Snell Family: August 2016

The summer of 2016 was the first time our school district had an option for those who excelled in Math in 6th grade to take an online course and complete Math 7 during the summer. Kaleb worked hard completing all of the lessons and passing the tests. They had 4 term tests and a final test and only 8 weeks to do it all in. The testing was done at the district office and you could only retake each test 1 time. The final test was really long and he missed it by only 2 questions the first time and the teacher said he had done the best of anyone so far who had taken it. A couple days later after studying the types of questions he missed he took the test again and passed with the highest score at that time. This is the pose he gave me when I asked him to show me how excited he was that 1-it was over and 2-he passed!

August 2, 2016

We told him if he passed we could go celebrate and he picked Leatherby's.

We neglected pruning our fruit trees over the winter and of course it was the first summer we had a HUGE crop of everything. So the branches were really thin but long which meant they would hang on the ground and were too heavy. We tried thinning them multiple times but there were so many we couldn't keep up as they got bigger. This is the peach tree with boards holding up some of the branches.

August 5, 2016

This is our nectarine tree after one branch started breaking off.

We loved all of the fruit after years of only a handful on each tree but we learned our lesson about making sure we cut and prune the fruit trees.

There were plenty of summer storms to enjoy.

August 5, 2016

Matt and I try to have a date night on Friday nights. This night we tried a new BBQ place and then went dancing.

August 6, 2016

She loves dress up even if it means star wars and swords.

August 10, 2016

My parents stake has a summer activity and this year it was a catered luau with Polynesian dancing for the entertainment. Olivia enjoyed her snow cone and the food was really good.

August 13, 2016

After the party we stopped at Game Stop and all 3 kids were quick to find a game to play. You can tell that Olivia has 2 older brothers, especially because Mindcraft is one of her favorite games to play (or try to play).

Another trip to the dentist for the kids. We have the best dentist at Jordan Landing and the kids love it.

August 15, 2016

This is Olivia's favorite part after she's done.

She was still a little nervous this time but did great although I did bribe her. Yes, I'm that mom who let her kid get sugary treats after going to the dentist.

Olivia was drawing balloons and was very serious about it.

August 15, 2016

My sister likes to come over to my work during the summer and swim with the kids. They always have fun and usually have the pool all to themselves.

August 16, 2016

Kaleb's started his first day of junior high. They have the 7th graders come the Friday before alone so there aren't 8th and 9th graders to crowd the school. They have a red carpet at the entrance with all the teachers greeting them as they get to school. And the bonus is they don't have to go to school on Monday when everyone else starts.

August 19, 2016

I was given the wrong bus schedule and we ended up going to a different bus stop in our neighborhood. They all go the same place but it was kind of annoying. And then when the normal bus didn't come for the other kids it created even more confusion. I guess the other driver went on the wrong street and missed the other kids. At least Kaleb made it to and from school and had a great first day anyways.

It's crazy to look back at all of Kaleb's "1st Day of School" pictures. He's grown up so fast!

Another soccer season started and I was coaching Ashton's team this time. Olivia had fun and actually did pretty good at running after the ball. (Spoiler alert a year later and right now she has no interest in playing when she's on the field. Ugh.)

August 20, 2016

Olivia loves to play with the kids in our neighborhood and even though they're all much older than her she is always asking to have play dates with them. She just wants to be like her brother's and all the other neighborhood kids.

August 20, 2016

Most of the time fortune's are really lame but I really liked this one.

August 20, 2016

Ashton then had his first day of 3rd grade and his teacher Mrs. Kjar was one of my mom's best friends from high school. She saw my mom listed as an emergency contact and told my mom that she had her grandson in her class. She's one of the nicest ladies and Ashton loved having her as a teacher.

August 22, 2016

I laugh looking back at some of Ashton's first day of school pictures because it reminds me of how stubborn he can be. He was too cool to smile in the first one and the second and third year he was extremely picky on which clothes he would wear and I had given up on winning that battle. We would have tears almost everyday, it was crazy. So for kindergarten he's wearing a swimming shirt for his first day. At least he moved out of that stage during kindergarten. Now he's still picky on what he wears but at least he knows how to dress nice on his own.

I'm acquiring quite the collection of pictures like this. Matt has always painted Olivia's nails for her and I like sneaking pictures when he does. Even just the other day (Aug.2017) she asked me to "send dad a text and ask him if he'll paint my toes tonight." She loves him even though she plays hard to get with kisses with him sometimes.

August 22, 2016

We planted sunflowers 4 years ago and because they drop seeds every year since we've had sunflowers pop up in our garden. We don't mind and they're pretty to look at.

August 23, 2016

This girl would live outside if she could. She loves playing on the swing set or jumping on the trampoline.

August 23, 2016

Kaleb had another scout trip to Fire Lake in the Uinta's. It was the first time he took a hammock to sleep in instead of a tent and he was sold after that. He likes it better than the ground and it's less weight to carry too. (And thanks to John Ross for the pictures.)

August 27, 2016

I had slowly been buying some dance clothes at second hand stores and since Olivia had dance the next week we tried them on to see what fit and what was still too big. She loved twirling in the outfits and was really excited for dance to start.

August 27, 2016

My aunt does tea parties with Olivia and after dinner on this Sunday they had one. She loves tea parties with sprite, sugar and cookies of any kind. She can spend an hour having a tea party with anyone that will attend! :) Except she says no boys are allowed but she has made some exceptions.

August 28, 2016