Corn maze

I realized we had one afternoon where our family could actually go to the pumpkin patch, so we rushed over in between all the activities.  We were surprised that the farm switched things up this year and charged an entrance fee instead of just charging for pumpkins.  So we decided to have some speedy fun and explored the corn maze.  The design was all Mickey and Minnie Mouse.  We even had a map which changed everything (and made it so we could finish in time).  

We needed to find check points throughout the maze and hole punch our map, Kelton and Daxton did great with that.  (It helped that the corn wasn't so tall that we felt trapped and blind).

  

Cambrie hobbled through the shortest maze and waited for us back at the car.  (She injured her knee this week and we're waiting to find out if it's a torn ACL or not.) 

Even though it was a very abbreviated trip to the pumpkin patch it was still worth the time spent as a family.

W vs L

What a fun and different season this has been.  Kelton's team is undefeated and they are loving every minute of it.  Kelton feels like a critical member of the team and it shows.  He gives his all every game.  It has been so fun to watch.  He has been put in as a midfielder and is enjoying the flexibility of his new position.  He has amazing endurance and is thriving up there.

Daxton's situation is a little different.  He is enjoying his coach and most of his team.  He has been put into a striker position and even scored in a few games!  That was incredible and I was so excited for him!  Unfortunately his team was put into the wrong league and have lost every game.  It's getting harder to work past the loses, but I hope Daxton has the strength to do just that because he really is so good!  

Quartet Awesomeness

If you had asked me four years ago if Cambrie would ever willingly participate in a quartet and give a solo on stage, I would have told you absolutely not.  So I was beyond shocked when she let me know she was part of a quartet with Sierra and Isabel.  They performed at the orchestra concert and I was so, so proud of her.  Rehearsal and expectations were rough, but she stuck through it.  She didn't run off the stage crying. (Been there, done that.)  She didn't freeze and forget her part.  (Been there, done that.)  She performed so well!  The other parents in the auditorium have no idea how huge that was for her.  

She is growing so much and I am so, so proud of her!

Cambrie's Senior Pictures

The list of things that Cambrie has to take care of as a senior is crazy long.  One to-do item that she wasn't totally thrilled with was senior pictures.  Even as we were driving downtown I could tell she wasn't sold on the idea of being the center of attention for an hour.  So I was completely floored when as soon as Lindsay pulled out her camera, Cambrie pulled out her inner model!  She would pose without direction.  She would change poses for better angles.  She was experimenting with different facial expressions.  She was having a good time and I couldn't believe it!  Lindsay was just laughing the whole photo shoot because Cambrie was so much fun to work with.  We had her photos taken in the RiNo district downtown and took advantage of every mural and graffiti wall we passed.  I am thrilled with the final results.  The pictures capture Cambrie's personality: artsy, edgy, a little rebellious, independent, and confident.  I can't post all 350 edited photos, but here a decent sample.  Doesn't she look SO GOOD!

Conference

General Conference weekend was pretty chill around here.  

We enjoyed our crepes and gave Moki his own cup of whipped cream for his birthday!  

We cuddled as we watched.

The kids worked on Perler bead projects.

Kelton practiced braiding Kenzie's hair.  I'm pretty impressed by this.

We also all used the "squeezy boots," as we relaxed and listened.  I was grateful for the quiet, peaceful days with my kids.

Homecoming

My girls could not have had more different homecoming experiences. Both were so fun, and both made me giggle. Matthew asked Cambrie to go as his date.  She said yes, then she wanted to say no, then she thought she would just go with some friends, then she decided to go with Matthew after all.  Then there was the night of the dance itself.  Matthew's parents told him that because he had asked Cambrie as a date then he needed to go pick her up.  She did NOT want to be picked up, and so she laid on the floor in front of all my vacuuming in protest.  He was so sweet.  He came to the door, brought her a corsage, and even posed for a quick picture with her.  They are the best friends, but they have no idea how to do this "going on a date" thing, and it was adorable watching them navigate it.  

They went up to Matthew's house for dinner and pictures with their group.  It was sadly lacking in females, so Marlene and Cambrie had to have each other's back.  

McKenzie, meanwhile, had a whole night planned with over twenty other kids.  They all met up in Anthem for a full photo shoot.  Unlike Cambrie would didn't want any pictures at all, McKenzie and her friends invited all of the parents and we spent over an hour up there taking pictures.

Both girls said that the dance was the most fun they've ever had at a school dance. For some reason the atmosphere was just electric and they danced a lot longer than they were planning.  Their after parties went late, (thank heavens for a husband who can stay up late to retrieve children, and for a date who brought Cambrie home 😄)  I'm just glad they both had such a great time.

Beginning of bouldering season

The Spot had a mock meet to prep the kids for the upcoming bouldering season.  Unlike last year where we were so new, this is starting to feel familiar.  Kelton is getting stronger and growing smarter with his route strategies.  This is going to be a good season!