New Life..

A few weeks ago, Marc and Cameron were out back doing a little yard work. Ok, maybe it was a lot of yard work. As Marc was trimming a bush under a window he noticed this cocoon. How awesome!!! In all my life I have NEVER seen anything like this. I have NEVER seen one of these in real life, in my backyard!!!! I wonder what the butterfly looked like that came out of that thing? I wonder what his new life was like? We are getting ready to move in a few weeks. We have been in this house for 13 years. For some reason, I get emotionally attached to stupid things; our cars, our house... there are a lot of memories in this house. Although I am excited for the new adventure, I am also very nervous. I like my comfort zone. I like knowing most people when I walk into the church building, I like the comfort that most people know me. Just like the butterfly who came out of this cocoon, I am also coming out of my cocoon. My goal is to friendly and not shy. Meet new people and make new friends. Here's to our new life!

First Day of School 2012

The kids started school a couple weeks ago... Cameron, Sophomore; Kaelyn, Freshman; Ellie, 6th grade and Emersyn, 4th grade. Where does the time go?? I now have not one but TWO kids in high school!!! The start to this school has gone very well so far. Cameron, is back at Mesa High and enjoying it. Within the first week of school the basketball coaches took measurements. We were thrilled to find out since the end of last basketball season, Cameron had grown 2 inches and gained 12 lbs. Kaelyn, is at Desert Ridge.. She is in dance. Last year when they had try-outs she found out she had made intermediate. Although, intermediate is better than beginning, she was disappointed she didn't make advanced. Well, we have discovered the dance teachers break down each level. Kaelyn was put into the advanced intermediate class and was the only Freshman in the class for a time... a couple of her friends from dance got moved in. Ellie, is the Student Council President. She is loving being a part of it so far and anxious to learn more of what she is suppose to do. All the classroom representatives were just picked and now Ellie along with her board gets to train them... Emersyn, is doing wonderful!!! NO TEARS!!! Her teacher is awesome. This last week at school the 4th grade classes just got little animals delivered. They will be studying frogs, millipedes and fiddler crabs. Emersyn is hoping to adopt a fiddler crab when the learning about them at school is all complete. It's a little adjustment getting back into the school routine. We don't just start school, we start the beginning of basketball and dance. Ellie will be starting volleyball soon too. Back to busy lives!!

The first week of July we headed up to Nampa, Idaho for the yearly Washburn Reunion. There are many events my kids look forward to... going to the pond, playing games with cousins and eating yummy food. Emersyn was excited to go to the "pond" this reunion. This "pond" is privately owned and has all kinds of things for the kids to do. There is a zip line, a twisty slide, canoes, wood plank anchored and lots of room. So, Emersyn has never done the zip line before because it is fairly high. She was determined to do it this year. She did it!!! And she was so proud :) None of the mom's went out to the pond this year. We had our women's lunch while the men took the kids out for some fun. It never fails when the family gets together for dinner at night, there are games to be played. They played ultimate frisbee, homemade twister, dodgeball, volleyball and 4 square. The last night, we had a carnival in the Rudder's backyard. The kids would go play games and earn tickets. They would take these tickets to the prize table and get to pick out something. One of the things Emersyn chose was HOT TAMALES!!! She is so thoughtful and knew her dad would be enjoy them. Sadly, we found out during this reunion this was the last official Washburn Reunion. There will be no more scheduled reunion with activities planned and places for everyone to stay. Doesn't sound like many of the family are anxious to give the reunion up. Rumor is, we may all try and gather at Lake Powell next summer. I am down for that!!!! Course, everyone will have to be responsible for their lodging and helping with expenses, but we hope it works out. Would be so fun!!!! I will NOT miss the drive to Nampa, Idaho. We love all the family there, but the 16 hour drive to get there is pure torture. Thanks Grandpa for all the years of Reunion. My kids always had a great time and many memories have been made.

Nothing like water volleyball on Sunday with the family!!! Being younger I remember gathering on Sunday's for a little water volleyball fun. Now, it's fun to gather again for volleyball on Sunday's. Fun, that now my kids can play, have fun and will have the same memory!!

This summer has gone by fast.. so far. There has been basketball camps, ballet camps, Marc working, Me working..... Cameron and Kaelyn have been kept pretty busy with the camps they have attended. Ellie and Emersyn have sadly not been so busy. They are the product of being younger and needing Mom around to do anything. It's hard for Mom to be around though when I have to work. One day this last week, it hit me and I felt bad. Our neighbor is always telling us we can go swimming.. so Ellie went and asked if we could swim. I put the computer aside and took them swimming. It was a great time!!!! When we were done swimming we headed to QT. It's been a QT kind of summer.....

We had a fun weekend last weekend!!! Through the month of June, Cameron (and the Mesa High Basketball Team) have played in several tournaments. Last weekend was no exception.... Varsity and JV both played in separate tournaments with left us with the pleasure of attending both... The JV tournament was held at Mesa High and Dobson. Going into Sunday morning we were seated #1 with being undefeated. We played one game and won... 77-49!!! The championship game played next against another undefeated team. I had talked to one of the coaches who said they were usually a good program. They seem them a lot in playoffs and that sort of thing. I got nervous... I did!! Isn't that what Mom's are suppose to do anyway???? Thankfully, the boys had an hour rest before the Championship game started. The team we played had a rest while we played and came to watch... The game started.... within just a few mins we were up by more than 10 points. To be honest I can't remember the final score, but WE WERE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!! I do know we beat them by 20-25 pts. So much for being nervous.... It was a fun day... It was a fun summer.... out of 26 games played by the JV, they only lost 1 game. Not a bad summer season!!! Now, we look forward to basketball season which starts in Dec :)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!