Reflections 2010 - Together We Can

Ryan entered the PTA Relections Contest in the Photography category. You can read more about the the Relections Contest by clicking here. The theme of the submission is "Together We Can".
He won 1st place in his category at school. He got really great feedback. One of the judges was a BYU professor that was really impressed with Ryan's submission. Ryan moves on to the next level of competion. We don't know how far he will go, but if feels good to us as parents to have Ryan recognized for his talents. I can't post a pic, because I don't have one and am concerned about someone stealing Ryan's photo. Good job Ryan, we are so proud of you for taking a risk!

First Day of School - 2010

The boys started school last week. Yahoo! I am not one of those parents that cries when their kids start school. I love it! I am so excited to have everyone back on a schedule, including myself! The only thing I don't like is homework, their homework means homework for me too!

Ryan - 9th Grade

Brennan - 2nd grade

Jake, Josh & Brennan
buddies at the bus stop

Ryan's Room Redo - Before

I am tackling another home project while I am also working on my craft room. I am also working on a redo of Ryan's room. I wanted to surprise him with the room completed while he was on his 5 day Scout high adventure trip, but I couldn't pull it off. I really wanted to do a more traditional look with a chair rail and a burgundy color to match his current bedding to save some moolah, but as I was thinking about it, I realized it was more my want and not necessarily a reflection of what Ryan would like. So I put on my Ryan hat and started trying to think of what he would like. I came up with a more modern, contemporary look to reflect his artistic sensibilities. I presented my idea to him and he really liked it and is super excited about it. Last week we picked new bedding, paint color and some accessories. I am hoping that it looks great and that he will be happy with his space. I will post the after pictures once I get the room completed.


Here are some of the before pics:

The closet doors (above) take up almost an entire wall. If I had money, know-how and "manpower", I would make the closet half the size, by knocking down the left hand side wall, reframing the closet, which would create a niche for a desk....maybe in another life.

The room is very small, so there is not a whole lot of furniture. I will probably not be putting this super old (it really is not that old, but you know how technology advances) TV back in the room. You can't tell from the pics, but there are about 5 speakers that go with his CD Player/Tuner. When you walk into the room, all you see are wires behind the TV, soooooo not sexy. I am excited to get rid of the tangled web of wires. I would love to get him a small flat screen TV to mount on the wall. Again, maybe in another life.

I am going to be changing out the bedding and curtains to a more contemporary, minimalist look. Currently the comforter and shams are traditional from Nautica. The curtains, bedskirt and pillows are denim. I still really like them, but the "boy" has grown up and outgrown this look. I am going to be repurposing the shelf above the bed. I am planning on painting it and putting it in the craft room during my craftroom redo, click here. Still not sure what I will do about the nightstand. His current nightstand will not go with my idea, however, he needs a nightstand for his clock/radio, but that nightstand is a magnet for clutter. If I end of using it, I may repaint it. Decisions, decisions.....

Art Show

Also a big event this month was that Ryan entered an Art Show in Colorado for his Photography. He submitted two photographic works. One of the photos won Best in Show in the Student category. This means that he beat out all the other mediums; oil/acrylic, watercolor, sculpture, etc, in his category. His second entry got 4th place. He received a cash award and his photograph was also sold at the show. He received some a very positive critique from the judge. We are so proud of him. See the article in the paper here: http://www.deltacountyindependent.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15895:edge-of-cedars-art-show-features-long-list-of-winners&catid=36:sc&Itemid=346&date=2010-06-01
Sorry, I can't post the pics. Ryan needs to get a copyright watermark on the pics before posting.

Track & Field 2010

This year Ryan participated in Track and Field for the Junior High. He participated in several running events, but his thing was the High Jump. We had no idea he had an interest in doing this, but he was really dedicated going to all the practices, even in the chilly weather. The first time I saw him do high jump, I was so nervous, I just about passed out. I had never seen anything like it. I was so impressed.

You can't tell so well in the above picture, but Ryan's arms are so buff.

I realized after the 1st track meet, that there is a lot of waiting around at these meets.

This video is of Ryan running the tail end of the 800m. I was so excited at how fast he was going that it's not so good video and I am cheering him on so you'll hear by obnoxious frantic cheering.