sports are creative enough for him. Zach is asking for pvc pipe, glue, and valves for his birthday (he will use this to make some sort of rocket launcher??) Not every kid has to love sports, right??

Webelos Scouts

Zach and Seth received their Webelos badge this week in Scouts. They are working towards their Arrow of
Light. They love the scouting program and have been blessed with great leaders since the beginning. We are proud of their accomplishment and commitment. Way to go Zach and Seth!!

Fall is in the Air

I must have had a memory block, or the brain cells died when I had kids. I used to spend a lot of time in American Fork Canyon. I haven't been there for years. The kids, Grandma Leslie, Grandpa Mike, and I decided to go camping. We picked the closest campground to home that allowed ATV riding in the area, which happened to be AF canyon. It was breathtakingly beautiful! I had forgotten about such beauty, and it is right in our back yard. We had a great time! We roasted hot dogs, built campfires, went hiking, made smores, got rained on, went on an ATV ride, and built memories. I actually forgot that I really do enjoy camping. The only camping I have done in recent years has been girls camp, and that is a lot of work!

Luxurious Lake Powell

Families that play together, stay together!












I love year around school! We were fortunate enough to receive an invitaion to go to Lake Powell in mid-September! Words can't adequately describe what a great experience this was for our family. It was a perfect trip, nothing could have gone better. The company was awesome! The food was fabulous! The weather was wonderful! The scenery was sensational! We enjoyed getting to know families that we didn't know very well prior to the trip. The houseboat was out-of-this-world. It had a basement, main floor with that was decorated nicer then our home, two ice makers, two kitchens, a screened level, and an upper sleeping level (yes it had 4 levels total). Shawn found the perfect, yes I mean perfect, place to park the houseboat. We had our own private cove. The setting was inspiring, it is amazing to be able to enjoy the beauties of this world! There is no place like Lake Powell!

Abby enjoyed playing on the beach, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and finding sea shells. Abby didn't not spend one minute on our boat the entire trip. Zach took care of all of the audio needs during our vacation, as well as proving to be quite the outdoorsmen. Zach enjoyed some "tube wars"and socializing with the adults. Seth continues to improve his wakeboarding skills, he loves "tube wars", and helping others when needed! Jeremy and I enjoyed taking groups out on our boat to enjoy skiing, surfing, wakeboarding and tubing.

It was a trip of a life-time!! Thanks Packards, Nethercotts, Watsons and Witts!

Fathers and Sons Overnight Camp

Every boys dream come true. A night in the mountains, a bunch of junk food, a pocket knife, fire, dirt, and no girls! This is the highlight of my boys summer. They look forward to this every year. (Abby and I do to!) I think we begin the countdown about six months before the event.

They love spending time with their dad. I am pretty sure that there aren't any rules or restrictions at these type of events. I am not sure what they do, they don't have tv, video games, computers, or any other electronic device, let alone any toys. Some how they find a way to make their own fun (I wish they could do that more often at home).

They have enjoyed the tradition of always having their buddy Spencer and his dad and brothers go every year!

Mother/Daughter Outing

Abby and I had the opportunity to attend the musical production of High School Musical. We went with some of our good friends, Shonni and Kaylie. We went out to lunch and then headed downtown. We arrived well ahead of schedule, thus you see that Kaylie and Abby had fun walking around town, using the orange flags to cross the street.

Truth be told, I have never watched High School Musical. It was fun to see the production. I truly wish that high schools could become what is portrayed in this play, all groups working together to support each other. I dread the day that I have to send my kids to high school. I had such a great experience, but I fear that if the kids don't have a good group of friends, that they will struggle.

It was very entertaining to watch no only the production, but enthusiatic High School Musical fans. There were several people who were totally enthralled, singing and dancing along with the cast. It was funny!

It is great to be able to spend time alone doing fun activities with each of my kids. I cherish these moments!

Back to School

We made it. We survived summer. The kids went back to school on Monday. I made sure the last week of summer was a little slow, so that those feelings of boredom would kick in, thus fueling the excitement to return to school. Abby, Zach and Seth actually love school, I dread the day that I have to yank them out of bed to get them going. It is currently the other way around, they wake up ahead of the alarm and are usually dressed and fed before I even get out of bed (I am sure this won't last long). They love their new teacher, she is a new graduate of Utah State University. She is full of enthusiasm, the kids come home extremely happy every day. Their teacher doesn't believe in homework, unless they don't get their class work done, how lucky are we???? We had an AWESOME summer. We were able to do many great adventures together. I will post those details soon!