BYU

I could of had a really cute picture of my college freshman this morning...

but it was deleted off my camera before I could even look at it!

So this post is without a photo :( Emily...do you feel just a little guilty?!

I dropped Emily off near her first class today in the parking lot of the ASB and I hope she ended up finding the JKB for her Latin class. Unlike myself as a freshman, she actually knows someone in her first class and she knows her Latin teacher (who actually dined in our home yesterday).

She will undoubtedly wait in long lines at the bookstore and scope out the best place to park and feel like the sidewalks throughout campus are as crowded as the streets of Manhattan.

In the meantime I will try not to annoy her with my musings on how can it be my child is in college... at BYU?

In other news, I made a really hard decision this past weekend to give up my part time gig at the elementary school. I absolutely loved working with the students and running into Julia in the hallways. However, with now only 2 classes to complete at BYU to finally graduate, I decided it's time to focus full-time on finishing once and for all. There are some days I really wish I didn't care about finishing, but there's always been a burning desire and nagging feeling that I need to do it. It will be no small feat if I can get through my last and hardest classes--prayers at this point are greatly appreciated!

Pre Region Cross Country

The first day of school kicked off the Cross Country season in Orem with a pre region meet.

The whole family came to support Hilary and Hannah and I must say these meets are the best!

They are not too long and it's like no other sporting event I've watched because you literally move from one area of the course to the next to cheer your runners to the finish line.

A favorite after a race... chocolate milk.

Discussing their first race...

I had to add this picture (even though I'm sure Hannah won't like it) because we were all at the finish line screaming for her and this poor Lehi runner didn't see Hannah on her heels until someone from her team yelled to her. They ran elbow to elbow and Hannah crossed just before her. The Lehi runner was miffed!

Hilary set a "PR" or personal record. She kept a great pace the entire course.

I'm so proud of these two keeping up with all the running. They have a big team this year and it is a fabulous group of girls and boys.

10th Grade

Yesterday was the first day of school for these two,

and we all woke up to the power in our neighborhood and surrounding area being out.

No flat irons or curling irons could be used and flashlights and lanterns were employed to get ready. I couldn't even make waffles like I'd planned.

So this morning as Hannah and Hilary were dashing out the door to catch their ride I snapped quick pictures. I'm always amazed at how much all the girls change from beginning to end of the school year.

Belated Congrats!

Julia came home today with an award from last May that she never received.

In 4th grade she wrote an essay about an influential pioneer. She choose to write about the person she is named after... Julia Josephine Snow. Julia Josephine crossed the plains with the handcarts and later married Apostle Erastus Snow. She is buried in St. George, Utah.

Well, the Sons of the Utah Pioneers awarded her for her essay... now I need to comb through last year's stuff to find the actual essay and reread it!

Congrats Julia Jo!

5th Grade

Julia is officially a 5th Grader!

She was so excited for school today-- she loves pretty much everything about it--except maybe the homework.

As she jumped out of the car this morning I heard squeals of delight as she and her best friend found each other to walk into class together. So cute!

On a sad note... (click the picture to enlarge)

Notice the very unhappy looking dog in the window. Scout sensed something was different this morning and has pouted on a bench since Julia left for school.

I know Julia is going to have a fantastic fifth grade year!

Kaui

We're home from our week long escape from everything...

just Dan and I...

and it was the best!

It was our first visit to the island of Kaui and it didn't disappoint.

We hiked, snorkeled, swam, read, consumed insane amounts of Hula pie, slept and did anything else we felt like doing whenever we wanted.

Loved the hike to a remote beach you can only access by foot or boat...

My only regret was not lugging my camera with me..

I opted for one of the point and shoot camera's lying around the house and it proved to be fickle. Thus our photos are sparse...I won't make that mistake again!

The girls were awesome and so responsible while we were gone.

While we loved the beauty and diversity of Kaui, I think we still prefer Maui just a little more. I"m not sure if we can even pinpoint exactly why. Having said that though, the trip was a welcome break and so much fun!

Waimea Canyon

One More Time

Summer vacation is starting to wind down...

I'm in need of doing a few things just one more time before school starts...

Like running sand between my toes...
Lying on the beach with a good book...
Exploring a new place...


Are we there yet?