Summer days slipping away. . .

 I helped out with school registration on the 4th and fifth, then again on the 12th. Since I have admin access to the school site and have knowledge about the papers parents are signing for the library, computers, etc. it just makes sense that I'm there. It makes for long days of talking with parents and students, but mostly I don't mind. I've been in a lot the last few weeks getting everything set up for the whole school in the library, computers, and trying to make a class from scratch with very little perimeters. I'm trying my best, and hope that I can do all that I can for these kids this year.  

We got all of the kids registered last week. Alice will have a new to teaching (but has been the sped director for the school) this year. Mr. Fisher. She was pretty shy with him during back to school night, but I'm sure she'll warm up as the school year starts. Pete got his schedule and while he isn't enthused to be back to school he's ready to be among friends again. He'll have Finance and Computer coding as his electives this semester this year and he'll be starting Spanish. Kendal had to tweak her schedule, but she's ok with it now. Her electives include Seminary, Library Aid, a piano seminar class, and Spanish 2. She wishes she had more classes with friends, but it's not always easy when she's in advanced math and honors English. Kendal will finish her college credit P.E. class this week. She's not thrilled her final overlaps school starting, but she's done a great job and is glad to get the P.E. credit out of the way. 

Last weekend we got to go to Raft River for a couple of days to hang out with family! Mia was in town with the kids so we all got together. We did a lot of games (indoor and outdoor) throughout the day on Saturday. The kids had so much fun spending time together and it was so good to catch up with everyone. We let the kids play night games in the dark and it was a hoot to hear them out and about hiding and finding each other. We went to church with Kenny and Cheryl on Sunday and put the kids in groups so they would attend primary and YM/YW together. We stayed into the evening letting the kids continue to play and bond and then came home because I had a library meeting the next morning. 

The kids are definitely filling their days with friends. Pete is with Austin as much as he can be and even got to go over to Ryder and Gunner's house for an evening with Alice in tow to play with their sisters. Alice has found a neighbor buddy that brings her little brother over and they've played quite a bit (unfortunately she's just a temporary neighbor while they're building elsewhere, but it's great for now). Kendal fits in friend time as much as she can. She worked at the Jerome county fair for a few days last week with her friend Alycin and her Mom. She also goes over to friends  or goes out with friends a couple nights a week or an afternoon here or there. 

Last week was an "off" week for cross country. Meaning they had no official practices with the team. Pete went out to run for quite a few days with a little posy from the team, or just with Austin. Kendal ran the whole week on her own and their new team captain held a girls run on that Friday then put on a breakfast for them afterwards. This week was Kendal's official start to her season. She went to a camp up at Magic Mountain with her team for most of the day on Thursday. I love that her team does this, it's such a bonding experience for them all! She'll have her first meet the second week of school. Pete was back to a couple of team runs this week (one being a longer harder run that ended with a team breakfast). His official first day of cross country is tomorrow at 7 am and will have his first meet early in September. 

We've got in appointments before school started. Casey and I got in our physicals, and the girls got in a trip to the dentist this last week. Casey and I "officially" started work on Friday, but as I said I've been back for a few weeks and Casey's been in a handful of times as well to put his room back together and get things organized for his year. 

Yesterday was the 5th annual kids triathlon. It was the first year we successfully got Alice to do all three events without a fuss. Kendal was the only girl with five boys in her category so while she didn't come in first she did a great job (but was not happy that she had to rush home between things to get ready and look cute for her cross country pictures). Peter did great, but came in second to Tayven this year. Alice did a great job and even though her running still needs help (and a lot less complaining) she finished and was proud of her work! We ended our last weekend of summer with a back to school cook out and movie night with a bunch of friends. The Dansie's are awesome and host this every year and it's such a fun tradition before school starts. 

Kendal played 'We Thank Thee O God, for a Prophet' today in church. It was a beautiful song and I'm proud of her working through her nerves to play in front of the whole ward. 

We officially start school on Tuesday. Ready or not here we come for the 2025 / 2026 school year! 

And just because . . . This cutie still steals my phone to take pictures on the regular. ; )

Rolling into August

Casey took Kendal and Pete hike to independence lakes on the 22nd. They joined up with Brett, Vanessa, and their crew for the day. The round trip was just over 7 miles, but the end of the first part was very steep and uphill. Once at the lakes they had lunch and fished for a couple of hours before heading back. Alice and I did a bit of shopping in town and got to hang out for the day together! 

It was weird not being in Utah this year for the 24th. It's just another day here in Idaho so we had our normal day. Pete and Kendal had their morning run with the cross x team, I went on a walk in the morning with Shaylah and then we brought the boys back from cross x since they were done before the high school. Casey took Alice and Pete to see the movie How to Train Your Dragon at the theaters. Kendal hung out with her friends that day as well. 

On the 25th I took Pete and Alice to Nat So Pa to swim with the Dansie crew, while Kendal went to hang out with Alycin that afternoon instead.  

Casey and I were on the committee to put together and run the Stake Pioneer activity. It was a lot of coordinating and picking up things leading up to the event. We went to set up a couple hours early and ended up helping serve food since there wasn't enough volunteers. After we finished serving food we went over and ran the foam machine for the kids to play in. We let Kendal take the other two home while we cleaned up and are grateful it's over. 

 

We decided to take the kids to Roaring Springs this past Monday. Kendal and Pete went to run with cross x that morning so we headed to Boise when they got back. We made it in time to have an early lunch then went in to the park. Kendal's good friend Netta was there so she found her early on to go enjoy the park. Casey and I took Alice and Pete on the rest of the rides / attractions. From the slides to the lazy rivers we did it all! Afterwards we went over to Wahoos and used the get out pass to do a couple of attractions. The kids chose the lazer obstacle room, but were pretty disappointed in their choice after when they saw mom and dad's choice to do the go karts. 

I've been back to work for a good part of the week getting things prepped for the library and the new school year. Casey went in a couple of times to help me, but mostly helped with the kids to do's / happenings at home. We've caught up 

Kendal got to put together a surprise party for Netta's upcoming birthday and they went out on Wednesday to Box Canyon for a hike, swim, and picnic. They had a great day together! 

Pete got to go to Nat So Pa for Young Men's last week and then his leader took them boating this week. Pete had a blast at both! 

Couple of extra pics (Kendal took one of the boys one morning after there run, and just hanging out last Sunday).