Zach's Football Season

This year Zach's team did great! They made it to the playoff's. The team was lucky enough to have some very talented parents who were willing to take photos of every game. Check out Zach's season in photos:

Zach #1 and Stockton (his cousin) #5

Zach blocking

Zach in action

Randomly our team had two #1's on it. I was grateful for Zach's yellow mouth piece because it was one way to help tell them apart.

Until the last few games when Stockton gave Zach a new mouth piece which he called his Binkie...love the pink!

Zach running onto the field after 1/2 time.

Zach tackling someone

Zach making his way through the parent tunnel after a win

Zach blocking

Listening to a half time pep talk

More blocking...

and more blocking....

and, not sure what is going on in this one!

Awaiting kick off

Looking for a tackle

after a tackle

Probably my favorite photo of them all! Look how cute this kid is!

Another great year of football...until next year!!

GO VIKINGS!

Caleb Football

Caleb's Sophmore Football Season

Caleb had a great season in football this year. He started as Sophmore Quarterback and started on Varsity as Guard on the Punt Team. He was so excited to play Varsity his Sophmore year. One week he was moved up to JV starting QB. All great experiences. He loved it. It was fun for Craig and I to be in the stands watching him improve. The last few games of the season he played QB, Middle Linebacker (defense) and punted. He rarely came off the field. He is a good player, and he realized there is always room for improvement. His heart is in it. And that is all that matters.

I had to grow thick skin this year as the mom of the QB. It is a hard position, if we win all is well, and if we loose or if the team is struggling many comments are made. It was sometimes hard to hear people yelling at my son. I am not sure if I will ever get used to that.

As always I can't wait to see what happens next year. Great Season Caleb!

A couple of photos of my favorite QB! Isn't he cute!

Summer Tea Party

Towards the end of summer Grammy and Papa had a Summer Tea Party for the younger girls. They of course made it perfect for the girls. They had a good time making trail mix, and doing crafts and of course eating outside under the tree. It was a fantastic day for everyone. One thing I learned (well I have always know it but this just reinforced my knowledge) was that my Mom has a wonderful talent for making ordinary things EXTRAORDINARY! She is amazing. It's all about the details. I LOVE IT! She makes everything so special. The girls definately felt it. The best part was after we had everything set up and Dad, Cortney and I went inside to eat while Grammy and the girls stayed outside, just watching the girls interact with their Grammy who they all ADORE! Laughing and just pure love and happiness on all of their faces. I wish I would have taken a picture of that. Thanks mom for making another day EXTRAORDINARY!

(just a little side note: Liberty is totally picking up on the fun things her Grammy does. It isn't odd for me to come to the dinner table that has been set by Lib with name cards, small dishes with little treats at each place setting, goblets, and random flowers as a center pieces. I must say that I LOVE THIS!)

Liberty showing off her yummy cupcake.

The girls coloring Lady Bugs and puzzles.


Making trail mix

Liberty's turn to mix it.

Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes! YUM!

The tea party food. Seriously how cute is that?

Grammy giving the girls some great advice!

Pinkies UP!

4 cute girls with Grammy & Papa

Thanks Grammy & Papa for another great memory!

39 and Holdin'

I remember when my mom was turning 39, my dad played a record with a song on it called "39 and Holdin'". I remember thinking that seemed so OLD! It is funny that this year my cute hubby turned 39 (I am not far behind him!)...I wanted to get my hands on the song but didn't. But not to worry, his birthday was still complete with decorations, balloons, cake and of course an embarassing sign hanging on the house (all day without him realizing it when he left in the morning) that read...

"HONK! IT'S THE BISHOP'S BIRTHDAY!"

(Sorry photo taken from my phone)

We got a few honks, but mostly people sent him messages on facebook or texted him. He felt loved. And really isn't that what a b-day is meant to be about? To feel the love! We celebrated with a trip to 7 Peaks with Craig's family (which happens to be Craig's least favorite place in the world!) but we were cut short by a wicked thunder/lightening storm which honestly was pretty cool! I hope he had a fun day!

