We also decided to purchase a Skeleton Jack inflatable this season. It made me smile every time I saw it.
Friday, December 20, 2019
Halloween 2019
This was our first Halloween with kids where no one went trick or treating. Both Kaylee and Landon decided to invite a couple of friends over and stayed in for the night. They all ended up playing games together. Kaylee dressed up as Bo Peep from Toy Story 4 and Landon dressed up as an Inkling from Splatoon. I had a lot of fun making their costumes and was so happy with the way Bo Peep turned out.
We also decided to purchase a Skeleton Jack inflatable this season. It made me smile every time I saw it.
We also decided to purchase a Skeleton Jack inflatable this season. It made me smile every time I saw it.
Thursday, December 19, 2019
September Musicals
In September I had the opportunity to take Kaylee to see Les Miserables at the Bass Concert Hall. The show was phenomenal, and it was fun to share it with someone who loves the story as much as I do. It is one of my favorites. I also had the opportunity to take Landon to see Newsies at the Palace Theater in Georgetown. Newsies is his favorite musical, and we both loved this fantastic show. The tunes are so catchy! I love it that my kiddos enjoy musicals as much as I do.
Cross Country Season II
Landon ran his second season of cross country this year. It was a hot one. The middle school boys usually ran last, so most of his races didn't even start until 11am or even a little later. His first race was a doozy. He ran in 100 degree heat with a heat index of 104 to 108 degrees. It was brutal.
Although several of his good friends were on the team, he didn't enjoy cross country quite as much this time around, and it's looking like he is not going to run in high school. The hunt is back on to find something active that Landon enjoys. We're toying with the idea of martial arts or maybe a dance class. Tennis is another thought I had, but first this boy has an Eagle Scout project to plan and complete.
Although several of his good friends were on the team, he didn't enjoy cross country quite as much this time around, and it's looking like he is not going to run in high school. The hunt is back on to find something active that Landon enjoys. We're toying with the idea of martial arts or maybe a dance class. Tennis is another thought I had, but first this boy has an Eagle Scout project to plan and complete.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
The Month of August or Middle School, High School, and College
On August 19th, Kaylee began her sophomore year of high school and Landon started 8th grade. It was strange not including Ainsley in the first day of school pictures.
Exactly one week later, Ainsley and I took off on an airplane to Utah to get her moved in before she began her first year of college. The Sunday before we left, we took some quick family pictures because it has been about 3 years since our last family picture.
When Ainsley and I arrived in Utah, we picked up our rental car and headed straight to BYU (with a pit stop at Wal-Mart for some necessities). Our plan was to get her moved in, shop the next day (you can only bring so much on an airplane), and have some time to play before student/parent orientation began on Thursday. Our plans were a bit overzealous. After that first day, we were exhausted, practically in tears, and not nearly as far along as we had hoped. We both stayed the night at Uncle Charlie's and Aunt Debbie's and hoped to catch up the next day. After a good night's sleep, Tuesday went a lot better, but we shopped the entire day. We went to so many stores, but by Tuesday evening, Ainsley's dorm was starting to look like home.
We were far enough along on Tuesday that Ainsley decided to stay the night in her new room. Alone. None of her roommates had arrived yet. I was a bit apprehensive leaving her because if it were me, I would have been creeped out sleeping there all by myself. She insisted so I said good night and hoped she got some sleep.
Wednesday was supposed to be our play day but we still had some shopping and organizing to do so we sadly decided to call off our plans and finalize her move in. We finished up, ate some delicious BYU Creamery ice cream, met two of her roommates (who weren't staying that night), and I left her again. Alone. Now, she hadn't slept very well the previous night so I was thinking the same thing would happen again. Not so. I got a text from her later that evening that another roommate had shown up and decided to stay the night in Ainsley's room because she didn't have a key yet and couldn't get into her own room. Things looked much brighter after that.
Exactly one week later, Ainsley and I took off on an airplane to Utah to get her moved in before she began her first year of college. The Sunday before we left, we took some quick family pictures because it has been about 3 years since our last family picture.
When Ainsley and I arrived in Utah, we picked up our rental car and headed straight to BYU (with a pit stop at Wal-Mart for some necessities). Our plan was to get her moved in, shop the next day (you can only bring so much on an airplane), and have some time to play before student/parent orientation began on Thursday. Our plans were a bit overzealous. After that first day, we were exhausted, practically in tears, and not nearly as far along as we had hoped. We both stayed the night at Uncle Charlie's and Aunt Debbie's and hoped to catch up the next day. After a good night's sleep, Tuesday went a lot better, but we shopped the entire day. We went to so many stores, but by Tuesday evening, Ainsley's dorm was starting to look like home.
