Zachary

Have you ever tried to do everything with one arm? That is pretty much the story of Zach's summer. On June 30th he fell off the monkey bars at neighborhood park and broke his left elbow. That was his first and last day of swim lessons and a week after we found him a bicycle. Despite this, he had a pretty good summer. We are so proud of him, he finally grew out of some clothes (he is eating and growing - yeah!) He also started Kindergarden this week and says that the funnest part is the bus ride.

Here he is with his best pal, Talan

At pioneer day, very pensive

The day his cast came off, a close up of his pins

He is such a silly guy

At the zoo, before the cast

Summer for Zoe

Doesn't her school haircut look sassy? She looks so much older and we are happy that she is now smiling and letting us take her picture. Zoe had such a fun summer. She spent her days going to library, bowling, zoo, learning to ride her bike and swim. Good friends were made and lots of summer happiness. One of her favorite things to do is follow Lyndsey around and act like a teenager. She started kindergarden this week and is loving it.

At the zoo...

Smashing ice cream topings for the back to school bash!

Not yet mastered the NO thumb sucking :)

First day of school

Aren't I a cutie?

Ok, Lyndsey has always wanted to write spaz on someone's forehead, she was a willing participant

Justin Lane

At the beginning of each school year we measure all the kids (and some adults). This has been a triumphant time for Justin the last couple years because he is the tallest person in our house. 2009 measurement - Five Feet, Nine Inches! He told us that he has a goal to reach six feet, we are not sure how one accomplishes a height goal, I guess just eating us out of house and home!

Justin had a fairly relaxing summer and just entered the 8th grade. Since he plans on becoming the mexican Tiger Woods he spent two weeks in Arizona this summer perfecting his swing. During that time with the grandparents he also enjoyed being an only child for awhile - I'm pretty sure he had grandma wrapped around his finger.

As a Life Scout, Justin is working hard on earning his Eagle rank. A neat thing he is also working on is that next summer he will attend the Boy Scout Jamboree in Virginia. It is the 100th year of scouting and the last year that the jamboree will be held at this site. He has been mowing lawns to earn money to fund this trip.

In the music department he has taken on Tenor Saxaphone and loves it! He will continue with wrestling, basketball and long jump this year. Some of his favorite activies include: surfing the internet, playing wii games, airsoft with friends and watching Conan. He is a very independant teenager and we are proud to have him a part of our family!

Our Track Star!

Setting a good example? or grilling plastic bottle caps on the grill?
Hanging with his peepsA boys best friend, Lady

In his wrestling headgear

Helping with the Christmas tree - he definately gets to put the top on!

Lyndsey's Summer

Lyndsey - 15 and fabulous. Now a sophmore in High School we are so proud of all her accomplishments. She plays piano, clarinet, basson and just started ColorGuard for marching band. It is also my understanding that she plays with the emotions of many a young man heart. :) In school she is studing Art History and hopes to attend KState for Interior Design (last I heard - but I am sure this will change). Her schedule this year includes 3 honors classes as well as her beloved Spanish. This summer she worked for us answering the phones and data entry. Grandpa also let her umpire some softball games. Other weeks were spent attending EFY in Columbia, MO and her fourth year at camp. I think her best news was that we found her a car to drive to school and work - its name is Black Beauty. Here are a few pics of my georgeous daughter!

Sewing her apron for the pioneer trek

Thinking very hard about her next drill movement

With the RoadRunner during hockey season

Cooking a meal for the family, yum!

First day of driving brother to school, and his scared face.

Camp hair braids, thanks Becca!

August

I can't believe it is August already. I know this has probably been heard by many of you, but time has just flown by. Next week is enrollment and we are really excited (by we, I mean ME and by really, I mean REALLY) for August 17th!!! That is the first day of school in case you did not catch my excitement. Everyone but Lyndsey will be gone that day. She is lucky and gets to stay home an extra day.