After a disheartening track season where Kate only cross trained, did Physical Therapy and barely any workouts, she saw Mark Basil, Brady's old college roommate turned trainer. He did some manipulations on her hip and felt confident she could race.
Kate absolutely crushed it, racing 2:33 and second place in her heat. She took the final curve determined to pass people, and that's what she did. So proud of that girl and her tenacity.
Sporting her new gear!
The people you run into at Smiths.
A Saturday morning hike with Cory.
So fun to see the foliage growing in.
Kate loves her naps.
Kate is sounding more and more classical and polished every recital.
Kate joined a rec soccer team and she won't tell you this but she is the star. She is all over that field, chasing down balls defending, making clean passes, and open for goals. It was so fun to see her with friends and in her element. It did kill her hip every game.
Owen was invited to a late night movie to see "Michael," and this is how he very confidently dressed: yeti slippers and Comfy blanket.
He was so excited to show up to the senior night barbeque and show Zachary his buzzed head. Zac was a little less enthusiastic about the BBQ but he went and he was friendly. He and Brady did a "Newlywed game" of how well do you know your senior? They did well. Some of the questions featured, "What do you fight with your parents most about?" and "What emoji do you use the most frequently?" Answers? Curfew and shaka.
She felt terrible after this race but super proud of herself. Walker PR'd in both the mile and 800 as well, I believe! Love cheering on these cousins!
And love having my best friend and support squad with me!
This kids flips all day long.
Celebrating Cory. I absolutely love how he embraces his birthdays and lets us all celebrate him!
Finishing the day with s'mores in Mom and Dad's backyard.
Elise joined in the fun, wearing Mom's wedding dress.
They sang 9 songs about Utah's history and I recognized all of them from singing in the car, singing in the shower, and singing around the house.
Trying to contain his grin.
I was so happy to see these flowers. Haven't seen them since and I wonder if it is the deer or a short blooming season. ChatGPT will help me.
She suddenly looks so grown up, heading to the 9th grade dance.
...and sunburnt.
Owen and Drew found a free wheelbarrow and painted it in his yard.
Kate's last game! They made it to playoffs and won but could not compete in the finals because of a school conflict.
Sentimental pictures prior to Zachary's graduation: pictures from preschool.
Graduation Day at the Marriott Center. What a huge group of kids! The speeches and procession were so well done and we went away completely impressed.
Kaua'i graduations give leis post graduating, but in Utah copying the Hawai'i tradition, of course, most of the kids had leis before the ceremony!
Grandpa trying to wipe the color out of his hair.
Zachary and Cohen! Found each other Junior Year right after both moving from the ocean: Cohen from Florida.
Zac and Ella:
Jessica, Cohen's mom:
Loved hearing kids calling out for Zachary.
Sick Kate:
Owen and his friend Max had the opportunity to run at the BYU track for their RaceCats track meet!
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Owen's last day of school. They finished off with a swim party at Drew's.
I demanded he not take this photo but now that I see it, it's pretty funny.
Brady busted out Daylight Donuts from his backpack!
We told the boys to frolik.
Between the races, Kate and Owen danced Michael Jackson routines.
My friend Jamie organized a birthday pickleball session for my birthday! It was so fun doing something with all these ladies in my neighborhood and I quickly learned that I need lessons if I want to be competitive.
I went straight from pickleball to the pet store with Owen and Max to...buy a snake! Owen's been dying for a pet snake. We made it all the way to the register with everything we needed, all the info, after handling the one he wanted. Then I couldn't do it. I could NOT! These guys can live for 15-20 years. They get big. I was so creeped out, and knew that at some point, I would have to handle it. Owen even seemed kind of scared, but he was determined to have a snake just like Max. Then, the pet store manager brought out the full size version and I almost puked. He also had bites all over, because "all snakes bite." Hard pass. I took my devastated boy home and listened to him sob for hours, lamenting what could have been. Hours and hours.
Brady still having so many issues with a strange pain in his shin/calf.
Super rainy Saturday meant delaying our hiking and doing an hour on the stair stepper together. A pitiful alternative, but still challenging.
Finally getting snow...in May!
Holding Baby James at Angela's house for a start-of-summer BBQ.
We have landscaping! The deer love it. They come in for a healthy salad every day.
In preparation for graduation, the ward hosts a BBQ honoring the seniors and asked for a young picture of the kids. This is the one we sent in.
Later that afternoon, we went on a short mountain bike ride with neighbors. Kate joined us with Millie and we ran into this fella. Kate said she was never mountain biking again.
Sunday, the kids had a final piano recital for the year. We invited Mom and Dad down for dinner and the recital, and I cut off a portion of my finger and nail. I was very dramatic. It grew back. I'm still embarrassed because I was so dramatic.
