Soccer Camp

Courtney is playing soccer again so the Dixie State soccer teams combined with the league to do a Saturday, one hour camp for the kids. Courtney was really excited and had a great time! The players made it really fun for them and they went over skills and drills.

Summer Party

We had our law firm summer party for the families. We combined with another law firm so there would be more people. It worked out really well. We went to Veyo and had it catered by Dickeys BBQ. The kids fished for crawdads (Ethan won for the largest Crawdad!), ate dinner then we played Bingo and swam. Everyone had a great time and it was fun to plan.

She is 9!!!

Courtney actual birthday was a bit anticlimactic because it was a busy day. But she got her birthday breakfast (not in bed) and they she opened her presents. Ethan gave her hair extensions for her American girl doll and we gave her clothes for her doll.

We also gave her nail wraps and so we had to do them before school so she would look pretty!

Her teacher was great and let me bring treats in for her class at the end of the day. They sang happy birthday to her and made such a big deal about it. She was in heaven.

Bryan bought her flowers, which she loved!!

Then her package from Grandma and Grandpa Pack came. She got an American Girl doll and a puppy for the doll. She loved it and was so happy.

The next day out neighbor brought over a huge water cup filled with Mike and Ike's for her. So Courtney had a great birthday!!

First day of school

Getting up early was rough but they did it! At 7:25 Ethan was off with a group of friends biking to Lava Ridge Intermediate.

I can't believe he is in 7th grade!

Then at 8:45 it was time to take Courtney to Santa Clara Elementary to school. She was so ready for 4th grade.

They both had a great day! Ethan said it was boring because teachers just go over the rules all day long but Courtney loved it.

We had a lot of disclosures to sign for Ethan Monday night. He tried to do them quicker by signing at the same time I did.

It was a successful first day.

Family Party

We had Courtney's family party on Sunday so everyone could be there. We also celebrated my moms birthday at the same time.  We had dinner and them cake. Then they opened presents. Courtney had made a PowerPoint presentation telling why she needed a Nook. It had worked for Ethan so she decided to try it. She got a Nook! Spoiled!!

She also got a book and a tent. She was in heaven!

She was told not to sleep in the tent that night but he did anyway. 

It doesn't fit!

Ethan was goofing around and put on the vest that Grandma Pack made for him to wear at Lisa's wedding 6 years ago! 

I don't think it really fits!

Courtney had to help him get it off.

Friend Birthday Party

Courtney didn't want school schedules to mess up her birthday party so we had it on Saturday. She just wanted a few friends and to play Just Dance Wii and watch a movie. I was all for that because it was easy!

She invited 3 guests and we had a pasta bar for dinner. They then played Just Dance and had a blast!

 Then we had mud pie for her birthday dessert and she opened presents.

Then they watched an American Girl doll movie while snacking on popcorn and dancing around. It was a fun party and they had a great time.

Bumbles

There is a new kids only salon in town called Bumbles. Courney needed a haircut before school started and it was the last Saturday so we decided to try them out. It was such a fun place and they did a good job. Courtney felt so grown up. They do haircuts, updos and mani-pedis. When they finished her cut they sprayed the ends of her hair neon green (it washed out) so she loved the place.

Her hair matched her shirt!

Teacher Mix Up

We went to the elementary to pay fees an find out who Courtney's teacher was going to be. We it in line, paid fees, talked to the new orchestra teacher and then went to the teacher assignment table. The teacher there was looking through the lists and then turned to is and asked if Courtney was in 2nd grade. We told her she was going into 4th and we were told that Courtney wasn't on any teacher lists. Courtney looked at me and asked "Does that mean I don't have to go to school?" I laughed and we went to did the principal. 

The principal was embarrassed that Courtney had been skipped and told me she would call me later when she had had time to look at class numbers.

She called the next day and told me I could choose whatever teacher I wanted. So we choose Mr Jackson who is a new teacher at the school but I had met him and he was very impressive. Courtney is really excited! And she loves that she has a story to tell.

Simister party

On the last Friday before school began the orthodontist gave a swim party for his customer appreciation. The kids were so excited because last year it was so much fun. This year wasn't as much fun but we still had dinner and got to swim.

The kids won light up mouth guards.

The Hurricane Pool

The kids had a swim meet last week at the Hurricane City Pool. They loves the pool and wanted to come back. It is about a 35 minute drive but we decided to bring friends and have a last hurrah before school starts. The reason the kids love it is because it has a high dive. They have spent almost the entire time on the diving boards and they usually are he only ones on there. It has been so fun!

I thought Courtney would be afraid of going off but she didn't hesitate at all. 

Kyle, Ethan and Brennon

Courtney and McKaye:

Swim Team Party

On Wednesday night they had a party for the swim team and their families. We were asked to bring a desert and they provided hotdogs. It was a lot of fun to swim in the college pool. 

