Emily Turns 14

It is hard to believe Emily is 14, what is even harder to believe is that she will be starting High School in about a month.  She is a wonderful daughter who is a blessing in our lives.  She decided she wanted a kindle for her birthday.  The kids all picked gifts for her on their own.  They all did a great job finding stuff they knew she would like.  We took her out to the Olive Garden for dinner.  Emily loves Italian food, but some of the other kids hate it, so this is really her only chance she gets to have Italian with the whole family.  Here are a few pictures from her big day.

Breakfast in Bed

Her new kindle

The pillow pet Justin got her

Ryan enjoying his spaghetti and meatballs at Olive Garden

Continuing to enjoy his spaghetti

Blowing out the candles (She chose cheesecake bars instead of a cake)

Triathlon

Tyson and Justin participated in their first triathlon yesterday.  They both did a great job.  We don't know their times yet, they post those tomorrow, but they had a fun time.  Here are some pictures of them.

Justin getting his shoes on after his swim

Getting ready to start riding his bike

Riding his bike

Running

Headed to the finish line

VICTORY!!

Tyson waiting for his turn to swim

Simming

Trying to catch his breath

Getting shoes on

Bike helmet almost on

Starting his biking

Biking

Running

VICTORY

Justin, Landon, and Tyson with their medals

I got lost trying to find where it started, that is why I have no pictures of Justin swimming.  They all three want to do it again next year!  I am so proud of them.

Summer Shots

Our summer has been fun!  Lots of playing and staying up late.  I usually try to make the kids go to bed earlier, but I haven't been doing that lately.  Ryan was exhausted one day and this is how he fell asleep.

The other thing I have been lax about is what they wear.  I figure it is summer they can wear what they want even if it doesn't match.  I did have to force a change of clothes when Abigail came out dressed like this to go to the store.

She told me she looked like a Hawaiian girl.  You maybe can't tell, but those are flower clips all over in her hair.

A Very Happy 4th of July (even without fireworks)!!!

One of the things we love most about the 4th here in Lubbock are the fireworks.  We don't live in city limits and so you can set off any type of firework you want.  Everyone comes out to this area to set off fireworks, so you don't only have your show, but you have everyone elses also!  This year there is a fire ban; not only can you not light fireworks, but they were not even allowed to sell them.  We were all pretty bumbed about the idea, but we had a great 4th anyways.  We went to the parade in the morning.  We met up with some of our friends there.  Everyone had a great time.

Everyone waiting or the parade to start

Justin and Ryan getting ready for more candy

Emily helping Abigail get some candy

Later that day the older kids went with Jeff and a bunch of friends to play laser tag, soccer, and do a ropes course.  They had a ton of fun, so much that this is what Tyson has decided he wants to do for his birthday.  In the evening we went to a friends house for a barbecue and swimming.   We all had a wonderful time!!

Scout Camp

Tyson went to scout camp for the first time this year.  He is not 12 yet so Jeff got to go with him.  Jeff has been to many other scout camps since he has been the Scout Master and Young Men's president, but he said this one was much more enjoyable since he got to be there with his son.  They went to Camp Wehinahpay in the New Mexico mountains.  Tyson got a lot of merit badges, but his two favorite were his Rifle and his Wilderness Survival.  Jeff said the whole camp was very enjoyable.  His only complaint was excessive amount of singing.  Tyson didn't mind the singing as much, but he even thought it was a little too much.  I will try to post pictures when I figure out how to do it from Jeff's phone.

Trip to Utah

We spent the last two weeks in Utah, and had a wonderful time.  Jeff took Justin to Navauo where his niece was getting married.  The plan was for me to drive to Albuquerque and then they would fly there and meet up with us.  Their plane was delayed and they could not get to Albuquerque so I had to drive the whole way to Utah, and they flew to Salt Lake, rented a car, and met us in Provo.  I was very glad to be together again, driving is not my thing!  We spent Sunday morning at temple square. 

The crew walking into temple square

The older kids went with Jeff to "Music and a Spoken Word", and I took Ryan and Abigail looking around while they were in there because they were not old enough to go in.  Here are a few pictures of them while we waited.

As you can tell Abigail was loving getting her picture taken, and Ryan was tolerating it!

When the program was over I had them all come and get a few pictures taken.  I love the beauty of the gardens at temple square.

The Girls

The Boys

I need to crop this picture Obviously!

We spent the rest of the day at my sister Andrea's house.  It is so wonderful to see family.  She just remodeled her home and it was beautiful!  Emily stayed there for a night so she could spend some time with Lindsey.  They had a great time hanging out together.  The rest of us went back to Provo so Justin could start soccer camp.  Jeff had to fly back to Lubbock on Monday.  We miss him so much when he is not with us.

Justin enjoyed his soccer camp.  The weather was wonderful the whole time, and he made a few friends on the team.  Here are a few pictures of him at camp.

His team

Justin with his coach

At the end of Justin's camp we drove down to Beaver to visit with my family.  My mom had to have knee replacement surgery so I was able to help take care of her.  The kids got to help change sprinklers, and Justin and Tyson got to help their Grandpa on the farm a little.  We didn't do a whole lot while we were here because I was helping my mom, but I am so glad I was able to help her during that time.  On Sunday night I drove back up to Provo.  Tyson started his soccer camp.  He is old enough now to do the big one so he did that one.  He wanted to stay in the dorms, but we were too late registering him so he stayed with the Hardy's because they had come up for the camp too.  It was from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., so he was busy the whole time.  He loved it, but I don't have pictures since I wasn't there.  After dropping Tyson off, I drove to Salt Lake to drop Emily off at the airport so she could fly back to Lubbock and go to Girls Camp.  This was her first time to fly by herself.  I don't know who was more nervous me or her.  She arrived safely and had a great week at girls camp.  I headed back to Beaver with only three kids to help take care of my mom some more.  This is the first time our family has been so spread apart.  I was so nervous the whole week.  I really enjoy having everyone together.  Thursday I picked Tyson up from camp, and Jeff up from the airport, and headed up to Centerville where my Aunt Marie watched my children while Jeff and I ran the Ragnar.

The Ragnar is a relay race from Logan to Park City.  It covers 190 miles, and is up and down mountains.  My family got a team together.  It was so much fun!  It took our team 33 1/2 hours to finish, but we finished and there were 200 teams slower then us, I won't mention how many were faster!  I was really nervous about running because of the altitude and the mountains, but although I had to walk up a lot of my up hill run, we still finished!  It was fun to be with my Aunts and my cousins.  My Aunt Jennifer is 55 and had some of the hardest legs.  She is amazing!  Her are a few pictures from the big race.

The team at the start minus Melinda who is running

Van #2

Jeff after his last leg

The top of the mountain covered in snow that Jennifer and Nate had to run up to

The whole team with our medals at the end

The weather was fabulous, even a little cold at night which was so nice compared to the heat in Texas right now, and the scenery was incredible.  I think I would be more motivated to run if I could run in a place with beautiful scenery.  We started driving home the day we finished the race, and finished the drive on Sunday.  It was a wonderful vacation and we enjoyed seeing all of the family!!!!