10 for Tuesday - a quick catch up

My sisters have peer pressured me back to the blog...although it has been in the back of my mind for some time.  So this will be a quick catch up of the Wolfpack.
1.Benjamin - now 4 and super fun!  He is too smart for himself and constantly makes us ask...Did Ben just say that?  Nothing bad.  I am teaching preschool to him at home with his cousin and he loves having school.  Highlights for him are riding his bike, jumping on the trampoline, being some super hero and looking super cute is what Ben is made of.  Oh he has a special way of saying the 6th article of Faith.  Read it and see if you can figure it out...hint...it has to do with super heroes.

2.  Little Vern - 5 and in Kindergarten at Trivium Archway school.  He is so grown up now and reminds me of it often.  He and Ben are crazy little wrestlers around the house and this summer became quite the little swimmers. He finally began soccer this fall with Strikers and loves it!   He is a boy of order and at times serious, but is most happy when he has cereal to eat for breakfast, and chips and salsa the rest of the day.

Is that a Sherwood shooting on Goal?  Only in U6.

3.  Meghan - 7 years old and in 1st grade at Trivium Archway.  She started her 3rd school in 3 years this year.  It was a little rough at the beginning, but she has adjusted and made friends.  She loves what she is learning and is always trying to bring things to school that go along with the topic of the week.  Meghan is playing soccer again this year and advanced to the U8 level.  I am coaching her team.  It is fun because she is playing with the same boys she has played with for 2 seasons.  She loves it. 

4.Natalie - 9 years old and in 3rd grade at Corte Sierra.  She is #4 on the wait list at Trivium.  She continues to be super crafty and creative.  She loves to turn our front room into school rooms, stores, carnivals, etc.  It is all good until clean up time.  Her piano lessons from Sis. Allred are sure helping her improve (mom's just can't teach their children instruments). She did enjoy swim team a lot this past summer.  She is super sweet to others and wants to help others feel included.  She is growing up too fast.

Natalie with her best friend Annabelle who just moved in 4 houses down for a little while!

5.  Elena - 11 years old is in 6th grade (middle school) at Trivium Prep school.  I can't believe my baby is in Jr. High, but glad she has good friends and is in a good environment.  She is playing the violin and piano.  Hoping for more practicing:)  She is planning on playing on the school soccer team that starts next month.  She loves school.  I am glad for that.  Like many girls her age she is a big fan of One Direction.  I am enjoying our conversations we have about just about everything.  I hope they continue.

At her locker on Middle School Orientation

6.  Kindy - still cleaning house, doing laundry, driving to activities, coaching, etc...the life of a mom and I wouldn't change it.  Each day brings something new and I love it!  Highlights for me in the past 6 months were: Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim in a day (unbelievable) on our 12th anniversary, being Girls Camp Director for our ward camp in Panquitch, Utah, Sherwood Reunion in Pagosa Springs and a new school year for my kids.

Looking over the South Rim with 3 of the longest miles ever to go!

7. Vern - In the past 6 months a bit has changed.  He left Dysart Unified School  District after 10 years and got  a new job at Maricopa Association of Governments in May.  He loves his new job and it come with a free bus pass!  In July he finished his final project for his Masters of Geographical Information and received his Masters Diploma last month!  So now we call him MASTER!  Or so he wishes, he is trying to figure out life at home again since he wasn't home much last year since he was at school and work full time for a year.  We are glad he is home.

8. Super Fun Family Reunion in Pagosa Springs, Co.  It was wonderful to be their with my family that could make it.  Vern had no vacation time with his new job and so we went without him.  It was sad, but my family sure helped out.  The kids had so much fun and were not ready to leave when the week was done.  The area was BEAUTIFUL!

Sherwoods at Piedro Falls

9. Enjoyed attending the Relief Society Broadcast last weekend.  I love listening to those inspired to inspire us to be better Women and disciples of God.
 http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/archive/general-relief-society-meeting/2012/09?lang=eng
10.  SUPER EXCITED for General Conference this coming weekend.  I look forward every 6 months to hear from our Church Leaders.  I always feel motivated to be better and do more after General Conference.