Soccer Eden

This was definitely a learning year for Eden. Most of the time it felt like she had no clue what she was doing. The whole group (minus Eden) would bunch together and move like a swarm of bees. Eden, on the other hand, was generally running 3-6 feet outside and around the group! She didn't seem to want in on the action. Most of the time she touched the ball by either kickoffs, goal kicks, or throwing the ball in. The less contact the better! Towards the end of the year she got brave enough to sometimes get in on the action! We'll have to see if she wants to play next year but we might try dance or go back to gymnastics instead.

 

Kick off! Haha!

Soccer KK

 KK had a rough start with soccer. She and 2 other girls from last year were put on a team that had been together for the past 3 years (same coach). It kind of felt like those three were outsiders and the rest of the team wouldn't pass them the ball. It was really frustrating. The coach was often late for practice or didn't show up at all (work) but required the girls to have practice 3-5 days a week. Many girls didn't show up for even half the practices (some didn't come to any practices-only games) but then played the same amount or sometimes more than KK in games. It was really annoying! The twin girls that didn't show up for practices would complain that they didn't start and didn't get more playing time...Eventually KK started to get more playing time and some of the girls actually started passing her the ball! She ended up with 1 goal (last game) but I bet she could have had more goals if her team would have used her earlier in the season. She's excited for next year!

Her own teammate (one of the twins) stole the ball from her.

Not a great throw in but she did end up with an assist!

Steal! Probably would have got a shot on goal if she didn't get tripped up.

She's super aggressive

I like how she follows the shot. If she keeps doing it I'm sure she'll eventually get a goal but the refs kept getting on her and telling her she wasn't allowed to do it. Stupid! She's not making any contact with the goalie and she knows when to stop.

She shoots, she scores!

Aug. 2025 mission call, first day of school, and adventures

 

We took the kids to Black Magic Canyon to go hiking. Nathan had talked to someone in our ward who told him about it. Apparently we went the opposite direction that the guy has taken in the past. It was definitely longer than we were told but we were able to climb out slightly further than we planned and walked back to the car.

Not very reassuring at the beginning of your hike...

Snake skin

bones...

Easton decided to take a nap while he was waiting for all the slow pokes to catch up. There were some crazy parts where we had to lower KK and Eden down because it was too far of a drop for them to climb down. I'm just glad that we didn't have to go back the same way we came.

It tried to catch a ride with us home.

We tried to go to Shoshone Ice Caves but apparently you have to reserve your tickets before hand. There wasn't enough room for our group so we were going to have to wait about an hour. We decided to go to the other ice caves (Idaho's Mammoth Cave and Natural history museum) down the road.

I doubt we will ever go again (maybe we might try the other place if it ever opens up again-it is now currently closed for renovations). The cave was a bit of a let down to be honest but the history museum is definitely interesting...I think once is enough!

Tons of taxidermy animals

There was even a shrunken human head...

These were wild!

I took Blair school shopping and they actually spelled Blair's name correct! Had to take a picture because that doesn't usually happen.

Easton finally got his mission call! We got it just after 5pm and opened it up at 8:30pm. We either had to do it that night or wait a couple days. I don't know who has the will power to wait that long so we rushed to get it set up that night. 

Called to serve in the Tuxtla Guiterrez, Mexico mission (Spanish speaking)

Eden's first soccer practice

Penny's birthday party

Back to school meet your teacher and drop off supplies.

The Blue Angels came to town for the Magic Valley Airshow. This was on one of their practice days.

First Day of School

Dyer-9th grade

Off to High school and early morning seminary

KK-3rd grade

Eden-Kindergarten

Off to elementary school-leaving me behind!

Blakely-6th grade

Off to middle school!

Blair-11th grade

Nathan's cousin needed a last minute babysitter so we got to have two little ones for the weekend!

Emalyn

"little" BlakeLee

KK must have the magic touch to get babies to laugh!

KK went to an art party and made her name (McKinley) out of flowers.

Haha! I had to document that Dyer wore something other than sweats/athletic shorts to school! What he won't do for football!

The three youngest girls were begging me to take them to the county fair.

Eden got off this ride and had black paint all over her leg. I think they must have repainted her horse but it wasn't completely dry yet. They probably should have put a sign on it or something.

Poor Blakely couldn't get KK to ride many of the big rides with her so she had to ride them by herself.

All three girls went into the house of mirrors. I didn't realize it at first but the whole outside is a two way mirror (I could see in but the girls couldn't see out). I really wish I would have filmed them going through the maze. Shortly after they went in I heard a huge thump! Eden ran smack into one of the mirrors! I'm still not sure how she managed to do that since they were mirrors and not see through glass!

I don't know how KK managed to convince Eden to ride this ride with her. She definitely wasn't impressed with this ride.

Eden: That was too painful!

Looking back I wonder if she was referring to the ride or the mirror she ran into! 

Me: Eden, did you have a good day at school?

Eden: yes

Me: What did you learn about?

Eden: I don't want to talk about it!