New Shoes--New Cleats--New School year!

New school year means new shoes...at least for Makai.  He was the only one who needed new shoes this year.  We found him the perfect pair...easy to get on making the morning a little nicer.  I can't believe he wears a size 9 in mens as a 9 yr old boy! 

We also got him and Trey cleats as we signed them up for flag football.  We'll see how the season goes.  Football rules this time of year with Kory playing freshman ball, Kyle playing Varsity and some JV games, and now Trey and Makai playing.  Practice is everyday for the older boys, but only once a week for the younger boys with games on Saturday.  Thankful for the YMCA for having Saturday games!! 

Football here we come!

Makai is also starting the 4th grade.  I think this will be a good year for him.  His teacher has him front and center!  A perfect seat for him.  His teacher seems like a perfect fit for him.  He's about her same size height wise and probably outweighs her by 40 lbs, but she seems to really want to help him be successful.  We are thankful for her. 

I should have gotten a picture of Kory at his new school, but haven't yet.  He spent all summer there doing football and even taking a summer school class, so it didn't seem like his first day of school, but he is in high school now.  The first day of school I took him to get Sonic to get a breakfast burrito because he got up early for Kyle's football practice.  We had a nice hour and a half long talk in the car while we waited for Kyle to be done and his school to start.  We watched the moon set and the sun rise.  It was a fun morning.  Can't believe he's in High School!  While in the car he talked about how this was the first year in 4 years I wouldn't be a his school.  I was pretty lucky to work at his school for 4 years in a row.  He helped me see how special that was.  He's going to rock high school.  Kyle is a junior, but he couldn't care less.  All he cares about is that football is back in season!  Him and Kory are enjoying some bonding.  And Trey is starting 7th grade.  It's his first time alone at a school without a brother, but his second hear in middle school, so he's got this.  He knows the ropes this year.  The boys are growing up so fast!! 

Cars!

Cars!  We need them...and as our family is getting older...we need more of them!  This year we need Kyle to start driving.  Last year Tyler just took them to all their practices, but since he's moved on it's Kyle's turn to be the driver.  Monty has been looking for a car for him and found one last week.  Kyle says he likes it because it looks like a Stranger Things car.  It's older than any of our cars and even older than any of our kids, but they like it.  Monty has a thing for these older cars.  His first car was an older Cadillac.  He loved it, till a buddy wrecked it.  Hopefully this one lasts a little longer. 

Going to get it proved to be an interesting experience.  We went to pick it up about two hours from where we live.  As we began the drive it started to rain.  The rain just kept falling...and falling.  What we didn't know was that our GPS would later take us down a dirt road.  At first things seemed fine, but shortly into the drive the van began to swerve and the dirt road became very soft. It was so hard to drive and keep the car out of the ditches on the sides.  Thankfully, we hit a bridge and decided to stop to survey the situation.  We were stuck.  In front of us was a huge puddle of water and behind us was a road we knew we couldn't go back through.  We decided the best thing to do would be just to wait and hope the sun would dry the dirt road out enough for us to make it to the mans house.  Our phones didn't work, so we couldn't tell anyone where we were, but we knew if we went forward we'd get stuck and back we'd get stuck.  We remembered the night before Kory had given a devotional on patience.  This was a lesson in patience.  Every hour we'd walk out and check to see if the ground seemed any harder.  We'd walk on the dirt and sink in.  Finally, after about 2 and a half hours of waiting we decided to just try it.  We backed up the van, and started to drive knowing that there was no turning back once we started.  Mud was flying everywhere as I didn't dare take my foot off the gas because if I did we'd for sure get stuck and not be able to get started again.  I felt like a NASCAR driver as I tried my best to keep the car as straight as possible and keep it going.  After what seemed like 10 minutes, but was probably more like 2 we made it through.  The van had about 20lbs of mud on it and mud in every crevice, but we didn't get stuck and we were able to get the other car picked up.  Thankfully, there was a better way out.  Had we known, we'd of taken that way in, but we didn't know.  We'd never been there before.  We thought it was a great lesson in life.  Sometimes life gets messy.  Sometimes we need to just pause and access the situation, but once you make a decision you've got to just go for it.  No matter how crazy it might get.  We knew we couldn't go back.  He knew he had to go forward, but we had to wait for the right time.  If we went too soon we'd put ourselves in greater harm.  Patience payed off, but it was still messy and crazy and we didn't think we were going to make it, but we did.  Such is life...    

This van is so old.  Her left blinker doesn't work.  She has had to be resurrected more than once, (thank you Tyler) but man, when the going gets tough, she always pulls through.  One day soon I'm sure she will die.  But she's been loyal.

