A New School Year Begins...

I am excited and nervous for this new year of school. Andrew is now "officially" in high school. A sophomore. I think my challenge will be to not push too hard but push enough that Andrew is willing to go out of his comfort zone. My first challenge is to get him to actually go to a Stomp...even for 30 min.. Connor is nervous about finding all of his classes. I am sure he will be just fine and make lots of friends on the way. Cole is exicted to start and take on new challenges...hopefully in Math. Katie is excited for school also. Katie is also starting an exercise program to help get her in shape for basketball. She went walking/jogging with me this morning from 6-6:30. She did great. They all received priesthood blessings from Layne and are ready for another fabulous year of school.

On Monday, other than priesthood blessings, we also had our second "Chopped" experience for dinner. It actually worked out really well again. We all went to the store together, grabbed an ingredient we wanted to work with and then came home to find out the teams. The teams were;

Team 1- Layne (red potato's), Katie (sausage) and Connor (Flip's pretzel crackers)

Team 2- Julie (small tortilla's), Andrew (swordfish), and Cole (melon)

am one made pretzel cracker coated red potato's with sausage. Team two made swordfish tacos, with fresh salsa and melon with tortilla cinnamon chips. Both were excellent...everyone was really pleased with both items for dinner. The kids think we should do this activity at least once a week. It is a great activity to get the kids in the kitchen and to have some good family fun.

Slacker

Wow! It has been a really long time since I blogged. I can't even catch everyone up on the happening since then. So I will highlight.
-Andrew made the tennis team and played doubles. He had a lot of fun. He also played about a million games of basketball. Attended 4 basketball camps with SkyView and 1 tournament (not with SkyView) throughout the month of June and 1st week of July. Went to the Uintah's on a scout campout for a week in August also.He ended the school year with a 4.0.
-Connor ended the year with a 4.0 as well. He attended basketball camp and scout camp in June. He is now playing football and practicing with his basketball team(s) as well. Layne is an assistant coach for Connor's team again.
-Cole ended the school year with straight 4's. He attended soccer camp and scout day camp. He is now playing football.
-Katie attended soccer camp and played softball. She also ended the school year with straight 4's.
Family- watched lots of sports, and.....went on a Cruise to the Mexican Riviera. We had a great time snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas and playing in the ocean (with the exception of the jellyfish stings for Andrew...across his whole back and Cole on his arm). We also had an amazing experience zip lining in Puerto Vallarta. Of course the food was INCREDIBLE...as my waist line can attest. We had a great time celebrating Layne's parents 50th wedding anniversary even though it was almost 51 by the time we actually went on the cruise. Katie and I also went to the Due West concert at Huntsville Barbecue Company and had a fabulous time. Overall it has been a great summer!

I can't believe that school begins again in a week and a half. I am not quite ready for the summer to end. I just hope I can keep track of all the schedules! Wish me luck!