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Summer Memories

It's time to print/publish my blog for the year... and I've got a few catch up pictures to go.

The last couple of summer outings... the Lake (thanks Brooke) one of our favorite summer afternoon activities of the summer.  And Cam and Kenzi doing one last day at Lagoon -- with Cameron spending some money/points he earned for summer incentives on games.

Oh I miss summer!

Grandma & Grandpa & Aunt Ralene

A month or so ago we had a chance to go and visit Aunt Ralene at her new Assisted Living facility.  Lauren loved it and wants to move in... popcorn machines and soda fountains and a little putting green!

Although she didn't want to be there, it is a good place for her.  We got lost trying to find her room with her and she definitely is having balance issues.  It is so hard to watch others get old and lose their independence.  (I went back to see her a few weeks ago and I can't believe how quickly she is deteriorating... it was really so sad.)

It was fun to see Grandma & Grandpa, and the kids had a great time taking a Lion Hunt with Aunt Ralene!

Kenzi National Anthem, Rachie Making the final volleyball kill against WX... doesn't get any better

 A couple of weeks ago Kenzi sang the National Anthem at the Bountiful v. WX volleyball game.  She sang it Acapella and did a great job... I don't think she was even nervous.

The night was topped off with Bountiful beating WX and Rachel making the final point.

Good job Rachel and Kenzi!!

Fall Football

Perfect Fall Weather + Best Coach Ever ... Coach Allen + Stars for Great Skills = Fabulous Fall Football

Happy Halloween! (with Cam trying to do the smolder)

O-K-L-A-H-0-M-A... ok

If you spend much time at th Hess house right now, you'll be sure to hear the following "Oh what a beautiful morning... oh what a beautiful day" and "Poor Judd is dead..."  Everyone, including Cameron is humming away Oklahoma songs.

Kenzi just fnished Oklahoma at Bountiful High and had a great time being a village girl.   

Amazing Girls

During the last few weeks we've had several situations with the girls (particularly with Lauren) that have left me amazed with their maturity and attitude.  Like many parents, I sometimes tend to focus on the negative or things that need to be improved, but I really have been impressed with how they are dealing with things as they get older.

Each of them had a situation in the same weekend with parties with friends, where Dave and I were not sure if we would let them go.  Kenzi said "you guys are the mom and dad and I will respect whatever you decided."  Lauren didn't come out and say that, but said just let me know what you decide.  

Ultimately one of them got to go to all of the party she was invited to, and the other one went to just part of it.  Not one cranky word -- not one "I have the dumbest mom and dad."

Lauren has had three more situations this week, again one with an activity with a group of good friends that I just wasn't 100% comfortable with the activity and didn't have time to really find out if it was ok and the other two involving some money and priorities and responsibility.   When she called her friends back about the activity we didn't want her to go to she didn't bash us, whine or anything -- Dave overheard her and she just said "my mom won't let me go since she doesn't know a whole lot about it and she had to leave so we'll just have to do something next weekend."  She then picked up the phone, called a different friend and made other plans for the night.

I'm trying to remember if at 13 if I was that respectful to my parents counsel and as far as the $$ stuff if I was nearly as responsible as Lauren.  I'm pretty sure in one of the $$ situations I would have been really mad and made a big deal about it -- but she was great!!!

So Lauren and Kenzi -- thanks so much for trusting us, for being responsible and being such great girls!!

Smile Baby... Smile!!!

She's always been beautiful and had a great smile -- but look at this gorgeous Young Women!  Today was the big "braces off day."  Such a cute office -- they rolled out a red carpet and had walked down the red carpet after she got them off and sent her out the door with balloons and a bag of candy and treats that "she couldn't eat.. ha ha..." the whole time she had her braces!