First Official Marching Band Competition!

Mackenzie had her first official marching band competition yesterday in Silverdale, WA. I dropped her off at the school at 7:30 a.m. and she didn't get home until 1:00 a.m. this morning. We drove over and and spent the day watching the competition. It was a gorgeous day and we had a great time cheering for the Cascade band. Mackenzie is on the front row in between the 5 and the 0! She was front and center for a lot of the competition!

Here is a picture of me and Brooklyn at the final competition. Cascade came in first place in the AAA division. There were 13 High Schools who competed in this competition. The final show was amazing. Nice job Mackenzie & Cascade High! Although we had a two hour drive home ahead of us at 10:00 last night we thought it was an ideal time to teach Brooklyn how to change a flat tire. So we did! After a full day of adventure we finally pulled into our driveway at 1:00 a.m. and rolled into bed at 2:00! We are dragging today but thankfully we can all have a Sunday afternoon nap!

Happy 96th Birthday Grandpa Barben

Today is Steve’s grandfather, Howard Barben’s 96th Birthday! For three very special reasons we have an extra special place in our hearts for Grandpa Barben. First, on August 23, 1985 he sealed Steve and I together in the Oakland, California Temple. Second, in August of 1994 he sealed Mackenzie to us in the San Diego, California Temple. And third, in January of 1997 he sealed Brooklyn to us in the San Diego, California Temple. We sure love you Grandpa and Great Grandpa Barben. Thanks for all the fun memories we have had together with you. Happy Birthday!

BYU - UW Football Game!

Today we went to the BYU - UW football game. The weather was gorgeous and the stadium at the University of Washington is beautiful as it sits so close to Lake Washington. It's been a long time since we went to a BYU football game...1o years to be exact! We had such a great time cheering for the Cougars. Here are a few pictures from today!

Check out the beautiful view we had during the game! Way to go Cougars!!!

First Day of School!

Our summer officially ended bright and early this morning with our girls heading back to school. Mackenzie is in the 9th grade this year and started High School. She also started Seminary this morning which started bright and early at 6:00 a.m.!

Brooklyn is in the 7th grade this year and is in her second year of middle school.

Yesterday we had one last day of school shopping and then home to swim! Here is a picture of Cynthia and Mackenzie lounging at the pool soaking up the sun as they read their books!

One...Two...Three...Jump!

Good-Bye Summer...Hello Fall!

Happy Labor Day!

We began our Labor Day celebration this morning by sleeping in for the last time this summer! Steve got up early because he wanted to make homemade bread dough for scones. So while he was being domestic in the kitchen the girls and I slept in! After we enjoyed a yummy breakfast of homemade scones we ran a few errands and then went to the movies. It was cloudy and cold today so we didn't feel much like being outside. But when we got out of the movie the sun was out and it was gorgeous. So we ripped home, grabbed the tennis rackets and headed over to a park by our house to play tennis. Tonight for dinner we cooked up some steak on a stick over the fire in the backyard. If you haven't ever done this before you have to try it. It's so yummy! Steve also cooked some biscuits on a stick. To top off our meal we roasted marshmallow for s'mores! We had a fun Labor Day relaxing and enjoying one last day of summer! Mackenzie and Brooklyn start school on Wednesday so we have one more day to prepare for back to school!
Here is a picture of the yummy ribeye steak and biscuits over the fire! Happy Labor Day!