Happy Birthday, First Day of School

Morning pancakes for the birthday girl!  Starting the day off right!

The big 1-1, almost a youth and only one more year of primary...the awkward year when you feel to old to be in primary and activity days...

First Day Of School

Rian is in her sophmore year in high school but also means first year in the actual building of high school.  So she hits the bus early and had to grab a quick picture.

Jarom is a freshman, so really in high school, but still at Vista Middle School building.  Our garage door will measure Jarom's height each year...Tarin is 7th grade at Vista.  Raegan in 6th and Ammon in 2nd grade.  Ammon had to do his own hair today...  A great bunch of kids!  Love them and miss them already!

 Elementary school sign

 After school Rian and Raegan had piano lessons in Cedar Hills.  While Rian was in her lesson, Ammon, Raegan and I went for a bike ride on the trails.  Miss this place.

Then while Raegan was in her lesson, Ammon and I hit the hammock the piano teacher, Lynsie Brown, has in her front yard.

Love my boy...

Afterwards, we finished the final touches on Raegan's birthday cake.  She did a great job!

Finally, it was family time to sing and give presents.  Thinking hard on her wish...

Because her birthday was on the first day of school, we decided to do her birthday lunch (check out of school) the next day.  Stretch out the festivities as much as possible.  :o)  Love you Bacon!

Big Day...Before The Big Day!

Tarin was starting Jr. High.  All the 7th graders had a half day before the official first day of school.  So this is really Tarin's first day of school.  Her friend, Cadance Lewis, down the street, also came down to meet Tarin to walk to the bus stop.

Meanwhile...
...someone was preparing for her birthday for the next day.

Traditional cookie cake

Took a break and took everyone to the pool when Tarin got home (American Fork Rec center).  Took Holmer twins, also 7th graders, and Cadance and Raegan and Ammon.  This was to end the summer and get ready for the new school year.

Ammon skimming down the slide...

Came home and finished decorating her cake after it was cooled off from baking.  She is excited to have her birthday on the first day of school, and first day being a 6th grader.

Treat Well Deserved!

This boy had worked hard to achieve something that was difficult to do.  All of our kids had potty trained well, but were such deep sleepers that night time was a difficult time to work on.  Ammon had pull-up and all kinds of things...almost resolved to getting one of those alarm thingy.  But working together, he overcame that obstical and earned his special donut.  This one was an oreo donut.  He has been dry ever since!  Great job big boy!

Shelves For Personal Progress

 I was needing some shelves in this master bathroom, and Rian was needing a project idea... why not combine the two?  I found the idea on Pintrest and figured out the specs for our own needs.

BEFORE
very plain and screaming for decor and functionality

That's my girl on the miter saw cutting pieces to size.

Step by step over the next few days we put it all together, stained the wood and saw the exciting final look come into focus...

She's armed and creating....

Almost done...

AFTER
aww, so nice to have this room look better and shelves to help those stranded on the toilet... :o)

Rian did a fabulous job.  I hope she learned something and appreciated the process of empowering and creating.

End of The Season

Proud of my girl making it to the Gold round in her times.  She surpassed her butterfly and breaststroke times.  She worked so hard and stuck it through all the practices and long meets.  You earned all these individual awards!!  My little swimmer!

For stats purposes:  personal bests

50 Free 47.39

25 Breaststroke 25.38

100IM  2:37.42

25 Fly  27.13

25 Backstroke  35.91

Bridle Veil Falls - Provo Canyon

Had a picnic and explored these falls.  Perfect day and good times knowing our beautiful world.  I'd been here long time ago, and drive by it many times, figured it was time to stop and show the kids.

old bridge

base of the falls

yikes on the double chin, oh well, worth the group picture looking up at the falls.

Happy Birthday Dad!

What better way to celebrate, then with a Michigan cake!  Perfect for celebrating the upcoming season with Coach Harbaugh!  Go Blue.

I like making cards.  Thought this was perfect. :o)

Happy Birthday big Daddy!

Stake Activity Day Camp

Raegan's starting to feel too old for this, but had fun.  The theme was great.

Raegan loved being with her best buddies.  Sabre is one of those great ones.

Imagine Dragons Concert

This concert was amazing.  Great band.  Trent came too, but didn't wonder around like we did, so we didn't get any pictures with him :o(

Picture with cutouts is the best we could do.

Nose bleed seats, but still can feel the awesome energy!!

Swim Lessons

 I'm hoping to get Ammon on the Swim Team next year, so I'm trying a crash course in swim lessons this summer.  He did great and advanced fast, but swimming across the entire pool may be hard for him.  We will see.  But I was proud of his hard work and efforts.  He had fun.

Tarin and Ammon on Kick boards.  I also had Tarin do some swim lessons, in hope for swim team next year, but the breast stroke and butterfly are complicated strokes she will need to know...

Raegan has done such a great job this year on the swim team!  She's made goals and exceeded all of them.

My girl at a swim meet in Payson.  I love her "intimidating" tough face for the picture.

waiting for her event to be called.

I loved this season too, because I was able to officiate at many of them.  Brought me back to the good 'ol days of high school swim team.