Skyler is 16!!!

It happened...like it or not my baby boy grew up and turned sixteen last month. Of course it is an exciting birthday for him, bringing lots of new experiences...driving, dating, and being ordained a priest. It was thrilling to see him bless the sacrament last week with his dad being able to bless with him as well. It is a nice tradition that our ward has to let the fathers bless the sacrament with their sons for the first time.

I can honestly say that there isn't a day that goes by that I am not grateful to be Skyler's mother. I am so proud of him. We have always been close. Skyler has always been so obedient and kind. He isn't ashamed to show and tell me that he loves me in front of other people. I know that I can trust him. I can't wait to see what the next few years bring for him. He is a courageous young man that is always willing to stand up for what is right.

Where to begin?

Well, how embarrassing that it has been more than a year and a half since I have posted on my blog. That is pretty darn sad!!! I guess it's because I feel like I am writing to myself most of the time...which isn't all bad, but I do like to see some comments from time to time...so bring it on! I am catching the blog fever again through the example of others and by following many blogs that inspire me. So here goes! I will try to do better!

General Conference Sunday

While Scott was "listening" to the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference, Skyler enjoyed painting his toenails various colors with markers. We had to laugh as he slept through the process. So Scotty...What did you get out of conference? Painted toenails!!!!

This is how Scott and Starlee listened to conference. I'm going to have to start giving a test at the end of each session, I guess!!!

Week in Review...

Fall is a busy time for our family. I thought it would be fun to do a little weekly synopsis of the family activities to keep everyone in the loop (especially the kids grandparents). First of all, last week Starlee played in 3 tennis matches during the week with her high school team. I think they won 2 and lost 1 (but I can't remember exactly!). She also got asked to Homecoming which will be on October 10. She was asked by Jacob Harper who she got to know on the Church History Tour. She is beyond excited :)!!!! He asked her using a "star light, star bright..." theme and put his name in glow in the dark stars. It was very cute.

This is a picture of Starlee congratulating Skyler on winning his freshman election. He ran for Freshman Representative and won. Now he and Starlee have one class period together (student council). They are so excited to do student council stuff together. I appreciate these two for how they love and take care of each other. Skyler is going to be one lonely boy next year when big sis goes off to college!!! Their relationship is so cute!

Skyler (aka "Big Country", "Big Sky" and "Baby Jacobs") is number 64 on the Centennial Freshman football team. He is the starting center. Last week he was chosen to be team captain. He was honored by that. His team won by making a touchdown in the last seconds to bring the score to 15-8 over Shadow Ridge!!! That was exciting. He also had one of his best buddies get hurt in the game. He went and helped take care of his friend since his mom is a single mom and it was hard for her to move him and dress him etc. It turns out that his injury was a pinched nerve in the neck (very painful) and swelling. We are so glad that he will be okay in a few weeks!

Not a very good picture, but Aspen cheers for Scott's middle school football team. She is on the front row to the left on this picture. She is doing such a great job this year! She is excited to be taking gymnastics and tumbling with her team so that they can improve their skills. She continues to be our little art project girl and is doing really well in school. She cheered Scott's team on to victory 48-7. What fun!

This is Brighton first year playing tackle football. He loves it! He gets up early on game day and starts getting dressed. I had to tell him last week that he might not want to sit around the house for 1 1/2 hours before leaving for the game in his full gear! He thought I was crazy. He wanted to be ready. He plays on the defense and loves trying to tackle the other players. It is so cute to watch. His team pulled out a victory this week as well (14-12). He was thrilled. It would have been a perfect week if BYU could have pulled off a victory as well. Come on Cougs!!!!

Well...those are a few of the highlights from last week! We are so busy, but it is so fun. The years go by so quickly that we are just trying to soak it all in while we can. Love to all! More to come next week!!!

Back to School We Go!!!

Awww...such cuties! 5:45 a.m. and off to seminary they went. They were so excited to start their Senior and Freshman year together. I think it is adorable that Skyler towers over his older sister. He takes a lot of pride in that as well!

Starlee is determined to enjoy every experience possible during her Senior year. So far she is involved in the Senior Play "Death by Fatal Murder" which will be performed Sept 10-12, the Centennial girls tennis team, Seminary council, and studentbody officer. I think she is off to a good start:) She never has been one to sit back and watch the world go by!

Skyler is so excited to take on the world of high school as a Freshman. He is the center on the Centennial freshman football team, and loving it. He enjoys the coaches, and his friends on the team. We are biased, but we think they are going to have a very successful footbal season. He is enjoying the new world of early morning seminary (except he can't wait to sleep in this weekend)!!

Aspen is entering 5th grade (her final year of elementary school here in Vegas), and Brighton is entering 3rd grade. They both have incredible teachers, and are excited about having friends in their classes. Aspen is doing cheer again this year for Scott's middle school football team that he coaches. She enjoys doing that, and all her little "projects" around the house. She just got her hair cut again, and is enjoying being able to do it herself (and so am I).

Brighton gets the "Poser award". He cracks me up. I can't believe that my baby is in 3rd Grade. He is loving it. He is also in his first year of tackle football. So far the coach has him playinig middle linebacker. He loves to hit, and he is fast. It will be a blast to watch him play, and I pray he doesn't get hurt. He is also enjoying cut scouts! Needless to say, he is sleeping well at night:)

Sena Baby blessing

This is my whole Starley Family...minus our dear parents that are currently serving a mission in the Philippines. We gathered for Sena's baby blessing a few weeks ago in St. George. Even though we were only together for a few hours, it sure was nice to see each other. My older brother (to my left) and his wife Heather currently live just north of Salt Lake City. The four adorable redheads are theirs. My younger brother Matt (to the right of Skyler) and his wife Jill have two adorable children. They are such cute parents. They live in St. George right now. Then there is my younger sister, Jeni (pink sweater). She lives in Vegas and is in search for her Mr. Right. Matt gave Sena a beautiful blessing. He has a gift for words. One of the things that I remember him blessing her with is "to always be a lady".

The Rocking Chair

When we drive from Vegas to Provo or when we return, we have a tradition of stopping at a certain Chevron in Beaver. It is fun to take a picture in the big rocking chair outside the store. We took this on our return from the Jacobs Family Reunion.