Busy Days

We are spinning plates these days, trying to keep everything and everyone going and doing. And that is my excuse for blogging a bit less lately!

Todd & I (and Emma) traveled to Salt Lake City two weeks ago for the HPBA Expo -- the trade show for the hearth products (and patio and barbecue) association. We got the low-down on new products, got some training on products we already carry, and spent some wonderful time with Todd's sister. Emma and Kerry hit it off right away, and the night after we returned to Lewiston, Emma woke in the night and asked me, "Go see Kerry?" We also squeezed in a quickie visit with my sisters (hence, the typewriter.... scroll down or hit "older posts" for that post!)

Brandon is doing well in Jamaica, and it's hard not to start counting down to the end of his mission and his return home: yep, it's 7 weeks left!! He'll have one more transfer, in which he may or may not move. Check his updates on his mission blog: http://www.huffakermission.blogspot.com/. (And check out His Slimness.... that photo of him balancing on the rock wall sure shows off his weight loss!)

Cameron is still working, plenty of hours at Wendy's, although not very much at Welenco. He's closer and closer to getting his mission paperwork done, with just the doctor's TB test and dentist visits to get completed. He also drives a mean Lamborghini in his video game world. Thank heavens his real vehicle is an old pickup!!

Darcie is full-on into her volleyball season, practicing two nights a week with the travel club team. So far, her team has earned a tie for 3rd place, and a Silver Bracket win in their first two tournaments. Two more tournaments to go, both of which are "away" days, and a tournament is truly an all-day thing.These are some pre-game warm-up shots, and boy.... does this girl ever get some height when she jumps! No wonder her position is as a middle blocker! This is her at the net:

Darcie has also started practices for track every afternoon after school, and is looking forward to doing the high jump again this year.

Alyssa? This girl is burning the candle at both ends and meeting herself coming and going. She's up bright and early for early-morning Seminary, then school, which is nothing to sneeze at: two honors classes in her course load. After school she stops at home long enough to change into softball clothes, grab a snack and then is right back out the door for softball practice, or sometimes a game.

This is the look I get from her....
That's her keys and a granola bar in hand. And this is all I see of her......

Until she's back home in the evening for dinner and an armload of homework. If she's lucky, she'll finish the homework without falling asleep in the middle of it, and then the whole thing starts all over again the next day.

Yesterday was especially interesting, when she had a softball game and the high school's Jazz Concert (for Gold Voices)... on the same night. I'm fairly certain the administrators didn't consult each other on the schedule. She played several innings and then dashed out the dugout to drive directly to the school to change for her concert. And yes..... I'm pretty darn sure she was the only girl in Gold Voices who was wearing softball sliding shorts under her black sequined formal that night!

Life is busy, but I'd rather be busy than bored!!