The Expedition however just might be dead!  We have no idea what is wrong with it, but I think it might have bit the dust.  I always thought the van would die first, but I guess Grandma is tougher than grandpa.  He won't even turn over.  Maybe he'll prove me wrong, but I think he's toast!  

Whoops...

The group of kids I go go school with decided they wanted to have a BBQ to celebrate the end of our summer session.  We took 4 classes this summer and cried together, laughed together, but all survived together.  One of my classmates offered to have it at her house and as we've gotten to know each other she learned that I was a member of the church.  She grew up a member of the church, but no longer attends.  Nevertheless, she is still very respectful of our standards.  While at the party there was a lot of alcohol.  Monty went downstairs to get a drink and grabbed what looked like just a carbonated juice. When he got upstairs my friend stopped him saying, "Don't drink that.  It has alcohol in it!"  We laughed and he went downstairs to get a Coke.  While driving home Monty looked at Kyle and asked him how his drink was, as he had seen him drink one before he grabbed one.  Kyle felt so bad, without knowing it he'd drunk one of the "fruit juices".  We had a good laugh.  Such is life.  He said he couldn't tell it had alcohol, but when she stopped Monty from drinking it he had already had one.  When driving last week we found one on the side of the road, so I had to get a picture.  Not the end of the world, but a funny memory!      

Summer project

Because I had some time off I decided to paint the house.  Stupid, but hey...sometimes I do stupid things.  It started with having to cover up one spot and slowly turned into the whole house.  But, I will say it looks better than it did.  I couldn't figure out how I was going to paint the second story. It was keeping me up at night as I was trying to come up with the perfect way to get a ladder on the roof safely.  We have a tall ladder, but because of the porch the angle wasn't right for the ladder to touch the house.  I was trying to figure out a way to put a ladder on the roof and kept praying to help come up with an idea that would be safe.  I got the ladder out and Kyle agreed to help me.  I told him my idea and he responded with..."Um...that doesn't sound safe.  How about you just use an extension poll."  Why didn't I think of that!  It worked like a charm.  I learned something about myself that day.  I was praying for a safe way to do it my way.  There was a safe way to do it, but it wasn't my way.  I couldn't think of any other way.  Kyle's way was much safer and easier.  Interesting lesson.  The chimney was a little scary, but Monty held the ladder and we got it.

All Signed up for College...

Tyler is officially signed up for school this semester!  He's a Maverick!  Getting them to take this photo was harder than it looks.  They were being a little stubborn...

HAIR!!!

I blame Kyle!  Kyle decided he wanted to grow his hair out and then none of my kids wanted hair cuts.  I thought that in the heat of summer I could convince them to cut their hair, but nope...they wanted to grow it out.  Makai has such thick hair.  Thicker than anyone in our family and probably competes with most sea otters.  Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and convinced him to cut his sides.  Doesn't this look so hot!! It's summer time! Lets be real--I wanna shave my head!      

Then there is Trey.  H'm shocked by how much body this kid has to his hair.  The longer it gets the more curly it gets.  But again...at least let us cut the sides...

goofball!!  

Okay, so I might need to take some off the top too!!  Luv you bud.  

One of the hard things about having older kids is how much control you loose.  When they were little they dressed in the clothes I picked out, and cut their hair whenever I wanted them too.  I'd just say, "Hey, do you want a hair cut like...(insert favorite character at the time)? and they would agree.  Now that they are older I've lost that.  They don't just want to do things to make me happy...they have opinions.  I'm having to get use to letting go and just going with it.

Let the 3rd year begin..

Monty is in his third year of Medical School and ready to start rotations.  I think this year will be a blast for him as finally he gets to start working with patients.  His first rotations were pediatrics and NICU.  Seeing and hearing about what he sees in one day is pretty eye opening.  

Crazy Hair Day!

Kyle's hair is longer than it has ever been.  Tonight he asked me to see if I could braid his hair.  It was a surprise to both of us, but it actually worked.  We'll see how long he lasts before he wants to cut it.  He says he isn't going to cut it till after football.  ????  Only time will tell. 

Summer trip--Florida 2019

Every summer we have been blessed to go on a family vacation of some sort and this year was no exception.  One night about 2:30 am Monty woke me up and said, "I just bough us tickets to go to Florida.  It was a great deal and I couldn't pass it up."  So...it wasn't pre-planned, but none the less gave us something to look forward to.  After purchasing the tickets I found out that the job I was hoping to get for this coming school year, was not going to be open as the person decided to stay.  So, I decided to go back to school.  The first day at orientation we were told we couldn't miss a day of school.  I was hopeful my classes would be online during the summer and it wouldn't conflict with the trip, but it was not the case.  However, we decided Monty would still go on the trip with the boys and I'd come for a few days.  Although I was beyond worried about this idea, it worked out perfectly.  When there is a problem, I can't see the solution because I tend to focus on the problem.  My husband sees problems as just solutions waiting to be found and he'll hunt and hunt until he's found a solution that will work.  I admire that about him and want to be more like that.  We also knew this would be our only trip for the summer as school was going to be crazy, so he told me I should invite Mammy and Grandpop to come.  The agreed and we had a fun trip.  

