First Day of School and HGH Update

Blake and Derek started 3rd grade yesterday. They were so excited to get back to school (I guess they've had enough of me!). They had a great day and they love their new teacher. I can't believe how fast they're growing up and how fast the summer flew by. Its always so bitter sweet for me to send them back to school but I will say that I'm very proud that I got them through the summer without killing each other. Not even an ER visit! Amazing! Those of you who didn't spend any time with us this summer may think I'm joking. I'm not.

Blake and Derek on their way out the door.

Blake

Derek

Blake walking out of school.

We got some exciting news on Monday about Brandon and Katelyn's growth. They have both reached the 33rd percentile for height. Since they started taking growth hormones in April 2008 they have made up a lot of ground. It took them more than a year to even be on the growth chart. So the good news is we can be done with these nightly injections as soon as we use up the medication we have. I can't tell you what a relief that is! They are so good about them but it definitely complicates our bedtime routine and, well, just sucks. The doctor expects them to drop down on the charts a bit but she says she rarely has to restart and that she won't even consider restarting until a year from now. Let's hope they just grow on their own now!

A Few Summer Happenings

Derek petting the foal in the field next to Brent's work.

Brandon playing at Chuck E Cheese on his birthday.

Derek showing him how its done!

Our first family bike ride - all six of us. Its been really fun having a bike trailer. I wish we could have used it more, but there's still fall.

Katelyn after getting her face painted at our dentists' summer party. Its always something my kids look forward to because for some weird reason, they always win prizes. They aren't small events, and my kids aren't usually lucky but they have an amazing track record with these parties!

Brandon has a football.

Derek kept his for the next day and was surprised how many people stared at him in Costco. Blake washed his off as soon as we got to the restaurant. It was irritating his skin.

We've had an unusual number of snakes in our backyard this year. In this picture Derek's wearing a glove because this snake had just bitten Blake. I wasn't there but I heard that if we'd had a video going we could've made bank!

Katelyn holding a trophy she got a soccer clinic. A wonderful young Eagle Scout candidate organized a really fun soccer clinic for Now I Can kids. It was really fun and I just loved that he had come up with such a wonderful project. I wish I had gotten a picture of the kids with him. They felt so special because of his efforts.

Brandon practicing at the clinic.

This is a terrible phone picture but its Katelyn and Brandon standing with our friend Saylor after the "scrimmage" - another event I wish I'd had a video camera going for. It was so funny but the kids had a blast.

Blake during his yellow stripe belt test. He loves Karate (and so does Brandon who

regularly tells people that he and Blake take karate).

Blake with his teacher - Sensei Beau

Park City

We went on a quick weekend trip to Park City recently.

Clouds

Here are some cloud photos I've taken this summer.