San Francisco

Yum...I love clam chowder in a sourdough breadbowl.

 Mike & I were lucky enough to get away for a few days. Last year Mike turned 40 and did not want any party or anything for the big day, so it was really low key. I have felt bad about it and decided to do something really fun for his birthday this year. I got us tickets to the Oakland Raiders home opener against the San Diego Chargers. We flew to Oakland on Sunday and visited with some friends from Livermore. Then on Monday we headed to San Francisco to visit Pier 39 and the Golden Gate Bridge before heading to the big game. We ate yummy seafood at the Pier Market on Pier 39. We visited the spot where we were engaged, saw the sea lions, and did some shopping.

This huge ship was docked there.
You could barely see the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

This picture shows what I always think of
when I think of Pier 39. Boats, sea lions, and
Alcatraz in the background.

Foggy

 Then we headed over the Golden Gate Bridge. It was so foggy, you could hardly see anything at first. Then all of a sudden it was clear and beautiful.

A bit clearer.

Clear and beautiful!

This is a shot from the other side of the bridge.
There were clouds that kept coming by real fast,
it was so neat to watch.

Mini Cheer

Jenna with Mary, Lilly, and Kena

 This weeks game was an exciting one. KSL was there filming and Chopper 5 landed on the field and brought the game ball. It was really neat. It was also the Mini Cheer Halftime. The WX Cheerleaders do mini cheer each year as a fundraiser. This year they had over 100 girls 3-14 participate. They had 3 practices where they learned a couple cheers and a really cute dance. The first half of the game all the little girls sat on one end of the field, just past the end zone. It was fun to watch the game from there. Then at halftime they performed what they had learned. It was a lot of fun!

Samantha, Jenna, and Lucy

Jenna being her normal self.

A fun view of the game. WX won 41 to 14.
The first time since 1988 that they have been 4 and 0.
1988 was also the last time WX beat Bountiful.
Sure hope this is the year!

The girls performing!

First Day of School 2012

 This year I have kids at 3 different schools. Rylee started high school as a sophomore at Woods Cross High School. It has been an adjustment this summer with not having to take her to cheer practice. One of the girls on her cheer squad lives around the corner and has been picking her up which she has agreed to do for school as well. It is weird to not be as involved and driving carpool. A part of me loves it, but a part of me hates knowing that she is growing up and becoming even more independent.

 Noah and Cole are 8th graders at SDJH. They only have 1 class together this year which is probably better. They loved 7th grade last year and I think they are even more excited for this year. Now they know the whole jr high scene and they don't have their "annoying" big sister there to bug them. They are both in band again and taking some other fun electives like tech ed and publications.

 Jenna started 4th grade at good old Orchard Elementary. Her teacher seems pretty great. The theme for the school this year is "Let Your Dreams Take Flight". I hope she has a better year this year. She seemed to struggle last year. Not sure why, I think it was a combination of things, but I am hoping to make this year way better.

Friday Night Lights

 We've been so excited for high school football to start. We're excited to support Ry, but also to experience some "hometown" football. Rylee looked cute, her whole team did. Their cheering was awesome and their football team won! WX hasn't had the best record, ever really.We are hoping this first game is a sign of things to come. WX beat Viewmont 41 to 16! It was so much fun cheering the team on and watching Ry cheer.

The cheerleaders have a tradition of going to the end zone and doing push ups every time their team scores. They don't just do 7 push ups, they do the same number of push ups of their total score. They did a lot of push ups that night! I am hoping they will being doing a lot more this season. Go Cats!

Summer Visitor

 A few weeks ago Mike discovered we had a visitor and he is still hanging around. The boys and Mike looked up online and found out he is a cat face spider. He is big and ugly!

Rolee & Shoela

They are cute even when they are acting like weirdos.

 Rylee's best friend is Shaylee. She lives around the corner and these 2 have been together nonstop all summer! They are both so sweet and fun, they are also both SO loud! They go back and forth between our houses and Shaylee calls me mom and Rylee calls her mom, mom. They love the same things and laugh and act crazy. They will probably go through withdrawals when school starts next week.

At Ry's first high school football game.

Weirdos again at girls camp.

Brigham City Temple and More Badminton

My girls & I outside the temple.

 They just built a new smaller temple in Brigham City. Some of us were able to go to the open house last week and it was absolutely amazing! The attention to detail is incredible. Brigham City is known for it's peaches and they have used peach blossoms in a lot of the glass work, on the wood work, and even in the flooring. The color scheme was beautiful! Really neat to go see it before the dedication.
The girls and I went and brought along Rylee's friend, Brayden. Mike had the boys at work with him, they get to go later with their YM. My parents, Sara, and her kids appointment was just after ours so we met back up at my parents for more badminton and treats.

Rylee & Brayden admiring the beautiful temple.

Jenna (actually smiling) by the colorful flowers.

A view of the temple from farther away.

Rylee & Brayden

Jenna!

I got to be on Wyatt's team.

Can you tell how sweaty he is?