Andrew Soccer

Andrew started every game on JV and played nearly every minute.  He was a key part of the team.

He scored two offical goals (one additional one that the ref wasn't so cleared the line).  He scored a very important header to tie one game in the last 5 minutes.  He was definitely on a high that night.  

They didn't have a great season but they played hard and Andrew loved it.

Senior Night

Well the Senior mom's made Senior Night really special.  I luckily just stood back and watched for the most part.  In fact, the 6 days before Senior Night I had been in bed with a fever.  That night was my first day without any fever.  Blessings!

Nani came into town and my parents were there - we should have got a picture of them- somehow I never think of things like that in the moment.  But it was sweet to have them there.  Especially since Andrew scored a header to tie the game and Mack was selected to shoot a PK and made it.  It was a big night for our boys.

These boys have played soccer together for a long time.  Some of them have been on Mack's team since 5th grade.  We are sure going to miss watching them all play.

One of the dad's made this for each of the boys - it was pretty fun.

Each of the boys was supposed to have a poster out on display.  I didn't plan ahead but miraculously the Costco prints showed up at the house a day before the 5 day possible window.  Seriously - blessings.  I threw this together the night before when my fever was waining.  My favorite pic is of Andrew and Mack when they were little and on the same team.  Hard to beleive those two will be separated next year.

Soccer has been such a huge part of Mack's life.  When the last district game ended it was hard to see how emotional he was.  He seemed to be in a haze for the next day or two - hard to say goodbye to this amazing part of his life.  I'm so grateful for the years I've had to watch him play on the field and to listen to him bang that ball around the house, for the hours he's spent outside working on tricks and shooting.  I love his determination, hard work, and passion.  I have watched him become the player he is and it has been a pleasure.   

18!

Can you see the 17 + 1 on the cake?  We had to get creative. I can't beleive my baby boy is 18!!!  I was down with fever for a week before his bday so Annie picked up the steak from Costco, Scott cut it for me, and Lori picked up the ice cream cake from DQ.  I am so grateful for good friends!  Greg cooked the steak and peeled all the potatoes.  Mack had an awesome bday dinner thanks to lots of helpers.  I was just feeling grateful I was well enough to walk around and be a part of the big day.

Natali turned 18 during Covid lockdown so to make it special we gave her 18 presents.  The girls wanted to do the same thing for Mack but I didn't really have 18 presents (he had ordered himself a $$ jersey, a few t-shirts and a pair of shorts).  So we wrapped 6 Mt. Dews and a bunch of cosmic brownies.  He was probably more annoyed about unwrapping 7 brownies than he was excited about getting 18 presents but it made for a good laugh.

This pose was not from his bday but from scriptures one night.  I couldn't pass up taking a pic of Mack surrounded by Lily's special squishamellows and his soccer ball.  Love that kid.

It is so crazy to think that my blond little swirly haired baby is 18 and graduating from High School soon.  I am so grateful for the calm and humor that he adds to our family.  He is a great big brother, helpful when needed, and always manages a one-liner to get us laughing.  I sure love my Macky.

Temple and Yellowstone

Thurday night after the soccer game we were all planning to load up and head to Pocatello for the temple open house.  Unfortunately, Kate came home from school sick that afternoon.  She fell right to sleep and slept for several hours.  I didn't know if we should risk taking her with us.  So I stayed home with Kate and sent the others out the door around 9:30 for a late night drive.

I wasn't on the trip so can't offer much commentary- I know that true to history they enjoyed the luxury of a hotel stay and continental breakfast.  They had an early morning start to get to the temple by 8:00.

Sounds like it was beautiful with the chandelier being the highlight for Lily.

Then off to Yellowstone where the boys managed to get enough service on their hike to watch a soccer game.

The animal sightings weren't amazing but the views and company never let you down.

Is that a little moose girl?

They stayed in our usual spot- plenty of extra space without Kate and I.

Good buddies and the good ol' petrified tree.

When Lily got bored she got creative, like using the binoculars through the headrest gap - she probably got an upclose view of Andrew's neck most of the time.

Kate and I were sad to miss the fun and I hope that isn't Mack's last Yellowstone trip with us - so crazy to see our family shrinking.  Yellowstone will always be a place of fond memories.

Super Mega Wowie Birthday Party

Better late than never!  We have been trying to have this party since school got out but plans just never seemed to work out.  We had everything ready two weeks earlier only to have some of the kids get sick - Covid worry cancled the party and kept us home.  So when I got sick two days before this rescheduled date the girls were in tears.  This would be the last chance to swim and that was supposed to be a big part of the party.  I talked to Val and Mom and we decided to go forward while I tried to get a rapid Covid test (a task that proved cery difficult).  The day of the party I found a place in Ontario that would test me.  I drove over and sat in the car for two hours but finally got my negative test.  There were many tears of joy - that the party begin.

As the kids arrived the wind picked up.  The pool had to be closed; a huge disapointment.  But they jumped right into presents and soon forgot about the pool.  This enormous squishemallow brought lots of smiles (she chose to wear a mask just in case she had some germs - she didn't want to share them with Grandma).

Val had requested some Barbie pillows for Sammie's present.  My girls took that idea and ran.  They spent hours sewing - beds, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and even some clothes.  Sammie got more pillows than any Barbie could ever need.

Then they decorated their cakes.  My sweet Emmy baked all of the cakes the day before with her fingers crossed that we would be having the party.  I was too sick to do it but she tackled all 10 cakes like a pro!

The kids played, the boys watched football, we had a delicious dinner and then the much awaited piñata.  It was way too windy outside so we moved it into the shop.  Which worked perfect except we had to make sure they didn't get too close to the boat.  

Val created a blindfold out of some of grandpa's rags and they worked great.

Because the party was so late in the year we celebrated every kids birthday- not just the spring ones.  They all loved opening their gifts and just being together.  We are so blessed to have family close by.  

He's a Senior!

Mack and I spent the evening with Heather and she got some great photos.  I sure love that boy and his kind striking eyes with their glint of humor.  I think he had the most fun trying to do all his soccer tricks.  Our walls bare the ware of his years of perfecting new tricks but I'm sure going to miss the sound of the ball being knocked around the house and being nutmeged while I cook dinner.  I don't know where he'll go next but I'll sure miss this kid.