Back to school

Once again, another school year approaches us. It's amazing to look at your kids & see how fast they grow! They were all anxious to get back, hopefully that excitement will keep up for a bit! :}

Kaley, our Big 1st Grader, who cared very much about "Her style" this year. She all ready has it all planned out on what she's going to wear each day this week! (We're in so much trouble!! :})

Dylan, who is now "The king of the school", as a 6th Grader. He's pretty excited about that! I had to laugh at the meeting with his teacher last week, who knows him well, emphasizing he really doesn't HAVE to go for the title of "Class Clown" EVERY year in elementary school! :}

Bradon, our little man, is now an 8th Grader! As you see by his shirt, he's into the old classic rock now. ACDC is his favorite. Rock on son! :}

I had to laugh at Kaley & Asia, who could very well be Justice Models (hey, maybe I should look into that! :}). Of course they both HAD to go there for school clothes...it's their favorite place!! Such girls!!

Let the school fun begin!!

Fun with the softball team

We look forward to the Annual End-Of-Season BBQ @ the Powell's house each year. Though, due to football, we missed a few after getting there late. Steve & I used to work together @ Fidelity & have been playing softball together for about five years now. These two, Peggy & Steve, are certainly a fun couple..they are ALL ABOUT living life to the fullest & for being extremely dedicated Utes Fans! And how fitting there last name would be Powell since they often like to take the boat to Lake Powell. Another small world moment came when I was looking at their wall of photos (which I love & have since done on my own basement wall :}), and saw Peggy with long time friend from school, Jennifer Faber. Funny to have friends/associates that you have known for years end up being friends for a long time too!

Humm...I wonder where they got this sign from?! Perfect as it leads to their own personal museum! :}

And you'll see what I mean here by extremely dedicated Utes fans. Here's a few examples...

Like their recent stonework added to the yard (which they've done an fabulous job with by the way)

Or there "always lit up U" on the wall...

Personally, my favorite though is their play room/bar area. Which, as you can see, is decorated appropriately, including the bar itself that is full of memorabilia underneath the poxy glass.

And this isn't all of it either. I didn't get the garage or his den that is ALL Utes! :}

Even down to the fence, you have no doubt they are proud of their state/school! :}

Their daughter, Alex (on the right) & Lexi are sure fun teammates!

And it always helps to have the Woman's Leading RBI hitter on your team too! Way to go Lexi! :} Here she is proudly displaying her trophy! (OK, we made her, she was too proud :})

Our kids are always well entertained at their house!

Oh, summer fun...gotta love it! It sadly comes & goes way to quick! Fortunately we get to start Fall Ball all ready this week...so, it's not officially all over yet! :}

The "80 B-Day Party"

Once again, we celebrate friends entering thier 40's. Or in this case, 80! (OK, well that's because two were turning 40...so, seemed like a good theme :}). I'll take any excuse to get together with the old school friends again! :} So this time it was Ruby's turn, as well as thier friend, Mistie. It's funny what a small world it is. I first met Mistie at another gathering this past year, and come to find out she's long time friends with my sister, Sherrie. They worked together for many years, and share the same birthday (today by the way...Happy Birthday Girls! :}). She heard "Leach" and just had to ask if I was related. I love sharing life with long time friends, like Stacey here, who I've known since we were just 4-5. I love teasing her brother, Scott, next to her about what a bratty little brother he was who used to follow us around a lot (or were we the brats? humm...). It's great to see him too, as well as Leslie & Ruby here, of course.

Of course I will always get a good laugh in with Sandra...or any of the Mays for that matter! :}

Fun to see Nan & Sonya!

It's always good to get "Beast" & "Peachy" together again! :}

Who would have thought Ruby & Chris would end up together 21 years later?! I love it!

Glad Holly could make it too! :}

In honor of her new toy she got for her birthday...lucky girl! I like how they named the motorcyle "Sweevil", fitting for Ruby! :}

And glad Tracey & Heidi could make it once again! :}

Chris is the one who started this "face on a stick" thing, and we've had a lot of fun with them this past year! We just need to make more for all the rest of our "out of town friends"! :}

Holly, Stacey & I

Sharing the birthday fun together!

I love "Us"....we really did have a fun class of all kinds of fun & amazing people! We are definately NOT what I pictured 40 Year Olds to be....just proves you can continue being young at heart always!! :}

Summer Fun

Where, or where, has this summer gone?! The kid's go back to school this Monday all ready! There's still too much fun in the sun yet to be had! So, we tried to get in a few things this past weekend. We started with golf lessons from Daddy & all hitting a round of balls. Let's just say, I've got a long way to go! But, I did hit a few for once! I've only tried to play one other time with a work outing, and I was told to quit swinging it like a softball bat (sorry, I can't help it! :}). But, guess I should learn sooner or later! And hopefully the kids can pick it up so we can do this together someday! We usually don't ask to join, since we know it's Daddy's time out; but, seemed like a fun family activity this day.

Oh, look who got a hold of the camera! Such a poser!

She can at least model like a real golfer pretty well! :}
Kaley giving Bradon a cheer for making his putt

Then it was off to the beautiful mountains of Utah for some hiking. We went down to the Alpine Loop (which is definitely a fabulous area, in case any one is looking for a good place to go) & hiked up to Stewart Cascades. I'd heard about this spot; but, never been there. Amazing how you can live in a place all your life, and yet, still have so much to see around you!
Why can't I take a "normal" picture of Dylan? Oh, I guess this is his "norm" :}

It's an easy hike, though some VERY tired & whiny little girl (I tried to get her to nap on the way!) insisted on many breaks! Aaaahh, rough it I say! (mean Mommy, I know! ;})
What a gorgeous view!
We made it! I'd have to say these are probably the nicest waterfalls that I know of in the Northern Utah area

Yea, wish this was my house! The waterfalls are in their perfect view, gotta luv it!
Though the others were just done & glad to stay up top, Dylan & I had to go down to the bottom

Again, that's my Dyl! :}

And I wonder where he gets it from?! :}
Pics a bit fuzzy after I dropped my camera on the rocks (oops!)

Oh, must summer end all ready?! I mean, we love the thrill of fall & entering football season; but, I'm not done with it!! Many more trails to discover! :}