Catching Up

Wow - so much has been going on and we haven't been good about blogging it all.  So let's play a little catch up and show you some highlights of the last few weeks.

First up - School started at the end of August.

I'm in 5th grade this year - and I'm loving it!

Sam is in 3rd grade and loves school as well.

Brothers . . . . always!

We hit the neighborhood splash pad for a little celebration at the end of our first week of school.  It was still warm and we were mostly the only ones there. 

What a great way to end our summer!

A water fight is always fun.

Sam makes a run through the "circles of death".

Labor Day weekend brought a great trip to the cabin.  It was a much needed weekend of pure relaxation!

There was some hiking, lots of playing, and some good eating.

Sam was in charge of breakfast on Sunday morning - we ended up with yummy pancakes!

The weather was perfect.

The trees were starting to turn their beautiful fall colors.

And we saw lots of animals.  These boys were just hanging out at the base of the mountain.

In other events - student council elections were this last week.  I ran for class representative.  Unfortunately I didn't win - but I came as close as possible.  It was a good experience.

Football season has started.  I'm playing again this season - and dad decided to be the coach for my team.  I'm having a lot of fun and doing very well.  Check me out below - pulling a flag. 

I still love playing defense - I have the blue shoes on towards the left.

Dad had to miss one of my evening games because of work so Uncle Noley filled in as coach for the night. 

Can you see the "photo bomber" in the picture?

I've scored two touchdowns so far and have been loving getting some time as quarterback.  Dad makes sure all the kids get to play all positions every game.

This is one of my touchdown runs. 

I sure do love playing football.

A couple more football pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Sam and I are both continuing with Horse lessons as well.  One night J.R. had us ride doubles.  First Sam got to "drive".

Then it was my turn to "drive".  No crashing allowed! 

Sam Alert:  Hey everyone - I decided to run Cross Country this season and so far, I'm loving it.  My first meet is this coming week.  I'll let you know how it goes. 
The weather got pretty cold this last week but it is supposed to get warm again.  I'm not quite ready for fall yet.  But sitting in the rain watching football games is ok - as long as I have an umbrella and some hot cocoa. 

Sam out - have a great week!

The Last Days of Summer

 

 Ah - a super, really amazing summer is coming to a close.  And we ended it up just right!

 

We started back up with horse lessons.  We really love riding and enjoy learning more about horses.

 

Sam got baptized last week.  He asked our cousin J.R. to baptize and confirm him and it was really great.  

 

 Lots of family and friends came to support him. 

 

Aunt Jen Jen flew up for the weekend too.  

 

Our very most favorite "kid-sitter" in the whole wide world came too - Dezi.  She spent quite a few days with us over the last few weeks before school gets going again.

 

We played on our water slide over and over.

 

We went to the bouncy place - and tuckered ourselves out after literally hours and hours of jumping.

 

We jumped and slid and played hard.

 

 

 One day, mom took us on a personal tour of the Utah Capital.  It was really cool to see.

 

Here we are at the House of Representatives Chambers.

 

And here we are at the Senate Chambers.  

 

And finally out in the Rotunda.  Mom promised to bring us back during a legislative session to see everyone at work.

 

We played at parks.  We went to movies.  We did a lot of back-to-school shopping.  

And we spent all day yesterday up in the mountains.

We decided to do a new hike that we have never done before.  It was amazing!

 

We hiked to Scout Falls - up the Timpooneke Trail in American Fork Canyon.  It was 3 miles round trip and a 700 ft gain in elevation.

 

The views around every turn were beautiful!



 

We found this cool tree with its exposed roots.

 

We stopped at a little stream to cool off - nothing better than cold mountain water in your hat - which is then dumped on top of your head.

 

There were lots of cool little streams coming down the mountain.

 

And then - there we saw it - Scout Falls.

 

And of course we each took a cool shower under one of the dripping water falls.  

 

 

The falls were a great destination for a great hike.

 

 

And check out this view from the top.

 

 

We were all pooped out - it was a good, challenging hike.

 

And the red/orange berries were out in full bloom.

 

 We snuck in a "groupie" on our hike down.

 

We loved rock hopping across those little streams.

 

And it was great just being outside and in the fresh air.

 

We ended our great day with a picnic in the canyon.   A great time was had by all.  

Sam Alert:  Hey everyone - I spent an afternoon with mom and Aunt Jen Jen taking care of some business.  The three of us voted for a yummy sushi dinner - - during which I tried everything and got stuffed!  Ah - sushi.  My favorite!

 

School starts in the morning - good night everyone!