Back to the daily grind

Once we got home from our Oregon Coast vacation we started back into the regular fall schedule that seems to be the most crazy time of our year. Carter started first grade about three days after we returned home and all the kids jumped into their sports seasons. Carter played soccer, Kennedy decided to play both soccer and volleyball, and Ryan was on the Mountain View freshman football team, which is way more intense than I had anticipated. So, we were running everywhere and I was helping with pre-game meals for the football team, with Young Women’s on top of that. It makes for a crazy three month period, but, everyone had a great time and I enjoy watching the kids play their sports, so I don’t mind the craziness too much.

Getting ready to head into the building.

At his first desk. Woohoo, I now have no kids at home, all day long. That’s probably bad of me to admit it, but I kind of enjoy the alone time.

Carter getting his trophy after the last soccer game this fall. He had a pretty good season, scored a few goals.

Kennedy decked out in her cold-weather gear. We played in some nasty conditions during the season-ending tournament. It snowed and rained and was down right cold.

She had a lot of fun with this team though. They played pretty good and the although she hates playing forward, the one time coach put her there this season, she did score. Way to go sis.

Ryan had a great time playing football this fall. The team ended up tied for first at the end of the year. He met lots of new guys and got in really good shape. Now I’m just trying to get him to keep lifting weights throughout the winter.

Getting his D-line sweatshirt at the football banquet at the end of the year. I love that they have to dress up for the banquet.

We also got to get in a 4 day camping trip at Ponderosa State Park in McCall over Labor Day weekend. There is a huge group that always goes that weekend, probably about 10-15 families or so. Normally we stay at my in-laws condo and go to the campground and hang out and then we can sleep in beds when we leave, but the kids really wanted to tent-it for the weekend, so we did. It was actually a lot of fun and I remembered that I love dutch-oven food and just being outdoors. There was also a 1-2 year old bear running around the campground all weekend. Made for some interesting adventures for Ryan and his YM leader Chris Freeman. They followed it around on their bikes for awhile.

Our camping set-up. It was nice to have the screen tent set up for shade and for keeping the bees away from the cooking area.

Carter at Payette Lake. It’s just a few minutes walk from where we were camping. It had a roped off swimming area.

Kennedy at the lake with the two younger girls she hung out with Shelby and Samantha. She had a good time with them.

Carter trying to get on the raft with the girls.

Not any pics of Ryan in these. He was off with his buddies or just wandering between camps the whole weekend.