Jake turns 18!

 We had fun celebrating Jake's 18th birthday last week.  So much fun that we had to spread it out over 2 days!  On his actual birthday he had a swim meet in Ogden, so had to get up at 5:30 a.m. for that.  He had a great meet and got some of his best times in some of his events.  Then it was back to Logan to attend the first round of playoffs for football.  That night he hung out with his friends.  This is what greeted him after the football game in the school parking lot.  (Someone is a talented poster maker.  Thanks Jess!)

 The next day we had the Wheelwrights, Skeens, Bundys and Petes (minus Cody who was hunting) over for sweet pork burritos/salad, then a fun new name game that the Bundys taught us.

 We then headed over to Lundstrom Park for some ultimate frisbee.  Jake's team came out on top- helped by plays like this. . .

 It was then out to the Skeens to go for a RZR ride.   It was such a nice day for the end of October.  We loved spending so much time outside.

 We then had some rousing gym games including 4 square, dodge ball and wall ball. 

 Home again to open presents and have cake with Grandma and Grandpa Weyerts.  Mike then made crepes and the Lester boys came over to eat with us and then the 4 boys watched Captain America.  Whew!  What a day.  Who couldn't be happy with that celebration?

I love Jake so much and am so happy he's in our family.  He blesses my life every day.

2 hikes and fall break

 Stacey came to visit a few weekends ago, and it was so much fun spending some time with her.  Jess and I joined her and Ann on a fun Saturday adventure.  We rode the RZR over to Liberty and went on an awesome hike, shopped at a cute boutique, ate dinner at 'eats' then drove home.  The weather was perfect, the scenery divine, and the company exceptional!  It was a fun day.

 

 One of my favorite hikes in Logan Canyon is Crimson Trail and I hadn't done it all summer, so I was happy when my friend Janae was able to do it with me last Wednesday.  We had a great time and enjoyed visiting and taking in the beauty of the canyon.

 For fall break, Mike and I took the boys on a little adventure to Ft. Collins to visit Ky and Brody.  We had a great time, and I'm so glad we were able to go. We got there Thursday night in time for a tasty dinner Ky had prepared.  We played cards after dinner and watched some home movies we'd brought.  Friday we all went on a fun bike ride (Brody only joined us as far as CSU then he had to go to class and study after) around the town.  Ft Collins is a very bike friendly city with bike lanes and paths everywhere.  It was great.  We shopped at a fun outdoor mall in nearby Loveland and had lunch at Culvers.  That night we grilled Salmon burgers and sat in the hot tub, then the adults played Rook while Cam and Jake played Xbox.

  Saturday we went to the Rec Center at CSU.  It was pretty awesome.  The boys played on the rock climbing walls while Ky and I walked around campus.  There were about a dozen teams playing ultimate frisbee dressed up in Halloween costumes.  It was pretty funny to see.  Everyone went swimming for awhile except for me and Mike.  We did some more shopping, then went to a matinee.


  That night we walked around old town Ft Colllins and checked out the zombie fest.  Ky and the boys tried their best zombie look, but it wasn't quite the same as the real zombies. . .  It was pretty entertaining. We ate dinner at a delicious pizza place, then got an ice-cream. More rook and myth busters when we got back to Ky and Brody's apartment. 

Sunday we went to church and got to hear Brody speak in Sacrament meeting (don't worry, he didn't wear the beanie. . . ).  He did an awesome job- he definitely is a talented speaker.  After eating a meal of Hawaiian Haystacks, we were on our way home. 

We were so glad we could visit Ky and Brody in their new home.  I'm so happy that they're so happy there.  Now we can see why!

Easily annoyed?

I'm wondering if I'm unusually annoyed by things, or if most people feel as I do.  For example:  I've noticed that many people have words or phrases they say over and over.  One friend I have says this same thing every time I see her. . . "you surviving?"  Another person I know says "and such" at the end of many sentences.  Someone else says "to that end" every five minutes.    I'm also not a fan of people repeating the same thing over and over in the same conversation.  Do they have short term memory loss, or are they just trying hard to make a point?  I also have a problem with repetitive noises and sounds.  A girl in my Zumba class slaps the floor with the palm of her hands after most songs.  Huh?  Pounding, tapping, leg swinging, chirping, knuckle cracking, burping, chomping, twitching- all these things about send me over the edge.  What bugs you?  Or are you more tolerant or unobservant than I am?

