Volleyball!

The first day of school, the Jr. High held Volleyball Tryouts.  Brynn's been looking forward to trying out ALL summer.  She worked hard and even though she's never played the sport before, she made the J.V. team!

Warming up for the game, she works on her serving skills.

Look at that concentration!

THIS is one of my favorite shots of her!  

She's an awesome blocker & can get up there without coming down on the net.

Yah, they like to hold hands on the court:)  Apparently, they all have to begin each play in their original position.  Once the ball is served, they can then move to different places on the court.  So Brynn has to start on the right-front with the serve, then she & her team mate pull each other in the opposite direction to stay for the remainder of the play.  Weird.  Whatever floats the coach's boat, I guess:)

That's my girl!  Doesn't she just LOOK inspirational?!

At the close of the season, they had a Banquet in which they were given awards for their various talents on the team.  Brynn was given the Most Inspirational Award.  It's gotta be the tongue, right?  Nah, she is not only an awesome blocker, she's a WICKED spiker!  As her coach taught her & continued to watch throughout the season, she felt like getting back out onto the court herself.  Thus she awarded Brynn the Most Inspirational Award.  Well deserved, Brynn!!

Livvy's Baptism Day

As I was looking back at previous posts, I realized what a horrible mom I have been.  It's November and I have yet to post about Olivia's Baptism!!  Shame on me!  So I am in the repentance process and striving to come clean again.  Uh-hem....

What better way to celebrate your 8th Birthday than to fly to Utah & spend it with your entire family?  School got out for the year on June 18th.  We drove to the airport & arrived in Utah that evening.  The following day was Olivia's 8th Birthday.  She wanted to be baptized in Utah.  Obviously, we took Ellie with us.  We all love her to death!  One of Livvy's first "baptism" pictures is with her on her lap:)

Aren't they cute!

 Tradition dictates one's own quad, a CTR ring, and a baptism dress.

 Why the blind fold?  Tradition!!!  When getting baptized, mom buys the dress.  Olivia had to try it on blind folded.  She can't see it until her baptism day!  On the special day, she is again blind folded while being dressed.  Once she's all ready, the blind fold came off & she could see and feel the "magic"!

She also had a beautiful headband to top "her highness" off:)  

She was baptized & confirmed by her dad on June 26, 2010.

Crochet Fun

I've kept busy crocheting consistently throughout the summer & fall.  I crocheted during our trip down to Utah in June.   It started with a Rainbow Bear for Sarah.  She was so excited for the finished product I never was able to take a picture of it.  It's just like the twins, except the ears & paws are yellow and the muzzle is orange (I think).  So here's another shot of Emma's & Kara's Rainbow Bear:

Then Emmy asked for a Lady Bug to match the colors of her room.  Colorful, huh?!

 

Nick, Nathan, & Michael asked for a Penguin, Doggie, and a Lion.  Obviously Michael's is still in the works, but I have Nick's & Nathan's finished!  

I made a few new decorations for the Halloween spirit.  Two Tombstones and a fun ghost.  The pumpkin is not crocheted, it's the real thing:)  I also started a Skeleton, but have not yet finished that.  *Sigh*  Michael's Lion & my Skeleton are in need of attention!

Brynn played on her Jr. High Volleyball team.  She took her clothes/shoes with her everyday to school in a Walmart sack.  I asked her if she'd like a crocheted bag for her stuff.  She quickly said yes and asked for it in her school colors.  She also chose the style of bag.  I used a pattern from a book I have.  Of course I made alterations!  I should have taken a picture of the inside of the bag.  I created my own inner seam to sew a lining to and it isn't visible on the outside of the bag.  Brynn also wanted her last name on it.  I had nothing but graph paper for a pattern.  I had to make it up as I went.  

There were a few people at her school that wanted a bag, too.  When Brynn told them the price ($50 + $2 per letter) they all declined.  I guess they all think it's great to spend almost $30 for a Volleyball sweatshirt, but NO WAY for a handmade bag with hours of work put into it for another $20.  Crazy.

Isn't she HOT!