Summer Update (as of July)

I actually started this entry way back in the middle of July, but there were technical difficulties--and then I didn't get back to it. So here goes take two.
Tia is loving her job as a lifeguard at the Lehi Legacy Center. She loves driving "her" truck--stick shift turned out to be fun once she got the hang of it. And she has a cell phone. And the boys are starting to notice she is 16. And, And, And,....Her life is pretty good these days.

Alex has completed his Eagle project, so we are now working on the endless paperwork to get it passed. Hopefully you'll be hearing about his court of honor this fall. He has also joined the cross country team and loves having people to push him to faster times. (running with mom will never be as exciting again)

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Kobe fills his days with soccer, swimming, and running. He is enjoying all the sun he can get. He is hoping we have a family team for the bone race next year because that was the funnest thing he's ever done. I was so surprised at how well he and Alex did. They ran their legs in 33 and 34 minutes! Kobe was so full of adrenalin--I think he could have kept right on going and beat Kelly up the next leg. They were both pretty sore the next day. I also ran a personal best time which I am pretty proud of, but it wasn't nearly as good as my boys did. It was fun to ride up with my dad and Trace and Amber and cut Lincoln. A fun weekend all around!

Brooklyn is please to announce that she has moved up to level 5 in gymnastics. She had a great level 4 season. Her favorite meet was the Utah Summer Games. She got a bronze in the all around and on the bars. She got 4th place finishes in the other individual events. She is also doing swim team, but that isn't nearly as exciting.


We had a fun party here for the 4th of July. Thanks to everyone who came. We had a BBQ, water party, roasted marshmallows int he fire pit for s'mores, and did some fireworks. It was great.
Now we jump into a few family reunions, scout camps, and trying to get ready for school. again.

Large Happenings

WHEW!!! As some of you may know--I was in charge of the Lincoln Academy spring fundraiser. We did a 5K/1 mile Fun Run last Saturday. This was my second try at this and I think things went much smoother this year. We had about 230 runners, great food, fun prizes for our drawing, and a really good timing company. I think it came off pretty smoothly. Thanks again for the music Jill!! Alex, Tia, Brooklyn, and my dad all won their age categories. Kobe was the first student to cross the finish line. There is a great story behind this win. At about mile 2 he got sick of tying his shoes (and more importantly this was causing Alex to pull away) so he just took them off and ran the last mile in his socks. No, it didn't put holes in them. (if anyone needs to know this awesome brand of socks let me know!)

So now this week I am enjoying a little more free time. No lists of vendors to contact. No lists of possible volunteers to get a hold of. No phone calls to return and answer questions. No registration headaches to deal with (you would be amazed at how many people can't properly fill out a registration form). No money deposits to make or receipts to process. NO planning meetings. Yes, LIFE IS GOOD today. Now I just need some good whether so I can spend some quality time with my bike. I think it has missed me this winter....

This me with me amazing helper, Kathy. We are both trying to talk the other into standing up with the bullhorn and conducting the pre-race meeting. I lost...and probably made an idiot of myself.


All the family runners. Kobe's good friend Conner is on the right.



Tia wants me to make it perfectly clear that she has been training to do 100m and 200m sprints and was not in shape for this race (so it's not her fault that she didn't win her age division!!!)

Steve ran with Brooklyn (so it's not his fault he didn't win his age division either)

Alex finished right behind the top female.


Kobe won an I Pod Suffle for being the first male student to cross the line.



It was fun to have my dad come and support the race. Of course he finished in the top 10 overall, and won his age category. Way to go Dad!!

Life In General

I guess it is time for an update. My biggest news is that I am no longer doing Steve's medical transcription. The clinic is trying to save money so my job got cut. I'm not really sad about it. I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately any way, and it's really nice to have those 15 hours back to myself each week. I've had a lot of fun doing all the little projects around my house that I couldn't seem to get done.

