Happy Birthday Ashton!

Ashton turned ten years old yesterday! We celebrated on Sunday too, so Ashton got double the fun.  

 Ashton got two new Legos- the "Knight Bus" from Harry Potter and a new Star Wars ship.  He also got a new Nerf gun from Mom & Dad, and one from the Bergmans. (Thanks Seth & Monica!) One of his favorite things this year is his HexBugs. 

 Same as last year - he wanted a carrot cake.  This time we put homemade whipped topping on & caramel.

 Grandma brought over cupcakes & presents after school. He loves the Hex Bugs they got him.

We decided to take the kids to 'Planet Play' in Draper for dinner & of course, to play.  We had a gift card we were given at Christmas that we still hadn't used.  It used to be 'Incredible Pizza' & we took the kids there probably about a year ago.  We hadn't been since it changed, and Jared and I were not impressed.  But the kids had fun and it was great to be out doing something as a family. =]

Sophie played on the little slide all night, she loved it.

Ashton & Conner on one of those virtual roller coaster things. 

Ashton is a great kid.  We are so glad he's in our family.

Grandma Campout

My Mom has made it a tradition to take the older kids camping every summer.  It's something my kids very much look forward to, and start asking at the beginning of summer when they are "going camping with Grandma".  Mom reserved a spot on Wednesday, just to be sure to get a good spot with the busy holiday.  She picked the kids up Friday right after school.  My kids absolutely love it.  They love camping, love being with Grandma and some of their favorite cousins.  I'm sure s'mores are an added bonus too.

Showing "Five" for five years of camping.

The whole group minus Grandma.  My kids loved having Matt & Beka there to tell stories.  There are a lot of grandkids - when they are all old enough Mom is going to have to go in shifts.  Or take a bus. =]

THANKS MOM! 

Conner is SEVEN!

Conner turned 7 years old on Friday, the 2nd.  He was so distracted with the start of school and soccer that when his bday was a couple days away and I told him that he looked at me and said, "Really?"  We let him open his bday gifts before school, which made him not want to go to school.  But he did get to take treats to share with his class.  

 Conner got some LEGO city trucks, a new Nerf gun and some Star Wars "Gallactic Hero" toys.

What more could a boy want??

 Grandma Linda was waiting for him after school with cake & presents. Then his Uncle Tyler took him to McDonald's.  Tyler took Mal too.  Tyler quietly asked Conner if it was ok if Mal came too, and Conner said, "Well, since it's my birthday I want to be nice. So she can come."  I wish he would decide to be nice to Mallory more often.  Oil & water, those two.

 Tonight we had Bergman's & Whetman's over for a Labor Day/Conner's bday bbq and we finally sang happy birthday to Conner & he got to blow out some candles.  

I sure do love this kid!!

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.