I'm finally getting around to doing an update. Really, my life feels so busy but it's pretty much daily grind stuff--nothing especially interesting. BUT, I need to be better at recording even the daily stuff because that is where the best memories come from.

Tia had a traumatic month. She gave herself a stress fracture in her right tibia one week before the state competition and couldn't compete. She was devastated! (understandably) So she has spent the last 5 weeks with crutches, heating pad, and very little walking. This week she passed the hopping test with no pain, so she can return to the gym next week. HURRAY! As you all know, Tia is not very good at sitting still. She did manage to get some cross training in with the swim team, and some spin classes though.

We all had a great time at the Strawberry Days race. Brooklyn ran the 5K for the first time. I am so proud of her. Alex and Kobe both did it in around 21:00 I think. I still need to get pictures from Bree. Maybe they'll get put in later. We kept up the Mickelson tradition of every kid getting drawn in the raffle. Tia didn't even get to run, but she won a prize--go figure.

Alex and Kobe are doing alot of soccer. Alex has switched clubs in hopes of better coaching. So far he loves the new team. Their AAA team is playing in a tournament next week and asked Alex to guest play with them (he plays on the AA team). I'll give updates afterwards if it goes well. He's pretty excited though. Kobe's team moved up to AAA this year. Their tournament season starts in August, so you'll have to wait until then. Rest asured, Kobe is still the best defender in the WORLD!

We had SO much fun for the 4th of July. We met my sister and brother (Bree and Cory), and Steve's sister (Brenda) and their families for the hot air balloon lauch. That is always so amazing. Later in the evening we had a great BBQ at Bree's house and watched the city fire works and lit some of our own.

Brooklyn and Steve at the balloons


Our group



Tia, Alex, and Kobe



Tia with her crutches....so glad those are gone this week...let me say in her behalf: they are only cool for a few minutes, then they drive you crazy because they really slow you down!



Here is Brooklyn's "Cartwheel of Fire"



Paul and Alex lighting bottle rockets (should I admit we had those?)



Everyone watching the bottle rocket--I like Bree's girls covering their ears in the background!



I thought I'd throw in a few pics of Kobe eating my famous Orange Beef--one day I'll get him to like Chinese! All is not lost however, he does like Thai food.



Tia used one of her many afternoons with nothing to do making this cute cake. She's getting pretty good. She even made the cake from scratch...lots of time on her hands these days. Can you guess who it is? Kobe had no trouble eating this one.



Bree and I have our second 50 mile ride happening tomorrow morning. The quest for 100 is on! We are going to try to get some pictures. Bree will probably get them posted way before I do though.

Steve is nearly back to full speed after his knee scope. He is running and cycling and very happy to be doing so pain free. He is enjoying life at youth conference this week. They are river rafting outside of Jackson Hole. I am enjoying the freedom of only two kids this week--HEAVENLY!

Shamae

Happy Birthday Alex

Happy Birthday Alex!



Alex is 13 and officially a teenager. Where has the time gone? I am not old enough to have two teenagers, and yet here they are.




We celebrated with dinner and cake at Grandma's House--it was nice to have Aunt Wanda and Uncle Rich in town to celebrate with us. Thank you Trace and Amber for the great pictures. Alex has decided he needs to save up for a lap top, so "Just the money please." Steve did take him out for a boys dinner, though.




Of course Alex is the best oldest son I ever had. I am so lucky to have him around. He keeps us laughing and I can count on him for help whenever I need it. He has a strong testimony and takes his priesthood responsibilities seriously. He is almost ready to do his Eagle Project.

thanks Alex!

**See you all on Saturday for the race and Father's Day!

Summer Is HERE

Summer has finally come. School is over. Life is good. We have had many discussions about what we want to do this summer. Hopefully some fun vacations, scout camps, YW camp, and anything else we can think of. Here is how my children think they should spend the summer:


Here is how I think they should spend their summer:
We'll see who wins (although we all know that I am smarter than them, so I will)


Tia got her Young Womanhood award last week. Here is a picture of her with her leaders. She is so excited to be done with all her goals. I am proud of her for finishing. I didn't have to prod her along at all. This is all hers!

Thanks for all your comments on my first post. I loved hearing from you. Here's my family update. Everyone survived another year of school. Last week all my kids made the summer swim team. That will keep them busy in the mornings. Alex and Kobe will be doing soccer again for the summer. Kobe's team won their division championship and will be moving up to state level competition this year. He's pretty excited about that. We found out last week that Tia will be moving up a level in gymnastics and Brooklyn has made the competition team, but I decided to wait until fall before starting her. She wants to take a dance class this summer--should be fun. Steve is recovering nicely from his knee surgery. He goes in for his last check up in a few weeks. He is able to do most of what he wants to now--just no heavy lifting or running yet. I am still busy keeping up with my kids, doing Steve's medical transcriptions, and stressing over teaching relief society. (This is by far the scariest calling I have ever had--I don't recomend it to anyone).

Bree and I are training to do a 100 mile bike ride in August. I'll keep you posted on our progress. So far we are up to 30 mile rides. Kelly is going to join us--if anyone else wants to get in on the fun just let us know!

Shamae

Begining is the hardest part right?

I THINK I am finally ready to begin posting on my blog. Yes, it has been designed and ready for weeks, but I need to find a way to fit this into my schedule. I did finally get to where I check my email regularly, so I should be able to do this too.

I think I'll brag about my Tia today. She turned 15 this month! I'm really not that old am I? She is finishing 9th grade with strait A's, and can't wait to get to high school next year. She is plotting getting her learner's permit, and how she can pay for a cell phone. (Her mom is much to mean to give one to her)
Tia spent the last year doing gymnastics. She has worked so hard, and is competing level 4 this spring. She gets to go to level 5 in the fall. Last Saturday she had a meet and scored in the gold medal category for the all-around. Here's some pictures. It's hard to get good ones because she moves too fast for my poor old camera. I should learn to use the action settings (or at least how to enable that function). I'll put them in anyway and hopefully get better ones at the next meet, or a video if I can figure out how to upload them. Aren't the competition leo's cute?



I think that's all I can come up with. Maybe next time I can post our fun Disneyland trip. I haven't gotten the pictures off of all the cameras yet.

She wants everyone to know that the braces come off this summer--just in time for Alex's to go acually! I'll give the after shot in a few months.