Mariah and Her Braces

I have known for a while that Mariah would need to have braces. And just recently we have been given the green light from the dentist that it was time to begin. We went last Tuesday to Coleman Orthodontics for a consultation and she got four spacers put in at that time.

She has been so, so excited to get her braces on. Yesterday was the big day. I am surprised that she let me take pictures. The boys, Bryce and Jacob, never would let me. So, we have pictures from before, during, and after (although they show up backwards in this post!). She was very brave and patient throughout the process. She had our really cute friend, Kelli, as her hygenist. I think that really helped Mariah to relax. Kelli explained everything that she was going to do, what instrument she was using, and just talking to Mariah.

Mariah will need to have her braces on for almost two years. It was fun to watch her decide what color of bands she would use. It became the question of the day, "What color of bands should I get?" and then she would run through different color combinations.

So for the next few years, we will see various colors in Mariah's mouth when she smiles her cute little smile!

Syracuse vs. Clearfield

With each passing game, Jake is being given the chance to play more and more. I am so glad that he is given the opportunity to prove himself on the field. He has worked so hard at practice and at home. He loves the game of football! He played offense as a wide receiver when the Titans played Clearfield. The Titans won 52 - 0.

Syracuse Titans vs Fremont Silverwolves

These pictures are of Jacob playing defensive line for the Syracuse Titans. The funny thing about this is that he has never practiced with the defensive line! He usually practices with the wide receivers and cornerbacks.

The game wasn't going so well, so Coach Anderson (a friend of Bryce's) came up to Jake and said "BB, go and play like your brother." BB was Bryce's nickname when he played for the Titans. It was fun to see Jake get a chance to play. He played on the line next to his cousin, Tyler.

Let's hope the next game has a better outcome! Go Titans

First Day of School!!

It was a very big day at my house. Each of the kids set off this morning on new adventures!! Bryce attended his first day of college, Jacob - his first day of high school, and Mariah - her first day of junior high! It is hard to believe that the kids have grown that much! I can remember each of them as tiny, tiny babies. This is such a fun and busy time in all their lives and I am so proud of each one of them!

Now once I get home from work, it will be a mad dash to the store to get all the school supplies that are always needed: binders, colored pencils, etc. I have been trying to pick up a few things here and there, so our visit to the store should be fairly painless. Which is good, because I have a wonderful summer cold and really don't want to fight the crowds.

As always, Bryce and Jacob really didn't want their pictures taken. But I got them to stand for a few pictures anyway. No problems with Mariah, she loves the camera.

Good luck to you all on an awesome school year!

Blue/White Scrimmage

I love this time of year. When the mornings get a little cooler and the kids are heading back to school. To me, it means only one thing - Football! As long as I can remember, I have always liked the game of football.

Football becomes a lot more fun when your sons play the game. The last few years have been a blast with Bryce playing for the Syracuse Titans. Now Jacob is playing on the Syracuse High sophomore team. I am so excited for him.

Tonight was the Blue and White Scrimmage. Jacob was able to play both sides of the ball - offense and defense. Although there are about 60 kids on the team, Jacob seems to hold his own and gets some playing time.

Good Luck Titans!

Girls Camp - 2009

Girls Camp has come and gone! What a ton of work for such a short period of time....it seems to go by way too quick, but it is always so worth it. This was Mariah's first year of Girls Camp and I know she was more than a little nervous. Thanks to some awesome Laurels and Mia Maids, they made Mariah and the other young Beehives feel right at home.

To tell the truth, I wasn't really looking forward to camp. But I am glad that I went. It was just what I needed. The girls in the ward are so bubbly and so cute. I don't think that I have ever laughed that hard over some of the silliest things. Camp has kind of given me a new outlook towards life - instead of just sitting back and just doing what I need to do in order to get by....I need to go out there, try new things, laugh more, don't watch others having fun - just go out and do it myself!

Garden Flowers

As I was walking around my yard the other day, I noticed the bright colors of some of the flowers that I had planted. Thinking that this would be a good opportunity to try some new and different things with my camera, off I went. Hope you enjoy the results.

Sunset

Graduation!

