I'm Back, Taylor Promoted

I have been so behind in blogging, like way behind.  I didn't blog all of Colby's freshman year, his football or basketball season, and don't even get me started on what I haven't blogged about Taylor.  It's overwhelming, so instead of doing something about it, I've avoided it.  I have missed it.  Blogging is good therapy for me, even if no one is reading it, my posterity will someday.  That's good enough for me.

Taylor had his promotion from 8th grade Monday night.  A very sad event for me.  Last year when Colby promoted, I knew we would still have one more year at the Middle School with Taylor.  Now it's done.  Over.  No looking back.  Taylor loved his two years there and I think the highlight of Middle School for him was Mrs. Lewis, his P.E. teacher.  They have been the very best of friends the last two years.  Taylor teased her so bad at times I think she wanted to ring his neck, but she has survived.  Taylor is such a great student!  I hope he keeps in up in all the hectic-ness of high school.  He wants to be very involved and that can be a help and a hinderance.  He has decided to help coach the Pop Warner football team he has played on the last four years, so that will keep him very busy.  He's great with younger kids so I know it will be a good experience for him.

It's hard for me to see that we now officially have a Freshman and a Sophomore.  Only three more years with Colby and he will fly the nest.  I want to clip his wings and keep him home.  Both of them.  Not forever but just for a little while longer.  I want to rewind the clock and have them at the ages of 3 and 4 all over again.  They have been a joy in my life and I like the busy-ness (for the most part, except for when the laundry piles up) that having kids at home brings. 

Here are a few pictures of Taylor's big event.  Yes, the bowtie was his idea, he has his own style.  I just roll with it.

 

Mrs. Lews (Riina) and Taylor.

 

CP, Taylor, and Friend.

  

 

Taylor, Michael, and Grayson.  Two of Taylor's BFF's.

 

 

Taylor and Friends.

Back It Up!

I realized this morning that I have gotten a little behind on blogging. I was so worried about getting pictures together for Mom and Dad's Anniversary that I have forgotten about my own camera! It was a happy reunion between Mr.Kodak and I.

So let's back up before school got out and show some of the pictures from Taylor's Strings Concert. Taylor started violin lesson this year and I can't believe how much he has learned in just one year! He is really good and faithfully practices everyday. He broke the news to me not too many days ago that he doesn't want to take violin lessons again next year but wants to play the drums. Can you say earmuffs?





Then we faced the last day of school. We successfully graduated from fourth and fifth grade, not Ryan and I, Colby and Taylor graduated from fourth and fifth grade. I was able to get a few snapshots of them before we left for school. Remember when Colby froze in front of the camera and didn't know how to smile? Now he can't act normal but this is the best I could do.







Doesn't Taylor just look thrilled in all of these?

And finally, a bitter-sweet day for us. Patrick, our buddy from church graduated from high school. We knew this day was coming but it came way too fast for us! He was just a young freshmen when we moved here and now he is graduated and headed to BYU. We went to his graduation party and had a great time! Patrick is practically part of our family and we will miss him immensely when he leaves for BYU but we are also really excited for him and the fun opportunities that are coming his way. Here are a couple of pictures from his graduation.





Now we're just hanging out and enjoying our summer! It has been horribly hot here but that's part of living in Cali, HOT summers! We are staying cool and spending as much time as we can at the pool. We don't really have any plans to go anywhere other than to Eddy's wedding the beginning of August! Colby starts basketball tomorrow and Taylor is in Washington for two weeks with my Mom and Dad. I love summer, it's such a relaxing time!