Climbing with Jess

Jess is back for the fall! That's great because it gives us a second chance to take her to do all the fun things we didn't get to during the spring-like rock climbing. Kelton showed us all the ropes and put us to shame as he outclimbed us. I haven't seen him climb in almost a year because of his broken elbow earlier this spring, and he has grown so much! His coaches asked that he try out for the Elite 1 team and I can see why. Jess and I didn't last nearly as long as the boys. We enjoyed our nice easy jug holds and were there just having a great time.

I just need one smile guys!

 

Cheyenne Frontier Days

It's no secret that I love rodeos and fairs and cowboys and country music. For my birthday I wanted to fix a problem I've had for the last 16 years living here in Colorado, I've never been to Cheyenne Frontier Days. Jeremy bought two tickets to go see Blake Shelton, and I was able to convince some of the kids to go to the "Daddy of them all" rodeo with me. I loved every minute of it. I wish that our plans worked out to just spend all day up there, but there was a little logistical maneuvering that needed to happen. The kids were good sports and cheered for all of the rodeo athletes with me. I think the girls' favorite part was when the little calves would wait for their friends in the chute after a run. I think Kelton's favorite part was chugging the huge bucket of lemonade we bought.

Smile girls!

Later that night Jeremy and I drove up for the concert. I normally don't follow the pre-shows, but it happened to be Avery Anna. We saw her in Nashville and absolutely loved her! When Blake finally came to the stage I had high expectations. Avery Anna had done a great job of pumping up the crowd and we were ready for some more great music. I sang to every one of Blake's songs. I don't go to a lot of concerts, but when I actually know all of the music is makes it so much more fun! We were up way past our bed time, and I fell asleep as soon as we started driving home. It's a really good thing I have a husband who can drive late at night, otherwise we may have been sleeping in a trailer with some of the rodeo horses.

 

BTSC Sharks

Summer swim team was exactly what Daxton needed. He made so much progress from his first meet where he was too scared and inexperienced to even diving off the blocks, to being able to handle a prelims/finals meet situation at the end of the season. He experimented with the 50 free, 50 breast, 100 free, 100 IM, relays, and even the 200 free. He learned how to read heat sheets, and dive off the blocks at the right whistle. He learned that he actually really enjoys swimming. 

At one meet I was one of the stroke judges and had to DQ him because his butterfly kick wasn't legal. He was so upset when he came to me and learned that I had disqualified him. However on the drive home he asked me the most mature question I've ever heard from him, "Mom. What can I do to get better at butterfly." He didn't wallow, he seriously wanted to know how to improve and I had to savor the moment. Maybe sometimes these kids actually are learning something. 

Decorating the car for the championship meet.

The championship meet was a little rough. We knew he didn't have enough experience to qualify for the finals, but he had a chance in the 200 free since not many kids swim that event. The water at VMAC was so cold that he had trouble breathing. He had to stop at the 100 mark just to calm himself down. I couldn't get close enough to encourage him, and he was so wound up that he just climbed out of the pool. Later that day though, after he had successfully swam the 50 free, he told me that he thinks he could be successful if he tried the 200 again. 

Relays were fun for him. His teammates were so nice.

Still working on that dive. This was his best one of the season! (Lane 2)

That's what I loved about this season, not just the fact that I was in heaven on a pool deck, but he really grew so much. He's looking for a team this fall to keep swimming and I hope it is as successful as this great summer he had with the Sharks.

Kelton's birthday

Kelton was ready to party this year.  My guess is breaking through that 13/teenager milestone had something to do with that. Daxton was awesome and helped me set up Kelton's birthday morning balloon surprise, and all the other birthday decorations. It may have taken us way longer than we thought, but his balloon wall worked perfectly in the morning!

The crepe paper birthday grid was new this year, and was actually pretty fun. We spent the entire day needing to walk the long way around this doorway while Kelton just slithered underneath it.

Looks like we're ready to party!

Birthday breakfast request: feast day!

What else would he ask for except for new games? It's getting to the point now where we have more games than we have time to play!

Once we figured out the quirks, Catan Sea Farers is great!

A recreation of his favorite monster googly-eye cake. Yup, still having a hard time convincing my brain he's 13.

His friend party was held at Activate. He had never been before, but thanks to the reconnaissance Daxton and I did earlier this summer, we knew it would be a perfect place for he and his friends.

They weren't ready for the party to be over so we went back to our house to hang out. They turned on the sprinklers and wrestled on the trampoline.

They opened presents.

And they melted balloons and other toys with a magnifying glass they found. Hosting teenage boy parties are 100% different than hosting teenage girl parties! But we survived all the energy and had a great day. 

Happy birthday to the sweetest, most kind hearted kid I know!

Cambrie's birthday

Cambrie's birthday was very different this year. She went on a road trip with Anna to the Tetons, Canyonlands, and Great Sand Dunes National Park. So while we didn't have her on her actual birthday, we still celebrated with cherry pie when she came home. It is tricky fitting 19 candles on a pie! 19. Yes, 19. Next year she'll be 20 and I don't know if I'm ready for that milestone.

Her gift requests were simple: a duffle bag, a CD player (yes, they're making a comeback), a water bottle, and a watch. It was a list designed for her road trip and her new apartment. 

I know she doesn't like being the center of attention, but I am so proud of how much she's grown up and who she is becoming.

 

Lake Powell

I'm afraid this is going to be a photo dump without many stories. (I got so behind that the pics are going to have to speak for themselves.)

Arrival and heading out to find our home.

Happy Fourth of July!

Lake Powell living.

Modified Ironman Lake Powell living.

Farewells.