Football Isn't Over Yet

Just when the fall sports started to wind down, we received news that Andrew was 1 of 26 boys selected to play on the Johnston Youth Tournament Team.  This is a first for the organization.  This past week Andrew had 4 days of practice for their first tournament in Ankeny.  The first game against Ankeny went well but it was a struggle to move the ball.  Andrew scored a touchdown on a field kick return, running about 50 yards in the play.  The final score was 20-6... Dragons win!!!

Then today, the Dragons played the Lincoln Rails.  Another tough opponent but was able to pull off another win.  Final score 17-6. 

The next tournament will be this coming weekend.

Andrew position is running back.

#12 is Andrew

Came in first place out of 4 teams.

Proud for how his team played in the games this weekend.

Color Run

On Sat. I participated in the Color Run downtown Des Moines.  I was inspired by my good friend Amber when she did this event in Kansas City this past summer.  I found out it was coming to DM in the fall and thought it would be a ton of fun.  And it was a BLAST, despite the 40 degree temps.  It was chilly walking up to the start and then again walking back to our car.  Otherwise, I didn't notice the coldness.  Maybe waiting with the other 27, 000 people and the excitement kept me warm. 

Here we are before, all clean and lots of white.

Heading downtown

Ready to start the FUN!!!

The finish line and splatted with LOTS of color.

After shot

My sister-in-law and I

Date Night

Where Have I Been?

I noticed it has been over a month since I have been able to upload pictures or even blog.  I've been in school for 5 weeks now but with lesson plans to write, implementing a new math program, responding to emails for school, organizing my running club, doing all the daily things here in the house, plus taking the kids to their weekly activities and also going to their games, there has been NO time to blog.  When will life slow down????  The weeks are going by in a blink.

Here is a recap of what the kids are doing in the evenings.

Olivia plays on the 8th grade volleyball team.  This week she had 3 nights with games and practices on nights w/o games.  Olivia is also taking two dance classes.  Tues. night I went to her game and then went straight to dance.  We didn't get home til 8:30pm. 

 Clare has been playing fall softball for the 8U Johnston Jaguars.  Two nights a week practicing and then the games are on the weekend.  Only a couple of weeks left til next spring when it starts up again.  Clare is also in gymnastics one night a week.  

Andrew is playing football.  He has practice two nights a week and games are on Sun.  He plays several positions but often the quarterback.

Andrew tossing the ball to a teammate.

And as for Ruth....she goes to most of her siblings events.  I don't have pictures of her there but luckily she entertains herself easily and does well at the games. 

Clare's 8th Birthday

 Clare's birthday is today.  We celebrated it with family on Sat. with a BBQ.  She wanted a softball themed birthday but there was nothing out there softball related.  I did make a banner with softball scrapbook paper but didn't take a photo of it.  Clare had a great day celebrating with her family. 

Time 4 School

The kids started school on Thursday, Aug. 16th.   This week was extremely busy with Phil and I going back to work(prof. dev.), attending 5 Open Houses (one for the 3 in school and Phil and I had our own at our schools too) in the evenings, and then Andrew had football, baseball practice and Clare had softball practice.  Can you say OH, MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!  THANKS to my mom who stayed with us this past week to help watch the kids while Phil and I worked.  She was also a HUGE help by watching Ruthie when we were gone in the evenings.  The bonus thing with was she cooked 4 complete meals for us each and every night and made desserts too.  We were totally spoiled this past week.   Not sure how we are going to make it next week.??????????

Our plates are going to be FULL this year.  The kids are in 3 different buildings and are in more activities too.  Olivia will start volleyball on Monday and will start her two dance classes in Sept.  Andrew is officially done with baseball, but has started football.  Clare began gymnastics in the summer and is continuing during the school year.  She also tried out for competitive softball and has practices during the week, along with tournaments on the weekend this fall.  Poor Ruth, she will be dragged around to all of the kids activities.  It is a good thing she LOVES to play with other kids and make friends easily.

8th Grade-13 yrs

6th Grade-11 yrs

2nd Grade-7 yrs

Ruth wishes she was going to school too- 3 yrs

The Summer Isn't Over Yet

My cousin Michelle wanted to come down sometime this summer so her family could join us to a trip out to Adventure Land.  We hadn't been there in two years, so it was time.  Between her busy summer and ours, we had one week that was available.  The weather ended up being absolutely perfect too.  Here are several pictures from our day. 

Lady Luck

The Raging River-Michelle got wet the most.

"I see you."

Ruth couldn't get enough of Frog Hopper.  She rode this over and over, again.  Several times, butting up in line.  I lost count of how many times she rode it.  I'd say at least 15 times.

Olivia looks like she is saying some prayer before getting shot up in the air.

Olivia practicing her driving skills.  She can't wait to start driving when she is 14, which less than a year away.  YIKES!!!

Andrew sharing some yummy funnel cake with his cousin, Kip.

Just chilling after some rides.  Joe needs time to get his stomach back to normal after riding the Silly Silo twice.

We had to coax Luke to ride the airplanes with Ruthie.  Luke is 7 and didn't want to ride the kiddie rides this year.  But we told him he was able to control the up and down movement of the plane and that did the trick. 

All the kids but missing Brett:-(  He isn't a fan of the rides, so he stayed home.

 After our trip here, school is less than a week away.  Where did the summer go???