Also, Daniel and Laura left to go back to Guatemala just before the school year got out. They went back in hopes of applying for a student visa to allow them to come back and study again in Waterford. They are living with their Uncle Carlos and his family until they return on August 30th! We can't wait to have them come home. I started off my summer with a short escape to Florida with a Friend. It was my ten minute breather to relax on the beach.. alone, before our busy summer took off. Here's a quick snap shot of the sunrise on Danila Beach I took on my phone.
Emilee was also elected as Senior Class President at the end of the school year and is looking forward to a very busy schedule this next year. The joke around our house is "great, see you after graduation!" She was able to attend a Leadership Conference down in Dixie that she absolutley loved. One of her highlights of this summer has been passing her AP Biology test!
Along with her busy school year, Emilee can't wait to start her senior season of HHS volleyball. Tryouts are next week and she can't wait to rule the court this year!The first week of July our family spent time up in Seattle for Branden's soccer tournament with this team, The Blue Knights. Their first game was a rough one and resulted in a loss of 2-5. However they made amazing comebacks with games of 8-0 and 6-0. It was fun to spend time with Branden and his team over the 4th. We also traveled a little bit up into Canada and all around Washington. 
One of my highlights of this trip was being able to go Whale Watching with Emilee! Emilee and I both share a common love for Ocras (killer whales). We were so excited to finally see our favorite animals in the wild! We ended up seeing a total of 5 Orcas. It was so much fun to run around the boat from side to side with Em trying to see them everytime they broke the surface.
The next week in July, Brittany and Emilee were able to go to girls camp together. It was Brittany's first year and possibly Emilee's last. They had a blast with all the other girls! Right after girls camp our family took off to our first trip to Lake Powell. It was such a fun trip! We spent most of the time tubing, wakeboarding, playing in the water and of course, card games on the house boat. We even went cliff jumping as we venutred further up some canyons! On our way home from Powell many of us exclaimed that we'd never again go to another lake. The rest just can't compare to Powell!
Since Powell we have somewhat been able to relax more. We spent another weekend up in Park City for another soccer tournament. The Blue Knights won each game by a large margin. Their game winning scores consisted of 7-1, 8-1, 5-1 and 2-1. However they lost in the finals to a team they had previously beaten 5-1. All in all, it was a fun tournament and the team played hard.Now we are just starting to settle down and start gearing up for the school year. Can you believe it?! Already getting started on school stuff! Abel is excited to leave on a Choice Humanitarian Trip to Guatemala this Friday. He will be taking around 150 people to different areas throughout Guatemala. He will be returning on August 30th with Daniel and Laura! They got their student visas and we'll be able to start school again at Waterford after Laborday Weekend.
Just for an update as to where everyone will be for the next school year:
Emilee: Senior at Hillcrest High
Daniel: Senior at Waterford
Laura: Sophomore at Waterford
Branden: Sophomore at Jordan High
Brittany: 7th Grade at Albion Middle
Amanda: 5th grade at Silver Mesa Elementary
Madison and Dallen: 4th grade at Silver Mesa Elementary
As for me, I'm having fun just being a busy mom. I apologize for the post being all over the place but thats how our summer has been.. "all over the place."
-Karin
-Karin
