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

Tackle Football!

Ty is playing tackle football! 

 Funny but when you look at him you see the top picture, I just see this. 

My baby, playing tackle football. 

Just to put my mind at ease, they passed out "how to spot a concussion" papers at the first parent meeting. Thanks a lot.

I told Ty I may not be able to attend his games.

Ty has been waiting for this day for a long time...on the drive home from evaluation night where he got to tackle in full gear for the first time, Ty said, "That was the most fun EVER!!" His smile says it all.

ANOTHER birthday boy!

Ty's 10!!! Hard to believe...


His breakfast in bed--orange rolls and bacon

Ty's lemon cake

Nice shirt, Grandma!

Ty is celebrating with a friend party at the end of the month, so we get a little break to our "birthday season" to catch our breath and prepare.

Ty is such a great oldest son, so quick to help out and set a great example for his younger siblings to follow. Happy Birthday, Ty!

(And happy birthday to McKay, Devan and Dr. Seuss who all share the same birthday :)

I know I've got a real sports fan on my hands when Ty's complaint while practicing the piano was "But Mom, I don't want to use the Metrodome!!!"

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

Track

Last night was Ty's first track meet. You would have thought it was the Olympics he was so psyched about it. Even though it rained off and on all night, everyone had a great time. He competed in the 100, 200, 800 meter dash, softball throw (discus), and long jump and earned three 1st place ribbons, and two 2nd place. Way to go, Ty!
Checking out the competition

Shayla, Garrett and Grant entertained themselves with their own races!

Ty's (belated) 8th birthday post

Ty's birthday coincided with the 1st day of spring break this year. About halfway through the day Tyler called and asked if we wanted to go the Wisconsin Dells for a night. Say no more, we packed up and were off by 4 to play at the indoor waterparks. We swam and rode the waterslides that night and then got up the next morning and played all day.

Grant crashed halfway through the second day--poor guy!

It was a fun, surprise birthday/spring break celebration, and I'm so glad Tyler thought of it. Here's to being spontaneous!

With the crazy month we've had, we had Ty's friend birthday celebration a month late. He wanted a sportsy party, so we took him to the YMCA to play basketball and swim. And had pizza and pinata at our house. I tried to make a football (this is the first time I've deviated from the balloon shaped pinata) and it turned out looking more like a rocket/Christmas ornament. Tyler insisted we put marshmellows on the tips so no one got their eye poked out. We can happily report that no one lost an eye, and everyone got lots of candy. Phew!

Rowdy boys singing happy birthday

Happy (super late) birthday, Ty!!!!

Ty's baptism day

My baby is growing up! Ty was baptized on Friday, April 17th, 2009. It was a wonderful baptism with Grandma Wagner, Grandpa and Nana Hacking, and Uncle Brad, Aunt Emily and cousins Braden, Dallin and Trevor in attendance, along with good family friends. Ty was really nervous before the baptism, but afterwards, he was just beaming. I tried to get him to write in his journal, but he didn't have much to say. On Sunday as we were driving in the car Ty said, "I just had the best experience of my life with Dad this weekend." I had to clarify and make sure he was talking about his baptism (which he was) because on Saturday he participated in his first pine wood derby race, and that was quite exciting, too. He is growing up fast and we couldn't be prouder of him!
Here are a few pictures from the big events of the weekend.

Three generations of Hacking men

This is Ty after his baptism--doesn't his smile just say it all?

This was after his car won his first heat at the pinewood derby--the thrill!

Tight with the VEEP

The other day I told the kids to say an extra prayer for Dad because he had an important meeting presenting to one of the VP's. Ty froze in his tracks and with a look of complete disbelief and awe said, "Biden?!!" At least I know he's following politics.