Sarah Swims & Dives & Rocks the SAT

 Sarah had a rough start to the week.  She had a cold (missed school on Monday).  She had a hard time getting back into dive at practice on Wed.  (Still super congested, so that makes sense.) She had 2 good Rhinos Elite practices though. She also swam some good races on Thursday at the swim meet.  (I was timing, so I didn't get any pictures.) 

And she had a great weekend with Law and Order night with mom, a temple trip, and finding out she got a 1360 on her SAT.  I am utterly failing to get pictures of her. 

Her dive coach sent a great one a few weeks ago but I can't figure out where I saved it.  

We also had a fun time with Doctrinal Mastery to the Rescue @ seminary this week.  Sarah got some great pics of Ben and was featured in one or two of the questions. 

This week I should get to see Sarah swim & dive at their Thursday meet. 

Pancake Day!

Centerville Iowa's claim to fame is their Pancake Day celebration.  I think they have a world record for the most pancakes served.  The Indian Hills Wrestling team walked in the parade and Libby even got to eat some pancakes I think.

I know most of what she's up to from what pops up in google photos, although I did chat with her once this week and so did Derek.  She's having a great time.

I got this from one of the branch there in Centerville. This is one of the girls Libby coaches.  It's a sweet relationship and set up. They want Libby to do more coaching, but once the season starts officially, there won't be time, sadly. 

We got our official Indian Hills gear order! 

Freshman Football--Father & Son

 This week the Freshman team had a few chances to pull out a W, but couldn't quite seal the deal.  So they lost 6-7 (yeah--67, haha.)  Derek wasn't happy to pose for a picture.  But I had to capture the moment when the weather was nice and they were both nearby.  Ben gets to play kickoff return and punts.  Ben was sick on Monday though, and Derek noted they really need Ben at practice.  He's a huge asset to the team even if he's still too little to get much play time. 

Also, Go Dawgs.  (They lost to Ohio State yesterday--as expected, but it was a respectful loss at least.)

Ben-#12

Derek leading the post game chat. 

No smiles from Derek after a loss.  

School So Far (Football, Seminary, Swimming & Fun)

It's been a really fun and busy school year so far! The weeks have been full of activities, and the weekends have been packed with various events and completing the room swap/rearrange.  (I'll do a separate post about that at some point, but I'm writing from my new office--the old guest room.). 
 

Seminary is in full swing.  To catch up on the doctrinal mastery that we missed over the summer, we did a human sculpture park.  This is Jesus creating the worlds.  (I let them edit however they wanted, haha.) 

This is through the ordinances, godliness is manifest. 

Snuck a pic in sacrament meeting when Grammy had the kids help her with an object lesson.  

Yesterday Ben went to a Bat mitzvah that included a Savanah Banana's game.  He hadn't met the girl before, but he enjoyed the event.  

Ben brought his buddies over after the SW Varsity victory on Friday.  Can you guess the theme of the game? 

Libby sent me this picture of her first weld! 

Sarah had her first swim meet.  She also missed one meet due to choir.  There have been a couple "meets" for dive (they do them at practice the day before).  I haven't been to one yet, but there is video evidence of her diving hopefully uploading here.  I'll get to see her this week, as they move back down to Helene Madison this week instead of up at Mariner HS. 

Grammy got this one after I had to go. 

I tried my hands at taking swim pics.  It's tough! I arrived just in time to see her finish her swim.  Then had to leave to help with a football dinner before her next one.  Ugh.  

Cutie BFFs. 

More DM--I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say. 

The blessings of the Word of Wisdom

Having fun in college. 

Ben has had 2 football games now.  So far they've won both.  They've been quite entertaining.  It's been good spectator weather--dry, but a bit chilly by the end.  I'm so glad wrestling is indoors! 

Libby is doing some private coaching in Iowa.  These are members of the Centerville Branch. 

First day of Seminary! 

Dad coaching.  A rousing post-game speech I'm sure, but I beat it to the car to get warm. 

Last Sunday I didn't blog because we had a wedding in Pasco for one of Derek's coworkers.  Made for a long day (3 hour drive each way.). But it was fun to spend time chatting.

Also week 2 of school and 1 of seminary I got a nasty stye.  I decided to go to urgent care after my head felt like it was exploding and I had a black eye.  The antibiotics really helped!

Hard to tell here how bad it was.  But ouch! 

This week on Thurs, Fri, and Saturday I did a workshop with WIFYR (Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers.). I'm hoping to submit one or two query letters for my book (now titled Reversal) before the Wrestling Season starts. 

School is IN!

 We made it through our first week.  It was such a crazy week getting ready for school to start, and getting Libby's old room ready for Ben.  But we did it! 

Definitely the worst first day of school pics we've ever done.  But oh  well.  We captured the moment, in all its hectic glory. 

The world is in their hands! 

The carpet cleaned up nicely! A blank slate for Ben to move into.  He's been super motivated to have a closet.  But of course this meant I had to buy him a desk and some shelves.  Ugh.  I just did such a nice redo of his room (with my parents' help) 2 years ago.  But he's such a good helper, and doing most of the work himself. So I'm here for it.