Diving Fun

I thought I'd better catch up on a few things that some of my kids are involved in. Steven, Dustin, Kourtney and our exchange student, Henrique, are all involved in Swim and Dive right now. Henrique is swimming (and he's really good), and Steven, Dustin and Kourtney are all three diving. Steven has placed 1st in Dive in all of the meets so far, and Kourtney has placed 4th on average, which we think is great, considering she just started diving about 4 weeks ago. Dustin, unfortunately, has been inelligable to dive so far because of grades(hello?!! Yes, Dustin, you do have to do homework in High School). Hopefully he'll get to dive soon. Today Steven and Kourtney were in the Wolves Classic held at Chandler High School. Kourtney placed 21st out of 31 girls, and Steven came in 1st among the 37 boys. We're proud of both of them. Kourtney is also on the Freshman Cheer Squad and is enjoying that, too.

Kourtney with friend, Tearza

Two Great Books

I just finished reading 'The Holy Secret' by James L. Ferrell. It is an awesome book, and I plan on reading it again, as it has so much in it that it's almost impossible to take it all in the first time. It's by the same author who wrote 'The Peacegiver', another fantastic book. They are both inspirational and leave the reader with a wonderful feeling. I would strongly recommend both books--they are absolutely amazing, and a worthwhile read.

Random Moments

Saturday: August 15, 2009
Karsyn decided to rake up the mowed grass in the yard all by herself when no one else would do it. We didn't even know that she was out there until I saw her from the kitchen window. She finished the job and did great. What a trooper!!


Sunday, August 16,2009: Parker and Karsyn
Later today I came downstairs to prepare dinner and this is what I found. What a couple of cuties--I couldn't resist taking some shots of them.

1st Day of School

Dustin, Steven and Kourtney

Alec, Henrique, Kellan and Parker

The kids went back to school today. We had a fun and busy summer, but now it's back to business. Steven and Dustin spent the summer Lifeguarding at the pool(where they will continue to do so), Kourtney and Kellan (and me) attended Girls Camp, and Kourtney attended Cheer Camp, Alec, Steven and Dustin had both Scout camps and Aaronic Priesthood Encampments, we had a couple of trips to California, and a whole lot of swimming. This year Steven is a Senior, Dustin a Junior, and Kourtney a Freshman, all at Perry High School. Alec is in 8th grade and Kellan in 7th, both at San Tan Jr. High, and Parker is starting 1st grade. Karsyn (4yrs old) and I will get a lot of time together, and that's ok. We also have an exchange student with us again this year. We picked him up 3 days ago, and he also began school today as a Junior at the high school. His name is Henrique and he is from Brazil. I think we'll have a great year.

Canyon Lake

We went to Canyon Lake on Saturday with my brother, Jared, and our nephew, Nick. We had a blast. The younger kids wanted to jump in the water every time the boat stopped. Steven and Dustin did a great job wakeboarding (they've done it before), and then Alec, Kellan, Kourtney and I gave it a try for the first time. Alec and Kellan only tried a few times before they wanted back in the boat, but Kourtney did a great job and got up several times. I didn't do too bad myself, and managed to get up a few times, but I certainly need more practice. Kregg skiied, and did great, of course, despite a sore shoulder from work. It was a lot of fun, though, and I can't wait to go again (I hadn't been to the lake in probably 15 years before this). It was a great afternoon, and we appreciate Jared taking us up in his boat. It's all the kids have talked about since.

WICKED!!

Wednesday night, July 22nd, Kregg and I went to see Wicked . Oh, my...what can I say? It was amazing and I loved it all!! We went with some friends, Mike and Michelle Bloom, and we had a great time. We had the best seats--7th row, seats 1 & 3,dead center--they were crazy good seats and have now spoiled me from sitting any where else for a show. The following photos aren't the best-I forgot my camera (I know, for anyone that knows me that's hard to believe), so these were taken with my cell phone. I just had to make due with what I had.

Independence Day

Homemade Icecream
Barbecue
Fun with Cousins
Uncle Matt, Dustin, Steven
Swimming

For the 4th of July we went to Grandma and Granpa Larson's for a barbecue and homemade ice cream. Before we ate, we went next door to Uncle Jared's and Aunt Randa's to swim. All the kids were doing some crazy tricks off the rocks and diving board. Grandpa then barbecued Hot Dogs, and we made homemade ice cream. So Yummy!!
Uncle Jared had his 'stash' of Fireworks, so we then got to watch him set them off(and pray that no kids got in the way!). They were great! Who needs to go watch the professionals--Uncle Jared's were just as good. We had a great time--Food, Family, Fireworks, and FUN!! What more could you ask for. We missed those that weren't with us.