Bike ride, cookout, boys activities

 This past Saturday Jess and I drove Mike, Brad, Jake and Cam near the top of Logan Peak and then the boys had a great time riding their mountain bikes down to Blacksmith Fork Canyon where we picked them up. 

 Jake had fun horsing around while the others were busy getting the bikes ready to go.  Even if no one is watching or thinks he's funny, he still enjoys entertaining himself. . .

 On Sunday we made tasty tin foil dinners in the canyon- something we've been wanting to do all summer!  I can't believe this is our first time for the year.  That's disgraceful!  We had a great time playing cards, eating, and making s'mores.

 During homecoming week LHS has a tradition for senior boys who are interested learning a dance from the Hi Lo's and then performing it at half-time of the powder puff football game.  Jake and his friends had a fun time participating in that.  He wore the blue wig for the powder puff performance, then changed it up with the blond wig for the pep assembly a few days later.  The boys also wear their outfit all day to school before the pep assembly performance. . . (yes, he's also wearing make-up. . . )  He rode with the Brickettes in the homecoming parade, and painted the street on Sunday before Homecoming week started.  Homecoming activities are always the highlight for the year for the kids.

 Lindsey took some senior pictures of Jake a few weeks ago.  She'll be doing more as the year goes by, so stay tuned. . . (isn't he handsome and so photogenic?)

 Cam is having a great Sophomore year playing football. After the first two games of his broken arm still being a little tender, he now says it feels perfectly normal.

I love fall which brings football, cooler weather, changing leaves and the new television season!

Labor Day Weekend

We had a very fun Labor Day weekend.  Since Friday was a half school day and I didn't have to work, I got to go hiking with the likin hikin gals.  We hiked Card Canyon which was a lovely 8 mile hike.  I always love getting out and hiking with these great ladies.

On Saturday, we watched/listened to the heartbreaking USU football game loss to Auburn, then tried to recover enough to have fun at Lava Hot Springs.  It was fun being there with Ann, Caspersons, Petersons, and Bundys and Wheelwrights. 

 The funnest thing for me was floating down the river in a big 4 man tube that wasn't supposed to flip.  That proved to be incorrect as me, Jess, Brad and Lindsey were flipped coming down a small waterfall.  Jess and Brad were the worse for wear as they suffered many cuts, scrapes and bruises. Cam (in his single tube) has several falls, scrapes, bruises, and lost his flip flops.  It was fun anyway.

 Monday me, Mike, Sara, Cody and Trace went for a nice bike ride to the end of Smithfield Canyon and back, then I made a big breakfast for them, plus Ann, Ericksons and Bundys.  On the menu was breakfast burritos, yougurt parfaits, and scones.  We played several fun games of big beach VB.

 The 6 of us went for a hike on the Logan River Trail by 2nd dam while Jake and Cam stayed home with the 4 little kiddies. 

 After taking Cam and Jake out to dinner at Aggies, Jess and Brad were back from their cabin retreat with Brads family so joined me and Mike in 2 matches of ROOK (my favorite card game.)  If you know anything about this game, you will know this hand I got did not make me happy.  How pathetic is this???  We need to have a tiebreaker soon as Jess and Brad won the first match, and me and Mike won the second.

It's back to life as usual today with school and work.  It's great to have a break from the routine and enjoy spending some good time with family.

Summer of fun with Kylee, a sad goodbye, a trip to Texas, 1st day of school & a new job

 I had so much fun this summer having Kylee living with us.  I loved having someone to do everything with!  We enjoyed working out together- most days riding our bikes to the Sports Academy, going to a class, then riding home.  We took Sal for a walk most days- either in the morning or at night.  We went to several movies, lunches, and on many shopping sprees.  We took a trip to SLC/Provo to celebrate her 24th BD and to Fort Collins for two days looking for an apartment for her and Brody.  We had our "shows" we watched at nights- The (dumb) Bachelorette, SYTYCD and Season 1 of The Middle.  I would have had a lonely summer without her here, and I am so glad I had that one-on-one time with my sweet girl.

 All too soon Brody was home from Africa and it was time to help them get packed up for their move to Fort Collins Colorado.  It's nice knowing they're only 7 hours away now instead of 11-12, but I still wish and hope they'll be even closer someday in the future.

