Well, what can I say, it's been 4 months since I've blogged. My lack of blogging didn't come from shortage of material or events. Actually, quite opposite as we've been too busy living life to write about it! I guess I'll skim the surface and then try to stay more on top of life. No promises.
Every family member set a running goal this year and we've been training for them. Todd and Nikki will participate in the TOU 1/2, Austin and Hayden are running the Freedom Run (15K) on the 4th of July, Sara wanted to run a 5K with mom, and Sadie and Carson said they were up for a mile. Our first family Fun Run was during Nibley Heritage Days, where we quickly discovered Fun Runs aren't so fun when you have to drag everyone out of bed early in the morning! We did end up enjoying ourselves and walking away with three 2nd place ribbons, and all of us finishing! The older boys have really stepped up with their training and are actually doing much better than we anticipated. They easily outrun us and have celebrated each new mile increment. They've discovered the secret joy runners have when you know you got up early and ran 5 or 7 or 9 miles before most people their age are even rolling out of bed.
Spring Break was a welcomed sunny break in St. George. Spring this year was long, wet, snowy, cold and did I say LONG? A little sunshine, hiking, climbing on the red rocks, shopping, visiting with grandparents and eating at 5 Guys does a lot in making the Snyder family happy.
Sadie has had an exciting year so far. Her baptism was postponed when she ended up in the hospital after what we can guess was a combination of a virus/flu and her Thalassemia caused her to "crash". She was one sick little girl and we missed every clue, learning about her blood disorder the hard way. After a transfusion she was a new kid, and we've been monitoring her each month.
Her school teacher said she complained about not being able to see, so after a trip to the eye doctor she is sporting a pair of new glasses, which she looks mighty cute in. Sadie finished up the school year on a high note, earning her 25 point award in the Reading Counts program.
Sadie's was also able to be baptized, which was a wonderful day (and earned it's own post). The next day was Sunday and she was able to sit on the stand at church. When mom went up to bear her testimony, Sadie jumped right up there as well. She's wanted to bear her testimony since the first time she saw people doing it. She FINALLY saw her chance and took it!
The girls had a great time in the Nibley Princess Pageant again this year, and Sadie was most excited about being able to do a talent. She recited the poem "Mother Doesn't Want A Dog", and really did a great job.
Sadie also will crack up the family with things she says. They were building a new Chuck-a-rama in town and of course the kids had heard from friends how great it was. We were deciding where to eat one night and Sadie suggest "how bout Chuck-a-mama?" Another favorite of mine is when I'm tucking the girls into bed and Sadie wants to ask about something that will happen the next day and she starts out by saying, "in the good morning...".
I love this picture of Sadie because it oozes pure joy!
Sara has become a huge Harry Potter fan and constantly was lugging around the huge books most of the school year. Consequently they helped her earn the Iditarod Champion Reading award at school this year, which is the highest award at the school. This isn't the easiest thing, so her reward for her efforts was a choice of a precious moments or getting her ears pierced (a year early). She went with the ears and was thrilled with her choice right until we got to the store and they put the guns up to her ears. She was tough and luckily pierced them both at once. After it was done she said "That wasn't so bad." Sara is looking forward to the final Harry Potter movie. She's moved on to reading Little House books, which she loves sharing with her Grandpa Reeder.
Sara had a good spring soccer season, which helped her get in shape to run the 5K with mom. She wanted to walk during the race but when she saw Justin (from the Biggest Loser) running right behind her, she stepped it up and finished strong.
Sara loved learning cursive and times tables this year. She also enjoyed learning about Mountain Men, and has convinced Grandpa to make her a pair of moccasins. Sara played a piano piece for the princess pagaent and was chosen as one of three younger girls picked to perform during the older girls pagaent later that evening.
Our family enjoyed watching American Idol and Biggest Loser this season. We laughed at eating treats during Biggest Loser and smiled when Sadie would cry when participants were eliminated.
Todd and Nikki celebrated their 16th anniversary in March with dinner and shopping. We didn't know the great vacation would be in a couple of months (more on that to come).
Easter was spent without dad since his work trip to China was extended and ended up being a month long :( But the rest of us enjoyed coloring eggs, finding treats from the Easter Bunny, wearing our new purple attire to church, and rolling eggs down Old Main Hill.
Carson graduated from preschool, got 5 stinky shots, and is now registered for Kindergarten. He's thrilled....mom is sad. He could play his DS way longer than he should if mom would let him. It's obvious he hangs out with older kids often, but he's much more willing to play with friends in general. We love the way he adds "ed" to everything, such as "eated". Another favorite is "pursh" for push. He's growing up too quickly, except when it comes to going into the scary basement by himself.
While hiking in St. George the older boys convinced him there was polar bear in the area that fed on kids named Carson. So for his own safety we would call him "Steve", which he was dubbed the remainder of the trip.
Hayden is our master orange julius maker. There was a stretch he had to have at least one a day. We all didn't mind, since there were leftovers to share. He's been learning a hard duet on the piano with Austin. And after much pleading, he finally finished his reading this year and earned 4.0's every quarter. He really has enjoyed Middle School. We were more than happy he got himself out of bed so early and made it just about every day to the bus on time, which is amazing considering how perfect his hair has to be. He is usually either riding his bike, eating fish crackers, making a movie for youtube, or teaching someone else how to make a movie for youtube.
Austin....apparently doesn't get in many photos lately. You'd think he'd be happy to show off his brace-free teeth. Austin loved attending EFY in Montpelier, Id. with 5 friends the first week of summer. Mom misses having his help when he's not here, but he really learned some valuable things from attending. We love requesting him to sing for us with his changing voice. Austin was ordained a teacher on Father's Day weekend. He loves making lego movies and is even helping Carson make his first one. Austin ran an impressive 21 minute, something second 5K. You'd think he'd enjoy running more than he does. He also received a year of 4.0's. We took him and Hayden to Maddox for a prime rib dinner to celebrate their awesome grades.
Whew....no wonder we look forward to bedtime each night!
And we did actually get a picture after the Freedom Run we'd trained for on the 4th of July! The boys did fantastic, beating mom....who had a great excuse of pneumonia for her slow running time. They haven't run a day since, but claim they will do it again next year, and possibly even the half marathon.
Their first 15K earned a BIG checkmark when it was complete.
So now we can remember the big "check offs" of July....maybe next year we should add "take more pictures!" to the list.
