First Mutual

Tonight was the first Mutual for Addyson since joining Young Women's at church.  It was joint with the Young Men, and those activities are always fun.  The youth played Q-Tip wars and it was hilarious watching them.  They made a big mess in the cultural hall, but it was all worth it.  From all of the smiles in the pics, I think it was a great first mutual experience!

12!

  

Our oldest turned 12 on Saturday and that's unreal to me.  This was an especially best birthday because she now gets to attend the Young Women class at church now instead of Primary.  She was so excited about it, and I was, too.  The celebrations started Friday night, the day before her birthday.  We planned a surprise party for her and I invited all of the Beehives from church.  I thought it'd be a fun way for them to welcome her in to YW.  Right now there are about 10 Beehives, and with three more coming in by December.  It's a really fun group right now.

Anyway, Addyson was so surprised and that made the party so much fun.  She had no clue, which was unusual because she can figure out most anything.  The girls all ran around in the yard, played air hockey in the shed, drank pink lemonade slushes, Ryan made chicken fettuccine alfredo, she had a cookie cake, and plenty of snacks.  It was a great time and I'm glad we were able to pull off such a fun surprise for her.  

The next day was her birthday so she started the day with donuts.  She got lots of fun gifts, some which were gift cards to Sephora and Ulta(make up stores), so she and I spent the afternoon shopping.  We had Five Guys cheeseburgers for dinner, then ended with a Tuxedo Cake.  I hope she had a great weekend celebrating, but I'm pretty sure she did.  It was pretty apparent after it was all over that this girl is very much loved!

Fall Soccer

This past Summer I asked Lane what activity she might like to do this school year, and she immediately said Soccer.  I was surprised because when she played three years ago she didn't seem to care for it much.  She hasn't played in a while so I wasn't sure she should do it, but she kept insisting.  We signed her up, and her first game was today.  It was so fun to watch her!  She was aggressive with the ball, and when she got kicked in the leg by another girl, she kept playing like nothing had happened.  I was impressed!  Also, her friend from school, Abbie, is on her team this time so that's been fun.  I'm so glad she's involved in something she likes, and it's great exercise.  Go, Hornets!

New School Year

The girls started school this past week, 6th and 3rd grade, I can't believe it.  6th grade is Middle School so this was a new beginning for Addyson.  She was so ready and excited to go.  She got home the first day and said it was so different than elementary but much better.  I think she's enjoying the freedom and more independence of Middle School.

Lane is liking 3rd grade so far.  She likes her teacher and has several friends in her class.  Not much homework has come home as of yet, but we'll see how everyone handles that.

So far, so good! 

A 6th Grade Hornet!

This week Addyson got to go up to the middle school to get her school supplies, get her yearbook picture taken, and get her schedule and her locker number/combination.  She was so excited!  It was kind of overwhelming for her as it's a whole new school(and it was for me, too), but she got more excitement than nerves.  At the school they put all of the sixth graders and their classrooms in basically one hallway so it's easy for them, I think it's such a great idea.  She had some problems getting her locker combination to work, but we had someone fix it and now she's good with it.  This will be such a great year for her and I know she's ready for a change. I can't wait to hear all about it after the first day is under her belt!

Geneva on the Lake & Kirtland

Yesterday the girls and I drive up to see Suzie.  She parks her Motorhome at a campground in a town that sits on Lake Erie called Geneva on the Lake.  She comes up ever July 4th and leaves to go back to TX Labor Day weekend.  When we go the girls always swim in the pool there, they feed the ducks, we eat lunch, then always hit up our favorite ice cream place in town.  This particular trip felt different though.  The girls are really growing up, they didn't seem as interested in swimming, and when they did it didn't last long.  For some reason it hit me then that they aren't little bitty anymore.  Which is fine, it's just different now.  After our ice cream we went to a state park where we spent a little time walking around the beach of the lake.  

We left for home earlier than I thought we would, Suzie looked tired and I had a headache.  Half way home when we saw the exit for Kirtland, we decided to stop real quick for a walk around the temple.  I love the little town there, and the visitors center.  We didn't do that part, but just being on the temple grounds is special.  

It was a great day!

Medina County Fair

This past week was the Medina County Fair, and we decided to go because we missed it the last two years.  It's always pretty predictable with the animals, fair food, rides and games, but if you live in Medina, you need to go.  The girls always like going, but this year Addyson didn't go with us because she had an end of Summer swim party at a friend's house.  It was a fun night and I'm glad we ended up going.