Alex got an honorable mention in the science fair at the end of January. He didn't get to go on, but he's never won an award for a science project before so he's proud. Alex's soccer team got first place in their indoor league. He also made the school soccer team a few weeks ago. He's going to be pretty busy playing on two teams this spring. (which also means I will be busier)



Kobe won first place in the reflections contest for photography. He did a photo collage of a soccer ball. (Trace, my kids are still very inspired by your guitar!) Kobe's team took third place in their futsal league. That, plus their great performance in Las Vegas, earned them the right to move up a division for spring.



Tia did her first outdoor track meet this week. I couldn't go watch, but she told me she did very well. I'll get to the next one and have pictures later. She is a very fast starter. Her time in the 200 meter is just 1 second away from the state qualifying time. She's hoping to get to go this year.

Brooklyn had her first gymnastics meet last week. She wants me to post the video of her floor routine, but I haven't learned how to do that. I'll brag more about the meet when I figure it out.

I'm getting excited for better weather....gardening, bike rides, walks, visits on the front lawn with neighbors and friends...it all sounds so nice right now.

Snow and Sun

We've been very busy these last months. Grandma and Grandpa Griffiths gave us these great sledding things for Christmas. It's called a Zipfy and my kids have had so much fun playing on the big hill in our park! Even Steve got in on the fun.



We also did our annual ice skating day over Christmas break. Our friends the Nortons came with us. All of my kids can skate without help now so I actually got to practice a few tricks myself this time--sorry no pictures of those!



We spent President's Day in Las Vegas. Kobe's team played in a huge soccer tournament down there--259 teams!! We stayed with Steve's sister Maria who conveniently moved down there about 5 months ago. Tia and Alex stayed here with Grandma and Grandpa. They also had a great time. Kobe's team won every game of pool play. They lost the championship by 1 point in a shoot out. It was soooo sad, but second place isn't bad for a first time at a major tournament. I'm pretty proud. I never get pictures of him when he has the ball because I get excited and start cheering and then the picture turns out blurry--maybe I should get a tripod. BUT, my new camera does a better job on action shots--hooray!

Happy Halloween

We have had a great October. I'll work backwards since Halloween came at the end. We did costume recycling this year--meaning find something that is already in the box. I didn't get a picture of Alex before he left for his party, but here's the rest of them. SO, Alex was gone to a party, Kobe went and "did the neighborhood" with his friends, and Tia graciously agreed to take Brooklyn and all of her friends--so Steve and I got to stay home and hand out candy!!! It was great. I'm so glad Tia's friends did their party on Friday.


Of course the build-a-bears needed costumes too... (a knight and a witch if you couldn't tell)



I spent most of the first part of the month redoing Tia and Brooklyn's bedrooms. We moved the boys downstairs. Here is the finished product. (Actually I haven't finished Brooklyn's bedspread, but I put the fabric out on the bed for the picture so you could get the general idea.) Brooklyn's is the green and pink room, and Tia's is the periwinkle and yellow.


Brooklyn is so excited to have her own room. She keeps it absolutely spotless all the time. Tia, one the other hand, had to spend an hour getting her room back in shape for the picture. All these years Tia has been blaming Brooklyn for the messy room!! Now the truth is out--busted!

I did get a few good Kobe soccer pictures. The battery died when I tried to get some of Alex. I'll try for some indoor soccer season shots later.


AND......Tia now has her learner's permit. She said it would be too embarrassing to take a picture. All you Utah County people can keep an eye out now.

AND, AND.... Kobe earned his Arrow of Light and the All 20 Webelos Award. Here's some pictures of the ceremony. We are officially done with Cub Scouts. Amazing.

Loving Fall

We are full swing into soccer season now. I love watching my kids games! If my camera were faster I could give pictures, but for now you'll just have to trust me.

We have finished the basement--except shelves in the bedroom closet. I am working hard on moving all the kids into their new rooms. I'll post pictures when that project is done. I'm about halfway.

Two weeks ago my wonderful neighbor asked us if she could practice on our family and do a photo shoot. Since I am in need of updated pictures I was happy to oblige. Here's the results. I think she did quite well for a first try.

My little babies are growing up so quickly!



I couldn't resist a few out-takes. Yes, they love family pictures!
They look a little grainy after I uploaded them, but you get the idea.