Memories

 I mentioned in my last post that I wanted to mostly hang around the house while Victoria was doing home MTC. I also wanted to make sure my other kids got out and did some fun activities besides play games and watch missionary approved movies, which we didn't do as much as we thought we would. I had my dad and Mary Lou and then my mom here to visit with, so that kept me occupied as well. 

Here's a bit into the non-missionary parts of the second half of our summer.

Kade's been working at Zumiez at the mall, which he does very well at, and is the top sales associate and "folder" (he does the best job at folding the pants, a trait he inherited from Jason, no doubt!) He's had plenty of time for friends and started at Schoolcraft College last week. 

Austin's had the most consistent morning schedule. He has been attending the xc team work-outs/runs every morning, minus Sundays, at 8am. He returns usually no earlier than 10, so he's pretty worn out when he arrives home. By the time he's replenished his calories and had downtime, it's the late afternoon when he usually hangs with friends or does a job for me. 

They had a pre-season meet, called Laamplighter, under the lights late at night. He did pretty good. Can't wait to see him in the season.

Erik's been up and down with his workout regimen in the morning, but he's been spending most of his afternoons with friends. They usually ride their bikes to someone's house to play basketball, soccer, and/or football. Sometimes they get to swim. He's also been attending a summer book club with some friends. 

Erik went to Cedar Point with Victoria and her friends, as I mentioned in a previous post. Austin went a separate time, though he didn't send me pics, and Kade went a separate time. All of them had a blast at that amusement park!

Kade and his friends at Cedar Point.

Here are a couple of other pics with fun memories. 

Lunch with Grandma Mary Lou and Grandpa Dave.

A walk with Victoria.

Downtown Plymouth visit.

A bike ride with my mom.

Last, but not least, we went to the Tree Runner, which is a high ropes course with some ziplines, about 30 minutes away. We were supposed to go to the Kish's lakehouse one more time for part of Labor Day, but between Kade's work and Austin's workouts, in preparation for the big upcoming meet, the timing didn't work out. So, Saturday after the workout, we went and enjoyed the challenging courses together. Jason much prefers something like that to Cedar Point, so I was glad we could all have fun doing something thrilling. 

Of course, it had to end with a "bang" when Austin, trying the hardest course, lost some footing at the hardest point and went face-first into a wooden plank piece where his foot was supposed to be. Kade got to witness that one, not me this time. There was a lot of blood. He has a couple of bandage strips with glue on his face that the doctor thought would heal the best. Luckily, he already got his school pics taken!

I am definitely ready to end this summer and get back to school. Between everything involved with graduation for Kade and prepping Victoria for the mission, and all the emotions involved with both, I'm ready to get back to my little 4-year-olds!