Jens's Piano Recital

This last Thursday Jens performed in his 2nd ever piano recital. He did very well and we were very proud of him. Grandma Smith came up to see the recital, go to Wendy's (Jens's pick) and then we went to the Elementary School's Pumpkin Walk. Every year, each class comes up with a theme to show character values and put them on display for 2 nights. It was a fun night of accomplishments. Jens's class theme was "Walkin' on Sunshine" and they all listed what having a positive attitude means to them. He said "keep on trying and be kind." Ellie's kindergarten class theme was "I Love Me!" and they each painted pumpkins to look like themselves. (My camera battery died at the Pumpkin Walk so we took pictures the day after.)

Better Late than Never!

I need to repent and catch up on my blogging! Check out the new blogs I've added (about 10). I've changed the dates so that they are in chronological order. Enjoy!

Hamburger with Buns!

This last weekend Tim, his brother Doug, and friend Ty Hopkins did a Triathalon Sprint in St. George. For Tim and Ty, it was a virgin voyage. For Doug, it was his 2nd go around. His first was in May of this year. They all had a good time and want to try to do more in the future. However, Tim had a bit of a rough 1st race. He started out the swim with an unexpected bad reaction to the washing machine effect(created by all the swimmers starting at the same time in the open water) with a bit of a panic attack. In training, the swim had become his best leg, but I guess the adrenaline or something got to him. He was able to recover and ended up finishing that swimming leg just ahead of Doug and Ty. He then began the bike portion only to slide out on his bike at the bottom of a big hill. Getting used to your legs locked into the pedals is tough! That's where the "Hamburger with Buns" comes in. He ended up with a lot of road rash on his hip and BUNS after the fall. (I thought I'd spare you the visuals by NOT including a picture!) He picked himself up and continued on only to have the chain on his bike come off 1/2 way through the bike. He came in ahead of his goal time, but hopes that next time will go a bit smoother! We were very proud and it was a great example to the kids of perserverance and finishing the race! (Thanks for the heading idea, Bee!) Plug this website into your computer to see more pictures: http://www.zazoosh.com/members/viewGallery/989

Soccer Season

Jens, Ellie & Tate have all enjoyed soccer this season. Jens has really improved and enjoys the team he is on with his old scout leader as the coach. He is playing positions more and has started to see more strategy in the game. Ellie & Tate are also having a blast with the neighborhood kids. Our street alone makes up a team of preschoolers and kindergartners. Tim helped coach the team since we have 2 kids on the team. He is a natural. They are cute and Ellie has been getting aggressive with several goals. It is pretty much "magnet ball" at this age and they often fight for the ball from their own teammates, but they've got to start somewhere. Treats are always the highlight of the game!

Don't Eat Brownies for Breakfast!

Tuesday morning, I woke up to a half-eaten pan of slightly burnt brownies from the FHE treat the night before. So, of course, that sounded and looked like a perfect breakfast bite to begin my day! I proceeded to enjoy those ever so chewy brownies for breakfast and after swallowing my last bite, realized that something was very sharp in the back of my mouth! Half of one of my back teeth was missing! So...after 1.5 hours in the dentist chair yesterday and $300 later, I have a temporary tooth soon to be a crown! Moral of the story...think twice before eating brownies for breakfast!!!

Tate's 1st Day of School

Tate is attending preschool at the school Ellie went to last year, ABC Preschool. (He goes on MWF in the afternoons.) We loved it last year! The teachers were awesome and so positive. We are carpooling with a neighbor kid, Kai Brown. Aaah! Four kids, each on their own schedules! Hopefully I survive the year!
Tate had a rough summer filled with tumbles. He slightly fractured his foot earlier in the summer and had his fair share of road rash, the most recent one being last week when he went over the handlebars on his scooter.

The brothers go to Michigan!

Tim and 2 of his brothers, Lance & Doug, decided to take a trip to Michigan to visit Bam & Josh. They moved out at the beginning of August to start attending Medical School at Michigan State. Tim, Doug, Lance, Josh & Bam all enjoyed the intense U of U vs. Michigan St. game. The went and rooted for the Utes and got a lot of jeering from the hometown crowd, but had a lot of fun together! (See Bam & Josh's blog for pictures)