Soccer Mom

Bowen and the "Tigers" soccer team. Bowen is ready to rip up the field and "put it in the kitchen!"



It is official, I am a "soccer mom" with three of my four children playing the sport. What is it about soccer? I have no idea, other than it keeps my children in excellent physical condition with all the running. Courtney has excelled, she has the most skill and finesse and she is quick. Caitlin was aggressive and fast and so tough. You did not want to get in her way, ever! Bowen, the little beginner, runs fast and is determined. He gets upset when he looses the ball and is not quite satisfied when someone else scores on a ball that he kicked to them. I guess he does not get the concept of a "team" sport and what exactly it means to get the "assist."

It has been beautiful soccer weather, temperatures ranging in the mid 70s to 80s. I can only think of one high school game this season that there has been wet weather and Bowen has only had one game with clouds and the threat of rain.

I enjoy this time of the year with the fall like weather and the temperatures beginning to cool down. I enjoy the cool nights and waking up in the morning to "cold" throughout the house because the windows are open! The leaves are turning to gold and orange colors and the mountains are picturesque with all the brown, red, and bright yellow that paints what was green. It is fun to get out sweaters and hoodies and boots and put away the swim suits, flip flops and sandals. It is all about layering, jackets and sweatshirts for the morning and then peeled off for the lighter shirts in the afternoons. Barbecues and burgers are replaced with fire pits and roasted marshmallows, S'mores are the best!

Fall Time Rocks!

Homecoming Invite 2008

The mess is the best! Courtney's invitation to the Homecoming dance was fun and messy!


Oh the stress....Courtney will have to get a new dress!


The Homecoming dance invitation included a lot of decorating to Courtney's bedroom. How fun, she has been asked to go to the dance by one of her best buddies. He is a great guy and they will have a great time. She is excited, but wouldn't want to express any kind of positive emotion to anyone.

Now, the stress for mom, the dress shopping. Not so bad if we can find one with a smaller price tag.

Caitlin was invited to the dance too....she was tearful when mom and dad reminded her about the age limit of 16 years old to begin dating! She understands but is afraid that she will not get invited next year. Oh, the drama of high school!

Lehi Soccer Undefeated!

Courtney's fan club...like the t-shirts!

The paper had this great action shot of the soccer game on Tuesday. This is Jessie Beck, Courtney's good friend who plays for Timpanogos High School...the enemy! She is awesome, even if she plays for the enemy!

Courtney at Tuesday's soccer game against Timpanogos High School. She is like....Mom, it's half time...I have to go with the team...leave me alone!

Lehi High School Girl's soccer team rocks the world! The girls are undefeated this season and have SEVEN shut out games. So far, they are playing well this season. They beat the region queens yesterday on home turf. It was a tough and grueling game but they managed a 1-0 win! This is so much fun for Courtney's senior year, to be a part of a great soccer season with girls she adores and skilled players who don't give up. Go Lehi Soccer! We love you!

Happy 7th Birthday Bowen!

Happy Birthday Bowen! It's hard to believe that the little guy is already 7! He is growing up so fast. We celebrated his birthday for two days. His birthday party with his friends was on Saturday at the bowling alley. It was "Bowen's Bowling Birthday!" We had 14 little boys aged 5 to 7 years old running all over the bowling alley. Wow! I think everyone was glad when we finally left and the party was over. The boys bowled and ATE lots of pizza, one little friend ate 10 pieces (can you say aching tummy). They also played a few arcade games and opened presents and ate birthday cake. I think they all had a great time. At least Bowen did! He smiled all day long. He loved all the presents and attention and was so generous, he told everyone thank you and let his friends play with the new toys he received afterwards. We then had birthday cake and gave him our presents on Sunday, the real birthday day. He arose at 6:00 AM in hopes of getting everyone out of bed so he could open his birthday presents. He did not have much luck as his sisters either threw shoes at him to get him out of their rooms or groaned at him to "get out." So, he hung out with mom until all the morning zombies finally awoke.

