Fall sports are well under way.  Cassidy is once again running Cross Country.  She is in her senior year and the races are nearing their end.  The last two weeks her team has participated in major cross country events.  Last week they were at the New Prairie invitational which had some 2000 participants in different classes.  There were some 85 or so teams at the event.  The course has been dubbed by at least one group as one of the top ten cross country courses in the country.  Don't know if this true or not but from Cassidy says it is a cool course to run on.  This week (9-22) they were at another major event.  They race Cassidy's team was in had a combined total (Varsity and JV) of over 300 girls in the race.  Cassidy scored 52nd place and came close to her best time ever.  The top two pictures are from an earlier race this year.  Rebecca is playing soccer for her 9th straight year.  She started when she was in kindergarten.  This could be her last year depending on what she chooses to do for activities once she is in high school.  She primarily plays defense but has been playing keeper (goalie) a little this year.  Today (9-22) she was goalie for the whole game.  The pictures are from an earlier game this year.  Tournament play starts for her on Tuesday.

July 2012, we had a wonderful family vacation back west.  For some it had been 10 years since the last visit.  Way too long of a wait.  For me a trip out west is cleansing and brings me back to my roots.  (I think Elkhart is beginning to be to far away.)  We had a fun day at a reunion on Janelle's side of the family.  Her brother Kendall and his wife Judy rented a fun water slide for all the kids.  Jaden had a good time on it.  It was off to Yellowstone Park.  At the Firehole River drive Erika was all excited while  Cassidy tried to steal a kiss.  All the kids posing for a picture.  Erika took some time off work to join us with her husband.  We didn't actually consider this our first family reunion, but really it was now that Erika is out on her own and starting her own life with Justin.  We were able to visit all of Janelle's brother sisters and parents with the exception of one brother who was in Alaska fishing, and all of my brothers and my parents.  We spent time in Yellowstone, Idaho Falls, Provo, Salt Lake, Logan and Denver, CO.  An absolute blast, but one that leaves me wanting more....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JADEN!  Big 10 Years old.

This was one of the displays at Seth's graduation open house.  It has been a month or so since graduation and Seth is beginning to fill out his mission papers.  In a month or so we may know where he will be spending the next two years of his life.

Congratulations Seth!  Class of 2012! 

Seth at the Academic Honors program.  He scored a nice GPA during High School and will get to wear the Gold Cord at Graduation. 

This was Rebecca's first year of track.  7th grade track.  The races she particpated in were the 100 hurdles, the 1600 and the 800.  Her first race of the year (actually her first race ever) was the 100 hurdles.  Part way down the track she encountered a stubborn hurdle and the end result was Becky on the ground.  I just told her, you know you got the fall out of the way.  Next week she will enter the Big 11 Conference Meet as the one of the two hurdlers for CJHS.  Good Luck, Becky.  It was fun to watch her run the distance events (1600 and 800).  At one point during during preseason practices she ran an 11 minute mile.  But time and practice can help a person as towards the end of the season she ran a 7:40.42 mile.  Woot! Woot!  To see one of her races, please click on the link.  You may need to copy it and paste in your browser.  Sorry for the horrible taping.  It is hard to watch and tape. 

http://youtu.be/cTmYx9M9eME

Cassidy running the 4 x 4 at a recent track meet.  When track season started she ran the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and 4 x 4.  As the season progressed she took part in the 4 x 8 and has now switched from the 100 hurdles to the 4 x 8.  She now runs the 4 x 8, 300 hurdles and the 4 x 4.  Running cross country last season started a certain coach on the team wanting to put her in an 800 race, he finally got his way and we will see what happens...stay tuned.

Janelle will hate me for putting this picture in, but hey what are blogs for anyway.  Yep, her 43rd, and she still has a set of lungs.  Happy Birthday, Janelle.

Seth and Ireri heading off to Prom.