Ruling the School

Mike started his first day of 8th grade on Monday. Obviously Jason did the school shopping this year. I think all his new school shirts have either skulls or blood, or both. Hey Mike - next year it's you, me and American Eagle. He's so glad not to be a Sevee anymore - 8th graders are much cooler. We keep reminding him that his freshman year is just around the corner, so he better enjoy the high and mighty feeling while it lasts. He's jammin' on trumpet again in band and chose beginning guitar for his other elective - maybe he can teach Jason a thing or two. Go Shaw Coyotes!

Outie to Innie

After Alyssa's umbilical hernia surgery (which involved closing a small hole in the muscle behind her belly button), the nurse told us she would be tired and probably just lay around and watch movies for a couple of days. She obviously doesn't know Alyssa very well. After the surgery, she practically skipped out of the hospital and never slowed down. She remembers them singing the Sponge Bob song to her before she fell asleep for the surgery, and the staff was amazed at her bravery through the entire process, much of which was away from Mom and Dad. Grandma Idonna came to the rescue (as usual) so we could work on Friday, and Grandma didn't have any luck keeping Alyssa down either. We are very grateful that the surgery was successful. I will miss her huge, squishy belly button - it was so cute! But she now has a cutesy little innie. Her first day home she sounded out and wrote "bellybutton" all by herself on her drawing board as "belebutin." She is still wearing her hospital bracelet 4 days later and thinks her surgery was super cool.

Purple Puppy Power!!!!

Alyssa LOVES her first ever season of AYSO soccer. The team thought long and hard about a name and came up with the "PURPLE PUPPIES!" Hilarious and unbelievably cute, especially when their first game was against the Unicorns - those names could only come from a bunch of 4 year old girls (and it makes cheering from the sidelines fun - "Go Purple Puppies!"). She has a hard time remembering to trap the ball with her feet - why use your feet when your hands work so well? She smiles and laughs the entire time.


I'll admit that we are all enjoying this much more than T-Ball......
She is a sweaty mess by game's end - she gets that from her Daddy.

Cammie got married!!!

Wow is the only word to describe Cam's wedding, which overlooked Lake Tahoe on an amazing summer day. It was so awesome to be surrounded by family all weekend. We are all so happy for Cammie and Rob!

Cammie looked like a princess and Tiffany did an amazing job with the elegant reception. I cried my eyes out. I LOVE my sisters!

A glimpse into date night....

Oh Batman, you're so brave and handsome and tough, especially in the toy aisle of WalMart.

Robert is about to make an honest woman out of Cammie (little sis)!

Next week Cammie will be a married woman! We are so excited to have Robert as an official part of our family soon, although he was adopted in as the favorite uncle a long time ago. Her engagement pictures are absolutely beautiful. Congratulations to my baby sister.

Alyssa's 1st Triathalon!

Alyssa competed in her very first triathalon last Saturday. First she ran her heart out in the water run....






Next she rode her speedy princess bike 2 MILES! around the Sparks Marina. Dad rode with her and Mom ran. She was the fastest chick on training wheels.....









Last she ran .2 miles to the finish line where a medal was waiting for her.




Mom, Dad, Grandma Idonna and Mikey were there to wipe her sweat and cheer her on. You go girl!

Fun in the Sun

It's too hot to be anywhere but the pool!

Even Grandma Idonna came along for the fun. She wowed the crowds with her double back tucks off the diving board, but we didn't catch any on camera....