Look at what Bowen got for his birthday! Yes, he loves Indiana Jones and can now dress official any time he wants. Bowen especially likes the whip, I think that is an invitation for injury. I guess his sisters better get tough and whip resistant. Bowen also got "Indiana Jones Legos" and a new CD boombox and a couple CD's to play. He thinks he is so grown up. He had a great two days and we love him so much. He was so sweet and requested a chocolate "coke" cake for his birthday. I spent a little time making it for him and then he only wanted ice cream and no cake. Go figure! He is alot of fun and keeps us all on our toes. He spends most of his days asking questions, to which I usually have to research the answers on the internet (I have no idea how to install a satellite dish on the house or why Harry Potter has to wave his wand twice to make a spell work) but I usually can find the answer on goggle. If he does not like the answer he is given, he usually thinks up his own more logical answer after much deliberation. He brings laughter, silliness, sweetness, and action to our home. He is adored by his three older sisters and his mother. His dad enjoys his company but is also easily tired out.

Happy Birthday Bowen.....We Love You!

Happy Birthday Courtney!

Be careful on your 18th birthday....you never know who may show up to sing to you!

My baby is 18 years old today! I cannot believe it. It truly does seem like just yesterday that I was laying in the hospital with her in my arms as a newborn. Wow, what a fast 18 years. She has become a beautiful young woman with many remarkable qualities. She is FUN, silly, full of life, nurturing, children naturally are drawn to her and she is so attentive to them, a leader, quick witted, intelligent, bossy and in charge, deep thinker, strong, happy, compassionate, loyal, adorable! I could go on and on with adjectives.

In honor of her adulthood it was determined that her day should be celebrated with humiliation and bling. A "cookie cake" (the bling) was delivered to the high school along with balloons. Her friends decorated the car in the school parking lot and her locker too was adorned. Finally, her little sister, Caitlin, decided that was not enough attention and/or humiliation, so she arranged for her uncles and dad to show up at lunch and serenade her for her birthday (the humiliation). So, they did........Uncle Evan even enlisted the help of the entire student body whom were also eating lunch to sing along too! Her dad gave her flowers (more bling) and she was embarrassed and a very nice color of pink (yeah, humiliation). It was fun and everything she deserves!

We love you Courtney! Happy 18th Birthday! May your day be as bright and sweet as you! We could not ask for a better daughter and we are so proud of you!

Labor Day Weekend

Ahhhh, the Smile Appears!
Courtney, Friends & Family Enjoying Courtney's Almost Adulthood!
The Smiley Birthday Girl!


We love long weekends! Labor Day provided such a weekend. We enjoyed the extra time off of work and school and normal activities. Not that we did anything great or exciting, but just being able to have another day to do whatever we want is enough of a celebration. Courtney's birthday is this week. She will turn 18! Unbelieveable! It does not seem like too long ago that I was 18 and a senior in high school ready to take on the world. Now it is my daughter's turn.

Courtney would not commit to doing anything for her birthday, what her 18th birthday and she does not want to party?! Well, I could not have any of that so I planned a "mini celebration." I invited her two best friends and took our family and the Zunkowski family to the Desert Star Playhouse to watch "Scary Poppins," melo-drama at its best. Her friends told her that they were going to a movie with her sister Caitlin and Katlyn Zunkowski. They picked her up and then picked up Katlyn, well, we were already at the Zunkowski home with cake and balloons in hand. We gave her the big "surprise" announcement and she was not smiling so big! We celebrated anyway. We sang a beautiful rendition of "Happy Birthday" and made her blow out ALL those candles and open a few gifts. She got a little more smiley. Apparently, she is not too keen on surprises, especially when she thought she got to spend the night with her friends and her family ended up tagging along as well.

We finally left for our destination (which no one would tell her about) and arrived at the playhouse. She was still grumpy, at least she wanted us to think she was, but her eyes were showing a little sparkle. Nonetheless, the actors came out and announced her 18th birthday and made her stand so everyone could see! This was embarrassing but fun! Scary Poppins was silly and full of laughs. She ended up having a great time and giggled through most of the play. Overall, it was a great time and she admitted it was lots of fun, she just hates being surprised. I think she just hates not knowing the plan (or at least not being in charge of the plans). We love her so much and are so proud of the young woman she has become. She is beautiful, nurturing, fun, open, a leader, in charge, sweet to her siblings, responsible, witty, strong, full of character and good company. The list could go on and on.