The boys had tons of fun in the gift shop.  

Disney World was out of the question.  We've been to Florida before and never gone to Disney World, but...when Monty got to the Hotel, which was on Disney Property Makai said, "Wow...Disney World!!!  But, it doesn't matter.  We aren't going to go."  Makai is the only member of the family that has never been to Disneyland(well, and pretty much Trey as he was only 6 months old the last time we went).  When Monty was trying to figure out what to do with the kids the hotel presented him with a deal and he decided to buy a three day pass to DisneyWorld.  He said Makai is just getting older and if you would have heard his voice when he said, "But it doesn't matter..." You'd of given in too.  It proved to be such a fun and magical day and I'm so glad we did it.  We may never do it again, but everyone was old enough and now we have a fun family memory...which is what family trip are all about.  One of the first rides was Pirates of he Caribbean. 

It's a Small World--classic ride.  I loved that Makai wanted to get Mickey Ears.  He said to me, "Mom, I know Mickey ears are like for 6 year olds, but I kinda want some."  It was then that I caved and we got him some ears.  

But just as in life we have moments that we were not expecting, Disney World is the same.  Towards the middle of the day there was a rain storm and Makai just wanted to go home.  He didn't enjoy being wet.  In fact, he hated it.  He was crying, it was raining and for a moment the day seemed like a flop.  

The older boys covered Makai to keep him from feeling the rain.  This didn't really help, but it sure was kinda sweet. 

It sure wasn't the happiest place on earth for Makai in that moment....

But once we got out of the rain, things started looking up.  

Splash Mountain was a hit, and it was a that point Makai started having a blast.  I think after concurring Splash Mountain he began to feel like one of the big boys and the rest of the day was a blast.  We stayed until close.  One things the boys always talk about was the last ride.  Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs.  They don't have this ride at Disneyland, but we decided to ride it last.  We waited in line for a while and the ride was actually better than we thought it would be.  The crowning moment was when we came out of a tunnel and fireworks were going off above the castle.  Everyone loved that moment and said it felt like we were in a commercial.  It doesn't get better than that moment when you are together as a family and everyone is happy, smiling, and feeling alive.  

The next day was Hollywood Studios.  These goof balls were ready for a a day of fun.  

One movie we can all agree on is Toy Story.  Any of them.  When the boys were younger they loved the Toy Story ride at California adventure, so we went to the Toy Story ride, not realizing there would be a while Toy Story LAND!  It's pretty cool!  

I can't even imagine how hot these guys must be, but it's fun to see them march through Toy Story Land.  

Frozone's suit was a hit.  

Trey, photo bombing a picture with Tyler and Kyle.  He walked right through at the perfect time.  

That's Trey...he's our goofball!  Everyone thought it was funny.

Let's talk about this ride.  Grandpop got a picture of the ride.  I've never been on this ride and had NO desire to go on it.  But no one chickened out, so I had to.  I thought for sure Kory would, or maybe Makai, but nope.  They decided to give it a go.  I sat by Tyler and didn't open my eyes once.  I just held onto him with all my might.  Such a wimp.  Grandpop said his hat and Mammy's hat were hovering near their faces after they placed them on their laps.  Thankfully, the ride goes fast. 

The rest of the day was fun.  Minus Star Tours!  Star Tours might be the worst ride ever.  It was hot with no air flow and I think most of us go off that ride feeling a little sick.  If I had to choose Star Tours or Tower of Terror to do over, I'd go with Tower of Terror--and that is saying something.  By the end of the night the boys wanted more and more roller coasters!  They couldn't get enough.  Instead of the show on the water, they wanted rides.  By that point I was done with rides, so Mammy, Grandpop and I went to the show.  Everyone left happy.  And a bit tired.  

McDonald's afterward was a bit too much for this guy.  

Three days at Disney parks had everyone feeling a little tired.  Sunday, we decided to go to the beach.  Monty looked up a beach that looked like it would be perfect and it was.  I don't have one picture of the beach...I'm sure someone else does...but it was a perfect day.  We spent hours in the water just playing and talking and swimming.  It was the perfect temperature and we saw some crabs, a dolphin and even a crazy conch.  We'd never seen one and his one claw.  Being at the beach is something we all love.  We left only because of a huge rain storm and lightening.  It was Father's day and a perfect way to spend it.  I felt pretty lucky to get to spend the day with my dad and the father of my children.  Pretty memorable day!  After the rain, we went to a place called the Mellow Mushroom.  It was a pizza place my parents had heard was good and man was it good!  

