March: Spring Sports, St. George, and Kate's Birthday

Ella makes an appearance during church!  

Family dinner in our condo before Mom and Dad left.

We drove to Logan for Zachary's first soccer match of the season.  The roads turned terrible and it took two and a half hours to get there.  All told, we drove over 4 hours to watch the game where it rained the entire game.  It was so fun to see him in action, made sweeter by him starting at mid-back, playing aggressively, their first win, and Thai food to go on the long drive back.

The next day after school, we took off for St. George to cheer him on in the tournament.  The kids were elated about their "first road trip" for the first few hours and less enthusiastic the last few.  

I took this picture on the way down just for him.  "Penalty: $5 to $100."  I wonder what size projection earns the $100 fine.

Perfect weather, gorgeous facilities, and a great game for Zac.  He did have a collision during a header that took him to the ground, and after the game ended, he laid on the field.  We had head trauma evaluated for him, and he was kept out of the next day's game as a precaution.

It was fun meeting all the soccer parents for these boys.  They were all so welcoming and friendly.  The chaperones talked about how polite and helpful Zachary was, and we all laughed about their cramped quarters.  Last year's coach was fired but spent all the soccer funds, so the budget was tight.  16 JV boys jammed into one condo with ONE bathroom.  I know what my son's bathroom looks like for just himself, so picturing that disaster was hysterical.  The night before the games started, the coach checked in with parents, assuring us our boys were doing great and the condo already smelled like death.

With the remainder of the day, we drove to Zion National Park and took the shuttle to hike.  It's been so many years since we went to Zion--we estimate 20 years.

I was not joining the running: my heels were (and still are...months later...) lit up.

The kids were excited to explore a new hike, and we were all enchanted by the red rock.

The hike went through a protected owl zone, and after coming out of the canyon, we met with this flute player filling the canyon with echos.

Kate was so mad at Brady for what she perceived was an extremely dangerous photo.

This is the last part of Angel's Landing you can do without a permit. Owen's shoes were so slick that even if we had a permit, it wasn't a good idea that day.

Kate and I laughed and laughed about our awkward photos together.  Little Kate:

Little Mom:

Lounging Kate:

Everyone was all in until Brady and I suggested one more small hike, when we lost Kate's enthusiasm despite the walk-through waterfall!  Making sure we had time "for the vacation" was crucial--going to dinner, time in the hotel pool, etc.  Ha!  We made it happen.

Before Olive Garden and hotel pool/hot tub, we convinced the kids to make a quick stop at Grafton Ghost town.  It closes at dusk and we were very close to closing time.  The kids were panicked we would get locked in.  The most perfect moment came when we walked into a dark, abandoned house and the door on the opposite side slammed shut, shaking the entire place and making us all jump. The kids begged Brady not to go into the cemetery, but it was a must see.

"Killed by Indians"

The next morning, the opposing team forfeit so we had time for another hike.  We stayed in St. George this time, trekking it to Scout Cave (apparently there is a 0.25 mile way to get there but we took the long way).

Signs are the best.

I was hobbling badly after this venture and made an appointment to finally see a podiatrist.

We watched Zachary play in the first half of the game and he actually sat the second half, still nervous about his neck pain.  We took off to attend the BYU game.

What a season!

House Progress:

It was right at this point we were grateful for finally decided to hire an interior designer to help us navigate some of the decision-making.  Brady's calls at 10pm to ask a few "quick questions" and my shutting down his ideas constantly was definitely adding stress to our life.  Ha!  But see that enormous wall?  Our original plan for that living room space with the fireplace was much to minimalist and simple.  So glad we had some guidance!

Heber teams came down to play Lone Peak so family showed up to support Zachary in JV and Logan in Varsity.  So funny to sit on opposite sides of the stadium.  The exact same comments hurled at the ref but for a different team.  Everyone is wronged by the referee and if the call is against your team, it's unfair.

Loved seeing Elise's poster!

A quick outlets trip to stock up on new pants for my growing boy.

Owen never had a party so we invited a few friends to Airborne one afternoon.

Loving high school soccer season!

Track begins!  Kate was apprehensive for her first meet, but went out strong.  She WON the 800 meter with some great advice from Rachel and came in 4th for her team in the 1600.  She also ran the fastest heat in her 4x400 meter.  

The best part of track season is cheering on Walker AND Kate.

A final home game!   Cosmo's antics.  He dunks this wild shot!