On June 5, 2009, Bryce was one of 383 graduates in the first graduating class from Syracuse High School. Way to go Bryce! We are so proud of Bryce and all his accomplishments! We are also very excited for this next step in his life.

Misc Pictures

Ok, so I figured out what I was doing wrong! So here are a few pictures of Jake's guitar concert and his 7 on 7 competition at Weber County Fairgrounds. And a fun one of Mariah!

Computer Madness!

I'm been working on new posts for the family blog and trying to add pictures to the boy's individual posts and wouldn't you know it....for some stupid reason I can't add pictures. I worked on Mariah's just fine and now I can't seem to do anything with the boy's posts. Maybe I will wait for a while and then try again! Computers are getting to be the bain of my existence!

Jacob

What a crazy few weeks for Jacob! Ever since school has been out, Jacob has been practicing with the Syracuse High School football team first thing in the morning. This past week he was at the BYU Football Camp with his cousin, Tyler. This week he will be busy with Titan Football Camp.

Keep up the hard work, Jake!

Mariah

It has been a pretty hectic few weeks. So not to forget anyone or anything, I will post things about them individually. To begin with, Mariah graduated from elementary school on June 4. That morning I was able to watch her perform in the school's Spring Fling. It seems to be a tradition that the 6th graders do a "stick dance" to "We will Rock you" by Queen. She did a really good job! That night at her graduation and she won the "President's Education Award". She is getting really excited to go to junior high. So far her summer has been all about "hanging out" with her friends. Congratulations to Mariah!

Bryce's Senior Pictures

Here is a postcard that my awesome neighbor, Erinne, helped me put together to go inside Bryce's Graduation cards. It showcases a few of my favorite senior pictures.

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

As I was driving past the high school the other day, this little bit of information popped up. I loved it! What a fun idea! So, it has taken me a few times of driving past the school again and again and again to see this update. So periodically there will be new posts showing you Bryce's Final Countdown to Graduation!

Thanks Sheri, Kyle, and Amy for helping me get all sorts of pictures of this The Final Countdown!

Now the Fun Begins.....

Today Jacob and his cousin, Tyler, passed their tests to receive their learner's permits. So I am going through many emotions: joy, anxious, fear, etc. Jacob learning to drive! I can't believe it. He has done very well on the times that we have gone and "cruised" the church parking lot. What a fun stage in life I am in right now. Bryce graduating high school and attending college in the fall. Jacob just entering high school and learning to drive. And Mariah leaving the world of elementary school behind and joining the ranks of teenager. But regardless of the whirlwind of activity that seems to be constantly at our house, I have truly been blessed with awesome kids who I am so proud of.

Boys 2 Men

Could I be that old to have both of my boys shaving! It is one thing that both of them are taller than me (no short jokes please - I think I've heard them all!), but to have both of them shaving that is just way too much for me to handle.

For some time now, Jacob has had a "stache" growing. We've teased and laughed, and teased some more. But when Jacob asked me about shaving, I knew it was time. Bryce, being the awesome brother that he is, taught Jake one of life's passages in a man's life - the art of shaving. Jacob wasn't too sure in the beginning but everything turned out fine. In fact, both Bryce and Jacob cut themselves shaving in the exact same place!

Mariah wanted in on the action, but Jacob wouldn't even think about it. I was able to enjoy this moment in between taking pictures to record this momentous occasion and trying to keep Mariah from peeking.

New Rooms for Bryce, Jacob, and Mariah

One of my most dreaded household jobs is painting. It is one of those things that I love it when it is finished, but I hate the process of cleaning, preparation, taping, priming, and the actual painting! But I am forever grateful for my parents who helped me with this "little project".

Since the upstairs was basically painted just a few years ago, I repainted Mariah's room and let her pick her colors and the accessories to go in it. She was fun to watch as we shopped for paint, pictures, etc for her room. She definitely knew what she wanted and where it was to be put in her room.

The boys rooms definitely have a new look to them. We took down the wall borders and the dark colors and just added a tan color to the walls. We have a little bit of decorating to do, but they are just not into shopping like Mariah is. When I ask what type of things they would like, they just tell me "sports posters". So off to the internet I go, looking for their posters.