Ups and downs

These are in reverse.  Newest to oldest.  Hard to recap properly the last few weeks.  But here goes.  I bought a sewing machine and it came this weekend.  I am quite to excited to "get crafty" as Elizabeth says.  I tried something fairly simple today to break it in.  The girls are pretty happy with their new headbands.  It is fun to create something yourself. . .even if it isn't cut straight, sewn straight. etc.  . . .

Look at me getting crafty today!

 Saturday night my friend had a halloween party.  We stopped by for a while.  She had a DJ, dancing ball and all!  David and I dressed up too, but didn't get a picture.. . .I am not the best at remembering to take pics!

Dancing the night away

     Wrap the mummy game

ready to party

 Friday evening we drove up to Brigham City and stayed with Uncle Bob and Corene.  We didn't get there until 9 pm and then had to get up early Saturday morning to head to Logan for some soccer tryouts for the girls.  But it was still fun to visit for a while, and I loved that their basement is still just how I remember it as a kid!  After soccer in Logan, we stopped at my cousin Janet and family's house for a quick hello.  So fun to catch up, even for a few minutes.  I feel a special connection to the Logan/Brigham City area just knowing that's where my roots are!  We stopped at the new temple to at least walk around the grounds before heading back down south!  Beautiful, of course!

Brigham city temple

 I'm sure you all know Luke's sad shoulder surgery news.  He tore all three tendons in his right shoulder playing football.  done for the year, no basketball this year. . . we are hoping he can rehab in time for baseball.  We shall see.  overall he is is good spirits, but of course it is a huge bummer!  those first few weeks after surgery he was in a lot of pain, and it was also the end of term so he was still going to school and keeping his grades up despite everything. (4.0 for the term!)  He starting physical therapy last week and will go twice a week for a couple months as he gradually gets the use of his shoulder back.  The pain is just about gone now, so the biggest challenge will be to not use his shoulder too quickly and give it the proper time to heal.  Thanks for all your prayers in his behalf.  It has been felt and appreciated!  It will be a long couple months of rehab now. . .

Smiling before surgery. .. he wasn't smiling after. . .

 We have loved going to the BYU soccer games.  I think they are ranked 5th in the nation right now!  We went to pink night for Breast Cancer awareness a couple weeks ago.

the girls favorite player on BYU soccer team!

Going pink before the game. . . we were there early to get the cool pink headbands!  These stands were packed by game time! 

 Soccer season for the fall ended the first part of the month.  Kennedy's team did really well.  Placed second in their division with only 1 loss for the year.  That was a HUGE improvement from last year where I think they only won one game!

Last game of the season for Kennedy

Team huddle

Victory tunnel!

 Elizabeth also had a great season.  She placed second in her entire league for goals scored!  That is quite an accomplishment as scoring in this league is not easy. .. the competition is a lot harder than the city level.  she continues to be a firecracker on the field!

Elizabeth's last game of the season

 Sadly, I never was able to get the photo of Luke in his football uniform.  His injury prevented that from happening, because I wasn't on the ball early enough in the season.  He is number 23. .. you can see him from the back here.  he really LOVED playing football and despite the injury I think he is planning on playing next year.  We can't afford any more surgeries. . .so I will just pray he stays healthy.  He had some great games during the season.  Playing a lot of JV and of course Sophmore as well.  Our varsity team is currently in the playoffs and won their first game over the weekend.  We'll see how far they go.  Luke is sad to watch from the stands instead of being with the team :(

Luke's team. . . his last game when he got hurt :( 

Torn AC joint :(

Well, that is about it.  A rough month in a lot of ways, but we are making it.

The girls are trying out for the ODP (Olympic Development something or other) team which they could get some higher level training through the winter.  We will see what happens.  But there are four 3 hour "tryout" sessions.  The first was where we were in Logan on Saturday.  This Saturday we head to Layton, then Orem for the last two.  If nothing else, they are getting 4 really good sessions with some high level coaches.  Whether they make it or not, it will be a good experience for them.  I think they already learned quite a bit just from the session on Saturday.

Other highlights with no pictures include having Bronte and David over for Sunday dinner last week.  I tried making Cafe Rio style pork salads. .. they turned out pretty good!  Bronte and David of course entertained the girls for a couple hours while they were here.  Not much visiting time because the girls hog all the time!! ;)



Well, I am off to look at Pinterest for some fun sewing/craft ideas!  Beginner level for me, of course!!  This week I am going to make my cushion covers to go on our built in benches in our addition.  If they turn out, I will try to post pictures for all 5 of you who ever check this ;)