Pete's Dragon

Mike took an extended lunch break and met us at the movie theater to see Pete's Dragon.  I love $5 Tuesdays.  Usually we can't take advantage of it because of YM/YW and school.  We also had the swim banquet tonight.  Mike thought it started at 6:00, so he stopped by on the way home.  He was able to pick up their awards, which made it tempting to not even go.  Mike and I ended up taking Jorja, Katlyn and Preston. We had dinner there and then took Preston to Brian's house for his birthday party.  Preston had a lot of fun.  I'm hoping Brian will be in Preston's class this year.  We will find out on Monday.

Swim Pictures

I got the boys up early so they could be in the swim/dive team pictures for our neighborhood.  We usually are out of town every time they do this.  Jorja missed it again this year.  Preston is in the front of the crowd, Stockton is in the back.

I took the kids to see The Secret Life of Pets today.  I only fell asleep once during the movie.  I'm proud of myself.  Afterword we went to OHOP.  I love the crepes there.  I like the one by my dad's house and I wanted to take Willy there.  Today when we went was so weird.  The hostess sat us at a table the was not clean.  Specifically under the table. There were lots of scrambled eggs.  We thought they were going to clean it, but nope.  Stockton held up his feet for about fifteen minutes. I finally asked the hostess if she had a broom we could use.  She finally came and cleaned it.  I told Willy, "This is not usual.  Restaurants in America are usually clean."  It was really weird.

Mike got the boys mostly ready for Youth Conference tomorrow.  The paper we got Sunday said you can't wear shorts.  Too bad that is all Willy brought.  Mike was going to take him to the store to buy pants, but then found some pants that fit Willy.  Kind of.  It was pretty funny, but I'm sure everything will be okay.

Dive and Swim

The last meet of the season!  Well, the last we are going to be able to attend.  I had to judge again.  I don't like that.  I asked Rian if she was sure she couldn't find anyone else.  She told me I was the most qualified.  That's scary!  Mike came right as the meet started.  I was trying to get his attention so he could take pictures.  Preston's group went first.  Mike didn't understand me.  Luckily another parent sent me this picture.  I love it!  Look at that form!  I really, really, really, really, really want to put Preston in dive classes up at BYU in the fall.  I'd love for Jorja to do it too, but we'll see.

Preston

When the age groups were switching I ran and asked Mike to take pictures.  I love the pictures taken at this pool with the mountains in the background.  They look so cool!  Especially when I zoom in on my phone and it looks like Stockton is flying by the mountains.  If I was talented enough I would post what I'm talking about, but I'm not.....

Stockton

 Preston & Stockton

I had to time the swim meet.  I asked Stockton if he could stay and help Preston get to all of his events.  Preston was swimming four times.  Two relays, the 50 free and 50 back.  He got to all of them except the last relay.  I was frantically looking for him while I was timing, but they ended up having another swimmer swim.  I saw Preston right as his team was getting out of the water.  He didn't realize that they were combining events.  He should have been there earlier, but oh well.....not much more I could have done.

Mike left after the dive meet and worked on sprinklers.  He worked until it was really dark outside.  He thinks he can fix it, but it is going to take a lot of time.  We don't have much of that right now.

Mike

He is moving the sprinklers away from the house.  Hopefully that will stop the leaking into the girls room.  The people who lived here before had the bright idea to drill through the foundation so they could run a wire somewhere.  Not a good idea.

I dropped Jorja off at Girls' Camp this morning.  This will be her first time going without Maysen.  She is a little nervous.  I hope she has a good time.  It is H-O-T right now!  After the swim meet I went to Kanani's house.  I bought some quilt frames from her mom for $30. She has never used them.  Hopefully I will be able to use them lots!

Stockton is a Licensed Driver

Stockton's official!  Mike took him this morning to get his drivers license.  They went early.  Stockton's drivers ed teacher had not sent the information, even though he finished his drives over a week ago. Stockton called him up and had him send it.  Pretty brave to call a teacher that early in the morning.  His teacher sent the information and Stockton is done!  Thank goodness!  We don't need to do that again for about a year and a half.  That is a scary thought!  I call Mike gets to teach Jorja how to drive!  (Well Mike has to teach all the kids.  I am WAY too chicken for that!  It is so scary!)