Everyone loved it.  The Shiitake Pizza was so good.  Thanks for the fun dinner!!  I thought it was funny that afterwards the boys were concerned if I had tipped well.  When I asked why, they said, "Because our waitress was cute."   What a great way to end a great day.  

That night when we got home we went to the pool.  We just hung out in the pool area for a few hours and enjoyed the last little bit with Mammy and Grandpop.  They had to leave the next morning, but we had so much fun with them and are glad they got to spend a few days with us.  A forever memory.  They left the following morning.  

I had to leave that day too, but later in the day.  I was flying out of Tampa, but had to skype into my class that morning.  It was kinda a bummer, but it worked.  I had a presentation to give that day, so they boys swam while I watched everyone's presentations and did mine.  Makai helped with mine and I was thankful for his willingness to help.  He was a hit!  Then we drove to Tampa.  We took a river walk and enjoyed ourselves.  

These boys are the best!!  When they are smiling and enjoying one another my heart melts.  

Tyler finally got his Fish and Chips...

Along with some alligator.  Kinda chewy.  

But everyone liked their fish and chips.

and Santa spends his summers in Florida...

I would have enjoyed them more if I wasn't worried about missing my flight.  I'm such a worrier.  I was sad to leave my family, but had school the next morning.  I was so glad I was able to spend part of the trip with them.  I need to get some pictures from them to add the rest of their trip.  They went to more beaches, found shark teeth and had fun.  Good, good, memory.  Thanks again dad for an awesome trip. One for the record books.

1st day of Grad School

Today was our 19th wedding Anniversary and my first day of grad school.  Monty made me take this picture.  To be honest I was so nervous for my first day of school.  After all kinds of crazy, we've decided it's a good time for me to go back to school.  We'll see how this goes.  Let the adventure begin.  I'm going to UNOmaha.  Tyler will join me in the Fall.  

Makai's art

The boys are all very talented when it comes to art, but I was surprised as I walked by Makai today and saw him drawing his toy to perfection.  He's just as good as his brothers.  Nice work Makai.  I wish I had your talent.  Keep up the good work.  

Every kid should know how to golf

Monty decided he needed to take the boys out to golf.  I think he said, "Every boy should know how to golf.  We had a fun afternoon hitting buckets of balls.  These boys all cracked me up.  Trey would run toward the ball and then hit it surprisingly far.  Not sure how he managed that.  

 Makai is my left handed son.  I love that he's a lefty.  He'd get the giggles as he hit the bad.  Except when he missed...then he'd get pretty upset and say he was never going to golf again.  However, then he'd try again. 

 Monty is a good golfer.  Which his massive upper body he does look a little uncomfortable, but he manages to hit that ball clear out to the fence. 

 Kyle is a natural. 

 Tyler could connect, but for some reason his balls didn't go as far at it sounded like they were going. 

 We think Kory should join the golf team.  He can hit those balls like a beast and enjoyed it.  He makes golf look easy.  We had a fun outing.  Good times.  Good times.   

Trey is 12!

Trey's birthday came at a crazy time...the last week of school.  But, he knew he wanted lava cake for his birthday.  He said this was the best cake he'd ever eaten. 

He knew exactly what he wanted.  Markers to practice he graffiti.  Trey loves graffiti--or art.  He's spent many hours drawing since his birthday.  We have had to have many talks about why you can't put stickers on street signs.  He still doesn't understand why just one is bad, but he's doing a good job obeying the rule.  I am amazed by his art. 
Trey is extremely fun to be around.  He always has a funny joke and isn't afraid to make people laugh.  He keeps us laughing everyday.  He loves video games, basketball, and drawing.  In some ways turning 12 was less climactic than normal as he started passing the sacrement back in January and went to the temple in March.  All I know is he is a pretty amazing kid and we are more than lucky to have him as part of our family!  Thanks for always making me laugh Trey!  I love you!!   

End of the school year

The end of the school year is always busy with final projects, papers and banquets and award ceremonies.  This year was no exception. 

Trey's musical performance.  He isn't sure he wants to be in choir, but I love that he is because he has a talent for singing!

Track Banquet.  Tyler and Kyle love their throwing coaches.  They are pretty awesome.  Coach Jo and Coach Charles.  They have both been a blessing to their lives.  

Kory earned the President's education Award for having over a 3.5 all through middle school.  

Kyle's art projects this year.  I love that he's taking art in school.  Both are amazing!  

This made us laugh.  If you know Makai this sentence pretty much explains him.  "I like my hands because they hold my food and my controller to play video games and also to draw."  

 We love your hands too Makai.