Summer 2010

The summer has come and quickly gone and this blog has been completely neglected. We have had a lot of good times this summer which started with Memorial Day when Glen was home. After school was over for the year 2010 we left for the Utah Summer Games with Keaton's CRASH basketball teams. He played a whirlwind of games during a three day tourney including an individual skills competition. One of the CRASH team took the GOLD medal. Individually, Keaton won GOLD in Hot-Shot shootout and a SILVER in 3-point competition. He was on FIRE! It was an exciting weekend! During that time, Alex flew out to DC to be with Glen for a 10 day visit and Father's Day. They had a great time together sight-seeing and Alex learned to ride the Metro to get around on his own. It continually amazes me at how responsible he is when he has to be. I know Glen loved having him there, but hated missing Keaton's games. Glen came home over the 4th of July and we ventured up to the Star Valley Cabin. We LOVE going to the cabin and this was a trip our family was very much looking forward to. We golfed a lot, and the kids can now keep up with us. In fact, they out did us on plenty of holes. I love that they enjoy this. The scenery was beautiful as always. We swam a little, played games a lot, and rode the 4-wheelers. Alex was practicing his driving skills not only on the golf cart, but drove us back home from the cabin. UGH - again, he is growing up so fast. I had white knuckles most of the way home . . . We also went up to the Snake River to watch the rafters.

Mid-July was spent with me preparing for YW camp. This was my 3rd year at camp, but this year I was the assistant. That was a very hard job, but I think it was as awesome as ever, and I hope to go again.

During the end of July, Glen returned to spend a holiday at home with us. We attended the neighborhood parties and breakfasts. We also spent a great (and very HOT) day at Seven Peaks water park in Provo. It was a BLAST. Aloe Vera was much appreciated following this sunny day. We all got extremely sunburned.

And now to the present mid-August. We just returned from the Annual Lake Powell trip with the Proctor Family. This is a trip that we all look forward to, but we missed out on having Glen with us this year. Although we had a couple nights of wind and rain, a bad day at Lake Powell is better than a good day anywhere else! Swimming in the Lake, jumping from the houseboat or cliffs, playing "wipe-out", going down the slide, watermelon basketball, talking, floating, surfing, skiing, hiking, and movies upon the houseboat roof under the stars were all memorable. The boys double surfed. Alex attempts to maneuver the board and be daring; Keaton tries to throw in the rope and surf California style. They both had a great time. Sadie surfed with cousin Ty. No videos of this unfortunately because it was too dark, but she was so brave and jumped the cliffs and houseboat without reservation. As I type my legs and head are still rocking from the waves. We love Lake Powell. Thanks Aunt Jana & Uncle Craig for a wonderful vacation!

Looking forward, the kids all start school next week. Sadie is in 4th grade, Keaton in 7th (middle school), Alex begins 10th (high school @ Alta High). Sadie has made several new friends over the summer and she is eager to get back into the social life of school. Keaton is excited to find more friends in the middle school, but is equally nervous to begin a new chapter in the larger school. I know this because we have mapped out, several times, the routes to his classes. After the first week is over, I know he will be settled in. Alex, well, he is ready and waiting for his Sophomore year to begin. He has friends to meet up with, and he is already at his first STOMP tonight. Wow, they are growing and so fun to be with. We cout the days until we see Glen between visits, it is a weird time for our family, and it is a different normal for us. We have big decisions to make in the near future, but we have been trying to remain strong and keep Glen's spirits positive. He has made a HUGE sacrifice for our family and we are so GRATEFUL for the opportunities that he has had with the Department of Justice in Alexandria, Virginia. It is an amazing job with once-in-a-lifetime experiences for him and us. However, these experiences have come at a cost to all of us. We hope and pray for doors to be open and that we can reunite as a family under one roof again soon.