Stockton had diving all day today.  Maysen, Jorja and Preston came with me to pick him up.  We went to Krispy Kreme on the way home.  I brought their report cards.  We got all these donuts for free.  Krispy Kreme gives a free glazed donut for each A, limit 6.  Too bad we didn't know about this trick earlier!

There was no dive meet today, but Preston had a swim meet.  It was nice and warm today, a total change from last meet.  Preston swam in a relay for the first time.  I think he had fun doing that.

Mike's Gone, Jorja's Gone

Stockton was able to have his dive practice on the platforms today.  The BYU divers went down to Cottonwood to have their morning practice. Cottonwood is where Stockton use to dive.  Josh (Stockton's old diving buddy) was the lifeguard there.  The kids had fun teasing him.

I had to leave my house before my brother Mike did.  Jorja is going to softball camp at BYU this week.  (Of course Stockton didn't need to be at BYU the one morning Jorja needed to be there.  Nice timing.)  I have LOVED having Mike and his family stay with us.  Ella really loved it!  I got some pictures with Mike's family before I left.  Blake was a little hard to convince to join in the picture.

Stephanie & Blake

 Larkin, Amelia, Ella, Stephanie, Skye

 Larkin, Ella, Stephanie, Skye

Amelia, Blake

 Larkin, Stephanie, Skye

 Larkin, Stephanie, Skye, Blake

Preston took some pictures of Mike and I.  They are all pretty much the same with one slight variation.  See if you can notice it.

Stephanie & Mike

What a silly Porge!  Jorja was a bit nervous about going to softball camp.  Last year she didn't know anyone, but Stockton was at diving camp the same week.  Their camps are different weeks this year.  She has just started and a lot of these girls have been playing forever.  We were pretty excited when we met her roommate Journee.  Her mom said she has been playing softball since she can walk.  She told me Journee loves teacher newbies.  She also told me that Journee is really outgoing.  It sounds like this is the perfect roommate for Jorja.  I hope it ends up being as perfect as it sounds.  I'm really going to miss that girl!

Jorja & Journee

Stockton and Preston had a dive/swim meet.  I was asked to judge again.  I told them I would rather not judge and that I was going to be watching four additional kids.  They still assigned me to judge.  We got to the pool at 3:30, but waited a half an hour because we were under rain delay.  At four the kids were allowed to get in the pool, but they only got one warmup dive.  Maysen was up in the pavilion with the other kids, but I had Millie on my lap.  I was worried about leaving her for so long.  She was great for the first round, then she wanted to get in the pool.  I tried to reason with her, but she would not have it.  It was really frustrating and embarrassing.  I motioned to Maysen to come and get Millie.  She didn't come.  After struggling with Millie while trying to judge for a long time I frantically motioned to Maysen again. She came down and took Millie back up with her.  She told me that she thought I was motioning for her to notice that Preston was on the board.  Mike arrived shortly after.  He went up to the pavilion with the others.  He said Millie cried and cried until he would tell her Stockton or Preston were diving.  Then she would watch and laugh, then immediately start crying.  It was frustrating doing that today, but at the same time I wanted to say, "See, I told you this would be difficult, couldn't someone else have agreed to do this?"

Mike took the kids home after the dive meet.  I stayed with Preston for the swimming meet.  He was sad that everyone went home.  The swimmers were only able to race a few events until there was another rain delay.  I asked Mike if he could come and get Preston.  I would text him when the meet started again.  Mike was all for it, except our van wouldn't start.  I drove Preston home in the jeep.  We were home for five minutes when the Yauneys sent me a text saying the meet was starting.  Preston, Ella and I hurried up to the pool.  Preston's goggles fell off right as he jumped in.  Oh well.  They cancelled the meet after the freestyle events.  Thank goodness!  I was so glad to get home! Hopefully our car will start tomorrow!

BYU Sports Camp

I took Stockton, Josh and Jorja down to BYU for different sports camps.  Jorja was a little nervous last night and asked Mike to give her a father's blessing.  She felt more calm after that and has just been excited today.  It took me a bit to find the right place at the football stadium to check them in.  There they got their lanyards, shirts, bag and maps.  Their room building and room number was printed on their lanyard.  I dropped Josh and Stockton off first.  I let them off in front of their building.  They seemed fine not having me walk them in.  I asked Stockton before we left if I should take my big camera, or if he would take pictures and text them to me.  He wanted to take the picture.  I meant to take one of him and Josh before they walked away.  I forgot. Stockton didn't send me one, but at least he sent me one of Jorja and Rose.

