Soccer

Sam started playing soccer in 8th grade and it has quickly become her favorite sport. She played goalie part of the time in 9th grade and decided she likes that position best. She went to a soccer camp at BYU (as a goalie) over the summer and really learned a lot. Then 2 weeks before school started, soccer practice for the high school began and she tried out. She was very excited when she made the varsity team!! (This is her first year in high school.) They've had 2 games so far and Sam has done great. I love to go and watch her play. She always put everything into her game. Of course, I always have my camera and take lots of pictures.

Happy Sweet 16, Sam!!!

Today is Sam's 16th Birthday! She's been looking forward to this particular birthday for awhile now. She's looking forward to getting her driver's license and being able to date. (Although, I'm not sure that's the particular order she would put them in. If it was up to me, I'd put dating down the list....WAY down the list.) Since this past weekend was Labor Day Weekend, we had her birthday party a week ago. We had hamburgers and hot dogs, salads, fruit and, of course, cake. Sam and her friends had a great time playing games and hanging out.

Sam brings so much joy to our home. She always strives to do what's right and never hesitates to let other's know what she believes in. I am proud to call her my daughter. Happy Birthday, Sam!! I love you! Our friend, April, made a cake for Sam's birthday. She always does such a great job! Everyone absolutely loved it!

Since Sam was expecting a lot of friends, we made a cake as well. It, of course, had to be a soccer cake.

My friend, Darcey, came over to help me with the party. She did a great job cooking the hamburgers and hot dogs. It was really great of her to be willing to subject herself to the craziness of a house-full of teenagers!

One of the games they played was to pass a peanut from one spoon to the next with the spoon in their mouth. They couldn't use their hands, either.

Playing 3-legged soccer.

Sam took 2 t-shirts, soaked them in water and put them in the freezer. The first team to thaw out the t-shirt and put it on one of their team members won.

Amanda's new home

We made a fast trip to Cedar City this week to take Amanda to college. When we got to Boise, we stayed with Brenda and Andrew for a day, then Amanda and I continued on, while Sam stayed in Boise.
We had a great time playing Putt-Putt Golf.

After dinner we walked over the park in their neighborhood. Brenda, Amanda, Sam and I had a good time on the teeter-totter.

On the way through Salt Lake City, we stopped at the University Hospital to see Matti. She flies Air-Med and she took us up to the roof where the helicopter is. It was very interesting to see where she works and to see the helicopter.

Our last stop (for Amanda, that is) was in Cedar City. We spent all day Wednesday getting her set up....parking pass, mailbox, papers signed, moving her stuff into her room, etc. Four of Marie & Joe's children helped us pack her stuff in and then helped Amanda decorate her walls. She had removable stickers to put on the walls. I love the way it turned out. Once she gets the pictures hung up, it's going to look even better!