Katie’s Driving

Katie – 16 years old and driving!   Katie got her learners permit right after she turned 15 – at the end of July.   In Colorado, she was required to do 6 hours with a driving instructor and then another 46 hours of driving practice with us.  It seemed like she drove everywhere but with school, church and soccer all pretty close to the house, it didn’t seem to add up fast.  She drove a lot the last few months and with Dad’s help was able to get all the hours completed by end of August (13 months later!) – just a couple weeks after school started of her Junior Year.  She is pretty excited to be able to drive to school and seminary by herself.  Yay!  I’m happy for her.  Now Ryan’s Car turns into Katie’s Car… perfect timing since Ryan left on his mission a month ago.  Love this girl!

After School Cookies and Notes

On the first day of school for some, and the second day of school for others, we had our annual Cookies, Milk and Back to School Journal entries.  The kids beg for it to happen.  They are so excited to come home from school and tell me all about teachers and friends and then groan a little bit too.  The girls had a little bit of homework themselves, but handed me a stack of supply lists, and a syllabus from each teacher that needed to be read and signed.   The boys didn’t have homework the first week.  Thank you, teachers!

First Day of School for Katie and Emily

Katie – a Junior at Pine Creek High School.  Big things are happening for this girl this year – driving, dating, dances, AP classes, NHS, choir and A Capella, soccer… So excited for all of it!  (Cute new bag from our favorite store in London)

Emily – an 8th Grader at Challenger Middle School.  Piano, Guitar, choir and NJHS.  Diligent, organized and obedient.  Such a good example.

So fun to have Emily and Megan in the same school for the year.  They take the bus to school together and leave the house at 7:25  School goes from 7:55 – 2:55.

First Day of School–Luke and Matt

Luke – 3rd Grader – so happy to be the oldest sibling in Elementary School so he can ‘take care of Matt’.  Excited for Sports Club, Cross Country and a great year with Mrs. Gradisar.

Matthew – 2nd Grader – describes himself as ‘fast, smart and cool’ and of course doesn’t think he needs to be taken care of.  He’s going to have a great year with Mr. Beck.  So cool to have a male teacher. 

Megan had already left for her first day of Middle School (only 6th graders go on the first day) but Emily and Katie walked down to school with me while the boys rode their bikes. All the kids meet out on the blacktop and look for their teacher’s signs and then line up.  Then they have a little program with a flag ceremony and the principal speaking.  I think we’re up to 622 students now in Chinook Trail’s 10th year open.  (Started it’s first year with 75).  This is our fourth ‘First Day of School’ at Chinook.  So great.  So fun to have traditions and feel a part of a really great community and school.  Exciting to start another year!

First Day of School - Megan

Megan’s first day of Middle School.  She was pretty excited to finally be in 6th Grade.  Quite a few pictures of this cute girl at home, and then down by the bus with best friend, Brynn.  So excited for this girl.

New backpack…