Changes

This coming school year we are going to have a lot of "firsts"  Emily is starting High School, Tyson is starting Middle School, Ryan is starting Kindergarten, and Justin is starting TAKS tests (he thought I should mention that).  New things always make me nervous, and I have been a little sick to my stomach all summer thinking about it.  I've been planning on these changes occurring, but we got a new change thrown at us two weeks ago; Jeff got called to be the Bishop.  I am thankful he is worthy of having the calling, and I know he will do a wonderful job, but it makes me nervous.  I hope he can balance it all, and I hope I can balance it all at home without him here.   I remember last year when I sat down to write our Christmas letter and I really couldn't think of anything to put because there really wasn't anything new going on.  I knew then changes were coming to us.  It seems whenever we get comfortable in life change comes.  I am grateful for change and the things I learn from it, but I sure don't like going through it.

The Amazing Race

For Emily's party this year she decided to do an Amazing Race around Lubbock.  She had three teams and they raced on foot and by car to different places where they had detours and road blocks to complete.  They all had a great time.  Here are a few pictures from the event.

Abby racing around the tennis courts

Jake filling up his container

The boys counting mailboxes

Emily's team counting mailboxes

The cake

Kyra eating the double cheeseburger

Finishing the last of it

Lauren eating the double cheese burger

Joseph eating his large shake

Lauren finishing up

Joseph finishing

Emily blowing out her candles

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.