Another school year.....

School actually started back up last week (Sept 8th), but things have been so crazy - I haven't had time to post anything. I also forgot to take pictures on the first day, so we had to "pretend" a couple days later. Between the girls busy schedule (getting back into the routine of homework, band, sports, etc) and me working for the school district - the beginning of a new school year is a crazy, hectic time for us.

Amanda is really excited for school this year because she's a senior! It's hard to believe my "baby" will be graduating in June! (She hates it when I do that!) Along with getting organized for her classes, she's been busy looking into colleges, filling applications out, signing up to take the ACT and SAT Tests and everything that comes with college. She (of course) plays her flute and saxophone in the Band and will be on the Bowling League with school again this year.

Sam is in 9th Grade this year, so this is her last year in Jr. High. She's in 2 Honors classes, has 10th grade math and is, of course, planning on doing her usual sports this year. She was disgusted the first day of school when someone called her a "sevey"....meaning they thought she was a seventh grader!

Happy Birthday, Sam!

Today is Sam's 15th Birthday! We are so blessed to have her in our family. She brings a special spirit into our home. She loves to play sports, hang with her friends and is constantly learning new things. She always looks for the good in other people and is such a good example for those around her. She always strives to do the right thing and sticks to what she believes in. She has such an out-going personality - everywhere we go, she makes friends. I am so proud of who she is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAM!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

A week at Girls Camp

We just got back home yesterday (Saturday) from spending the week at girls camp. We had a ton of fun "camping" (we slept in little cabins) and just being outdoors. The girls had fun being with friends, learning about nature, swimming in the lake, etc. Amanda was a YCL (Youth Camp Leader) and was in charge of helping a group of 1st year girls for the week. I was the Business Specialist this year, so I spent alot of time before camp keeping track of all the registration forms, going to meetings, ordering t-shirts and sweatshirts and making sure things were organized. It was lots of work, but so worth it. Once we got to camp, I was also the camp photographer - which, we all know, is my favorite thing to do!

Amanda with the craft ladies. They were awesome!

One of the activities was a pie eating contest. One person stood on the bench, while the other person lay on the ground with a little pie shell on their forhead. The person on the bench had a little bag with pudding in it and they had to drop the pudding into the pie shell. Then the person on the ground had whip cream put on top of the pie and then ate it. As you can see, not all of the pudding landed in the pie shell!

Early in the morning, before anyone jumped into the lake for the polar dip.

One of the few times the girls actually saw each other.

Amanda and her friend, Tezra.


The whole group!

Sam and her friends from school, Brianne and Megan. They were in the same cabin together.