Sweet 16

this week's big news was MICHAEL'S 16TH BIRTHDAY! He got lots of cool presents, which he enjoyed immensely. but his best gift was probably the one we couldn't buy - he earned the right to start in the final game of the junior varsity soccer tournament they played this week. Because of their tough play, the coach gave them the following day off practice (thursday), which meant we had time after school to take him to the Missouri Hwy Patrol for his driving test. He passed (with flying colors he claims) and is now an officially licensed driver. OH BOY. Wear your seatbelts.

I also thought this week I should include a picture of Josh since he eluded me the first week of school. Here he is in all his post-football-practice glory :)

Back To School

We celebrated the last day of summer vacation this Wednesday with a trip to the Liberty Hills pool with old friends...we had a great time, despite the 100+ degree heat. It was weird to leave the pool with all of our oldest sons in the drivers' seats (and a little unnerving as they raced their engines in the parking lot). Boy does time fly.

on Thursday...

Michael started his sophomore year with 2058 other students at Liberty High School. Judging by the width of his grin and his sky-high energy level after a 2 hour soccer practice in the heat, he seemed to have a really good time. He has a tough schedule but is enjoying finally being in the same building with his buddies from our old neighborhood. He is also enjoying anticipating the freedom that comes with his drivers' license in a couple weeks! When he isn't in class or socializing in the commons area, he's out on the soccer field. Tryouts this year were intense but he made junior varsity again and is getting a lot of playing time in the scrimmages they are having. He also came through with a killer smile for his soccer pic...helpful when snaring all the older women he meets as his junior soccer buddies 'show him around'.

Josh headed to the junior high as an 8th grader this year - also a new building for him but one full of old friends. He lucked out and has classes with many of them. Whether he will actually learn anything remains to be seen! 8th grade football practice has officially begun and he reports he got the oldest helmet in the place because of his really BIG head. The size of his head was no surprise to those of us who live with him. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture yet but I will work on that. Although I'm considering boycotting pictures in protest of him shaving his hair off, which he did just before school. At least he will stay cool in that crummy helmet.

Daniel has left the elementary world behind and started 6th grade at the middle school this year. His first couple days were not as exciting as his brothers - he doesn't have many people he knows in his classes and hasn't had a chance to make new friends just yet. His brothers assure him that is ok...he will eventually. Daniel decided he would ride the dirt bike down to catch the bus this year as you can see in the picture. In many ways he is showing us he's ready to be a little more independent. Although I tell him on a daily basis I really need him to stay young and hormone-free. The thought of three of them in puberty at the same time scares the life out of me!

New Water Toy (Towing Pkg Req'd)

Our July lake trip got us (some of us, that is) thinking...what if we were to get a newer boat...one that was really made for wakeboarding...and had plenty of room for us and our friends. Thinking turned to obsessing. Obsessing meant late nights on the internet switching between e-bay, Boat Trader, and Only Inboards.com. And so, not even a month later, we have realized those dreams and added another thing to store in the barn that is not yet built (no, it won't fit in the garage). See pics below. Schedule your lake time now...before it gets too cold to enjoy it!

The boys were so wound up about the new ride last night they almost slept in it. Despite their pleas to hit the water IMMEDIATELY, it needs insurance and a trailer with better (working?) brakes before it debuts on Smithville lake.

The seating on the inside - pretty spacious & comfy!

The cockpit (is that what you call it?) has plenty of buttons and doodads that I don't fully appreciate - one I do though is the built-in booster seat for short people like me!

I'm sure we'll have action photos to share soon - demonstrating all the tricks we can do now that we have such a 'bumpin'' boat!