June

  Cycling season is in full swing for TheDad.  He has been consistently finishing in the top 5 or so.  Yesterday, he got 4th place overall in his category in the Nebraska State Championship road race.  As it turned out, the first 3 finishers were from out of state, so that made TheDad NE State Champ for Cat 4! ( Cat 1's and 2's are pros, 5's are amateur)

One Saturday I took all the kids to watch TheDad when he was in a Crit downtown (as in Criterium  --just trying to sound cool by using the cycling lingo!)  It was fun to watch him stay with the pack for most of the race and then, in the last lap, make his move (they call it "attacking") where he took off and tried to lose everyone behind him.  But, a strong teenage kid was able to catch up before the end and take 1st place.  With all the kids with me, we had quite a cheering section!

With our big vacation and moving, I neglected to post a picture of our beautiful ballerina.  When Big Sis was 9 she did not like Ballet.  She preferred the movement and fun of Jazz and tap.  She continued all three for a bit, but these last 2 years has focused on Ballet.  She has come a long way and has come to really like Ballet.  I don't have pictures from her end of the year recital, but the advanced classes danced to Vivaldi's Four Seasons.  She was involved in the dances for Spring, Summer, and Fall.  This is a pic of her in her costume for summer. 

Big Sis also was able to spend a few days at "Youth Conference" for our church.  The theme was Service.  In her group, she helped deep clean the church, tie blankets for the City Mission, then they went to the City Mission and put on a little carnival for the children there.

The next week Big Bro went to Boy Scout camp and I wish I had pictures of him there!  He got to take classes on fishing, shotgun shooting, environmental science, and astronomy.  He says he had a great time.  While he was there he said he caught a Bass (but released if after).  He also was supposed to cook a fish over a fire, but he was given a trout that was already gutted and such.  He tried it and said it tasted like chicken!

But that's not all!  The day after Big Bro. got back from Scout camp, we drove out to Iowa so he and Big Sis could attend EFY.  This is a program called Especially for Youth put on by Brigham Young University all around the country (and I think the world).  The kids get assigned to groups, go to uplifting classes and fun activities.  
I drove them to our friend's place and then my friend drove her daughter and my kids up the rest of the way to Minnesota.  They had a GREAT time!   (and if my teenage son actually tells me he had fun--cause he usually tells me nothing--then I know it was a blast!) They were full of laughter and great stories when they got home.  They have also told me that they are already planning on going back next summer!

Hopefully I can get Big Sis to guest blog about some things she learned while there.  One thing that was emphasized  was that the young men treat the young ladies properly.  For example, they escorted the young ladies to all activities and always put their trash/food trays away in the cafeteria.  (at one point it became a game to Big Sis and her friends to TRY to put their own food tray away...silly girls!)  

Next week Big Sis has Young Woman's Camp and then not too much planned the rest of the summer...other than all the work to do on our home and planning next year's school work and some other little things!