Back to School

I guess I’ve been left the lone blogger in the family. Bridget, who helped me set this thing up has abandoned me (too busy with her own facebook, school, etc.) Weston couldn’t care less about this kind of thing, Trevor hasn’t caught on yet and Lana doesn’t know how -- and doesn’t seem to want to learn (Eric and Tiffany talk to her won’t you?) So here I sit at the office during lunch, just finished a Taco Bell ranchero chicken soft taco, catching up on all of your blogs and breathing a big SIGH because summer is over and it’s time to focus on the daily mundanity, mundanassity? (mundane-ness) of life (school and work) pleasantly sprinkled with moments of oddity, intrigue, challenge and excitement.

Thanks to everyone who visited us over the summer, and those who allowed us to visit them! OUR lovely time of year is coming up, so any of you in cooler (freakin' cold) climates who want to warm up during the winter a little later -- come on down! I understand Jenny and Tyson are moving this way – woohoo, more family in the ‘hood.

Trevor has been slowly coming down off his mission high -- at times feeling lost, bored and overwhelmed at the decisions he will have to consider over the next few years of his life. Going to the gym to get back in shape and meeting up with old friends has helped the transition -- he'll be JUST fine! He has had an Italian friend visiting for the past week. They’ve been having fun riding motorcycles, cliff jumping, site seeing, shopping and dating the pretty ‘American’ girls we have around here. Trevor heads up to school in a couple weeks.

Weston is in full swing with band practice every morning and the occasional evening under the lights as they prepare for the start of football season -- or more appropriately referred to as “marching band season” as they look forward to their festivals, competitions and trip to a Florida bowl parade (which Weston thinks he will forego since some of his friends can't go.) He is keeping his part time job at Little Ceasars for the time being. This Sr. school year will be a test of his time management skills. School, band, job, YM, the occasional date and getting his Eagle project done before November will keep him busy.

Bridget is the quintessential teenage female (I’m so glad we didn’t start out with a girl!) My stomach is in knots just watching her get ready for the day each morning! What an ORDEAL! She had a great time at EFY in Provo, made some long distance friends and looks forward to next year. She is cooling down on the ballroom dancing for now and warming up to the guitar. She is also going to try out for the tennis team just for the fun of it. She doesn’t really know how to play, but that shouldn’t matter should it?

Lana will be the favorite substitute teacher of thousands of kids this school year (or the bane of their existence if they get out of line.) BREAKING NEWS 19.Aug.08: Looks like she has been talked into taking on a full-time kindergarten class. I would have thought she has enough of my infantile and childish behavior at home to deal with, but I guess not. Now back to the update in progress... She is excited about an upcoming trip back to her mission homeland of Ecuador with her best friend Pilar (who is from Ecuador, but living here) and Lana’s brother, Alan. That will be a fun October getaway for them. Lana last visited there with her youngest sister 14 years ago, and can’t wait to get back and see familiar places and hopefully familiar faces.

As for me – I’ve had more than my share of fun for the year and need to get back to the grind stone to pay for it! …but no tears for me please – I’ll be having fun along the way. Thanks for the call the other day Tobey, was nice chatting with you. Yes, we'll have to hold off on our joint business venture another year or two until timing and opportunity come into alignment -- we still need to work on getting your dad on board though!

Y’all enjoying the Olympics?

Go USA ! …and Italy …and Japan …and Ecuador ...and Germany and France (for our good friends there)

Anyone else we should we be rooting for?

ItAusGermaFranaly

A sampling from the 4-hour slide show of Trevor and Rob's European road trip. ...sorry 'bout the cheesy music.