Tanessa's 14!!

Tanessa turned the big 14 on Sept. 8th. Not sure why, but 14 seems so much older than 13. That's only about 4 more years at home and then it's off to college, work, marriage, a family of her own..........YIKES! I really hope that the time doesn't go by too fast.

Her birthday was on a Tuesday and I made cupcakes to take to her soccer practice. She had made a cake with Cori the day before because she wanted to learn how to make fondant. This cake turned out to be her birthday cake. Yes, she made her own birthday cake. And it was yummy. Bad mom. I know.

This year for her birthday, we skipped the whole party thing and her and her best friend, Cali, had a spa day. They went to a spa in Bakersfield and got massages, facials, and pedicures. They had a fun and relaxing time! Her present was a bike but we let her pick it out when they were done at the spa. Then we went to Shogun's Japanese restaurant for dinner. Then Dewar's for dessert....mmmmm!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TANESSA!!

Back to School

The kids are off onto another year of school. None of us were really ready to give up our summer and get back to the grind, but we all sucked it up and made due. The kids all started new adventures this year and we look forward to the growth and changes that they will bring.

Tanessa, Ali, and Spencer - First Day of School 2009

Spencer started 1st grade this year. He is in Mrs. Dwyers 1/2 combo. Spencer was excited to go to school to play on the "big kid" playground. Spencer thinks his teacher is the funniest! He, unlike the girls, LOVES math. (But only real math. Number connect the dots is NOT real math.) He doesn't mind reading but it doesn't compare to math. He also likes that they get to do p.e. in 1st grade. His teacher has told them that she will try to catch a tarantula and bring it in and he is excited for that. It's weird, him being in first grade. He seems so much older now.

Spencer ready for first grade.

Spencer at his desk.

Ali went into the 4th grade this year. She was excited to go see all her friends. She started in Mrs. Hacker's class, which she was excited about because her closest friends (Tayah, Ella, and Samantha) were all in there with her. Then a week into school she got moved to a 4/5 combo for reading and math in the mornings. She is enjoying Mrs. Alten but missing her friends. Luckily, it worked out for Tayah to be moved with her and they go back into Mrs. Hacker's class after lunch. Ali is excited for the soccer tournament coming up and hopes that she is chosen to go. She loves reading, art, and p.e. but doesn't care so much for math.

Ali just before leaving for school.

Sitting at her desk.

This year Tanessa started high school. She was a little excited and a lot nervous. I still can't believe that I have a high schooler and, 3 weeks into school, I sometimes still watch her walk up the steps after I drop her off. She loves home ec. and ag. and thinks her English teacher is the greatest. She hates math and thinks the teacher does not do a good job explaining it. She is in FFA and will be showing her lamb at the Kern County Fair in a couple weeks. She is also in FHA and has entered a cake baking competition at the fair as well.

She's growing into such a beautiful young woman!

Outside, on the way to school.

A New Dentist in Town

Spencer went to the dentist for his 6 month check up and cleaning. No cavities, yay! After she put on the flouride, he kept wanting to spit so she left him the "sucker" while she went to start on Ali's teeth. He thought it was the coolest thing ever, especially after he figured out the switch that turned it on and off.

Angels Game

Ali's softball coach this year treated us to an Angels game. It was the first time my kids had ever been to a real baseball game and they were very excited. It was hot and the game did not go so well for the Angels but it was an experience for the kids. Ali said it was "ok, but not super exciting." Spencer, on the other hand, really enjoyed it. He and I want to go to a Dodgers game real soon.

Spencer and Ali in front of Angels' Stadium.

The kids got to run bases after the game. They thought that was really cool.

Summer Fun

We didn't get to go on vacation out of town this summer. I am very sad to say that we didn't even make it to the beach. But we made do with what we had and had fun doing it. We enjoyed lake and river days with friends and down time in the pool in the backyard. The kids had a blast hanging out at the lake with their friends. They went tubing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, boating, and swimming. Sometimes, they just hung out on the shore and played in the sand.

Ali and Jayda on the boat.

Sisters tubing.

Spencer hanging out in the water.

Shayla, Tayah, Ali, and Jayda pretending to ride on the sea doo.

We spent a lot of the summer at the river with friends. We'd pack up our lunch and a million other things and head out for the day. Sometimes I had so much in my car and it took so long loading and unloading and loading and unloading again that I wondered if it was really worth it. But it definitely was! The kids swam across the river, hiked up a little, crossed slippery rocks, tubed small rapids, and floated back down over and over again. It took my kids a little longer to try it because they are so cautious but once they did, there was no stopping them. They also liked to swim, float around on rafts and tubes, and play in the sand.

Jayda, Trey, Ali, and Shayla enjoying the river.

Ali, Jayda, Noah, Trey, and Tayah playing in the sand and water.

We did have a great summer and are bummed that it is over but we have the memories of this summer to last us through the long school year till next summer!

Soccer Camp

Also in July, my kids participated in the British soccer camp. They had coach Jon and coach Adam from England. It is a week full of soccer and the kids loved every minute of it. Tanessa did the high school camp in the mornings and Ali and Spencer did the kids camp in the evenings. In between we did activities with the coaches and the team. There were river days, lake days, and dinners. We all love being around the coaches because it is so fun to listen to their accents and ask questions about their country.

Spencer and Ali on Wacky Wednesday.

The kids got to dress up the coaches however they wanted on Thursday.

Tanessa jumping up to high five coach Jon.

Tanessa with coaches Jon and Adam.

Coach Jon with Ali, Spencer, and Brenna getting ready to play a game.

Coach Jon, Spencer, Ali, and Coach Adam

Indoor Soccer

This summer we all got to experience something new. Tanessa played indoor soccer in Bakersfield. It was a blast. For her to play and for us to watch. It was kind of like playing soccer in a hockey ring on a basketball court if that makes any sense. This game that I took pictures of is our own girls scrimmaging eachother because the other team did not show. I think it was our only win....by default.

Tanessa and Hali fighting for the ball.

Tanessa, Hali, and Hailee

Tanessa trying to get to the goal.

Tanessa letting Jordyn know she's open for the pass.