Choir

I LOVE that Bennett is taking choir this year.

It was definitely not his first choice of electives,

but I have learned over the years to get that Fine Arts credit out of the way early on,

and choir is a great way to do it!

Last night was his first choir concert at Mountain View and it was AWESOME!

Poston and Mountain View both have huge choral programs and the teachers are incredible.

I feel really blessed that my boys have been exposed to music from such great teachers.

When they complain, I remind them that what they learn in choir will stick with them, 

probably more than anything they are learning in geometry.

I love that when they are in the car riding with me, 

they aren't afraid to belt out their favorite songs.

I love to hear them singing around the house

 because they can't get those choir songs out of their heads.

But, I especially love sitting next to them in church and actually hearing them sing...

and you know, they are darn good!

How can you not love a class that is all boys and mostly great friends?!!!!

 Bennett and Tanner reunited

 Carson and Bennett

 Stockton, Bennett and Smith

(Should have seen these guys get into their rendition of "Love Potion Number 9")

 Love Cassidy's willingness to always support her brothers!

 Hanging with Clark's cute friends

 Bennett and Trent

The reward for a great job!

Now, I have to convince him to take History during summer school

 to make room for choir next year!

Wish me luck!

We are one of THOSE Families!

September 2nd was Echo's First Birthday!

So we did what any normal family would do...

we baked him a "Pupcake", donned our birthday hats,

and took lots of pictures!

 Bennett, Haley, Cassidy, Katie

 THE BOY and HIS DOG

 

Love these two  (or should I say 3?)!

Homecoming 2012

Homecoming Weekend was busy and fun filled!

We started by attending the Homecoming Assembly Friday morning in the gym.

Cousin Carie was in charge and ran the entire assembly beautifully!
(Cassidy was in charge of the same assemby two years ago!)

 

 It was so fun to see these two boys after the assembly!

 The Homecoming Game was against Westwood.

Chase, Rachel and Clark after a great WIN of 52-7.

Clark scored 2 touchdowns and had over 100 yards in receiving!

 Several weeks ago, Clark asked Megan to be his date for the dance.

He put the letters of his name in QT slushies with the caption:

"Hey QT!  How about we take a "Quick Trip" to Homecoming?"

(Thanks, Alexa for letting us use your cute idea!)

 The day activity was held at Bob Worsley's cabin up in the mountains.

The cabin is HUGE and the kids had a blast playing in the 'over the top' game room,

swimming in the pond, chasing the llamas and eating pizza.

 A great group of kids!

Just as Clark was ready to head out the door to pick up his date,

Cassidy and Haley snagged him for the traditional send-off!

Baby Landon!

Clark and Megan

They took pictures, ate dinner at Golden Gate and headed off to the dance.

 Unfortunately, Megan had lost her wallet with her school ID and license in it.

She printed off her school schedule complete with picture, class schedule, etc.

and the teacher checking IDs and tickets would not let them in!

They tried everything...but NO LUCK!

Needless to say, it was a bit of a bummer, but they made the best of it!

(we'll see what the administration has to say after Curt talks to them...it seems a bit extreme!)

 Clark chilling outside the dance

So fun to see Samantha!

 The night activity included ice cream at the Sugar Bowl in Scottsdale.

The end of a fun night!

Introducing...

It's all true!

Being a Grandma is the BEST!

I knew it would be fun, but it has exceeded my expectations by a long shot.

This little guy has stolen our hearts and we are in love!

LANDON BRETT ALLRED

September 13, 2012

6 lb 5 oz and 19 1/2 inches of total perfection.

We love our photographer Kenzie Gossling (Haley's BFF)

for taking these priceless pictures. 

Stay tuned for the pictures from his newborn session!

Toro Swim

 Bennett has always loved swimming.

When my other kids were whining and complaining about summer swim team,

Bennett was counting down the days.

So, it was no surprise when he decided to swim at Mountain View.

This was a new experience for us and we loved

going to the meet and watching Bennett interact with all the other kids.

I have to hand it to these kids!  

It takes a lot of courage and self confidence to wear a swim suit with pride,

especially in mixed company!

(Not a big fan of the speedos...why can't the boys wear jammers?)

 Thank goodness for the drag suits that offer a little bit of coverage

until just before you get on the blocks!

Since Bennett is just a Freshman, he is not swimming for "points".

He swims exhibition and at this meet he swam the 50 Free.

His time was 25:86.

He did a great job!

GO TOROS!

Welcome Home!

We were beyond excited when Cassidy returned home 

after attending the summer session at BYU Provo.

But for her it was bitter sweet...

she loved having her independence, making tons of new friends, and

having Katie as her room mate.

Her bedroom was in need of some updating,

so while she was gone we got to work.

I wanted her to have her own study area,

so I got this desk off of Craigslist.

 This bookcase has been around forever...

It had been in my bedroom growing up and

somehow I managed to inherit it.

The back and shelves were covered in fabric and there were

 layers and layers and layers of every kind of glue.

I did my best to scrape and sand it off, but I am not a patient person!

These chairs I picked up at Goodwill on the 50% off day.

 Here is the bedroom before...

 and here it is after.

My criteria for this "redo" was:

1.  had to be inexpensive

2.  I did not want to repaint 

Tia (as our resident DIY girl) had great ideas.

We spray painted the flowers that were hanging above the beds in the "before" picture

and hung them on another wall.

I loved the white comforters that I found on Overstock, but I knew we needed some color.

The cute reversible quilts at the end of the bed I found at TJ Maxx.

I didn't want to spend the $$ on two comforters, so we bought one,

cut it in half, and hemmed the raw edge.

As easy as that sounds, I never would have thought to do that.

My brain just does not think like that!  Thank you, Tia!

A couple of the pillows I picked up on clearance from Target in the outdoor furniture section.

 Here is the desk and chair that we sanded and painted.

 and the bookcase, minus the fabric and glue.

I painted the inside the same as the desk to tie it together.

Cassidy was so surprised to see her new room and she LOVED it!

PHEW!