So many candles it took 3 people to light them!

The cake all a-glow

Making a wish! Ready to blow them out.

For as long as they took to light...he blew them out in one blow!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST HUSBAND IN THE WORLD!

Handprints

One afternoon we decided to have a little fun and make this house which we have lived in for almost 8 years a little more ours! Who doesn't love seeing handprints in concrete.

After a little bit of prep work, we mixed and laid the concrete and waited for just the right moment for everyone to put their hand in.

Prep work...

Caleb mixing the cement
Craig smoothing everything out

Liberty taking her turn....(well really she is posing, cause I was washing my hands when the kids actually did it)

The final product.

So yes, we feel sort of famous!

One Of My Favorites

{Brit giving Caleb knuckles after his big win!}

Do you ever take a photo that melts you heart when you look at it?

Well, this is what this does to me!

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!
It pretty much sums up how a little boy looks up to his big brother.

Definately one of my forever FAVORITES!

(If only I could have taken it with my camera not my phone! Oh well!)

BACK TO SCHOOL!

***YES THERE IS MORE SUMMER TO POST, BUT I HAD TO INTERUPT SUMMER BECAUSE THESE PHOTOS JUST CAN'T WAIT!!!!***

Cause we are BACK TO SCHOOL! The first part of August I took down the Patriotic decorations and decided to do this display in our front room. To be honest, it added some excitement and some complaints. Summer FLEW by, just as it always does. By the time the big day came, the kids were ready!

Zach just about ready to jump on the bus...can't you see the excitment!

Zach is starting 5th grade! Getting bigger everyday, happier than ever, and just an all around great kid!
Liberty just as the bus is driving up. Yep, she complained about being the only girl who had to wear a skirt on the first day. Oh well, deal with it! (that's what I told her!)

Liberty is starting 3rd grade. She is my social butterfly, loves to play with her friends, loving doing crafty things, and as she grows up, she reminds me more and more of myself.

Caleb leaving for HIGH SCHOOL! McKinsey (cousin) is kind enough to pick him up everyday. This was quite hard to watch him walk out the door and drive away. He is growing up! Next year he'll be driving himself! YIKES!

Caleb is now a HIGH SCHOOLER!!! WHAT???? HOW CAN THAT BE??? He is starting his Sophmore year. Hard to believe. He is growing up so fast. He is a great athlete, and hilarious (just ask him!), and just like his brother a great young man!

(side note: Last Saturday night he asked me to take him to the Stake dance. This shocked me cause he has been old enough to go for over a year and hasn't gone. When I asked him what changed his mind he said, "I'm in 10th grade now Mom, I am a new kid!")

Brit officially started school at Kids Village. Last year he came with me but didn't attend a class. Here he is with his cute apron on, he was pretty jazzed, until I left and had a rough first day, but he did great his second day! Keep your fingers crossed.

Brit thinking he is pretty hot stuff posing by "the tree" for back to school pictures. He knows the drill from watching his siblings! Look how cute this kid is. He puts a smile on everyone's face! Man, I love him!

When everyone was out the door and things calmed down...I found myself organizing bedrooms and listening to music while Brit played. The song "Slipping Through My Fingers" from Mama Mia came on...I sat on Lib's bed and tears just started streaming down my face. The words hit home!

"School bag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning

Waving good-bye with that absent minded smile

I watch her go with a surge of that well-known sadness

And I have to sit down for a while

The feeling that I'm loosing her forever

And without really entering her world

I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter

That funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time

I try to capture every minute

The feeling in it

Slipping through my fingers all the time

Do I really see what's in her mind

Each time I think I'm close to knowing

She keeps on growing

Slipping through my fingers all the time."

I sat there for a while, then had to pull myself together! My kids are growing up...that's what they are supposed to do. Why is it so hard? But hard or not, I couldn't ask for 4 better kids! I love them to pieces! Good luck in school Caleb, Zach, Liberty & Brit! Make a difference!