We were far enough along on Tuesday that Ainsley decided to stay the night in her new room. Alone. None of her roommates had arrived yet. I was a bit apprehensive leaving her because if it were me, I would have been creeped out sleeping there all by myself. She insisted so I said good night and hoped she got some sleep.
Wednesday was supposed to be our play day but we still had some shopping and organizing to do so we sadly decided to call off our plans and finalize her move in. We finished up, ate some delicious BYU Creamery ice cream, met two of her roommates (who weren't staying that night), and I left her again. Alone. Now, she hadn't slept very well the previous night so I was thinking the same thing would happen again. Not so. I got a text from her later that evening that another roommate had shown up and decided to stay the night in Ainsley's room because she didn't have a key yet and couldn't get into her own room. Things looked much brighter after that.
Thursday was the first day of orientation for Ainsley and the only day of orientation for me. It was fun and a bit strange to go to new student orientation for my daughter in the same building where I walked for graduation (the Marriott Center). During the last class I went to that day, I ran into an old high school friend (Amy). She was one of my closest friends in high school, and we hadn't seen each other in over 20 years. We ended up meeting up with my oldest friend, Stacy, (who I hadn't seen in almost 20 years) for lunch the next day. The three of us picked up right where we left off so many years ago and had the best time catching up with each other. Ainsley got to attend a BYU football game the first evening of student orientation. She started making friends, getting to know her roommates, and really settling in to her new college life.
In between my visits to see Ainsley, I had the opportunity to spend time with family members I hadn't seen in a long time. It was great to hang out with the Bell side of the family. Charlie and Debbie are so much fun. I also got to see my cousin Brian and his family, talk to my cousin Chris over the phone, and visit with my mom's cousin Robbie who I have very fond memories of spending time with when I was a kid. Ainsley and I both got to visit with my cousins Kelli, Spencer, Matt, and their families.
Saturday came quickly and soon enough it was time to say goodbye, so I could catch an early Sunday morning flight back to Texas. It was incredibly hard to say our farewells. Once we parted ways, I called my mom bawling. It felt like I was leaving a piece of my heart in Utah. Flying out Sunday morning was hard too. I kept thinking, "This is it, I am going and she is staying". But, once I got home I got back into our routine and life has continued. It has now been exactly three weeks, which is weird because it seems like more time has gone by than only three weeks. Ainsley is thriving. She loves her classes, she loves her new friends, she loves her college life. We miss her, but I can't imagine her being anywhere else right now. I am so excited for this new adventure of hers and can't wait to see what her future brings.
Monday, August 19, 2019
Landon's 13th Birthday
Landon's 13th birthday has made it official. All of my kids are teenagers. He celebrated a few days before he turned 13 with some of his friends (a couple of them were out of town which seems to be a downfall of having a summer birthday). They started the party off with some Mario Kart and then went to a place called Legion of Foam for Nerf gun battles. After the battles, they hung out at our pool and ate junk food. The party ended with a few more rounds of Mario Kart. It was pretty much what one would expect of a party for a 13 year old boy, and Landon was happy.
On his actual birthday, Landon chose to play video games pretty much the entire day (the one day of the year he doesn't have a time limit). That afternoon, Kaylee and I baked him a cake based off of the game he had been playing all day (Splatoon), and that evening we had dinner at home and presents. Pretty low key but a good day nonetheless.
It's hard to believe Landon is a teenager. Really hard actually. It seems like he was a baby just yesterday. He brings so much laughter and goofiness into our home and is just an all around good kid. We love you so much Landon! Happy birthday!
On his actual birthday, Landon chose to play video games pretty much the entire day (the one day of the year he doesn't have a time limit). That afternoon, Kaylee and I baked him a cake based off of the game he had been playing all day (Splatoon), and that evening we had dinner at home and presents. Pretty low key but a good day nonetheless.
It's hard to believe Landon is a teenager. Really hard actually. It seems like he was a baby just yesterday. He brings so much laughter and goofiness into our home and is just an all around good kid. We love you so much Landon! Happy birthday!
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Summertime
Plans for this summer were kind of wonky for several reasons. Ainsley was pretty much working full time, Chris used most of his vacation to go to scout camp, and my parents are serving a full time mission at the Oakland, California Visitor's Center. On top of that, we were thinking about and planning for Ainsley's departure to college.
