Mallory starts Kindergarten

Mallory started kindergarten yesterday!  If you had asked me a couple years ago I would have told you that Mallory would have a hard time.  I used to have to hurry & drop her off at preschool & not linger because she would cling to my leg.  But by her second year of preschool she all the sudden grew up.  And I am glad that she was so excited, it made it even more fun watching her.  She is in afternoon kindergarten & the wait just about killed her the last two days. 

 

Just waiting for Dad to get home & walk with us.  I love Sophie's smile here! Like she knows exactly what's going on and is so excited for her big sister.

The teachers came out & the kids lined up.  The girl behind Mal is Ella Smart - Mallory's 3rd cousin - who went to preschool with her and lives in the neighborhood. They get to be in the same class!

I thought this was so cute.  I wish it was a better shot.  Mal held Ella's hand while they were
in line and into the school.  When she saw this picture she said, "I held Ella's hand cuz
her's was scared to go inside."  I love the way my 5 year old talks.

First day of 1st grade

Conner was really excited for school! It seems so long when they are gone all day for the first time, but at least he isn't sad about leaving Mom.  Is that a good thing or not?

Conner and his cousin Libbie

Conner with two of his buddies - Cameron & Ryan

He came home & said school was "Awesome" but he was so hungry and thirsty.

First day of 8th, 6th & 4th grade

Yay! School time! I'm so excited to get back into the school routine.  This year I will have 1 middle schooler, 4 in elementary & 1 home.  Conner's first day of 1st grade will be tomorrow.  We got to meet with his teacher today, Mrs. Briggs, who taught Kelsey & Emma when they were in 1st.  I love getting teachers I know already, helps me get into the routine so much quicker.  Mallory will start on the 29th & gets to meet Mrs. Wright tomorrow.  Emma has a newer teacher to our school, Mr. Warren.  And Ashton has Mr. Langston, my favorite 4th grade teacher! (Kels had him & he's great).  

Look at my kids! They're getting so grown up!

 

 Emma & Ashton couldn't distance themselves from Jared & I fast enough!  Emma & her friends huddled to talk about feathers in their hair and clothes.  Ashton & his buds took a soccer ball out on the grass.

Adidas Cup Tournament

We've had two soccer tournaments so far.  The Sparta Cup I mentioned before wasn't so great - lost all 3 games.  The Adidas Cup was much different.  We won the first game 9-0, the second game 6-1, then 0-0 for the third.  This put us in the semi-final game on Saturday.  It was one of the most exciting, intense games I have ever seen any of my kids play.  The teams were very well matched & it was a close game, but we won 4-3.  Ashton was two of those four points, he was AWESOME during this game.  I couldn't stop smiling for about an hour afterwards.

Team huddle before the start of the first game.

He was taking the game very seriously & it payed off with two goals.  I wish I had taken a picture of him after his goals, with his arms out wide & a huge grin on his face.  But I was too busy clapping & hollering.  

The final game was between us and another Sparta team.  I don't know how that works out exactly, but whatever.  They were a younger team than us, so I was thinking we'd be able to pull it off.  But they had an excellent keeper and just handled the ball better than we did.  We lost 2-1.

Ashton got past their defense with the ball and everyone was yelling & screaming.  But their keeper stopped him.

The whole team & Coach Jay with their silver medals.  Good job boys!

It made for a long & hot Saturday.  I didn't have any sunscreen, so Jared, Ashton & I got fried.  Conner & Mallory didn't, weird.  It was a lot of fun and by the end of the day my throat was killing me from yelling so much. 

Misc Summer stuff.....

 A couple pictures of Kelsey from Oakcrest.  A snake?! She is braver than her Mom. 

 Sophie is so much fun right now - she is always making us laugh.  She babbles all the time.  She loves to say her brother's & sister's names over & over.  She's a little ball of fun, I can't imagine our family without her!

 Emma's friend Rylee (and our favorite neighbors!) had a bday in July - so we decorated her yard and left Justin Bieber on her front porch. =]

 Kelsey had fun with some "hair glue".  She was trying to look like a troll doll.

 Random pics of Sophie that the kids have taken.  The one above Emma took.  That's Sophie's new cheezy grin she likes to give us.  Below - Ashton must have taken this on a trip to Sweet Tomatoes.

Team Sparta

Finally - games!  Ashton has been practicing hard all summer with his Sparta team, sometimes 4 times a week.  This week was the Sparta Cup Tournament out in West Jordan.  We were scheduled for 3 games that if we won we'd go on for more, but sadly they lost.  All 3 of them.   They played teams that have already had a full season behind them, and our team is still learning to play as a team.  But they played hard in that yucky heat!  We have more tournaments coming up, one next week, and then the season begins!

Warming up

Ashton is #1, for real

We have the Adidas Cup next week out at the same West Jordan complex.  If anyone wants to go to a game, Ashton would love it.  The games are later in the day, so hopefully it won't be so hot for them.  He has a good team and a great coach.  We're excited to see what the season will bring!

Jamie's Surprise 30th

I knew the big 3-0 was coming up for Jamie on July 27th, so the first week of July I told Jason if he wanted to have a surprise party for her I'd help him.  Jason got decorations, balloons, took care of someone bringing cake, reserving the park, etc.  What a good husband!  And I have one of those too, as Jared did all the grocery shopping, minus the rolls which Monica helped us out with (Thanks Monica!).  Jason told everyone 6:00 & they'd come by at 6:30 - so we got there early & set up.  It was small, and perfect!  

From L to R: Emma, Rylee W, Rylee B, Kels & Lexi

Ashton was totally happy with sitting by himself at the "boys" table.

Will LOVED the balloons.

The Goof Troop =]     Love these people!

Kelsey, Rylee & Rylee

Again, Will + balloons = happy kid

Sophie is taking off with Will's sippy

The kids took their cake & ice cream out to the grass.

 What a helper!  Lexi is so expressive....

Can't have a party without a good game of Red Rover.  The kids could have done this all night.