End of Summer Bees Game

Summer really flies by for us, especially because half of our kids aren't out of school until the first of July.  When you throw in girl's camp, high adventure, youth conference, EFY, family reunions, sports camps and the various activities James gets to attend as bishop, we come up with a quick and busy summer. 

There was no shortage of activities for each of my kids.  Luke would choose EFY and tennis camp as his favorites, although high adventure was a blast for him.  Lindsey loved EFY and experienced BYU's cheer camp for the first time this summer.  I think she got the busiest kid award this summer with girl's camp, youth conference, junior high cheer camp, two parades and hanging with friends.  Heather wasn't out of school until July but managed to get a few trips to Lagoon with friends, girls camp, and visits with cousins before she fractured her foot playing mini-golf (that's right, she tripped in the hole.)  Savannah and Matthew also got out in July and spent a few weeks relaxing and visiting family before they headed back to school.  Savannah said she missed school and was ready to go back.

One of our favorite activities was hosting a Fourth of July party at our house with the Anderson clan.  There was a lot of food and fun that ended with a firework show provided by the uncles.  With aerial fireworks being legal, we get a whole new dimension of firework shows.  It was exciting but there were a few drawbacks-- ash kept falling on us and Ashlyn got burned when a firework shot the wrong way.  It was all good though and a lot of fun.

Our last weekend of the summer, we met up with Taylor and his kids and went to a Bee's game.  We had a lot of fun watching the baseball game and chatting with each other.  The evening ended with a firework show set to music.  It was a great way to end the Summer.

So Long 6th Grade

Heather is moving on from elementary school to junior high.  In July she finished her final days at Bluff Ridge Elementary and participated in the 6th grade graduation.  Bluff Ridge always has a fun assembly that honors the sixth graders on their last day.  Each "graduate" is recognized and reads where they will be in twenty years.  Heather said she will be a renowned author of fantasy books.  I could definitely see that happening.  Heather constantly has a book in her hands and loves to imagine different worlds.

Sixth grade was a great year for Heather.  She had the best teacher in the sixth grade (according to Heather).  She made a lot of friends, had the lead in the play, participated in Lego Mindstorms, and enjoyed all of the 6th grade competitions-- except for dance.  She thought it was "creepy" to dance with the boys.  Now it's on to bigger and better things as she enters Junior High!

Heather Plays Ball

Heather had a great softball season this year!  I say that because I got to coach her team so she better say she had a great season.   We had a lot of fun together.  We didn't win all of our games but we won a few-- we beat the team that Heather was on last year and that made it all worth it.  Heather played first base most of the season and sometimes played third.  She does well at any position you put her at because she thinks the plays through and knows where to throw the ball.  She is a great hitter and usually started the game as the fourth hitter to get the runs in  or as the first hitter to start the team going.  Hopefully she will stick with playing a few more years and can maybe go out for the high school team.

Ashberry

One of Ashlyn's favorite things she discovered this Spring is strawberries.  She loves to go out to the garden and eat strawberries.  One day I was out working in the garden when I turned around and saw this. . . 

Ash had been picking, smashing and eating strawberries.  She was covered in berry juice but looked so cute I couldn't resist a picture!  They grow so fast, I'm grateful that we have her in our family.

Fathers and Sons

James and Luke participated in BYU Fathers and Sons basketball camp at the end of May.  They have been going to this camp for the last six years but this year was a little different because Matthew was finally old enough to join them.  They spend the weekend playing various sports, attending firesides and temple square, and meeting players and coaches.  They had a lot of fun together.  I heard the ice cream at the Cannon Center was one of Matthew's favorite parts and Luke said he liked spending time with his dad.  This experience always falls around James' birthday so it is a nice gift for him to get to spend time with his boys.

When they returned home, we had a surprise party for James' birthday!! That's right, James is now 40 years old.  He is handling it like a champ-- no mid-life crisis at all.  Then again, why would he have a crisis, he has already accomplished so much.  We are proud of you and love you James!

Luke Bids Farewell to Legacy

The end of the year awards assembly was especially fun for our family this year.  Because Luke was the studentbody president, he gave a final speech to the studentbody and parents.  He did a great job!!  I know pride is something we should avoid but I could not have been prouder of Luke as he gave his speech.  There are some things only a parent sees and knows.  Luke sacrificed a lot of time as he fulfilled his responsibilities.  We saw him grow in so many ways and also saw him struggle with self doubt, questioning if he was good enough.  I know at the end of this evening, he felt good about the job he had done and was finally satisfied.

As president, he got to shake all of the students' hands that received awards.  It was another proud parent moment when Lindsey received her awards.  She got the top English student award and the High Honors award for having a 4.0.  She also worked very hard throughout the year.  It was neat to have Luke help present her award.

One of the highlights was at the end when Luke received his awards.  Because he was shaking everyone else's hands, they skipped him until the end.  When they announced his name, all of the studentbody officers came down and formed a line to shake his hand.  That was a priceless moment!

Luke's experience at Junior High has been one of growth, courage and success.  He has set an excellent example for his siblings and I know they are already trying to do as well and even better than he.  I feel so blessed to watch him grow into the young man that he is becoming.  I know his high school experience will be just as fulfilling.

Musical Review

Luke and Lindsey wrapped up their theater year with the musical review.  It was big band style with music, dancing and singing.  Luke played the trumpet with his jazz band for most of the show and Lindsey sang a few musical numbers in small groups and large.  Both Luke and Lindsey had great experiences in the musical and theater programs at Legacy Junior High this year.  A big thanks to the teachers who encourage and inspire in these areas.

 

Lindsey had her last Madrigals recital where they performed parts of Les Miserables.  It was very well done.  Lindsey has loved being in Madrigals and looks forward to doing it again next year.  She made some good friends and memories.  I know she is a little sad that most of those friends are moving on to high school next year but she does look forward to being "at the top" as she puts it.

 

 

Luke also had his last band recital.  The last one of the season is always the best because they have improved so much.  This year's final recital did not disappoint.  There was a little bit of sadness at the end when they played the slide show and presented Mr. Madsen with a gift.  Luke started with no knowledge of the trumpet when he began band and has ended with a love for his instrument.  It has been fun to watch him excel in this area and a lot of the credit goes to a good teacher that inspired him.  He will continue to participate in band at the high school and we look forward to watching him there.