We also spent some time shopping and took the two little ones to see the new "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" movie. The long weekend was great and we are so glad to be back in school and back to work!

Be Smart

School has begun! School started on 8-18-08 (there has got to be something tricky about all those "8's"). The clan began without difficulty. We pretty much had to put a second mortgage on the house to pay the registration fees and purchase the school supplies, not to mention shoes and/or clothes (if Bowen and Hannah would stop growing). But, we managed and everyone seems to be adjusting to the new school schedule.

Courtney, Senior at Lehi High School (I cannot believe it). She is absolutely bored with school and ready to take on the world. She has a few challenging AP classes and lots of electives that are time fillers. The college prep math class will prove the most challenging, she says, but it will be a great preparation for college Algebra. She is contemplating her college options. She is considering Utah State, Utah Valley University, and maybe Snow College. I keep suggesting BYU-Idaho and like the idea of Snow College as well. We will see which options are preferable after she applies and begs for financial assistance and scholarship help. She is still interested in studying secondary education or social work. She keeps hinting at fashion design, not sure which college will offer such a program. But, whatever she decides, she will be great. She just needs to survive her senior year. I think it will be one big party for her! Soccer is going well, she is getting lots of varsity play time and Lehi is 2-0-1. Pretty good start to the pre-season! The team will take on Riverton and Wasatch this week and next week all region games will begin! Go LHS girls soccer!

Caitlin, Sophomore at Lehi High School (I also cannot believe it). Caitlin is so excited about what is ahead of her. She is thrilled to be in high school. She has a challenging schedule. She has a couple of honors classes and Geometry, in which she already has stress! She is also very busy with the drill team, dance company and choir. She loves music and performing, but with all the electives, she has to take Health on-line in order to have all her credits for graduation. There will be no rest for the weary. She looked darling everyday, making certain her outfits for high school were just the "right ones." She performed at the school assembly on Friday and really had a great time. The drill team also performed at the football game this weekend. She was so cute! She looked great dancing on the football field and really shined! The whole drill team looked sharp and in sync. Go girls! We love LHS Pionettes!

Hannah, 6h grader at Lehi Elementary (growing up quick). Hannah is excited to "rule the school" and be in sixth grade. She is still getting acquainted with her teacher but says that all of her friends are in other classes. She will just have to get to know the kids in her class, this should not be too hard, she is quite sweet and social. She has already begun reading a biography (almost done) so she can write a report. She completes her homework without supervision and is so responsible to get her planner signed daily. She is a sweetie! She is so careful selecting her new outfits to wear and is doing a great job styling her long and thick hair. She has an eye for fasion and enjoys "dressing trendy" or making her own style.

Bowen, 1st grader at Lehi Elementary (finally). Bowen is already breaking in his teacher and taking charge of his class. The best part of his day is getting school lunch (you get your own tray and pick your own meal) and recess, thank goodness there are three of them! He has not said much about his teacher or what he does in the classroom, however, he seems to be adjusting, even as difficult as it may be. He is our "likes consistency and dislikes any change" boy! He feels secure in a repetitive schedule and gets stressed whenever flexibility within the schedule is needed. I think he will love school once he adjusts to the new school year and his teacher. He says first grade is sooooooooooo long! "Being at school all day is so hard" according to him. He also let us know that it took so long to get to Wednesday, I did not have the heart to remind him he has school until Friday. Bowen was very happy to have the weekend arrive and to be able to play video games and jump on the trampoline at his leisure. He will be so great! He is an intelligent little guy with alot of personality and energy! We love him!

Mom has adjusted too! I feel divided every new school year. I love having the kids at home and schedules not so strict! I enjoy the play time we have and the freedom during the summer months. But, it is nice to get everyone back into routine and back into the classroom, that way they don't complain of boredom and near starvation (after they have eaten the entire weeks worth of groceries in two days)! I love them all soooooooo much! I am excited to see Courtney become a sweet and awesome little adult and commence into bigger life experiences. It is so fun to watch Caitlin grow up into such a beautiful and talented young woman. Hannah brings so much joy and teaches me so much about compassion for others. Bowen continues to make us laugh with his wit and wisdom!