Rose is Jorja's roommate for the week.  She is from Washington.  She is a pitcher and has been playing softball for six years.  She seems really nice.  I met her and her parents.  I was really relieved once I met Rose. I think she will get along great with Jorja.  The girls sent me a picture tonight.  Yep.  They're going to have fun!

Rose & Jorja

 Jorja & Rose

Stockton sent me this picture.  Later Jorja told me it was creepy because Stockton had one of his friends take the picture.  Jorja didn't know him.  I'm guessing it was Gage.

Preston had his last dive/swim meet.  I was asked to judge this time. What!?!  Mike said I had been around diving enough that I would be able to do it.  I threw out a couple of sevens along the way, because I could.  It was fun, but I like adding up the scores better.  Not as much pressure doing that.

Preston did great during his swim meet.  He got 10 seconds off of his best time on both freestyle and backstroke.  Nice work Preston!

Swim Meet

Preston had a swim/dive meet today.  I asked the other three kids to come and watch.  Swim meets are LONG, so they weren't too excited. Once we got there we discovered the pool closed.  Someone had an accident in the pool.  Yuck!  I took the kids home and fed them dinner, so that worked out.  We made it back right as they were about to start the diving competition.  Preston did great!  He did his hurdle front dive.  Since he is so little, the degree of difficulty on that is 1.8.  When I showed him how much his score multiplied he was pretty excited.  He tried to explain the scoring system to another kid in line.  Preston ended up 5th out of 9.  A huge improvement from last year!

Preston

The kids set up their stuff in the pavilion.  I was surprised how well you could see up there.  It is shady, and there are tables so it worked great! Mike came straight from work and arrived before we did.  I had to time this meet.  They assigned me to be in the same lane as Julia, a friend from high school.  That was a lot of fun.  Preston swam the 25 free and back.  Mike took everyone home once Preston finished his back stroke.  Swim meets make for long days, at least the weather was perfect!

Last Swim Meet

Yep, that's right.  Today was the last swim/dive meet for my kids. There are three more meets, but we will miss them all.  Stockton did his first back one and a half in competition.  He did great.  Preston did his front dive with no problem this time, but got scared on his back dive.  He ended up falling backwards into the pool for an incorrect dive. He was a little upset, but I told him that I was not sad at all.  That perked him up and he went straight to playing.  We were at Cottonwood.  They had a fun water play area the kids were able to play in while they waited. By far was this their favorite swim meet!  Jorja was in the first relay, 50 free, 50 breast and 100 IM.  She was not is the final relay.  I was so relieved!  I meant to ask that she not be in that one, but never got a chance.  We have a lot of packing to do.  We are headed to Hawaii tomorrow!

What Preston Thinks About While Swimming

Preston has learned how to do a back dive!  He is adorable.  He even did one in his dive competition today.  This is practice when he first learned.

I didn't get to see his dive competition.  I was frustrated that I missed it.  This is the first dive competition that I have ever missed.  We are down to one car right now.  Mike's is in the shop.  I told Mike that one car was no big deal.  I didn't mind taking him to work.  That is usually the case, but this afternoon I needed to be in two places at one time. Maysen had an appointment with Holly.  Right before we left Holly texted me that she was running a few minutes behind and moved the appointment ten minutes later.  I still thought I could do it all.  I gathered all the kids up for the swim competition.  It was at the Jewish Community Center which is right next to the University of Utah hospital.  Anyway, we dropped Maysen off and went to Salt Lake.  My GPS let me down.  It had me drive through the hospital.  I was so confused.  My friend Camee had followed me.  She ended up flagging someone down and they told us how to get there.  I hurried to get the kids in and drop the boys off for their warm up.  As soon as I arrived I got a text from Maysen letting me know she was done.  I was hoping only to miss the warm up.  I called Mike, but he couldn't get her.  If Mike had his jeep she would only be five minutes away.  I hurried to pick up Maysen and got back right as the competition was over.  So sad. I hope they did okay.  I wish I could have seen it.  Preston did his back dive with no problem.  His front dive he had a hard time with again. Funny because he can do it in practice. He did the running commentary again.  "It's not working."  Mike didn't need to flip his legs over this time, so that was good.

