Lake Powell and Alzheimer's

I am really worried about myself.  I sat down today to post about Lake Powell...not the trip we just went on 2 weeks ago, but the one we went on 2 months ago.  Honestly I have been putting it off because there were so many pictures and I didn't want to deal with a lot of pictures.  And I still need to post about our most recent trip but there are even more pics and I need to sort through them.
Anyway, I threw some pics together in several collages to cut down on space.  I then logged on to Blogger and saw the list of our posts, and then I saw that I had ALREADY posted about the SAME trip!  I seriously do not remember doing that.  What the?  I wish I could remember the name of the vitamin that helps with memory loss :)
Oh well, here it goes again, just in case we want to see the pictures again.  The plus is, there are some new ones added in to the mix thanks to Ashlee and Judy.  At least I don't have to write details about the trip {because I don't remember the details}!  And THAT is why I keep updated on the blog.

Living a Tween-Age Dream

Our kids are really lucky because they have really cool Uncles.  And one in particular did something really awesome.  He took Millie and two of her friends on their own personal vacation to Steamboat Springs!

HE...is Uncle Shad.  Last Christmas, he gave the more mature cousins a couple of books along with a letter explaining the terms:  the girls were to read the two books -  books for LDS girls about inner beauty, friendship, and growing up.  Once achieved, they could cash-in their "gift of travel" to a destination of their choice (he gave about 10 choices).

Well, she read and really enjoyed the books...and then she cashed-in on her trip last month!

She chose Steamboat because she had heard about the hot spring pools and that there was a lot to do there.  She researched online and planned some activities that sounded fun.  Because the plane holds 4 people, she was able to invite 2 friends.  She took Tatum and Morann.

Just before take-off

En Route.  How many 11 year olds have done this?
These girls packed a lot of activities into 2 days:

Alpine Slide on the ski hill

Swimming at this "way cool" water park fed by the natural hot springs 

 

Mini Golfing

Hiking up to a beautiful waterfall

Shopping!

Eating Donuts and Candy

 And doing what 11 year old girls do best...

BeiNG SiLLY!

This was truly a trip of a lifetime for these girls and one they will never forget!

Did I mention that Uncle Shad provided flying, driving, lodging, and food?  He is very generous and enjoyed being the chaperone.  He had quite a few stories for us!

THANKS SHAD!  XOXO

Are you ready for some football?!

The first week of August, the boys started going to football practice 5 days/week.  Since school started, they have been going 3-4 days/week.  That is a serious time commitment!  Last Spring when we were discussing which activities to do this Fall, Sambo did not think a second before letting us know that he wanted to play football again.  He had an awesome experience last year and heck - they even won the championships! 

Almost immediately, Will told us that he too wanted to play football.  Um....what?  Will play football?  Not that he isn't capable but he doesn't seem to have the same gusto that his older brother has for such activities.  Sambo runs and moves for fun.  Will thinks about things and tells jokes for fun.

We were certain he would hate running his guts out in 95 degree weather but we understood his desire to be like his big brother so after some discussion with him about what playing football involved, he was still persistent about playing.  So we signed him up.  

Turns out....the kid LOVES it and he is GOOD!  I hadn't realized until I went to his first practice that he is one of the bigger kids in his age group.  He is really, really good at blocking!  BS is the Assistant Coach for his team this year, so he gets to see him in action.  He is awesome at coaching and loves every minute of it.  I'm so happy and lucky that he makes time for the boys this way.  Sambo and Will love having him involved.

We already knew Sambo was a great football player.  He continues to learn and improve and is an important part of his team.  He plays both offense and defense.  

So far the boys have had 2 games.  They are both on Saturdays so we spent 4 hours at football games in hot hot hot weather.   They missed their 2nd game because we were in Lake Powell this past weekend.  

Mom in fan gear: Will #21 on front...

Sam #32 on back

Millie cheering them on

His tough guy face

Quincy loves the games because she gets to play on the playgrounds

Will & his buddy Jack

We are looking forward to the next month of Saturday games and excitement....it is so fun to watch :)  And these boys couldn't be any cuter in their uniforms!

1st day of Pre-K

I couldn't decide which photo I like more

Quincy's first day of school was today!  Look how excited she is.  This year she is going to Animal Crackers preschool in Highland.  It was really hard to choose between 3 different preschools because I haven't been sure where/when would work best with the rest of the family.  We had a great experience at Newcastle last year and there is an awesome preschool just up the street at my friend/neighbor's house.  Ultimately I went with what was down on the Highland side because our life seems to be shifting more down South (the elementary, work, sports, dance, kid's friends).   As a bonus there are 2 other cute little girls that she will be going with.

I've had a bit of anxiety anticipating her school to start because I realize this is the last year of preschool for us, forever.  And I will miss my little buddy.  But the time she was gone went by really fast and I spent it at Costco with 2 girlfriends the entire time (getting ready for Lake Powell).
I'm sure I'll get used to it :)

 I love this little gem!

She helped me make this wreath for back to school.  She personally handpicked the colors and handed them to me one by one.  I dabbed on the hot glue and she placed them with some help. 

She's very proud.