Back To School

Austin
Age13
8th Grade
South Cache Freshman Center
Catches the bus at 7:20 am
Best thing about school: finding his classes
Hayden
Age 11
6th grade
Spring Creek Middle School
Catches the bus at 6:45 am!!!
Best thing about school: having a locker
Sara
Age 8
3rd Grade
Ms. Nielsen
Heritage Elementary
Catches the bus at 8:25 am
Best thing about school: friends!

Sadie
Age 7
1st grade
Mrs. Dahle
Heritage Elementary
Catches the bus with Sara
Best thing about school: her own desk and going to a brand new school
Carson
Age 4
preschool
Ready 2 Learn Preschool
Teacher Kareen
Catches the mom bus at 9:25 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Best thing about school: Batman packpack (backpack)

Happy School Year 2010-2011!!

Oh What Do You Do In The Summertime?

August is the month when you realize how few free days of summer you have left, so you pack it all in. Our month was filled with great times.

We spent a Friday at Lagoon with our friends the Wilsons. It was a day of laughter, catching up, walking until our legs couldn't move, and seeing how brave everyone was. Nikki finally rode The Bat, Sadie & Carson loved the Dinosaur Drop, and the older kids would go on anything and everything.

We finally got in a trip to Ferron to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Snyder. What could be more fun the 4-wheelers, feeding cows, and running around the farm? The only improvement would have been escaping Sadie's carsickness....poor girl...and of course more time there! We were squished into the truck with all of us and Daisy so we could take the boat down for the winter. We are ready to admit the fact that we actually need a Suburban. Before leaving our house, Carson ask where we were going. When we told him "Ferron", he exclaimed "I love that place!" That was Todd's highlight of the day.

Hayden started his first football season. It has been filled with lots of learning, many bruises, and a tired kid! He actually took a nap one day, and fell asleep on the bathroom floor (freaking out poor Grandma who found him) another day he's been so tired. His coach has commended him for his hard work and dedication.

Sadie and Carson started gymnastics, while Sara is trying tumbling and fall soccer. Austin signed up for a couple of after-school clubs. Throw in scouts, piano, activity days, and young men and we are always heading somewhere!

Todd celebrated his birthday by running his first half marathon! He decided there were more relaxing ways to celebrate, but didn't feel any guilt eating lots of cake!

Nikki's birthday is a few days later...it's a week of treats and fun!

Fishing at the Allen Reunion was a new experience for Sadie. She loved eating them the next day!

And what summer would be complete without a little cousin time!

A day trip to Bear Lake is another family favorite. The kids love making sand castles and playing in the water and collecting seashells.

Todd and Nikki both finished the Top of Utah Half Marathon in under 2 hours! We were happy with our times, but the real reason we are smiling is because we are done!

Sadie celebrated the first anniversary of her "Gotcha Day". We went out for Chinese Food and enjoyed thinking about all that has happened in this year. She has grown in so many ways and even though it's been a full year, we can't believe how quickly the time has gone by. We "got" the very best China had to offer!

Whew! Is it any wonder the blogging in August didn't happen???!!

Carson

His birthday was last month, but we finally got the pictures taken this month!

Carson....is someone who gives big hugs freely and loves his mom most!

Carson....is usually wearing a blue shirt and talking about the next Lego set he wants to get.
Carson.....is constantly asking to play Mario Brothers on the Wii or for a drink of Sunny D.

Carson....is everyones little buddy and can't be refused when he uses his sweet voice and looks at you with those big blue puppy dog eyes.

Carson....is now our big 4 year old!

Charlie's

The kids claim the most watched video on u tube is about these two little boys with British accents. The one named Charlie bites his older brothers finger and we all laugh every time we watch it. So, when the kids heard of the ice cream place in town named Charlie's it became an instant family favorite.

Then when their ice cream turned out to be creamy and delicious it only sweetened the deal.
Then when the temperatures rose to 90-100 degrees we've become Charlie regulars....as well as Slurpee, Icee and Island Snow experts.
Thank goodness for something cool on a hot summer day!

And if by chance there happen to be any shake leftovers...the freeze very well.

But that's a big IF!

The Rest Of July

What's been happening with the Snyder Family? Well, let me update you on the second half of July.

