Map & Compass Hike

One of Zeke's scout requirements is to go on a hike and use a map and compass. I thought this was a great opportunity to get out and get close to some autumn scenery, and we picked a hike close by that we had never done before. This particular location is a system of hiking and mountain biking trails, so there are a lot of trail intersections. Since the signage was minimal, we really did need that map!

Good thing I brought another copy of the map, because Nora of course wanted one too. 

We were maybe a little early for great autumn views... there were a lot of green leaves still. However, they were starting to change!

The view from the lookout point was spectacular. 

We live in such a pretty place!

We had a great time and I'm hoping we can go back and explore some of the other trails. Given that the weather seems to be changing, it may have to wait until next year!

First Day of School x2

We had 'the first day of school' twice around here this year. 

Zeke started third grade. 

He was sort of excited to go back to school. Glad to see his friends, not so glad to have to get up early in the morning and do homework in the evening. We are getting into the school groove pretty quickly, so that's making the less-than-fun parts a little easier. 

He's getting so grown up so fast. I'm so proud of him for being such a great student.

Nora started Kindergarten. 

She was (and still is) so incredibly excited to be in kindergarten. She loves it all! She is so happy to go to the same school as Zeke. 

Colorado Cabin Vacation

We took an end-of-summer trip to Estes Park, Colorado with Aaron's family. All 21 of us stayed in this group reunion cabin. The kids were so excited to go on vacation to a 'log cabin'. 

The venue had some amusing idiosyncrasies, like the super creaky floors and the crazy narrow (and low ceilinged) stairs. But- every family did have their own bedroom, and the bunkhouse had beds for all of the kids! They loved bunking with their cousins.  

The cabin 'village' had a bunch of amenities, including an outdoor pool. Nora declares this was her favorite part. We also tried to teach the kids to play ping pong (which didn't work out) and they spent some time on the playground.

Estes Park is a fun little town. There were lots of options for things to do. We couldn't resist mini golf for $3 a person. It was a cute 18-hole course and it looked like the nice older gentleman who took our money (cash-only) pretty much lived there and took care of the place. Our kids had never mini golfed before, although they were so excited to try. We spent a lot of time teaching them technique. Zeke had moments of frustration but really did catch on quickly. He was doing really well by the time we got to the end. Nora took a lot more coaching. 

We had such a blast at the golf course that our family of 4 went back again for another round the next afternoon. We played pool at the bowling alley had planned to go bowling after (which our kids have been asking to do for a long time!) but the kids wanted to putt putt again. The second time went a lot faster and Zeke is on his way to becoming a master miniature golfer. He even got a hole in one!

Sunday was our down-time day. We played a lot of games and sat around the fireplace and chatted. Here is Zeke's stinky garbage can he drew in Telestrations.

....And.... Sunday was Nora's 5th birthday! We made some donuts and sang happy birthday to her and she couldn't have been happier. 

After singing and donuts, we went out for a bonfire and smores and the kids put on a talent show. It was cute and fun and I think it very well could become a family tradition. 

The one thing I didn't do that I wanted to was go into the town to walk the main street and do some shopping. There were some fun-looking shops and those who did shop came back with some really unique souvenirs. It's okay though, because I traded shopping for more down time / cousin play time, which Zeke says is his favorite part of the trip.

Lake Trip

One awesome Saturday morning, we went to the lake with Grandma and Grandpa and a bunch of aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Nora was in the water pretty much instantly. She loved wading and floating in the raft with her cousins.  Zeke spent most of his time either floating in the shallow water or in the kayak. 

Aaron flew his water plane.

Zeke wanted to kayak alone. I wasn't sure, because I was worried he would get too far out. But there were a couple of people who were willing to kayak close and keep track of him, so I decided not to object. I'm glad I let him try, because he got really good by the end of the day. Definitely a huge accomplishment for him and I'm proud of him for sticking with it. Because we wouldn't let him kayak himself into the deep water, Grandpa towed him out. He loved it!

After our adventures, we had a picnic on the shore near these cute sunflowers. 

It was a wonderful day and the kids keep asking when we can buy our own kayak so we can go back all the time!

4th of July Rocket Launch

The kids are loving rockets and for this launch they each had their own new rocket. 

Zeke's is a cool green and launched okay but the parachute got stuck. So it sped to earth like a missile rather than floating down on a parachute. Fortunately it hit the soccer goal before it plowed into the ground so damage was minimal. Aaron repaired it and it's ready to try again next time. 

Nora's is the pulsar pink crayon. It flew beautifully twice.

She loves her crayon rocket, and loves Grandpa for catching it for her.

Since Zeke's parachute guy didn't deploy in his rocket, we tried putting it in Nora's rocket. Success! And Zeke was ecstatic that he caught his paratrooper.

And Aaron got to fly his planes too (far away from the rockets of course). Thank goodness for all these clouds, they kept us from getting too hot!

Zeke's Baptism

On a beautiful spring day, this boy got baptized. 

He was a lot excited, a little nervous, and very ready to take this step. We talked about the fact that he didn't have to do this if he didn't want to, and he surprised me with very mature responses to why he wanted to be baptized. I really felt like he knew the meaning of this and it was important it was to him. (He has had the greatest primary teachers!)

Nora was so excited for him, and she can't wait for her turn in 3 years. 

My handsome 8 year old. 

It was a wonderful service and a wonderful day for our family. I look forward to learning and growing more in the gospel with Zeke in the future. 

Zeke's Pizza Party

We celebrated Zeke's 8th birthday with a fun octopus cake

and a stack of pizzas

and some wonderful friends

 and train rides. The train was an unexpected bonus (thanks Grandpa!)

After a lot of playing outside, some pizza, and some more playing outside, Zeke opened presents and we had cake/cupcakes and ice cream. Some people made root beer floats, and grandma and grandpa brought rice krispie treats too.

Then it was back outside for more playtime until parents came. And - surprise! - the sprinklers turned on! Everyone screamed and some ran away, but most everyone came back to play in the sprinklers and it turned into kind of a pool party. Not what I had in mind for 8 pm in early May, but they had a blast!

A few of them left soaking wet, and very happy!

Happy, happy 8th birthday to my wonderful Zeke! He is an awesome student and really works hard to do well. He has a bit of a perfectionist streak in him, which both drives him and frustrates him at the same time. For the most part it works for his good. He treasures his [limited] free time when he can play games on the computer, play board games, build tracks for trains, race hot wheels cars, go on bike rides, and play outside. One of my favorite things to do with him is snuggle in at bedtime and read together. He makes me laugh and I love him more everyday!

Irish Jig

St. Patrick's is so not our holiday. We're not Irish, we don't drink, and we don't even like corned beef.

But- we do enjoy the festive green and shamrocks and rainbows and gold-wrapped chocolate.

So, we wore our green today, 

we decorated with shamrocks,

and at pajama rama at the library last week we learned how to do an Irish jig. The kids got really good at it and had a ton of fun! Nora was a natural.

Zeke was all about the travelling Irish Jig (ie, moving around the room while jigging). 

Have You Seen My Girl?

I just cannot believe how grown up this little lady is getting!

(Just look at that beautiful hair!)

Nora loves princesses and fancy shoes and dress up clothes and jewelry and trying new things with her hair.

She also loves walking in the snow, running races, playgrounds, trampolines... anything outside. 

Nora is such a sweetheart and a great helper (most of the time). 

She is learning and growing so fast and I often am amazed that I can see her changing.  She loves preschool so much and I am so glad.

Plus - she is still my snuggle buddy!  I'll take that for as long as I can get it.