Camping In Colorado

So.....we went camping a few weeks ago. This I could say was our first family camping trip. I really cannot believe it was the first one but....it was! Anyway... we headed to Sedalia (45 minutes from home which took us out of the plains of Kansas deep into the forest of Colorado) on Friday early evening. When we pulled into the campground Blake asked, "Is anyone going to be here that we know?" I assured him that it was just us :). Just then he looked over and noticed one of his friends. We drive closer and sure enough it was two families from our ward. They invited us to hang with them for the night. Mike of course liked that we only had to pay $5.00 for the site. So we went for it. I am so glad we did. We liked the two families and they had kids very much our children's ages. You could say each there was someone for everyone. We shared food, fire wood (which happened to be great that we had brought firewood-even though Mike thought I was silly for purchasing it), and good stories. The next morning we chilled for most of the morning (took time to smell the flowers-see the picture) and then drove 30 minutes up the mountain to Hike Devils Head. It was a great hike of 1 1/2 miles (straight up hill). Once at the top you could climb a billion (okay maybe not that many-but it sure was straight up a long ways) to lookout all over the Denver area. the point of the tower is a fire watch. A 75 year old man lives in a small cabin at the bottom of the stairs for the summer. His job is to stand in the lookout tower and watch for forest fires. I think this was his 20th year (or there abouts) of doing this. It was a beautiful sight and a fun adventure for our family.

Sydney on her first day of preschool

Sydney started real preschool. If you recall last year we did a mother goose preschool with other ward members. This year Sydney is going to Mrs. Julie's preschool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. She is really enjoying herself! She especially loves having her "boy that is a friend" Jake Morris and her good friend Grace McConkie in class with her.

Syney and Courtney

We are having lots of girl time while the boys are at school. We do hair and nails daily and strike various poses continually. They are the best of friends and the closest of sisters. I am so blessed to be thier mom and spend my days with them.

Tanner is playing baseball again this fall. He is playing kid pitch for the first season and is the only 6 year old on the team. He has suffered a few strike outs which has been an adjustment for him. But, he has had the opportunity to pitch, play first base, second base, catcher, and center field. He has done an amazing job at each of the positions. He really is a gifted athlete and is mature beyond his age. It is such a pleasure to watch him play and especially fun to see his enthusiasm for sports.

This was taken on the first day of school. In front of Pine Grove Elementary. Blake was excited to be back at school with his buddies and new Teacher, Mrs. Lucus. He seemed so mature as he headed into the fourth grade. Tanner was all smiles as he was thinking mostly about how fun recess would be and a little concerned about what first grade would be like.
I cried like a baby as my Tanner began his first full day at school. It just seemed like yesterday I was sending Blake to school for his first full day. Man how time flies..........when you are having fun (of course)

Too Smart!

My dear sweet Courtney is too smart. The other day she came into the kitchen and said, "C'mon." She then motioned for me to follow her into the bathroom. Once in the bathroom she stood in front of the toilet (fully clothed) and leaned her bottom up against the front of the toilet. After she finished her business in her diaper, she put two pieces of toilet paper in the toilet, flushed the toilet and said "All done." She then said "hands" so I could help her wash her hands. It was so funny and cute. I really think that in her mind she had done it just like it is suppose to be done.