Science Fair

It was Dev's Sixth Grade Science Fair today! He (okay, we) did a good job learning about the Center of Gravity. It was a good day. Especially for me.
My last elementary school science project.....yippee!!!!!

Steffi Regionals 08

Steffi ran her last race of the season last weekend. Mark and I surprised her and drove to Colorado to watch her run. It was pretty hilarious! I had been in kahoots with one of her teammates, and so we knew exactly where they were when we drove into town. The look on her face was so cute when we walked into the restaraunt where she was eating and waved at her! It was a long trip, but fun, and totally worth it to see her cross one more finish line.
This is her, warming up, trying to pretend that she doesn't have an injury...
(She has a sore, bruised bone on the bottom of her foot.) That is her buddy, Kate, right next to her. Team gets ready to start.

Go!

Steff, looking strong for a minute. After the race. They look awfully pretty to be such tough athletes, don't they?

Ammon and the BYU Cougars

We had the best time a few weeks ago! Our friend Ammon was nominated and chosen to be a 'Thursday's Hero" for the BYU football team. He and his family got to go and watch a practice and meet all the players and coaches. They were kind enough to invite us along! How lucky were we???? We got to have a tour of the offices, locker room, and fields. We sat in a little theater and watched a film of last year's highlights. We saw all the players who are currently serving missions. We saw trophies and paintings of former greats. Then, we actually got to walk out onto the field and meet the players. After they presented Ammon with armfuls of cool stuff, we got to shake each one of their hands. Boy, were Dev and Al in heaven!
This is Ammon wearing his "Quest" shirt. He was a little overwhelmed by the end, but had such a big smile almost the whole time. Way to Go, BYU! Austin Collie and Max Hall came by to say hello. Isn't Ammon's face cute?

Al, Collie again, and Dev trying really hard to look tough. (Hall in the background.)

Some of my favorite people in the world are in this photo! This is Ammon's family. They are a spunky bunch and I think they are a hoot to be around. Ammon's mom, Chris, is standing directly behind him. She is one of my dear friends and a 'kindred spirit'. She works harder and loves more deeply than any woman I know. How I wish I was like her...

Fun picture of Dev, who can't believe he is standing this close to Max Hall!

Watchin' the Cougs!

Ammon and Coach Bronco Mendenhall having a little Pow Wow. More Coaching

The team gathered while we waited to talk to them all.

I love this picture of Ammon and Dev. They are just watching practice and waiting until we get called onto the field.

Ammon, a true hero!

More BYU Football Fun

Here is Dev, doing the "Haka" He looks menacing, doesn't he? Al, checking out Max Hall's locker.

Dev thinks Unga's sweaty clothes were a good place to stop!

Dev and Ammon on the balcony, 'overseeing' a football practice.

Dev and Al, enjoying the view! What fun we had! Thanks so much for inviting us, Clarks! We love you guys!

Minson Mile

A highly anticipated day in our family has finally arrived! The "Minson Mile". Steffi and Kyle and Al made a challenge to each other when Kyle left on his mission about who could run the fastest mile when he got home. Kyle put on his old Spanish Fork Dons uniform. Steffi brought home her SUU gear. And Al donned his brand new Skyhawk Blues. Mark and Dev joined in as well as our football playing cousin, Johnny. We all made bets as to who would win and went down to the new track at SHHS. Coach Thompson met us there to be the official timer. Once he got the starter gun to work, we had a race. funny funny funny!!!

Here is the 'before' pose. Ready, Set, Go!
Kyle starts out with a strong first lap.
Still thinking he is really fast...
Oops, who's in the lead now???

The Big Finish

Look who pulls away at the end! Way to go, Al...Lets hear it for the Skyhawks! Kyle, making it to the finish line in pretty timely fashion for a newly returned missionary. Go Dons!
Al, then Steffi, (In her defense, she had already raced that day and run 8 miles. Go Thunderbirds!) then Kyle, then Mark, then Dev, then cousin Johnny. Al feeling proud of himself. Steffi, not so proud... Kyle, in the background, trying to breath again.
Kyle, not feeling so well.

Al, A Big Bird

Al made it! He is an official Eagle Scout. His Eagle court of Honor was on Saturday, October 11th. It was a really fun night for all of us. A big thank you to all his great leaders over the years that helped him accomplish this!
This is a picture of Al with our good friend and neighbor, Doug Pearson.
Doug has a longstanding tradition that he let Al be a part of. He brought a kangaroo skin home from his mission. He lets every young man who makes Eagle Scout sign it. Here is Al with Doug and his signature on that precious kangaroo skin. Thanks Doug!

Dev led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Kyle was the speaker.
Uncle Shoog gave Al a witty and touching tribute.
Brother Ivey led Al in the "Eagle Charge.

Mission Accomplished

Welcome Home Kyle!!!!

The Day is finally here! Kyle came home! Here we are, waiting for the plane to land. Granny Ruth, Dev, Snip, Andrea and Kathy joined in the fun. The boys are a' waiting. Snip, Al, Grandpa Bob and Shoog looking down the alleyway for our missionary to appear.
Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chad made a long trip from Idaho with Ken and Andrea, just for the evening, and then headed back home. Thanks for coming!
Mark and Grandma and Grandpa Minson
The sign at Fast Gas on the edge of town.

More Welcome Home Kyle!

The family, minutes after the plane landed. My baby boy, back in town!
Gome, saying hi to Steffi who was not able to be at the airport. She was on her way to Notre Dame to run in a race. Very sad for her to miss this big event. Uncle Rich commentated on the phone for her so that she could feel a part of it.
"The Three Bulls". Dev and Al have grown a lot in the last 2 years, surprising to their big brother.
Us with Grandma and Grandpa Minson and Mike and Corey and Hanna and Heather.

It is Kyle's 21st birthday on September 15th. We ate cake to celebrate, and had a lot of fun. But the best celebration will be in a few weeks when we can tell him 'happy birthday' in person. We are getting close. He will be home October 1st. Happy Birthday Kyle. See ya soon.

Ammon is home!!!!!

Yippee....Ammon is home. We went to visit and he is looking really good. He looks so much taller and straighter. We anxiously await his return to school.

Back to School

Here is Steffi's new house. It is a cute little house near campus. Steffi and friends hanging out at a football game.
New bedroom.
Steff and some fun old high school friends, Jenny and Bethany.