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.