Change

As the leaves continue to change, noted changes and milestones within our family are taking place as well. This has been a busy Fall. Andrew entered his freshman year of high school. He also decided to detour from our family's usual choice of soccer or basketball and venture into the world of football. MaryBeth was most anxious to begin 7th grade and hence be able to play on the school basketball team. She also celebrated the big 13! She is still at a wonderful age where a weekend with mom and a few close friends is preferable. How much longer will that last? Aaron continues to be our favorite source of entertainment. At 9 (almost 10) he just squeaks by being young enough to trick -or- treat. Sad he is our last to dress up and go begging door to door. Following is a montage of pictures from the last several months. Here's hoping this will satisfy my daughter who is on me to make a new post. This one is for you Afton!!

My Cleaning Poem

I asked the Lord to tell me

Why my house is such a mess

He asked if I'd been "computering",

And I had to answer 'yes'.

He told me to get off my fanny,

And tidy up the house

And so I started cleaning up...

The smidges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.

That really did the trick...

I was just admiring my good work

I didn't mean to "click".

But click I did, and oops -I found

A real absorbing site.

That I got SO way into it-

I was into it all night.

Nothing's changed except my mouse,

It is very very shiny.

I guess my house will stay a mess...

While I sit here on my hiney.

hard-core Heels (camp #2)

The very next week after girl's camp, we drove down to Chapel Hill, NC for MaryBeth to attend a girls basketball camp. I wasnt about to just send her packing for the second week in a row. Family road trip!!! We spent the week and celebrated July 4 in North Carolina. We had so much fun. While MaryBeth spent her days sweating it out at practice, we toured the campus, shopped for all of our must have Tar Heel merchandise and ate some great food.

She doesnt look very sad about leaving does she?

Yeah, they are the best!

MaryBeth and Coach Sylvia Hatchell (UNC women's basketball head coach)

just goofing around

"Tyler Hansbrough!!!!"

MaryBeth receiving advice from coach Dad during a scrimmage break

it's not every day you get to watch your daughter play ball in the Dean Dome

watching the fireworks from Kenan Stadium (UNC football stadium)

"Know the Ropes" (camp #1)

Ok, we are on a delayed post mode here at the Richards' house. MaryBeth attended girl's camp with our church youth group two weeks ago. I was a bit nervous (yes me, I know that is hard to believe) about her being gone a whole week. MaryBeth had an amazing time! Thank you to all of the leaders who attended and helped with the camp. You all helped to create an awesome week for the girls!

Ye be warned!

What is the Y made of??

So, we went to Utah over Spring break to visit with our three BYU scholars and with my brother and his family who recently moved to Salt Lake City. We had an awesome time visiting with family, good friends, and even new friends. Though much fun was had ... the guys all going to priesthhood session together then out for a "guys" night, celebrating Elisabeth's birthday with pedicures and dinner at the Training Table, attending a live session of General Conference, attending classes with Afton and Chuck, checking out the bio lab, first lunch ever at Cafe Rio (thank you Maryanne!!!), Monday night dinner at Brick Oven (free rootbeer and all), marathon shopping at the Orem mall...oh, and at Deseret Books, more pedicures, designing and buying note cards (LOTS of them), back to Rob's in Salt Lake to watch UNC dominate in the finals (MaryBeth was so excited for the TarHeels that she cried!)... Anyway, the memory that will stand out as one of the best for the kids was climbing up to the 'Y'. For the unknowing, there is a huge letter Y that is on one of the mountains surrounding the Provo valley and can be seen from virtually anywhere on campus. From the moment we arrived, the kids were begging to climb it.  "We dont have time today" and "it looks too muddy" and every other excuse we could think of was offered. They were relentless. On our final day there, we gave in. Aaron just had to know "what the 'Y' was made of".  

After a grueling 45 minutes of hiking at what had to have been a 90 degree angle, we reached the 'Y'. The reward was an amazing view of the valley below, aching muscles, and time to reflect on the weeks events. We decided that the fun and memories made for us were what the 'Y' was made of. We are not going to tell you what it really is made of, you have to climb it yourself to find out!

First Day of Spring

Yeah for free shaved ice at Rita's!!!