My Soccer Star!

 Here's our boy.  What a little athlete! He is so passionate about playing, winning, and being present in life!  He is learning a lot about sportsmanship and life's lessons.  Here he is with his brothers---his team!

Raindrops Keep Falling On Our Heads!

 We awoke to rain....and an email saying that as long as players were safe, rain wouldn't stop the games today....so off we went!  Luckily, it wasn't too cold, just very, very, very wet.  While the parents huddled under umbrellas and blankets, Alyssa and her team just killed it in the pouring rain!  Alyssa scored 4 goals for her team and played her heart out.  She was soaked to the bone, but we cheered our girl on!

Our 2nd game was Austin's flag football game.  Luckily for us, his normal coach was gone and Bruce Gunther was the substitute coach so all the kids got to touch the ball.  When Austin was the QB, he ran for a touch down and jumped over the cone into the end zone.  The kids cheered but the ref called it "no touchdown" because in flag football, you can't jump into the end zone.

We are proud of Austin's hard work, passion, and determination as he plays.  What a boy!
(27-6 win for the boys)

Last game in the pouring rain was Austin's soccer game.  It was wet and a little bit colder.  Austin's team won 3-2 in a heated game.

Oak Canyon Junior High's Opening Social 2014

 I love the school where I work.  I really, really do!  We have the best faculty and staff.  We are simply friends and like "extended" family.  Our new principal has created a tradition of coming together as a faculty and having and Opening Social with pony rides, face painting, games, cotton candy, and a fun BBQ.  I love it, and more importantly, so do my kids.

Our cutest Brace Face: AUSTIN!

 For a few months, Austin had told us he had teeth coming in behind his upper line of teeth in the upper palate.  When I saw it, I gasped.  Dave did too.  We went right in to Dr. Arnold, the orthodontist we had chosen for Taylor to see.  He wasn't concerned but said that a 3-phase treatment plan would be perfect for Austin.  So, the first phase is that Austin will have braces on for 8-10 months to make room in his mouth for the other permanent teeth to come in.  Phase two will have the braces off and the permanent teeth coming in.  Phase three with be to put the braces back on again and straighten out the teeth for good.

Austin was a champ!  We were so proud of him.  And he looks adorable with his braces.

Wonder Woman Bike Race and an Evening in the ER

 Starting Line

Back in August, I decided I needed to face my fears and tackle some physical goals I had for myself.  I signed up for a 30 mile bike race in Payson called the Wonder Woman Race.  I drove to Payson and started the race a little early because I didn't want to sit around another 30 minutes.  I biked pretty much the entire way by myself.  There were two aid stations along the way- at mile 11 and mile 22 with oranges, bananas, cold water, oreos, and fruit snacks, and most important, a potty.  With all of my stops and visits with the aid workers, the race took me about 2:25 (2:08 had I not visited).  I wasn't trying to break records; I just wanted to complete something difficult which I did.

 It was the PERFECT day for the bike race!  It was about 70 degrees and overcast.  Here I am on the west side of the freeway in Payson.

 (This was my armband in case I needed help.  Yes, seeing the name "Gary" on my wrist was comforting. )

Later that evening, Jeff called to let us know he was in the ER and probably was going into surgery.  We spent about 5 hours with him and Nicole.  We love our Jeff and his awesome wife.

Carnival Hair and our Olympic Gymnist!

 We took Alyssa to her school carnival for about 45 minutes to support the school.  She wanted to get her hair sprayed red and orange....which she did!  She was so proud!

We signed Jaxson up for a new gymnastics place in Lindon.  I love it!  They are pushing him and he has improved so much after just two lessons.  We are so proud of his strength and determination.  What a wonderful boy! 

Favorite Fall Things!

 We attended a PGHS football game with the the Holmes family to watch our little girls dance at half-time.  The game was awesome and Alyssa just ate up the dancing portion.

We love Nicole!

UNBROKEN:  one of the 5 best books I've ever read.

I started the book on a Monday evening and finished it on a Friday evening.  It was an incredible story about survival, redemption, and forgiveness.  When I finished it, it took several days to process what I just read.  I marvel at the story of Louie Zaperinni.  I can't wait to see the movie about his life that comes out in December.

5-Year Old Girls Are Fun

Alyssa has the most darling little friends.  Here are Tessa and Alyssa at a park in PG while waiting for Taylor to finish her piano lessons.

AA Soccers:  The SPARTANS

Austin and his "brothers" went from a challenger league this year to AA and it has turned out to be a smart move for all of them.  In their 3 years of playing soccer, they have only lost 1 game.  Now that they are in this other league, we are learning that there is really good competition out there and they are going to have to work hard to compete.  Their coach, our neighbor and friend Jake, has been really good.  We are grateful to have had the best coaches for Austin who teach him both sport skills and life skills at the same time.