 The day after they left, Jessica and Brad flew me to Amarillo Texas where they had been living for the summer so I could drive home with Jessica since Brad was planning on working the whole week leading up to USU starting, and Jess wanted to chill and relax for a few days before school started.  It was awesome that Fort Collins was almost exactly half way home, so we got to stop for the night and stay with Ky and Brody.  We had a great time eating out, playing cards, and helping Ky make decorating decisions.  I loved spending some one-on-one time with Jess during our 15 hour drive. 

 Since Jessica didn't have much to do all summer (besides taking two on-line classes) while Brad was out working hard six days a week for 11-12 hours, she decided to learn how to crochet.  And boy, did she learn!  I'm amazed at her creativity and talent!  All of these creations are for sale, so let me (or her) know if you're interested in purchasing anything.

 All too soon, it was time for school to start for the boys.  Jake is a SENIOR, and Cam's a sophomore.  Wow, I just can't believe how quickly time flies.  Honestly, it seems like not that long ago that I put Kylee on the bus to go to kindergarten. . .

 After knowing all summer that I wouldn't have a job at the middle school as an ESL aide (a sweet job I had for 5 years) because of budget cuts, I was very happy to get a call from the vice-principal a week before school started offering me a 3 hour a day job in the computer lab.  There has been a ton to learn but so far I'm liking it a lot.

Cakes, A birthday, casts, family party, JOSH, and Salomon

 A lot has been going on since I posted last, so this post, like most of my recent ones, will be a variety of happenings.  Since Kylee took several cake decorating classes while living in AZ, Ann and I wanted to learn the basics, so one day she taught us a few things.  It's a lot harder than it looks to make a cake look amazing- which Ky always does.  I think I'll stick to fancy frosting on cupcakes and leave the cake decorating to the professionals.  We had a fun afternoon anyway.

Kylee turned 24 on July 27th, so we decided to take a road trip to SLC and Orem.  We met up with Teresa and girls, Jessica, and Stacie and kids for lunch at Cheesecake Factory.  It was delicious.  We had Cam and 2 friends with us since they wanted to go to Orem and hang out with some boys they had become friends with the week before at EFY.  So they hung out at the mall while we had lunch, then joined us at Stacie and Rick's new apartment in West Valley for a swim- along with Sadie and Maddie.  After dropping Cam and friends off at their friends, Ky and I spent the rest of the evening and night with the Romneys. We enjoyed eating a tasty meal and playing "Things."  It was quite entertaining.  The words "dry farm" and "ginger" will never be the same. . .  The next day Von joined us for a few hours of shopping and lunch at a yummy Thai restaurant.  It was a great little get-away.

 As mentioned in a previous post, Cam broke his arm on June 25th falling off a ripstick (similar to a skate board). He spent 4 weeks in the  blue above the elbow cast, then two weeks in the green/yellow one.  It was a relief for him to be able to get it wet, and also straighten his elbow.  When we went in to have that one removed, the doctor decided it needed a little more healing time, especially since he'll be playing football as soon as it's strong enough, so he put the red cast on for two more weeks.  What a way to spend the summer.  Happily it came off the day before school started.

We had a fun Sunday picnic at Lundstrom park with most of Mike's family.  We ate then played kickball, then came to our house for big beach volleyball and homemade ice cream.  It was a fun night. I love the addition of Brad and his kids.  They like playing games!  We missed the Nelson's though. (notice Jake in the picture of the tree. He had fun climbing it.)

There aren't many performers I would want to see in concert, but JOSH GROBAN is one, so I was thrilled to attend his concert in SLC with 10 family members.  I loved riding the front runner from Ogden to SLC with Mike, Ky, Lindsey and Carol.  We had a great time visiting and playing cards.  We met up with Romneys, Smiths and Densleys for dinner at Thaifoon, then the concert across the street at Energy Solutions Arena.  It was a perfect 2 hours listening to Josh's amazing voice.  I just love him.

Although I'm not a dog lover, I have to say I'm kinda going to miss this little guy. I'm going to miss his owner too (Kylee) but I'm pretty sure I've spent more time with the dog. . .  He's been my buddy all summer, and I fear it will be a little lonely when I come home and he's not right there to greet me, and then follow me around wherever I go for the rest of the day.  Goodbye Salomon.  I'll see you soon.