We survived the swim meet.  It was LONG!  Jorja did an IM again and was great!  Preston makes me laugh.  He was doing his 25 meter freestyle.  He swims like he doesn't have a care in the world.  I was waiting for him when he got out.  The first thing he said was, "Mom, if someone really strong lifted up the swimming pool with people swimming inside it, would they feel the weight of the people?"  I asked him if this is what he was thinking about while he was swimming.  He said, "Only some of the time."  Haha!  He's the best!

Preston's Favorite Toy ~ Spencer

This morning they had the kids practicing their breast stroke kicks on the chairs.  So cute!

I took Maysen to the doctor today.  We haven't had to do a sick visit in years!  Her ear has been hurting her and her eye has been red.  Turns out she has swimmer's ear.  No swimming for her for awhile.  Too bad because today Mike's brother and sister and their families came over for a quick swim party.  It was so much fun!  These guys couldn't come over last week when Taylor was here.  Spencer leaves in a few days to go back to Harvard.  I'm glad we were able to have him over for a bit before he left.  Preston is especially glad.  He spent most of the night having Spencer throw him around.  Matt (Hardy) came also.  He threw Preston around as well.  I don't have any pictures of him though because I was in the water while it was going on.  Lots of fun today! Most of my pictures ended up being of Spencer and Preston.  I took more pictures, but they were blurry.  I'm not a great photographer.

Preston & Spencer

 Mike & Steve

 Weston & Spencer

 Preston & Spencer

 Preston's in heaven!

 Thanks Spencer for being so good to Preston

 Jorja & Preston ~ Non-blurry picture

Blake came over to our house for several hours.  I told him he could play here until Preston's cousins came.  Turns out it was just too much fun here.  Blake didn't leave.  That's okay.  He's cute and fun and no problem at all.  This was actually the first time he has swam in our pool.  Preston became friends with him last year but our pool was out of commission for a LONG time!  I think Blake just jumped in in his clothes.  He cracks me up!

Blake

 Jorja

 Bellyflop Porge!

 Spencer & Preston ~ I'm not so sure about this!

 Jorja

 Preston worn out from a hard day of being thrown around

 Sherry

Shannon brought s'mores.  We had fun until around 10:00 at night.  I love living in Utah!  I love being with family.  I'm so grateful we were able to find this house that is such a great gathering place. So blessed.

Cold Diving

It was pretty cold at swimming lessons today.  Not as cold as yesterday, I didn't even send the kids then.  Well, Stockton went, but that was all. Preston was not excited about going to diving.  Mike's daughter was teaching today.  I couldn't even tell if they were having practice. Preston ended up being the only one.  She told him to do each of his dives three times and then he could go home.  He did them so fast! Even the falling front dive that he had problems with last meet.  Who knew it could be so easy?

It's Not Working!

Maysen has a writer's camp this week.  I hope she likes it.  It is held at a school near our house, but people are coming from all over to attend. It is an adult writing class.  The youngest you can be is sixteen.  She seemed to like it today.  Mike picked her up and then took Maysen and Stockton to his family reunion.  We just found out about it a few days ago.  I guess we are not on the information list, or they have Mike's old e-mail.  That one hasn't worked since we moved to Utah.  Anyway, I'm glad we found out about it so Mike could go.  I had signed up to time at the swim meet, so I was out.  Jorja and Preston were swimming, so they were out.  It was so cold today!  I brought a blanket and seven towels.  Still so cold.  When Mike picked up Stockton he brought more blankets for the kids.  They were so happy!  Jorja was in charge of getting herself to her events, and also getting Preston there.  Preston was in a different lane during his freestyle.  I saw him as he was getting out.  I said, "Preston, where are your goggles?"  He laughed and said, "Oh, I forgot."  Jorja did an IM today.  She was swimming with the faster kids, she finished just under two minutes but about a quarter of a lap after everyone.  Turns out that she was the only one who wasn't disqualified.  That made her beam when she found out.  Swimming has a lot of rules.  For example, you have to touch with two hands after the butterfly and breast stroke.  Turning has to be done certain ways, legs have to kick certain ways.  Kind of hard for all the kids to remember. Great job Jorja!

There was a diving meet before the swim meet.  Stockton did great and took first place in his division.  He also took last place in his division. Yep, he was the only one.  There was a boy in the older group.  He gets one more dive, even so Stockton was only four points behind him. Wow.

