54: fight night

We watched all the kids wrestle all morning and afternoon and then a few really tough women fight this evening. (I guess there were a lot of guys fights, too, but I think the woman's one was the most exciting.)

221: celebrating & reconnecting

We had one friend's bridal shower and then a memorial celebration of another friend's mother after that. It was a nice to spend the whole day catching up with people I haven't talked to all summer and spending the entire day celebrating all these various stages of life together.

why I love picking up the boys from school

Lex's hello greeting as he and Iyezk are putting on their coats: 

"Hey Mom, I think I'm going to be a cop car driver when I get big. That means I'll be a cop, because only cops get to drive the cop cars. But you'll call me a police officer. That's the other name for cops."

Me: That seems like a pretty good plan.

Lex: Okay Iyezk, let's go! My car's here!

Me: Lex, why are your boots on the wrong feet?

Lex: Because it makes me fast! Way faster!
and he runs out the door, across the lawn, and toward the car  
Watch how faaassssssttttt I can ggggoooooooo!

As we loaded up and drove away I told them I needed to make a quick stop at the store.

Iyezk: I think it's okay, but only if we go in with you.

Me: Yes lets hurry, we need to get back before the rest of the kids get home.


And then I noticed they weren't right behind me.

Come on!

They were walking sort of bull-legged, shuffling in slow motion.

Iyezk: We're old men.

Lex: Old mans don't go really fast.


And they continued to trail behind me, slouching and shuffling, surprisingly in sync. 

Me: I just need to grab some vegetables.

Lex: We need suckers!

Me: I'm not buying suckers.

Iyezk: Suckers are free. You get them over there! (pointing at the bank) These old guys are getting suckers.

And they shuffled off to get the suckers. 

The "old mans" getting their suckers ("under armor" backwards boots and all).

I paid for our onions and peppers, they got their suckers, and as we loaded back in the car, Lex begin stripping off shirts and shoes and socks.

Me: Lex, leave your clothes on.

Lex: I'm just going to wear my under armor now. I'm not putting the others back on. (He had a black long john shirt I bought at Target for $2 that he seemed to be considering putting back on. The shoes and socks, the shirt that went over it,  and the coat seemed out of the question.)

Me: Lex, that isn't under armor.

Lex: Mom. It is.

Things are all so clear when you're four.

57: Summit Cheer

Every time I watch these guys I'm sort of amazed.

They won a national title last weekend in Washington and were back home competing in Missoula this afternoon. Azia, Jenna, and I left all the boys at home and went to watch again. (I think Azia likes an excuse to dress in zebra stripes almost as much as watching Mackenna cheer. )

36: Superbowl Sunday

This appears to be a picture of Dev not doing his job as goalie. I'm pretty sure Zoran (lurking in the background) is ready to go in for him at any time.

Since our weather is a bit crazy this year, there was no ice for New Year's Eve hockey. So, there was New Year's Eve flag football instead. And since flag football was on New Year's Eve and now we have ice, we have Superbowl Sunday hockey. (On very slippery ice this year. With no snowbanks to slow anyone down!)

Superbowl Sunday . . . Hockey

Since the New Year's Eve hockey game had to be transformed into a flag football game, this year's Superbowl Sunday football game became a hockey game.

Last year there was so much snow we had to shovel for hours to clear a spot. And after all those hours of shoveling we finally found a four-wheeler to finish the job so we actually had a space big enough to play.

This year there was no snow, which meant no snowbanks to stop pucks or people from sliding everywhere.

Azia was probably the smartest one; she actually wore skates. I think you'd actually be able to maneuver a bit better with those.

The kids had fun playing their own matches off to the side.



Zoran was a little annoyed he couldn't play with the adults.



But some of these people weigh more than 200 pounds more than him and this ice is pretty slippery.

The rest of the kids had fun exploring.

Azia likes having girls to hang out with.

Zoran even decided to hang out with them occasionally.

And there was even a little baby curling:

And a little instruction for the tiniest players:

Not a bad afternoon. (I found this more interesting than the actual superbowl.)

And I guess Dev had to add in a little Tebowing, to remind everyone is was really a football occasion after all. (When I read this 10 year from now am I going to have any idea what Tebowing is?)

29: Glam Jam

Azia & Izzy (after securing some good mat-side seats and while both wearing their Summit team gear) wait patiently for Mackenna's team to come out.