We convinced Grandpa and Grandma Judy to go kayaking with us. They wondered if they could do it but they actually did a great job! It was a beautiful day and the only people that got in the water were the kids because they wanted to. We were glad that Grandpa and Judy didn’t end up in the water!
Kade started on varsity soccer for the first game of the season today! Playing varsity soccer as a goalkeeper can be checked off his list of goals now! It was so much fun to watch him and the varsity team play. Kade played well and we were so proud of him! The team did lose 2-1 though. Kade had a one on one and a penalty kick to defend that he wasn’t able to stop. But he still did great.
We enjoyed a relaxing day with Dad and Judy. Poor little Ozzy is trying to get used to his new home. He really doesn’t like our neighbors dogs though! Hopefully he’ll get used to them sooner than later.
We have another dog! Chad and Lesa needed to place their cute little toy poodle, Ozzy, with another family and we’re the lucky ones that got him. Our kids are so excited. He’s a lot more fun to play with since he’s so little. He and Keena get along really well. Hopefully they sleep well tonight!
George and Judy are here for the weekend. They were nice enough to drive Ozzy up to us. They also wanted to come and see the kids. It will be a fun weekend!
Kade is starting as the goalkeeper for varsity tomorrow. It’s exciting! This has been a goal of his for years. I’m so excited to see him play! My sweet friend brought him over a bag of goodies to wish him luck this game. It was so kind!
Kade went back to school today. He didn’t have to be there until 11:30 so Luke had the best time hanging out with him this morning. Tenley and Ryder were gone at Starbase for the day so Luke was happy that someone was home to hang out with! Kade’s day went well and Tenley and Ryder had a great time at Starbase with their friends!
Today was a long and busy day. I went to a co op meeting this morning and then had an emergency volleyball parent meeting tonight. There’s a lot of drama with the team right now. It is no fun!! It was a long and mentally draining two hour meeting that didn’t seem to have a real resolution. But then I got to come home to my sweet family. We had our beginning of school devotional and father’s blessings. It was such a wonderful way to end the day.
We’ve all been enjoying the last few days of summer. No one wants it to end. And Ryder and Luke are the best at living it up, laughing and enjoying life!
I need to highlight Tenley today. First of all because I had such a fun weekend away with her. She’s fun and funny and easy going. And second of all because she is so caring and loving. She got a card from her Young Woman President today thanking her for including a new young woman at a swimming activity. The new girl is extremely shy and didn’t want to swim even though she had been invited too. Tenley and some other girls were doing diving tricks but since the new girl didn’t want to swim Tenley asked her to help come up with ideas for new tricks. The new girl participated and smiled and laughed! I was impressed that Tenley wouldn’t give up on trying to include the new girl and that she eventually found a way to get her involved! She is so caring and sweet and creative and persistent! Tenley will do great things in life!
Tenley and I got to head to Bozeman today for her volleyball games this weekend. It was so much fun to watch her play! As always. The team lost in the 5th set by 2. It was so close! We stayed to watch a little bit of the varsity game which was a lot of fun. Then we went to dinner at her favorite restaurant, Chipotle, then Target to do a little bit of shopping, and ended with a trip to an ice cream shop which was delicious! It was such a fun girls day!
We got to celebrate Kade’s 16th birthday today! He’s the best kid and we love him! We made him huckleberry sourdough pancakes for breakfast and then took him mini golfing. We all quoted the Happy Gilmore movies way too much. At first Luke was upset that he wasn’t winning but then he stopped keeping track of his score and he was able to cheer other people on. He said, “I hate competition!” Haha.
Tonight we took Kade and the family out to dinner at a nice steak restaurant. It was delicious, quiet, and we enjoyed the time together. Tenley helped me make lava cakes for Kade’s birthday dessert. They turned out pretty good! And we watched a movie together after opening presents. We’re so grateful for Kade!
Kade learned today that he’ll be a swing player on his soccer team playing both JV and Varsity! The varsity goalkeeper was injured during practice last week and is still recovering so Kade will be starting at their first game next week. I’m excited to see him play! And I’m excited for soccer season!
Summer time is the absolute best time to be in Montana. It makes living here through the winter worth it. It was beautiful today and the sunset on my way home driving along the river was even more beautiful!
Tenley and I had hair appointments today and other errands to run so while we were gone Kade decided to be the best big brother ever. He took Ryder and Luke with him to the driving range to hit a bucket of balls. They even tried out their best Happy Gilmore swings. Then he took them out for ice cream. The boys had a blast. Kade even came home and played video games with them. I’m glad they can all have so much fun together!
Brad had to leave at 7 am to drive two hours up to Cut Bank today for their branch conference. It was a long day for him but I think everything we went well. We missed him at church. It’s hard to describe how lonely it feels without him. But at least I have four cute kids to sit with! I am so grateful for that!
We had a nice afternoon together. The kids rode around the neighborhood a lot together. We are still enjoying this nice weather and are not ready for summer to end!
Tenley had her first volleyball game of the high school season! Brad and I drove down to Helena with her to watch her. Kade had to stay back for two a day soccer trainings and Ryder and Luke stayed back with him to keep him company in between trainings.
Tenley played great! She had an amazing hit. It was so much fun to watch her play. They lost in 5 sets but it was so close.
Afterwards we picked up some things at Costco and then Brad and I went to a temple session together. It was such a great day.
Kade’s two a day soccer practices have begun. He had a practice this morning and then one tonight so we decided to go boating in between them. It worked out well and we enjoyed our time on the lake a lot. It was beautiful! The kids played and skied. Kade is looking so comfortable on the slalom ski. It was just fun to be out together!
Ryder got to go to an outdoor movie at a friend’s house tonight! He was out late and Luke missed him which was really sweet to see, but Ryder had fun.
It was so hot again today! We all wish we could have been at the lake. Instead the boys put the sprinkler under the tramp after piano lessons and cooled off that way. The rest of us just stayed inside! Although it cooled off enough tonight to go out for a walk.
Kade had his last day of work today. Soccer is going to start getting busy for him!
The boys had popsicles outside as well. Honestly, they have such a fun life! I’m grateful to still be enjoying summer!
It was a scorcher today at over 90 degrees! I kind of miss the cooler weather but I’m definitely not ready for winter yet! The boys played outside for a bit before they got too hot and then had snacks in the shade. They live a pretty sweet life! Tenley had even made Ryder a Frappuccino!
We got to be with Brad all day today! It was amazing. We drove to church together and even though he didn’t sit with us we could still see him. And then we got to drive home together as well! I had to take a picture to document it but everyone just rolled their eyes at me! Kade and Tenley actually had to stay for the youth council meeting so Brad beat them home. It was such a nice Sunday. We enjoyed the beautiful weather tonight after a fireside at the church and Luke decided to climb the tree!
All my kids are back and under the same roof again!! It’s good to have them home. Kade was sleeping in a tent and it was pretty cold and rainy! He caught a fish though and he made the most of it. For Tenley’s “camp” they actually just stayed at a rental here in town. Some of their activities were rained out as well but luckily Tenley also made the most of it.