There is an extended season but life is too busy with piano, dance, scouts, activity days and homework. But I am looking forward to next season!

Fast Trip to California

When the swim meet was over at noon, we loaded in the van and drove to California.  My cousin Kristina had a baby and we wanted to be at the baby blessing.  It was great to see everyone.  We stayed at my cousin Kevin's house with his sister's family, his brother's family, his family and my parents.  It was a large house.  We showered and then went to bed.

Sunday morning we got ready to, waited around and then went to Church (we were up really early).  Mark gave Sydney a beautiful blessing.  Then we took pictures and went to the park for a luncheon.  

Then we drove home.  Quick trip!

Last Swim Meet of the Season

The kids had their last swim meet on Saturday.  It is kind of sad because it has been a lot of fun.  We were going to California Saturday afternoon so they only got to do the morning events.  But they did a great job.

Here is Courtney's freestyle relay leg.  Her team got 3rd place.

Here is Ethan's freestyle relay leg. His team got 3rd place.

Here is Courtney's butterfly.  She got 2nd.

Here is Ethan's butterfly.  He got 9th.

Here is Courtney's back stroke.  She got 2nd.

Here is Ethan's back stroke.  He got 9th.

Here is Courtney's breast stroke.  She got 4th.

Here is Ethan's breast stroke.  He got 14th.

They had fun! And the Hurricane City Pool has a high dive so we are going back just to swim.

Pioneer Day

The Relief Society was in charge of the Ward's float for the 24th of July parade in Ivins.  I knew I was going to be gone and I have new counselors so I tried to do it as simple as I could.  I asked the sisters in the ward to send me the names of their pioneer ancestors who were women.  There is a couple in the ward who do vinyl signs and embroidery.  They called to ask if they could do the sign for me and I gladly said yes!  So I gathered names and sent them to the couple while I was on vacation.  A man in the ward offered to let us use his trailer and another man offered to pull it for us.  I asked for volunteers of women who would be willing to dress up in pioneer clothes and ride it.

This is how it all turned out.  It was super easy and I think it went well.

There were 7 of us (including Courtney) who rode on the float and threw candy.  It was a quick and easy parade!

Martin Harris Farm, Alvin's Grave, Sacred Grove Visitors Center, Niagara Falls and Flight Home

Since it was our last day and our flight was in the late afternoon we decided to hit a few more sights before we flew out.  We took Andrew and Jessica with us in Bryan's parent's rented van.  The car situation got crazy at the end but it all worked out.

We drove to the Temple to look around.  It was small but really pretty.  There was a path that we followed for quite a ways but we aren't sure where it comes out so we turned around.

 We went to the Martin Harris home which you can't tour but you can look around outside.

We went to see Alvin's grave.  The antique white stone is the original marker.

Then we began the long drive to Niagara Falls.  It was a pretty expensive disappointment but the kids can now say they have been there.

Then we drove to the Rochester Airport and met up with everyone.  Julie was there so she drove Lisa and Mike's van back with Brooke.  John, Shelley, Great-Grandpa Pack, Jessica, Andrew and our family were all on the same flight to Chicago.

Great-Grandpa Pack gave Ethan $20 to spend on things for the group as we waited for our plane to arrive.  (The plane was late, as per the usual for the vacation.)  Ethan bought gum, mini snickers, wheat thins, mints and red vines.  He had 20 cents left over that he donated to charity.

John was trying to figure out how to get us all on seats next to each other.  He and Bryan were trying to get it all figured out.  After a long discussion they thought they had it figured out except they probably couldn't get Jessica and Andrew close to us.  But they didn't mind because they wanted alone time. ;)

It actually worked!  Ethan sat by Grandpa and Great-Grandpa Pack and LOVED it! Did you know you can ask for the can of pop and they will give it to you?  Ethan thought he had died and gone to heaven.  Courtney sat by Grandma and talked her ear off the entire time.

When we got to Chicago we all had to separate and go to different planes.  We watched as our plane pulled out and we were the last of the Pack Clan to leave the airport.  Such is our life.

When we finally got to Las Vegas the kids were pretty tired.  And then we had the drive home.  We were happy to see our beds again but we had a great trip!

Church and the Whitmore Farm

Lisa and Mike go to Church at the Whitmore farm.  That was cool because the building was really nice!  Someone took a family photo of us all but I don't have a copy.  I will have to work on getting that so you can see everyone.

Here's Courtney:

 Ethan just sitting on the fence:

 The outhouse!

 Upstairs in the house (the kids were really tired by this point in the vacation):

 Goofing off.  I can roll my tongue I just didn't know she was rolling hers.

There were interactive games in the visitors center that the kids had a lot of fun  playing on.

Then we went back and hung out at the lake house, ate lasagna and tried to get things clean so they all could check out the next day.

Ethan and I had to get our Tyler cuddles.  He is such a smiley baby!