Preston was the funniest.  I wish, wish, wish I had recorded him!  He was supposed to do a falling dive.  He was so cold when it was time.  He got right to the end, bent over and then stayed there shivering.  His coach yelled, "Just lean forward!"  He yelled back, "I'm trying!"  Wait, wait, wait.  Preston turns his head and yells, "It's not working!"  Oh my gosh it was so funny!  I was at the scorer table with my friends.  We were laughing so hard.  He was absolutely adorable.  He kept saying things like that over and over.  It was so cute because he was explaining exactly what he was thinking.  I love that boy!  Finally Mike (his coach) hopped up on the diving board and flipped his legs out for him. Preston is awesome.

Preston's First Dive Meet

Today was the first swim/dive meet of the season.  The weather was beautiful!  I remember last year that the season started while the kids were still in school.  That was hard!  Long days.  Preston was so cute at his diving.  He is just starting.  I love it!  I was helping with the scoring and was only able to take two videos - but I got one of each boy and one random picture of Stockton.

Stockton

Preston

Stockton

Bubs and Ange took Lincoln out to dinner.  He had saved up enough 'points' for this.  It was a lot!  He worked for this dinner for a long time. Ella and Abbs came to the swim meet with us.  They were great and the kids loved having them there.  I'm glad they were so good because I was timing, which basically means I was busy the entire meet.  Jorja loved having them watch her.  Today was a good day.

I'm a Cowboy!

Mike took Preston to his baseball game today.  I wasn't able to go.  Man I wish I could have been there!  It was great weather and it sounded like Preston had a blast.  He is playing machine pitch, but has been having a hard time hitting the ball.  Today he hit four fouls!  He yelled at Mike and said, "Dad!  I got four fouls in a row!"  He was so proud. He also hit the ball and scored for the first time this season.  Mike got a picture of Preston at home.

In the outfield Preston played second base.  I wonder if his coaches told him to guard second because Mike said he marched around the base the entire time, regardless if there was someone on the base. Sometimes he even swung his hat in the air and chanted, "I'm a cowboy!  Yeehaw!"  Haha!  I love that boy!

Preston scoring!

I had Young Womens' tonight.  We took the girls to the temple.  We had a lot of girls this time.  I think 17.  We didn't get a picture of all of them though.  Sister Lyon came over and gave me some names for the girls to do.  I left them home.  I do things like that.

Maysen, Severine, Senora, Riley, Sephora, Melissa, Paige, Emily, Zoe

I have two Olivia's now.  It was (little) Olivia's first time at the temple....her dad calls her Larry.  I will call her Larry here so my story is not confusing.  Anyway, Olivia and Larry are best friends.  Olivia turned 12 in February and had been to the temple before.  She was baptized first.  Then she waited, wrapped in a towel and soaking wet as she watched Larry get baptized.  She had the biggest grin on her face. It was completely adorable.  I wish I could have taken a picture, but they frown on you taking pictures inside the temple.

Emily, Olivia & Larry

 Emily & Ebony ~ sisters!

Mike and I took Jorja and Preston to sign up for swim team.  They were not happy about it.  I really want Preston to do it again.  I want him to become a stronger swimmer, especially with the pool in our backyard. I know there is no way I can get him to do it without Jorja.  She is tired of swim team and did not want to do it again.  I wish one of her friends would do it, then she would love it!  We did see Audrey at sign ups. Yay!  Although Audrey is two years younger than Jorja, so she probably won't be grouped with her.  This year they are at least at the same time though.  I signed up Preston for swim and dive.  We'll see how that goes.  Stockton is going to do diving again, but he will probably only go once a week.  He'll still be going to Mike at Cottonwood.  I wanted him to take there because they have platforms. I wish they liked swimming as much as I like watching them swim!

Now here are my final pictures from our spring break trip.  We had such a great time.  I'm so glad my dad was willing to come.  I'm thankful that Peggy made us feel right at home.  I'm amazed at all the time Peggy, Sally and Jane spent with us.  Jane and Chris changed their vacation plans when they found out my dad was coming.  They drove up from San Diego to see him.  Talk about feeling wanted!  We will have to bring him back again.

Stockton, Maysen, Preston

 Jorja, Maysen, Preston

I like this carving on the window.  The estate of nonordinary reality.

 This dragon above the window is pretty cool too.

What wonderful memories!