First day of Fourth Grade and Kindergarten!

Wow, It is hard to imagine that this day has really come and gone! Alyssa is in full day Kindergarten and Blake is in the fourth grade! How this happened, I don't know, but bittersweet is the best word I can come up with to describe it. It is so sad to see them grow up so quickly. However, we are so proud of them and just feel honored to be a part of this incredible journey!

Jacob still has another year and some potty training to do before Preschool, but like always he wants to do anything that the older kids. So, he got a new backpack and he likes to says that he is going to Grandma school! He gets to spend the day with Grandma Judy on Tuesday and Thursdays and on Friday mornings while I go to school!

Blake applied for, and was accepted as a member of the school's safety patrol team. He is so responsible and helpful, this is the perfect job for him! Alyssa has had a harder time than we expected adjusting to such a long day away from home. However, everyday gets a little bit easier for her and we know that in no time she will be her independent, joyful self at school!

Camping @ 11 Mile!!

We were able to go camping up 11 Mile Canyon again this year and it was absolutely beautiful! This years campground was the farthest up the canyon and it was breathtaking! The kids loved being able to walk down the road to visit Grandma Candy, Papa Tom, and Aunt Emily's camp site. The river provided hours of tubing and fishing entertainment for everyone and the massive rocks surrounding us were a great playground for the kids! We were also able to bring the kids bikes this trip and quickly realized we need to bring them every time! There was a hiking trail in the campground that led us to the tallest point surrounding us. The view was absolutely amazing and unlike anything I have ever seen face to face before!

Another wonderful camping trip this summer! Our last trip for of the year, but as sad as it is to say that, we has such a wonderful camping season! We camped more than we ever have in one Summer! The adventures were priceless and the natural beauty we got to spend time in was humbling to say the least, and we didn't even have to leave Colorado!

More Rocky Grass Pictures and Fishing Too!

Rock sculptures that were made throughout the day!





























The kids loved Rich's hat!















































The next morning we went on the Hope Floats fishing trip with my sister and parents!

Rocky Grass Pictures!

Giant hula hoops!
























Blake's raft he built in the craft tent!


















































Much need ice cream after a hard day of play!

Rocky Grass Festival

Kate and I would like to call ourselves true festivarians after this year's Rocky Grass Festival! What an amazing weekend, with amazing friends!








Friday was just for the big girls, Kate and I went to the festival and then camped nearby that night. It was some much needed quality time and was thoroughly enjoyed! We even had a rare encounter with a flamingo, which provided hours of entertainment in itself (it's a great story, you'll have to ask us about it!).

Saturday morning Seth, Rich, and the kids headed up to meet us at the festival. Kate and I got there early and set up camp for the day in an amazing spot next to the river. We were also able to snag a spot in the grass for when the sun went down.

The kids had a blast playing in the river and we all enjoyed the great blue grass music in such an awesome venue! They also had a kid's tent that provided crafts, face painting, hula hops, and what not. Not to mention, the whole festival was promoting sustainability, providing compost and recycling bins with people checking each item before it is allowed to be "thrown" away! It was a great group of people promoting great ideals, plus kids under 12 get free, always a plus in my book when you provide affordable family events!