Swimming Lessons

Jake is still taking swimming lessons and is improving, despite getting annoyed every single time I tell him it's time for lessons. He's finally moved up from the "basically getting used to the water" class (thanks in part to me finally realizing he would appreciate goggles that covered not just his eyes, but his nose too) to the "let's try to swim a few feet at a time" class. This is a statue outside the gym his lessons are at, and it begged to have a picture like this taken.

Geometry

In anticipation of this school year, one thing I got Jason for Christmas was a Geometry for Dummies book. Jason was an excellent student, but even he struggled a bit through geometry. I knew our kids would need some homework help, and also knew it wouldn't come from me. The book has come in handy.

Game Days

On home game days, the football players get to wear their jerseys and on away days they "dress for success" in nice, causal clothes. Logan has really enjoyed being a part of the team, and he looks great in both game day clothes. 

Homecoming

Ali went to Homecoming with a group of her good friends: Kate, Karina, and Linda. It was fun helping her get ready, and I was proud of her for the lovely (and modest) dress she chose to wear. She is honestly the loveliest teenager, both inside and out.

Strong, Capable Sons

Something I heard recently that resonated with me is that when one is raising teenaged sons, they aught to look of ways to ask them for help: lift something heavy, reach high things, fetch something from upstairs, etc, to help them understand their new strength and capabilities, and how to use them for good. So one day when I wasn't feeling good and Eli asked if there was anything he could do to help, I asked him to bring me something to eat, and chef Eli happily answered the call (there's still some little boy in there, after all). Logan likewise lights up (and flexes his muscles) when I ask him to open jars for me when I'm cooking. I kind of love having a houseful strong, wonderful men (and, of course, one amazing daughter).

The Next Generation Eldredge of Lego Builder

Logan decided that he had grown out of his legos and chose to pass them on to Jake. He spent the morning showing him some things he could do and build with them, and then Eli had the idea of getting Jake some of the books we used to get at the library that show ideas of what to build. This has resulted in lego building becoming Jake's number one free time filler, even over book making, which I was beginning to think was a phase that would literally never end. Don't get me wrong, he still loves to write (and read), but now he's added lego creating to the mix.

This is a wild west town he spent quite a while creating.

BYU Football and Butterbeer

Jason looks forward to the BYU football season all year long and, thanks to his tradition of making everyone butterbeer before the first game, the kids do too.