Owen got through some real piano resistance this year. As my friend Stef says, "Kids don't quit piano. Parents quit piano." We came up with a reduced practice time, started incentivizing the practice sessions, and allow more independent time in his practice sessions. He made it and continues to practice willingly months later without the battles.
Asher's mom buzzed Asher and Owen's hair.
Right after the BBQ, Owen jumped into Zac's car and they went to buy bleach. They bleached his hair until 10:30pm and Owen could hardly wait to show his friends. It was such a cute bonding night for him and Zac.
Varsity Region was next for Kate, and she bested her PR once again!!! 2:32
Kate's final orchestra concert at Timberline. I loved her teacher and was so glad Kate dove into cello and another group and opportunity.
Westfield's PTA puts on a Wolf Run and Color Run every year. I did not realize this was a competitive race. I thought it was a color run only. Owen had also told me he was going to go easy. I thought that was confusing because how is a color run hard??
Well, it was a 1.6 mile race. And Owen won. I got tons of texts from other moms asking where I was and I felt terrible for taking work off to watch Kate race but not Owen. Oops.
He did in fact do a casual color run, too, and then went straight to track practice.
Not to be outdone by his little bro, Zac buzzed, bleached, and dyed his hair right before graduation.
Hiking with Judith and Matt up AF Canyon.
Family BBQ at Angela's. McKay is always so involved with Owen and I'm so grateful for these kids who know how to make their younger cousins feel loved.
Kristen and I came downstairs to the shock of our lives: Rach and Kate wearing our wedding dresses!
Just a regular Sunday. Playing piano. In a suit. With bright white hair.
Hangout time wiht Owen's friend, Drew. They went mountain biking together and did many jumps.
4th grade is the year they learn about cultures and their state. Owen was all over this, especially since he was assigned to square dance with Meg, a cute girl in his class.
Another soccer game!
Timberline Award Ceremony. Kate was honored with High Honor Roll and Student Council.
We had a group of Owen's friends over for trampoline, ping pong, pizza and a movie.
Owen's last game with his Surf team. They had a rough season with many losses. Owen wasn't sure if he wanted to continue with soccer at this point, but over the next few days, he went to many different team practices to see if he wanted to try another club. Ultimately, he stayed loyal to Surf and his coach, and went to those tryouts exclusively.
Tsunami celebration for Zac's graduation. He forgot shoes! But we had a lovely time laughing and eating up hundreds of dollars in less than 15 min.
Watching Zachary's soccer team win 6A state on a tiny phone screen with him was heartbreaking and elating.
His best friend was team captain and Patty, a boy from our ward, scored all three goals for Lone Peak.
Kaua'i graduations give leis post graduating, but in Utah copying the Hawai'i tradition, of course, most of the kids had leis before the ceremony!
Cohen's sisters:
Post Graduation Lunch: Burger Surpreme. Mom Edwards did us a big favor and at there with us.
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Owen was NOT interested in running with the giant middle schoolers. That turned out to be smart as we had the privilege that day of watching Jane Hendegren's sister, Susan, race the 1500 with her dad, clocking a 4:29! Owen's group started at a much more moderate pace and he was so happy with his performance. Max, the avid BYU fan, said running on the BYU track was his "opportunity of a lifetime." Max and Owen also told me they are going to be roommates at BYU.
It is possible we have gone too far with food reward expectations. Owen promptly asked after the race, "Where am I eating as my prize?"
Date night, bike night.
A last picture of our 7th grade math team. Eliza (far left) decided to be a SAHM after the summer, and Rachel (second from left) followed her husband to St. George for med school. It was pretty unique to have an all-female math team. Amanda, Ashley and I are staying on for next year.
A beautiful Saturday hike in American Fork canyon, perfect except for when we had to turn around for snow.
Kate celebrates her end of year with Sophie, Jayd and Eliza in St. George.
Matt, Angelica and family join me, Brady, and Owen on a family hike. It took us some time to hike in the heat for 8 miles, but we had a fun surprise waiting in the meadow.
Owen's last track meet! He got second place in the 800 meter and first in the mile!
"What is my prize for racing?"
After a Chick-fil-A apology run, Owen finally stopped crying. 15 minutes later, he confessed, "I was scared of that snake." Me too, buddy!
Brady took me on a bike ride right after work.
We met at Sol Agave for dinner with Cory and Kristen's family, where Owen casually told the server, "I'll have my regular...lobster enchiladas." Good grief! We went home to cake and ice cream and I felt so loved.
Swimming at Cory and Kristen's.
Cousins are enchanted with Ella!
First time to Splash Summit for these boys!
Welcome, Summer!
