Update!

I have been thinking about getting back into blogging for a while now, so when my mom told me that my grandparents (the only people who regularly read this anyway) missed hearing from me, I decided that now is a good time to start. I haven't blogged since right before Chris's surgery last year, but I think it would be impossible, and probably boring, to try to recap everything that has happened between then and now. Instead, I'm just going to run through the highlights for each person and try to be more proactive on the blog from here on out. 

Let's start with Chris: he is doing well. His surgery in September was successful, and we almost don't even think about it anymore. Sometimes I even get a little start when I see the scars on his chest. His recovery felt long, but after the prescribed twelve weeks, he really was back to normal. He says he doesn't feel like Superman, but he feels like himself, and his heart sounds strong and healthy. The doctors and nurses at St. Alphonsus were incredible, and we'll always be grateful for all of the help we received at home, particularly from Chris's mom when she spent the week with the kids. 

St. Alphonsus Hospital

Chris post-surgery

Since then, Chris has been keeping up with his sports teams, working, taking classes, and hanging out around the house. He finished up another straight-A semester, and he only has two classes left this fall before he graduates in December. TWO!! We're both pretty excited to close that chapter.

Chris was an assistant coach for Gordon's soccer team this Spring which usually meant getting to act as the volunteer ref. He did a good job running up and down the field and giving the evil eye to sideline parents who questioned his ruling (one of whom may or may not have been his wife).

What a good ref!

Chris took the boys to the fathers and sons campout in June, then the five of us went on another weekend getaway to the Idaho side of the Tetons. We were pretty excited to use our giant new tent. No more kids camping in the van!

Coleman Insta-Tent. Sweet.

As per tradition, we had a 4th of July party this year, complete with ridiculous t-shirts. I think they're getting worse every year.

As for me, I've been keeping very busy with all of the stuff I like to do. I finished my semesters in the fall and spring, then started with another half-time load this summer. I'm finished with all but one class this summer, so I'm feeling pretty relaxed. The new school year is going to be crazy, but we're used to that, right?

In addition to classes, I worked as the Student Activities Board Director last year, and this year, I'll be the Vice President for the Idaho Falls campus. I know it seems like a lot, and it is, but I really enjoy being involved, and I like the experiences I'm having and the people I'm meeting that I wouldn't otherwise. And now I get to put "Vice President" on my resume.

I've also been doing quite a bit of running lately. A friend and I are training for a half-marathon in August, so we're pretty diligent in getting our miles in every week. In conjunction with my training, I've participated in a couple of races. There is something so fun about running with a community; I just love it.

Me, my brother, and my mom at the Firekraker 5K on July 4th

Thomas had a very smooth year for his first year of junior high, and we're hoping for more of the same in 8th grade.

Tom

Tom still plays the piano, of course, and he got a perfect score at the Piano Festival this year. I was so proud of him!

Tom enjoys the quiet life at home, so most of the time, you can find him doing something inside like playing a video game or working on learning a popular song on the keyboard. He still chats with his best friend, Nathaniel, in Norway almost every week. Nathaniel and his family visited Idaho last week, and it was so much fun for them to hang out in real life.

Tom is getting ready for Scout Camp next week, and he plans to hike Tablerock again. I'm excited for him, and hopefully this time he'll take some pictures!

I'm going to try very hard not to make the section about Gordon significantly longer than everyone else's, but it's hard because he is such a busy kid! Gordon played soccer in both fall and spring, played basketball in winter, played the piano, and participated in the PACE program at school. Here are some of his photographic highlights:

Fall Soccer

Basketball

Spring Soccer

PACE Toy Company Presentation-- "Tekno Toys"

Gordon also won 2nd place in the Pinewood Derby and got a full set of braces put on. 

Pinewood Derby

Braces

Gordon ran his first 5K in May with some friends, and he did a great job! 

Next week, Gord will participate in Soccer day camp all week, and he's looking forward to swimming lessons later this summer.

Finally, we're on to Neil! Neil had a fantastic year at preschool and will be returning to the same school in the fall for Kindergarten. He is excited! Neil hasn't felt ready to participate in a lot of activities so far, but he does plan to join Gord in swimming lessons. Neil can be found anywhere Gordon is-- they're best buddies. 

Neil

They made these Lego minifigures of themselves. So cute. 

That's it for today's quick life recap. I feel like I just skim a very shallow surface when I blog like this, so I really am going to try to blog more regularly and hopefully get past the travel log. At least it's an update, right?