Running Around Like a Runner?

Ryan was also very busy in May (or at least until the last moment of April). He had a successful track season, even though he was bored running around in circles. He ran the varsity 4x800 meters and the 1600 meter (mile). His team was able to go to the state qualifier meet. They were ultimately disqualified - but there were a lot of really fast kids & wouldn't have been able to go on to state. Scott was the unofficial team timekeeper. He wrote down lap-splits for the kids so they knew when they were improving. Ryan's PR for the mile was 4:47 & their team 4x800 time was less than 9:00.

As much as Ryan enjoyed running track (with the end goal of being faster at cross country), he and the neighbor boy were SO EXCITED when track & baseball were over & they could spend every waking moment together. (only a slight exaggeration) 

scout campoutBYU lacrosse

He also spent time growing like a weed & stubbing his toe & ripping off toenails, jumping on the trampoline & playing the NO FAIR game with Jared. [I would clue you in on the rules of the no fair game, but I don't know them. I just know that whenever Ryan, M, & Jared play, Jared comes in & says, no fair! Jared calls it that now.]

Ryan graduated from eighth grade to no fanfare. He celebrated 8th Grade Day with his classmates & willingly skipped the dance. There was no graduation ceremony- he exempted all of his exams except his required high school Spanish test. When asked if he wanted a picture in front of the school or something, he just gave me this look as we left. (That's a no.)

May is the New December

There are so many activities in May  - it feels like running around at Christmas time. Guess where we want to go?

We lost the hat somewhere along the way. Jared thinks someone walked off with it. This is the only time he wore a serious face all season. His nickname is SMILEY. He is happy & smiling whenever he is playing. We missed coaches of years past and look forward to years in the future. We are proud of Jared for trying & doing his best with minimal instruction & encouragement from his coach.

Jared helped his dad & his brothers fix a GREAT Mother's Day meal for me. I was able to nap & enjoy the day while they made a masterpiece. Steak, baked potatoes, salad, and Chunky Lola cookies. (Recipe & pics another day.)

The end of the school year is always challenging. Lots of activities to fit in before it

s too late. Teacher gifts, awards day, baseball tournaments, and getting drug along to all of big brothers' events. Through it all, he is pretty easy-going.

Pre-Graduation Festivities

Christopher graduated on May 23, 2012. I am sad to say that I just sent his announcements out yesterday, failed to read directions and wondered why on earth there was not any glue or insert cards. I was happy with his senior pictures - I tried & tried to make a photo collage with cute little kid pictures and more mature now pictures but nothing was working. I finally said, "Hey bud, let's do a photo shoot." He excitedly agreed (!!!) & suggested a park downtown. We drove down, parked the car & walked to the first spot. RATS! No camera card. We quickly found a Staples & were back in business. The best of the rest ...

The week before graduation, the school at a senior picnic at a local farm/venue. Because the school is small & we don't go to church with or live by many people who attend, it was a quiet event for us. The food was good & it was nice to see a few of the kids that Chris has been in school with since third grade.