Hayden continues swimming 3 mornings a week and will attend his first football practice ever this afternoon. Swimming and football....the 2 sports he's involved in and this is what his hair looks like!
It should be shorter, but he's enjoying a few more months of longer hair while he can.

Todd & Nikki finally made it to their first 10 mile run of the season. Good.....long, but good. Nikki also enjoyed a couple of reunions. The first with girlfriends from Hyde Park, and then her 20 year high school reunion. Both were enjoyable and nice to add new memories with all the old ones. The Sky View reunion included a family lunch picnic and then a dinner at Coppermill, with a video and fashion show. The hairstyles and clothes let me know it really has been 20 years! While we were at the reunion Austin pulled out his last baby tooth and Sadie pulled out her first! The dentist pulled out one of her front teeth, but this was the first one she's been able to do herself. Always nice when the tooth fairy can make a trip a get 2 teeth at once! Sadie also went for her second visit to Primary Children's Hospital to repeat her bloodwork. The numbers were even better this time, so the doctors feel we are getting to understand where her "normal" will lie. We also visited with our social worker to complete our 12 month report to send to China. Wow, has a lot happened this year.

We took the boat out a few days ago and Sadie decided to trust her life jacket and became a regular Snyder Fish like the rest of the kids. Hayden commented how brave she was, and all I could think was how over the past year she has proven that a hundred times over! It was a fun time, right until we ran out of gas and had to be towed in to the dock. So, now we know the gas guage is broken.

Carson can't play enough Mario Bros. on the Wii or with the Nintendo DS, but he does have to stop occasionally to rescue Gotham City!

Todd and Austin enjoyed a week at Aspen Ridge scout camp. There were 17 scouts that attended and Todd politely said that was the most he was up for taking :) Thankfully many other dads were willing to help out this year. The week after, Austin was quite bored at home and when I suggested he call some of these boys he said he spent plenty of time with them the week before! They really did have a good time and Austin has taught all the other kids the fabulous songs he learned at camp.

Last year Sara got hot pink in her hair and it only lasted a little over a week, so this year we opted for purple. It's staying much longer. Inspite of our efforts she's too much like a teenager.

Sara went with Sadie and I to her doctor visit so we did a little shopping afterwards and found some fun sparkly shoes. The next day the girls dressed identical from head to toe and had a fun day being twins. Some people may think it's cheesy to dress them alike, but I'm enjoying it while I can and think they look super cute.

So, now it's August and we begin our final countdown until school starts up again. We've done a little shopping...found back packs and shoes and a few new shirts. There are plenty of things we still need to squeeze in....so bring on August!

Family Photos

Vote for your favorite!

Summer Time

I'm quickly learning that summer time is the busiest time of year. When we don't have a big family vacation planned, we fill our days with smaller events. Then when you times that by five kids and two adults it keeps our calendar full!

Austin, Hayden and Sara did a two week tennis camp and really enjoyed it. We need to actually go and play tennis one of these days. Maybe they could teach their mom something. Now they've started a four day golf camp.

Todd and Nikki ran in the 15k Freedom Run on the 3rd of July. It fits right into our training schedule for the half marathon, so we get up early on the holiday weekend and head up the canyon, try not to freeze, and then run 9 miles for the first time this year. It's a great run. We had many neighbors, family members and familiar faces running as well. We finished together and we're happy with our time. It does teach us each year that the half is within our reach, BUT we still need to keep training.

The 4th of July weekend was completely typical and just how we like it. Fireworks (city and home), BBQ's, town carnival, parades, boating, yardwork....good American fun!

Date night is a continuing tradition in our family. Either Todd or Nikki goes once a month with one of the kids on a date. One-on-one time is hard to come by in a house full of people, so we get away for a while to talk and eat and do something fun. This year we've added Sadie and Carson to the schedule, and this was Carson's first date. We went to the neighbors for a little horse back riding. Carson was pretty shy, but I believe he liked riding Addie. She was just the right size and it was fun to see him try something new.

Sara finished up her first softball season, and it was a success even with mom helping coach! Sara did great, even if her Grandpa says she throws like a girl. We had a little end on season party at our house with water games and treats. The team was a bunch of cute girls. Softball is always more fun when it's kept to under an hour and involves a snack after.

The summer just keeps rolling along and we are doing our best to soak it all in!