Can't believe my baby is in 8th grade

 I thought today was picture day (it turned out they didn't have it, probably due to covid) but Cruz looked so cute this morning.  

Grammy turns 79!

 We had a small social distance birthday get together for Grammy last night to celebrate her 79th birthday. She is the greatest. So fun and easy to be around and she is looking great for 79.  I love her so much. She is my rock!  Happy birthday mama!!

after she blew out the candles she realized that probably wasn't covid safe.  It is such a strange time and so hard to break so many habits and traditions.  

First Day of School AUGUST 24th, 2020

 CRUZ- Our 8th grader!!!

New shoes and new backpack

So cute!

Can't believe it is last year at Albion. Lets hope he can go a full school year!

 Lexi's teacher is new to the school this year.  Her name is Ms. Felt.  Lexi has her in the morning and then she goes into Mrs. Hekkings class (unfortunately Ms. Felt is only a part time teacher).  All the kids have an assigned spot to stand in line.  

Lexi was up early and excited and nervous about her first day. I can't believe my baby is in the 3rd grade.  The 3rd grade is known to do a big play "School House Rocks" but she is kinda excited if it doesn't happen!

Alegra was moved classes 2 weeks ago because her teacher is going to be the online teacher.  She got moved to Mrs. Zisakis class

Bella, Alegra, and Sidney -cute little friends!

The Pink Boutique

 

The girls set up the Pink Boutique yesterday and had fun doing each others hair, Sue Ramptons hair, and my hair and makeup.  For some reason the pictures loaded backwards.  I love when they are creative!

I love how Alegra spelled "boutice" 

Getting Ready for School

 

Cruz had a bunch of friends over on Friday night and we ended up feeding them all burgers. I do like when they hang out at our house, but we are going to break the bank if we have to feed them all the time!:)

Lexi did her "get to know you" tissue box each of the kids completed when they were in the 3rd grade.  She was super excited!!!!

Girls played together!

 On Saturday Lexi's team didn't have enough players so Coach Jim asked if Alegra could play.  Lexi's team is in the U11 division, which means players have to be under 11, which Alegra is, so it worked out. Alegra wasn't too happy about playing but I LOVE seeing the girls out on the field together.  

Alegra has had a great week.  Last night her team voted on permanent captains and she was nominated as one for the season. She is super excited about that.  Also, Alegra had her first student council meeting this morning. She is very excited about that this school year as well.  Crossing our fingers school will go on with all this COVID business.  

The only thing she said this morning that made me think it is definitely time to go back to school is that Should take the picture with this other side showing because her teeth look more normal.  She has been watching too much you tube during this time off.  I hope she can be a strong confident girl and not get sucked into the vanity the world says is so important.  

CUTE GIRLS READY TO GO INTO THE BUILDING!!!

15th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

 Both Shawn and I have been very busy-Shawn with work and me with the house and getting the kids ready to go back to school.  We took a quick break ALONE, TOGETHER tonight to do a short hike up at Brighton -up to Mary's Lake.  It was actually perfect.  Our days have been crazy lately and I have been getting tired so it wasn't a crazy hard hike, just nice to be together.  Then we drove down to the valley and grab tacos and a burrito at LoneStar. Shawn had thought to bring the camping table and chairs and we set out in a parking lot enjoying dinner.  Such a nice night .......and it is crazy to think 15 years!!!!

Super dark but hopefully you get the idea!

Daddy Daughter Camping Trip

 

Lexi surprised Shawn with bringing the cribbage board on their camping trip.  It was a pretty quick camping trip but Lexi came home SOOOO Happy!!!  They went up after work on Monday (they had reserved the spot Sunday night) hiked, cooked dinner, and hung out and then were home by 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday. They hiked, played cribbage and solitaire and cooked breakfast in the morning.  Such a great memory for the both of them!!

dogs days of summer

 This week is our last official week of summer break 2020.  With COVID it has definitely been a different summer. No lagoon (actually I did let Cruz go with his friends once), no public pool, no bbq with friends, etc.  BUT we have had a great summer. We have spent time in Idaho, on the boat, paddleboarded at East Canyon Reservoir, played lots of soccer, soccer tournaments, badminton, movie nights, spent time reading books together, and more.  I wish I would have spent a little more time in the kitchen with the kids teaching them how to cook as that was one of my goals with them, but overall I think it was a great summer.  Yes, it didn't exactly look like summers of past, but I feel like we made the most of it.  

Cruz and I had the night to ourselves last night.  I took Alegra up to Esme's house to have a sleep over and Lexi and Shawn went up to Albion Basin to camp.  We all had a good time!

Alegra and Esme, so glad they are friends!

Yesterday Lexi was kinda sad because she couldn't go to Esme's pool because Shawn and her were leaving to go camping.  She was excited today because Stacey made time for us to go to the pool with them when I picked up Alegra this afternoon.  

3 v 3 tournament

 5 players from Alegra's team entered the 3 vs. 3 tournament that was held in Sandy this Saturday at Falcon Park.  I thought it would be a good experience for Alegra.  The teams that had entered her division were really good 2009 girls teams.  There weren't enough teams in her age category to form like an A and B group, they just grouped them all together, so it made for a challenging day.  Her little team ended up playing 5 - 30 minute games.  They lost all of them.  They definitely looked better as the day wore on. But between heat, and worn out, it ended up not being a super great experience.  The 3 vs. 3 rules are a bit different and I think if the girls had prepared a bit better it could have been better, but they did verse really good little soccer players.  I just tried to tell Alegra all these experiences are helping her improve and grow!!  Hopefully that part sinks in and that's what she will remember!

Pool time

 On Friday the girls were REALLY wanting to go swim.  I asked the Larsens if we could come use their pool. I have asking but with COVID this summer we haven't been doing public pools so I decided to ask.  Michelle was great about letting us come and swim, which was so nice of her.  I even talked Andrew and Cruz to come swim too with us.  Great way to beat the heat!!!

I videoed the girls doing a ton of dances but I didn't get good still shots of them.  You can see them in the back of this picture  :).  

Lifelong friend

 

Last weekend I went to Heather's daughter's wedding.  Her family stayed for the week after to vacation and hang out. On Friday morning we were able to meet up early (6:30 a.m.) and hike Bloods Lake.  I had never hiked it and it was so pretty.  I was also able to bring Olive on this hike, and I love that.   We saw this big bull moose at the lake. The nice thing about starting early was that it was cool and there weren't a ton of people yet.  I love getting to spend time with Heather.  We don't talk a ton on the phone but when we get together, it's like no time has passed.  I am so grateful for her friendship.  She is such a positive force for good in my life, and I love her for that.