Triathlon!!!

 On Saturday Aug. 13th, 2011 Ty, Shayla and Garrett competed in their very first triathlon. They swam 2 laps, biked 2 miles and ran 1/2 mile. They did amazing!!!

 Getting pumped up before the big race--they were nervous and excited and ready to go. We had been training by biking and running around our neighborhood, and swimming at the YMCA.

 Here is Garrett in the pool for the swim--I didn't get many pictures, mostly videos. 

 Shayla right before her heat started...I loved watching her swim. She was pretty nervous about the swim, but once she started she loved it. She did mostly the backstroke so I could see her face and she had a smile on it the whole time.

Ty actually took 1st place in his division (10 and under)!!!

All of them did their very best and really pushed themselves.

We were so proud of them!
If you'd like to see more pics, click on this link:http://gallery.me.com/briteideaphoto#100784&view=mosaic&sel=0

Shayla's baptism day

Shayla was baptized on Sat., February 12th by her dad.

It was a special occasion and we were so glad my mom could be here to share it with us, and felt all of our family here in spirit.

I made Shayla's dress for her. She loved it and looked so cute in it. I was fully prepared to go out and buy her a dress if it didn't turn out (most of my sewing projects never see the light of day) so I was happy with the results!

Shayla celebrating with a few of her friends after the baptism. She was just beaming and so happy. She said she was so nervous before the baptism she thought she would throw up, but after she came out of the water she felt so happy. I am proud of the decision she made to be baptized and feel that she is truly taking it to heart.

First broken bone

Shayla broke her arm at recess on the day we brought Miya home from the hospital. It was a rough few days and took a trip to the specialist to discover the break and get her casted. She was bummed

because she couldn't hold Miya very well with a broken arm.

Bath time was an adventure. Thank goodness for Target bags and lots of saran wrap!

Shayla carried a sharpie with her wherever we went so people could sign her cast. She also got pretty good at using her cast to keep her brothers in line. I bet she wishes she had it back some days :)

Nerdy Mom

The other day as I was driving Ty and Shayla to school, Ty told me how embarrassing it is when I send a note in his lunch. His football buddies try to steal it away and tease him about it. Okay...so no more notes. He's only eight, but I'm already embarrassing him. How is this possible? I thought it wouldn't kick in until middle school. I used to be so cool...I was the expert on everything, and now...

Actually, it started REALLY early with Shayla. Last year I promised Shayla I'd come to lunch with her (she was in Kindergarten) and she was so excited. Well, I had a crazy morning of errands, worked out at the Y, and didn't have time to shower after my workout. I had a choice--skip lunch with Shayla or run over in my workout clothes and keep my lunch date with her. Well, I chose to keep the lunch date, thinking she would rather have me there than skip it just for my pride. Wrong! As soon as she saw me she said, "Mom, your hair is all messy!" She then proceeded to tell me to take my ponytail out and it would look better. Once that correction was made, she seemed okay enough with my appearance to still be excited about having lunch with me. I just thought I had at least 5 years before I had to watch my every move around my kids at school and with their friends.

I remember when I was 12 or 13 The Little Mermaid came out and my Mom took all seven of us kids to go see it. We didn't go to the movies a lot, so we were pretty excited. We went to the store first and each picked out our favorite treat to sneak in with us (you remember those .10 boxes of lemon heads, jaw breakers, etc.), and then settled in at the movies. I remember being SO embarrassed when one of my younger brothers/sisters (can't remember who--but it was probably Jacob) dropped their candy and you could hear it rolling all the way down to the front of the theatre. And then you could hear my little bro crying because he lost his candy. I was trying to sink into my seat so that I wouldn't be seen. And now I look back--what was the big deal? We make much bigger scenes on a daily basis now just going to the grocery store. A few tantrums, spills, scenes...that's nothing! All in a days work :) And you know what? I think it's good for my kids to have some healthy humiliation via their mom -- I'm pretty proud of myself that I can embarrass them so well already. It builds character, right? I think it means I'm doing something right :)

So maybe I'll still sneak an occasional note into Ty's lunch. I told him I'd just put it inside his sandwich and he'd have to eat it to know what it said. He just rolled his eyes. Can't wait until he's a teenager. As for Shayla, she loves getting notes in her lunch, so at least someone appreciates me...for the time being (as long as i fix my hair and put make-up on). Sheesh, who knew it was so tough out there for a nerdy mom.

1st day of school 2009

This actually happened Sept. 1st, so I'm a bit behind. But the kids are doing great at their new old school and I'm proud of the way they've adjusted and made new friends.

Shayla 1st grade
Ty 3rd grade

The whole gang

Shayla's backpack hook

Shayla with her substitute teacher--her regular teacher had a baby

and won't come back until December.

Shayla feels extra special to have not one, but two teachers.

Ty in his class--ready to learn!

Garrett and Grant on the 1st day of Joy School

It was at our house so Grant got to attend.

I don't know who was more excited--G1 or G2.

Snack time--a favorite of all

Shayla's cute new hair

Shayla decided to donate her hair to Locks of Love--here are the photos!

Before
(notice the missing tooth and the package of bubble tape she bought with her tooth fairy money :)
Going, going...
...gone.
Shayla with one of the four ponytails she donated. I love her new haircut! And she was happy thinking someone in need would have a wig of her hair.

Shayla's Kindergarten Grad

What a tear jerker! Her teacher is the sweetest grandmotherly type and just loves her students so much, she had tears in her eyes as she bid them farewell at the end of the program, which in turn caused all of us parents to cry as well.


Shayla has grown up so much this past year--she is excited and ready for 1st grade in the fall.

(The songs they sung were so cute--my favorite was Willie the Walrus. I've tried for 3 days to upload the video--but it's not working! Any helpful hints about uploading videos?)

Daddy Daughter Date

It makes me a bit teary to post this. Shayla and Tyler had their first daddy-daughter-dance a few weeks ago. So sweet! Complete with dinner, dancing, treats, and pictures. Shayla was GLOWING when she walked in the door after her date--her Dad looked pretty happy, too.

Shayla's Joy School Graduation

We had a Graduation BBQ at our house for Shayla and her classmates. It was a bit of a cold day, so we moved the graduation inside, but everyone had a great time. The kids sang a few songs for us. Shayla LOVES to sing, but if you notice her trying to hide behind her hands in the pics, it is because her big bro and his friend were teasing her on the front row. Oh, the joy of big brothers :)