Rachel's homecoming!  So happy to have her back!  She gave a beautiful talk and we loved the luncheon with cousins, family, and their friends.  Rach and Peter reunited after 2.5 years!

A bunch of the crew took a walk later that afternoon to see the house.

Cory's book recommendation, "Ultra Processed People" had friends and now me making homemade bread.  We will see if this lasts.

We met up with Dave Gregorius (Big Wave Dave) and his family from Kaua'i as well as our part-time Kaua'i friends Jim and Cindy for dinner.   So fun reunited with preschool friends Lexi and Kobi!

Twinning.

Kate at another choir event--this time for St. Patrick's Day.

Brady at a celebration dinner because court is over!  Years and years of his life.  Check!  We only have to wait 6 months for the verdict.

Owen joining us for a night of Indian food after a soccer game.  He's the 5th wheel often at these things but he's a great sport and LOVES the yummy food.

These girls are non-stop laughs together.

Is there a prettier backdrop for a soccer game?  Owen's had a stellar season.  Watching his brother's games has upped his aggression.  He talks about body checks, crossing, and megs contantly.

Sunny is now blind.  Lots of tears over this but happy she seems to be handling it ok.

Indy can open the back door and it is hysterical.

Another meet and another set of PRs!

We can feel it: mountain bike season approaches!  Just need the trails to dry up.

Catching Jim's concert in his garage studio.

We already miss Boston and he only moved 2 weeks ago from our neighborhood.  It's nuts that if you move 5 minutes down the road, your entire social stratosphere changes.  I feel bad that Owen has to do this in a few months.

Kate is 14!  We picked up her friend Emily for lunch at the creamery, then went to Provo Beach for laser tag, bowling, ropes course, and arcade games.

She finished off the night with friends and cake.

Elise's Senior Recital.  WOW.  She is an incredible pianist.  We sat there in awe.

Happy Birthday, Walker!!!

Meet #3!  Kate is now a top 3 1600 meter runner for her school and still the fastest 800 meter runner.  She loves track and wishes more than anything that musical theater did not keep her from some of the practices.

More house progress:

Kate birthday, Take 2.  We waited to have her friend party until her friend Eliza was cleared by the doctor.  Eliza had scoliosis surgery 6 months ago and the day she was cleared, we all went to bounce!

So grateful Kate has had such a successful year making new friends.

So happy this group of girls was completely ok with Owen tagging along.

Kate made me teary, explaining who the girl was that involved her in PE the second week of class.  So happy for kind friends.  It is hard to be new, and these girls made it easy.

Kate is inclusive and kind.  She is a gatherer.  She loves food and makes sure that wherever she is going, there is a plan for her to eat dinner--not just snacks.  She loves being around people.  Suddenly she loves to run!  She wants to try everything and has an opinion about everything she's tried.  Ballet: in.  Musical theater: out.  Piano: in.  Cello: in.  Cello teacher: well, let's leave that alone for now.  Surfing: in, except for new breaks or Waiohai.  Hiking: in, but only if there is still time for "vacation."  Track: in.  Shopping: always.  She includes Owen even when he ribs her about the boy she likes in front of her friends.  She "parents" him a lot: which is very helpful because he wants to write in his journal, read a ton, etc. but also he cannot stand it when she corrects him.  Ha!  Such a funny sibling balance.

Kate is dedicated.  She works hard for every test and assignment, and willingly helps her classmates.  She went out for student council, knowing she had a great chance of not making it but trying anyway.  I can't imagine having those nerves in 8th grade, and they paid off for her!  She texts us all the time and wants to download her day.  She asks me to do her hair many days, and I could not be happier to be needed.  

She is a nightmare in the morning.  It doesn't matter that we get her to school early every day--it is not early enough.  This will pass and for now, I'm just glad she cares to be on time.  She soaks up family time and has absolutely loved Utah for all the time she gets with cousins and grandparents.  She wants to come with me every time I drop off dinner to her Great Grandma Marian.  

Kate struggled with separation anxiety for years.  Last year before we moved, she made the decision to attend girls camp.  Even thinking about it gave her sick stomach and she couldn't sleep for days prior.  She tried to bail and we convinced her to stick with her decision to go.  It was a major turning point for her!  You would not know this has been a challenge for years unless you knew before.  In three weeks, she is taking a girls trip with her friends to St. George.  How far she has come in one year!