Life is Good!

I know, I know here I go again trying to play catch up. It was a busy couple of months and time is just slowing up and it's already February.

Tia and Ben's wedding was amazing and beautiful. They are such a cute couple and so in love!
Christmas was...somewhat subdued, but still a joyous and fun family time. (photos next time)

Then came Hurricane Idol in January and that nearly took over my life. My poor family was just about to throw me out a window, but we all survived and it was an awesome fundraiser.
Austen tried out this year and was selected as a finalist for the final night in his division. He was so fun and energetic on stage. It was a thrill to watch him.

Ashli and Josh are just starting into winter semester and making plans to transfer up north so that Josh can pursue his career in wildlife management. Ashli is hoping to teach History and coach soccer.

Naomi is full into club volleyball and has frequent tourneys up north (which I hate in bad weather)! She just completed a training course called fast track. She was running up to 19 MPH. Isn't that so cool??

Presten is gearing for track season by competing in the Simplot Games next week. I think he will do really well, and will surprise himself.
He has had a couple of colleges interested in him for track and a couple for academics and leadership. I hope something good comes of it!

Larson is non stop entertainment and I love having him around. He keeps me happy and smiling. His happy personality is so fun to hang around with!

Rick has spent the last week (plus one more week to go) at a Health institute in San Diego trying to find solutions and options for himself and his condition and pain. We are hopeful!

As for me I am working part time, and teaching piano to 20 students and trying to keep the fort standing (among a few other things).

All in all... Life is Good!
Sure glad for good friends and an amazing family to keep me going!

TIA'S ENGAGED!!!!

Is it really any surprise to you who have been following her blog this past year? Yes, it has finally happened... Ben popped the question!

They surprised us with the news last night and we are thrilled! Tia was floating around on a cloud (probably still is :) )

Ahhhhh.... love is so grand!

We will let you know when the date is (hopefully not Christmas weekend, hahahaha)

{ I'm serious Tia... not Christmas weekend}

Love to all the family!!!

No more injuries...

I know it's back to school time, because all of my kids are back to sports too!!!

Naomi is sporting a beauty of a bruise on her hip from playing volleyball. (We've since determined that she is most likely diving wrong) She broke some blood vessels and it looked... colorful!

Presten started in with football pads and had to ice some swollen and sore shoulders.

Austen was going for the goal, slipped and landed on a previously injured elbow.

Isn't Larson sweet? Tying big brother's shoes?

I am hoping that we'll get all the injuries taken off right off the bat and we'll be good for a while!!

Post script.... Since this was written Austen has jammed his thumb a real good one and sprained his Achilles Tendon. Oh joy... it continues!

First Day of School!!

I am really not happy that school is already starting. The summer just went by way too fast. I didn't play enough. It might be because of the fact that my kids aren't little anymore. They were working, working, and working, plus scout camps, swimming lessons, volleyball camps, football and basketball clinics, etc.

It's a good thing that we didn't try to schedule a real family vacation, because I seriously don't know when it would've been "squeezed" in.

Nevertheless....

First day of school is always such a bummer for me, but the kids are mostly excited to get back!

Cutie pies... I miss them!

Presten's new wheels

I know some mothers out there would freak out, but I am actually really excited for Presten to have his new wheels.

He has been waiting for a long time and has gone through a lot of garbage just to get to drive his motorcyle, but finally everything is all in place and he has a new sense of freedom and independence.... and I get my car back!!

She's leaving me.....

Tia hates to pack!!! I hate it too!! It just means that there will be one less person at my table, one less person to wait up for at night ("there's a double meaning in that:)", one less radiant, fun, laughing, child home.

She is so happy to be getting back to college and with friends, late nights, music classes, etc. etc. but I will miss her terribly.

Good thing she is only 1 hour away, and I can talk her into coming home pretty easily!!

For not liking to pack she sure has a lot of stuff!!

Panic to Beauty

Tia came running into the house shouting "Mom...., Mom..., Everybody...turn off the video, hurry up!"

My heart fell to my shoes, I instantly went into worry mode. Was she hurt??? Did she crash??? Did someone give her a ring???? (sorry, can't help myself)

Her excitement was over this amazing sunset in our very own backyard. I am so glad that she is a lover of beauty. She sees it everywhere and wants to share it with everyone.

We were talking about it later and Presten told us that during "heck week" for football, when they were practicing in the evening... Coach Pearson would halt practice and have all the players turn and look at the sunset while commenting that we have the best sunsets in our part of the country.

Being an Arizona girl I would almost disagree, but this particular one was out of this world!