July summer fun

Summer is cruising by. Lots of fun with the kids between band camp, cross country, track, basketball, sports camps, and more. 

I ran a few trail races up in the mountains. Right before the first race, they sent us a warning about an aggressive bear sighting in the area (i.e., on the trail we were to be running). Like a Utahn, I went in the garage and found our bear spray to bring just in case. That did not stop the race and thankfully there were no bear sightings. Though the race was painful. 1200 feet elevation gain over a mile. 

Park basketball

Swimming and sunning and popsicles 

May sports

A quick catch up on May sports. 

More spring skiing

RSL soccer game

Aaron playing basketball and getting to do the opening tip off. 

Jazz game

The Jazz made the playoffs again this year so Jeff and I were lucky enough to get the company seats for a game. Was good fun, even if the Jazz didn't do so well. 

Globetrotters

Today was Aaron's last basketball game for the fall season. He had a great coach that really worked the fundamentals with the kids. He also coordinated a trip to the Harlem Globetrotters. As a kid growing up playing basketball, I dreamed of being a globetrotter one day. While that didn't happen, I still enjoy watching them so it was a treat to take Aaron to see the globetrotters. As part of the experience, his coach had the kids down on the court for pregame warmups. Pretty amazing!

April sporting events

We had a flurry of sporting events in April. 

Aaron was playing rec basketball again and enjoying himself. He showed great improvement and took more shots and made many of those. He seems to really like basketball. 

We took in a SLC Bees minor league baseball game. It was fun and similar to our experience watching the Durham Bulls baseball team back in North Carolina. 

Jeff got the company seats for the Utah Jazz playoff games in Round 1 and Round 2. I was lucky enough to go to the Round 1 game against OKC with him. He took Jon, Kyle and Emily to the Round 2 game against Houston. It was an amazing fun game to watch with him and I know the kids had a great time as well. 

Aaron basketball

This winter Aaron is playing basketball and is loving it. 

Utah living

As we get settled into Utah life, we have found some fun outlets. 

Aaron playing basketball. But note his outfit. He really wants to go to work with Jeff one of these days. He said he chose a "collared shirt and collared socks" (dress socks) so he could. And as Mom pointed out, he has on collard green shorts. :-) 

Some pool side dinner

Perhaps one of my best timed pictures of Aaron jumping off the diving board but it sure looks like he's walking on water. The kids have become little fish this summer with all their swimming. And Aaron has decided that he doesn't need his flippers any longer. Last summer he ditched his life vest, this summer it's the flippers. Having a brother and sister 5 years older than you sure motivates you to learn fast. 

And the mountains are just beautiful. 

More Duke basketball games

Jeff had to return to Salt Lake City, but the kids and I still made sure to have some fun together. Jeff and I had gone to the Duke Men's basketball game the evening prior and our tickets were good for free entrance to the women's game the following day so we capitalized on that. And I think this was the game that Duke defeated the then #2 team in the country, South Carolina. We went back to another women's game a week later though I don't recall the opponent. But I do recall that Duke won. As a former basketball player, it's fun to watch a live college game. And the kids enjoy it and especially in Cameron. While it may not be as crazy as a men's game with the fan antics, there is still an element of that and the experience it is to be in Cameron. It's really small compared to nearly any other basketball arena. Televised games make it look so huge when in reality it's very cozy. 

Duke basketball game

Jeff was home from Salt Lake City for the weekend and as luck would have it, we were given two tickets to a Duke Men's basketball game! This has been on our Raleigh bucket list since we arrived (and before). We had tried getting tickets to previous games, but they are so expensive. Last time Jeff was at a game was when he was a student at Duke where tickets don't cost an insane amount, just some camping outside the stadium. He even took me to a game when I visited him at Duke in college. Anyhow, it was an amazing experience to be back inside Cameron for a men's game (against Maine). 

There is a lot of construction going on on the walk to the stadium from parking and the diggers, especially this daddy and son digger, were just too cute to not take a picture. 

Basketball star Yoda

When you are 4, you may wake up each morning and put on a costume and wear it all day. And you may just be Ninja Yoda. And so you may just play some basketball as Ninja Yoda. No big deal. Love his personality.

Aaron playing basketball

Just having some fun with the slow-motion video with Aaron shooting hoops. The kid has decent form and a good shot. Keep at it Aaron!

Aaron shooting hoops

I love basketball. I've always loved playing pop-a-shot. And last year for the holidays, the kids received one. I was so excited!! It was just as much a gift to them as it was to me. Anyhow, last year, Aaron could hardly get the ball to reach the hoop so he would use a little foam ball and baseball throw it. This year, he's been doing some growing. And now he can make some shots. And he loves it. It gives me such joy seeing how happy he is shooting hoops. And when he makes one, it's just too much. Such a sweet boy. 

Aaron basketball

Aaron was so excited to have a sports class for him. We signed him up for a little peewee basketball skills class. The class itself was a bit of a mess as the teacher seemed to think having 3 year olds play a basketball game was a good idea (3 year old fight club is what it looked like), but Aaron enjoyed getting to dribble the ball and shoot on the little basket. 

He shoots, he scores!!

Duke game

Today was a beautiful day so we headed up to Duke. We enjoyed hanging out around campus and even took in a women's basketball game at Cameron Indoor! It was cool to be in Cameron especially after the men's team had a great game the evening before against Notre Dame. Anyhow, Aaron was especially into the game clapping along, cheering and following the crowd for free throws.