Pentatonix!

About a week ago I saw that Pentatonix was coming to Houston and last minute decided to buy tickets. Normally I would find reasons not to go...it was late...on a school night...outside in the heat...etc. I knew Ella and Channing really like them and decided to ask a few friends to join and we made it happen! We are running out of time with Ella and I want to make as many memories as I can! They played at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and it actually wasn't too bad with the heat!

I love spending time with my girls! We just got lawn seats, but they ended up being perfect because we had more air flow and weren't hot/sweaty squished next to someone. 

Ella brought two of her close friends, Addy and Katelyn. 

Channing had fun dancing with Jane. 

Lauren Alaina opened for them and I really like her. 

My friend Leah drove down with me. 

It was a fun night and memory and I'm glad we went!

A Runner In The Making!

I was thrilled a few weeks ago when Channing told me that she had decided to try running Cross Country at school. She didn't make the volleyball team as they were all required to try out and she didn't want to wait in off season until soccer started at the school, so she joined the Cross Country team! I was so happy that she was willing to try it! I just love running so much and was glad she wanted to share and at least experience a little piece of my world. 

I've always made my kids run in the summers with me, so I knew she could run the 2 miles they race. She is a steady runner and pretty good at pacing. She however is not competitive at all! Haha. She's too sweet and just wants everyone to do their best! I'm hoping I can help her learn to at least to push herself and do her very best. Not to beat others, but to feel good about her own performance. 

Her first meet was at Summercreek High School. She placed 26th out of about 70 girls. It was very hot, but she did great. 

She is all about friends and loves running with her friends. 

I look forward to watching her progress and improve each race. 

Our Musician

Ella has always loved music. Her endorsement in high school is a fine arts endorsement, so many of her credits are tailored for that. She decided to rejoin orchestra this summer. She had decided at the end of last school year to focus on just Varsity choir her senior year, but then when a new orchestra director was hired, she felt like she really needed to finish out her school years in orchestra and rejoined. She was placed in the highest orchestra, Chamber, and has been a little worried about how to manage both, but has done well so far. I love her passion for music and her time and talent she puts into it. 

Her first choir concert. She is in Acapella and in the Madrigals choir. 

All the choir seniors! I can't believe this is her senior year!

Her best friends are in choir with her which she loves. 

She participated in a 9-11 ceremony and sang with the choir and then walked over to play in the orchestra. 

I hope she continues to love to share her gift and love of music her whole life. 

Football is Life!

Cavin started another year of high school football. He is the kicker still and enjoys being a part of a very high ranked team. He literally spends about 6 hours at practice everyday and dedicates a lot of time to the football team. I like that he likes playing, but I do not love how much of his life is spent on the football field and away from family and other worthwhile things. He does all his responsibilities at church and school, so for now, football will stay his life!

They took his football "mug" shots!

He is playing on the Junior Varsity Blue team as their starting kicker and then he also has to go to the Varsity games each week to be their backup kicker. 

He is getting more and more experience which will help him improve. 

He was pretty nervous about his first Varsity game. As a sophomore not many kids get to be on the Varsity team. His first Varsity game he had to dress out for he only found out two hours before and he was so frazzled/nervous he forgot his cleats in the locker room ;) Thankfully his dad saved the day and brought him his old ones. 

There is something so different and exciting about a Friday night lights game in Texas! It's a big deal here. Instead of playing for 400-500 kids in a smaller stadium, He is playing in front of 10,000.

We were happy to come support. 

I pray he continues to learn to work hard and progress. I hope it is a positive experience for him and he can learn a lot of life skills. We will continue to be on the sidelines cheering him on at football and in life. Go Eagles!

Date With Dad

Each year for my dad's birthday I choose an outing we haven't done and we go together to try it out. This year I bought him an axe throwing outing. I have been told it's fun and not too hard to learn, so we went to Woodlands Axe and gave it a try!  

We got the hang of it fairly quickly and had fun playing several of the games they had outlined on the board. 

We did tic tac toe, battleship, darts, zombie shot, and a couple others. 

It was a fun outing and I enjoy making these memories with my dad! 

Afterward we went to get dinner and he came to support Cavin in a football game just down the street. He deserves father/grandpa of the year for sitting outside in over 100 degree weather. It was so hot!

I'm grateful that my dad lives pretty close and we have the chance to make these memories together. 

School Year 2023-2024

We are sad to see the summer come and go. The kids began a new school year on Wednesday, August 9th. They were ready to start and thankfully they tolerate school fine enough, so they don't mind. 

Ella began her Senior year at Atascocita High School :'( She is doing two varsity choirs, Acapella Choir & Madrigals. She also is in the top Chamber orchestra, so she has three periods of music in a row!! That's a lot of music! She loves it though. The rest of her classes are all AP classes, so she has a full schedule! Music is where she shines, so I am excited to see her progress this year! She and Cavin both attend early morning seminary at 5:50 with our church, so they are gone all day!

Cavin began his Sophomore year at Atascocita High School. He is doing football for Fall semester and also is in the second highest orchestra. He and Ella both play the cello. He spends literally 6 hours at football practice! It is ridiculous! He loves it though. He is taking all AP classes as well and is a very bright kid!

Channing just makes everyone smile! She is the sweetest! She began 7th grade at Timberwood Middle School. She is doing athletics and is trying out for all the sports. She also is in the varsity choir and loves to sing. She is in the STEAM academy at school and is in all advanced classes. She loves being at school and being with friends all day! 

Deacon began his 4th grade year at Eagle Springs Elementary! His teacher is Mrs. Edwards. He is a smart kid and loves math. He doesn't have any friends in his class this year, but got a great teacher, and loves to see everyone together at recess where they play soccer. He lives for recess everyday! 

I am so grateful we have bright, driven, motivated children. They work hard at school and succeed and we are so proud of them! I pray they can be a light to those around them and influence their friends for good. 

A Visit From Oma and Opa!

This past week Hellmut and Ursula came to Texas to spend a few days with us. They came here last year also for Deacon's birthday, and unfortunately it is the hottest time to be in Texas so it is limited on what we can do!

We played lots of card games and taught them "Trash"

We went to the temple to do baptisms with the kids. 

We went bowling.

Surprisingly, we sat outside many evenings and didn't melt!

For Deacon's birthday since it was Sunday, we celebrated on Saturday and went to play foot golf. 

It was hot, even how early we went!

He also chose Culvers for dinner!

Deacon's 9th Birthday we celebrated with donuts, games, church, dinner, water balloons, and family!

Deacon and his grandpa!

An after church picture. Cavin spoke on his birthday for sacrament today and did a great job! He also spoke the exact same day at his baptism last year!

He got a ping pong table, a banana chair, switch remote, beanie boo, reusable water balloons, and a wiffle ball set. 

Channing made his cake and made it a switch remote in his favorite color. 

The kids played a game with all the balloons my parents brought over. 

I'm grateful he has the support of both grandparents! 

When they left the kids played outside with the water balloons! 

Deacon still loves all things related to sports. His favorite color is still red and goldfish is still his favorite snack. He still loves soccer best. He says bozo a lot and always jokes he's going to "rage quit" when he's losing a card game with the family ;) He wakes up first thing in the morning to ESPN and wants to watch sports all day. If he's not playing them, he wants to be watching other people play them! He loves math and still hates anything to do with arts/crafts. He grew 4.5 inches this year and gained 30 pounds! He is growing and is still a sweet kid!

We had a nice time with Ragnar's parents and are grateful that they take the time to visit.