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Time Flies

It doesn't seem like it has been that long ago since I posted.  Time has literally flown by this year.  It seems as if the months just flew by and now here we are a couple of weeks into summer already. 
Blake will be starting his Senior year of high school in August.  He is now debating on colleges and majors.  I think he has it narrowed down.  Now we get to go on a few more visits next month.  I think that will really help him make some decisions.  I know that next year will zoom by faster than this one did. 
Kendall will be an 8th grader next year.  She just finished her swim season for the summer.  She was also selected to be on the Design Team for JUMMP next summer.  This is the mission trip for jr high kids.  She is very excited about being a part of the planning. 
We have at least checked off Senior pictures already.  Of course, we had to do the boring tux and cap/gown pics for the yearbook.  I decided I wanted some fun pictures too.  I think they turned out great!  Here are just a couple of the 200+ pics that were taken.  I'm having such a hard time deciding which ones I want to order.

Cross Country Banquet

Coach had nice things to say about Blake. Hard to believe this time next year he will be a Senior. I will have to bring my tissues next year.

Kendall's Baptism

District XC Meet

U of H Meet 2011

Finish line at the U of H meet

Cross Country 2011

Cross Country season kicked off last weekend. I will post pictures from that meet later. Today was our 2nd meet of the season. It was hosted by U of H downtown along Buffalo Bayou. It was a steep, hilly course and lots of kids fell.

This week was also the start of the school year. Those pictures will be posted soon as well.

Blake began his Junior year. He actually is driving himself around these days. This has been super helpful! So far, he has changed his schedule a few times but we hope it is right starting on Monday.

Kendall started off her 7th grade year with a brand new school. They finally built a junior high in our neighborhood. It is a very cool building! She will start cross country this year as well. I can't say she is thrilled but she is doing it to keep in shape for swimming. I think she will also be swimming year round again so she should be good and tired!

Swimming 2011

Catching Up

K-State vs. North Texas Game Willie!

Rodeo...Tim McGraw

Where Blake spends his time

The new car!

Cathcing up...that about sums up what life has been like at our house since the last time I logged on here. Work has become crazy for everyone. Homework and afterschool activities keep everyone occupied. It seems like we have very little time to just relax. I think we are all looking forward to summer and a bit of a slow down.

So, to keep this brief I will at least try to update on the kids.

Kendall has been busy with school. It seems that we never really have to check up on her to see if she is keeping up with homework, etc. She just does it and has made straight A's this school year. She is expanding her interests and her circle of friends. Kendall has gotten involved with youth group at church now that she is in middle school. She is about to start summer swim season in the next few weeks. She also has her camps planned out for summer so it will be a packed summer once again. Her new adventure will be running cross country next year in 7th grade...we will see how that goes as she really isn't fond of running.

Blake has been, well, obsessed. Back in the fall, he began rebuilding an engine for a Mustang. In January, he found a car and now owns a 1966 Mustang. It's in great shape and he has been working on it daily. Aside from that, he has stayed involved in youth group and has run track this season. His final track meet is actually this week. I will be happy to have him driving so that I am no longer his driver!

Fall Update

October Camping/Canoe Trip

This pic is pre-Canoe and mud fight

Kendall's Birthday! She got her Kindle that she has been asking for.

Blake during one of the last Cross Coutry Meets.

Getting ready to run

I haven't had much time to post pictures or what we are up to. There hasn't been time for much of anything. In fact, we went 3 weeks without a grocery store trip which wasn't fun. Someone always has to be dropped off or picked up somewhere. There is always something going on that I have to be at work early, late ar both. It seems that this year I am constantly at the store getting science supplies. Ted has started going to College Station most every day for work now also. That has left me to be the driver and that is a full-time job. I will truly be happy when Blake can drive himself places.

Blake has finally finished the Cross Country season as of last weekend. It was a bit of a rough season. He started having chest pain and we took him back to the cardiologist. After stress tests, ultrasounds, EKGs and 2 weeks of wearing a heart monitor, they deemed him to be healthy. Well, we made it about 2 weeks with no problems. After the District Meet, he had pain and other symptoms again. I took him to the ER. They don't think it is his heart but banned him from sports until a follow-up with his doctor. The pediatrician feels he may have some acid reflux issues and muscle strain. So, we are going to try treating that and see how it goes. It has been overly eventful at our house for that reason alone.

This past week, Blake has been extremely busy with the Hairspray production with Theatre at school. He is on the set/run crew. They have had practice every night until about 9:30. Then it is home to eat and finish homework before going to bed. Thursday night was their opening performance. We attended the Saturday night performance and were very impressed. These kids put on an amazing show and sold out several shows! The final performance is Monday night. Then, hopefully we can wind down for at least a month.

Kendall has been busy with school. She's had lots of homework that she stays on top of. Her grades have been fabulous. She is also getting a lot more involved with Youth Group. One of her big accomplishments this fall has been having her art displayed at the main offices in the district. Sadly, we are not swimming right now. I honestly don't see how I would get her to practice with the way the year has been going.

That's the highlights! I am sure there will be more to post soon. We are planning a trip to Manhattan for Thanksgiving. Something fun to look forward to!

Spring Creek Invitational

Homecoming Week 2010

Cross Country Meet @ Spring BranchComing in for the finish


Whole group getting ready to leave for dinner

The guys

Blake and Amy

Group photo

The guys, again

Blake getting ready to leave

Homecoming 2010, by K Paulsen

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First Week of School

This was the first week of school. We are all still alive! I think we could still all use a little more sleep but we will eventually recover. Blake started Sophomore year and had some glitches in his schedule. They put him in Freshman English again. Seriously?? But, he got it all worked out and is in the correct spot now. He's been busy with cross country. They practice twice a day. At 6:15 am and again at 2:30 pm.
Kendall started her first year of Junior High. She loves it and has mastered getting into her locker. She loves her math teacher the best so far. He keeps them laughing. She has done all of her assignments plus the extra credit. Can you say overachiever?

First Day PhotoAt the starting line...U of H Cougar Classic...sophomore runHeaded for the Finish Line

U of H Cougar Classic Finish

U of H Cougar Classic video #2

U of H Cougar Classic Aug. 28, 2010

Cake Time

Waiting for Blake

Present Time