We originally decided to skip California this year because we didn't want to interrupt my parents' already busy schedule. But, as the summer began my mom and I started talking and ended up deciding we should come out for a visit, just for a shorter time than usual. We booked three flights (Landon, Kaylee, and I) and planned a ten day stay. Then Grandma and Grandpa Yarbrough decided they would like to see more of any grandkid who wanted to come early so we switched Landon's flight by a few days. Chris and Ainsley had to stay and keep working. Ainsley did get to take a week long trip with her two best friends though.
Before Kaylee and I arrived, Landon went on several adventures. He visited cats (multiple times), went bird watching, tried sushi for the first time and liked it, ate ice cream at Fenton's, and went to a farmer's market. He sent us lots of pictures documenting his adventures.
When Kaylee and I headed out, we had a short layover in Denver. It was the scariest flight we have ever been on. The weather was really bad in Denver, and it took our pilot three scary attempts to finally land. There was rain and lightning everywhere. Once we landed we almost decided we were just going to live in Denver and never get on an airplane again. We did get on the airplane though, and landed in the weirdest part of the San Jose airport we have ever seen. It was a new part of the airport, but it looked like it was straight out of the 70's and not in a good way. Very drab and lengthy. Once we found my parents and our luggage we headed back to their house and enjoyed our time with them and the Yarbroughs.
One thing Kaylee got to do was hang out with some of the missionaries at the visitor's center. She even got to teach a little bit. She looked like she could have been one of them.
Back in Texas, Ainsley got to spend a day with her friends at Schlitterbahn. Kaylee, Landon, and I spent a day with our friends at a place called Wonderworld. It had a variety of random attractions and a cave we got to tour. Landon and I spent a ton of time at Rock N' River, and we finally purchased a couple of our very own stand up paddleboards. They are so much fun!
Today is the last day of summer break. Landon and Kaylee are heading back to school tomorrow with some very mixed feelings, and I will be taking Ainsley to Utah in a week to begin her adventures at BYU. I keep telling myself that in a few weeks we will all be adjusted and this will be our new normal. Those first few weeks are so hard though!
We originally decided to skip California this year because we didn't want to interrupt my parents' already busy schedule. But, as the summer began my mom and I started talking and ended up deciding we should come out for a visit, just for a shorter time than usual. We booked three flights (Landon, Kaylee, and I) and planned a ten day stay. Then Grandma and Grandpa Yarbrough decided they would like to see more of any grandkid who wanted to come early so we switched Landon's flight by a few days. Chris and Ainsley had to stay and keep working. Ainsley did get to take a week long trip with her two best friends though.
Before Kaylee and I arrived, Landon went on several adventures. He visited cats (multiple times), went bird watching, tried sushi for the first time and liked it, ate ice cream at Fenton's, and went to a farmer's market. He sent us lots of pictures documenting his adventures.
When Kaylee and I headed out, we had a short layover in Denver. It was the scariest flight we have ever been on. The weather was really bad in Denver, and it took our pilot three scary attempts to finally land. There was rain and lightning everywhere. Once we landed we almost decided we were just going to live in Denver and never get on an airplane again. We did get on the airplane though, and landed in the weirdest part of the San Jose airport we have ever seen. It was a new part of the airport, but it looked like it was straight out of the 70's and not in a good way. Very drab and lengthy. Once we found my parents and our luggage we headed back to their house and enjoyed our time with them and the Yarbroughs.
One thing Kaylee got to do was hang out with some of the missionaries at the visitor's center. She even got to teach a little bit. She looked like she could have been one of them.
Back in Texas, Ainsley got to spend a day with her friends at Schlitterbahn. Kaylee, Landon, and I spent a day with our friends at a place called Wonderworld. It had a variety of random attractions and a cave we got to tour. Landon and I spent a ton of time at Rock N' River, and we finally purchased a couple of our very own stand up paddleboards. They are so much fun!
Today is the last day of summer break. Landon and Kaylee are heading back to school tomorrow with some very mixed feelings, and I will be taking Ainsley to Utah in a week to begin her adventures at BYU. I keep telling myself that in a few weeks we will all be adjusted and this will be our new normal. Those first few weeks are so hard though!
Scout Camp
Another summer of scout camp has come and gone. At the beginning of June, Chris and Landon headed off for a fun week of scouting adventures at Lost Pines Scout Resort. The weather was pretty nice this time around which made for an even better week. Landon completed several merit badges and a stand up paddle boarding patch. He is right on track to reaching his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)