Summer '08

Where to begin?! We've had such a great summer! We started out with some camps and things - Mitchell went to wrestling camp; Parker and Brian drove to Colorado for 10 days with the scouts to go on a once-in-a-lifetime white-water rafting trip, and also went rappelling and mountain biking (it was a "high adventure" camp); and Hayden and Lukas went to a day-camp at the local college where they did fencing, crafts, video production and more. We've spent lots of time in our backyard pool- especially the boys- because I made each one (minus Parker, who does his own workouts) swim laps almost each day! It gives them a small amount of time away from their electronics! (faves are Runescape on the computer, Nintendo DS, Wii, PS3, Guitar Hero, Rockband, TV...).

We spent the entire month of July in Utah, at our townhome in South Jordan. It was great to see the family and lots of friends while we were there! We were able to visit with John, Joni and Clara, and had dinner with them every Sunday night. The boys just loved playing with cute little Clara, and she is learning and growing so much. We can't believe how much she's changed just from Thanksgiving!! Clara constantly wanted to "go outside," so the boys would take her to the playground in the back to go down the slide and to run around. Joni once again had the boys to her home overnight for their "annual sleepover," which they look forward to every year. They ate some delicious homemade cookies and watched Harry Potter movies into the wee hours! They loved it!

We also got the chance to see Grandma Lucia and Grandpa Leon, and most of the Ridd clan (minus Spence and Jane, who are serving as mission presidents in Lagos, Nigeria). We got to see Randy and Tamina, who just returned on July 4 from their mission (also mission president) in Guayaquil, Ecuador. They were in Ecuador for 3 years, so it was fun to see them again! Their kids threw a big welcome home party for them in their beautiful backyard, and had both sides of R & T's family. What a nice get-together, as usual! We also went to their homecoming at church, where about 70 of their former missionaries surprised them and came to the meeting and to their home afterwards! It was amazing - but I'm sure those missionaries had the best mission presidents ever (except for those who have Spencer and Jane!).

We're now trying to get ready for school. We arrived home on a Friday evening and Parker started marching band practice that Monday, 8am-noon and 4-9pm each weekday. This Friday the band has a rock-a-thon and then it just gets more exciting as they go on! Both Parker and Mitchell had their school orientations this week. Parker got most of the classes he registered for, but Mitch isn't able to take both wrestling and Japanese because they conflict. So he's waiting to see what his schedule change will be. He's now hoping that he can take German. We'll see what happens! Hayden meets his teachers next Friday (his last year at Buckalew!) and Luke stays in the same school with the same teachers he had last year, so he just shows up on the first day of school (Monday, Aug. 25th). Just need a lunchbox or two and we're set! That is, until Parker and Mitchell come home with a supply list the first day of school for all types of unusual items which I haven't stocked up on....and the stores will be totally picked over and items unavailable! Yep, this happens each year. Last year I was desperately searching for a few of those old 4-color click pens that we used to have when I was in Jr. high (yes, a requirement of one of Parker's teachers!). No fear, the ultimate shopper did locate it...FINALLY!

A GREAT discovery as of July - my sister, Shelley, has been declared CANCER-FREE after a grueling year of fighting that nasty beast. HOORAY and thanks to all who prayed, helped, and kept her in their thoughts over the year. She still has some surgeries to go but things are looking up!

I'll post some new pics soon!