Shayla and Kevin Visit!

Shayla and Kevin came to Colorado this week! It was so nice to see them and talk with them.

Today Jer's mom and dad and Shayla and Kevin came for lunch. We had bbq ribs, buffalo wontons and Jer's mom's frog eye salad.

 After we ate, Jer took them for a ride around town and showed off his fire department where he volunteers and his office at YW where he works.

It was hard to say goodbye. I wish we could live closer sometimes! The kids had a lot of fun showing off for them.

Camping!!!

August 31 through September 2, 2012

Jer and I decided last minute (like usual) to go camping this Labor Day weekend. We packed up the car around 5pm and headed up towards Estes Park. When we got to Estes, every thing was booked! Around 11pm we stopped to talk to a Ranger who told us that there were camp grounds that are free but they were only in certain areas. We finally found a site in Jonny Park and set up our tent by 2am! After a fitful sleep, we got up and ate breakfast. The kids discovered a great place to play on some rocky boulders in front of our camp site. They also had the wooded hill behind our camp site.

You know your husband loves you when he constructs a potty with privacy just for you! Jeremiah and I played a few games of phase 10, poker (which I smoked him!) and slap jack. We had smores on the fire, and tested out our propane cook stove. The kids got to take turns shooting at bottles with Jer's 22. It was perfect! The only thing I would have done differently is bring a rake to get all of the pine cones out from under the tent. Also, bring an air mattress. It was a very fun camping trip and definitely something we will make a tradition!

Getting school done!

August 29, 2012

Well, we've made it through a full 2 weeks of school now. Our routine is getting all worked out. Both Brooklyn and Mason have full plates this year but we are able to handle it so far. I am amazed at how much Mase has changed even from last year. He has to write more sentences this year. Last year he would have cried and fought me tooth and nail. This year I get a whine but then he buckles down and writes them. I'm so proud of him!

Brook is such a big girl. She pretty much gets going on her lessons all by herself. I have my teacher's manual out and read her the instructions, but I pretty much leave her to do her thing. I check her work and if she seems like she is struggling, I have Mase take a snack break while she and I go over it. Its been working out so far!

Little Dallas is the one I need to give a little extra attention to this year. I usually give him some toys or books and put on a movie (sometimes) and he is pretty good. Every once in a while it gets too quiet in the living room so I find him smashing his fishy crackers into the carpet or pulling all of the baby wipes out of the container. He loves to climb onto the counter and help himself to snacks! Every once in a while he will just barge into the school room and demand attention. But for the most part, he is a pretty good boy. Nap time is a great time for us during school! Dallas loves to watch Mason do his Reading Eggs on the computer and I even noticed Dallas copy Mason every time he reads. No wonder our baby boy is speaking a lot better these days!

Golfing!

August 24, 2012

Jer called me after work and told me he really wanted to go golfing but didn't want to go without me so the kids and I went. I'm happy he "guilted" me into it because it was a lot of fun!

We played with the Lucero family here. Brooklyn got to drive a cart a little and she loved it! I didn't even play too badly. I was afraid I would really embarrass myself since its been more than 6 years since I've played. It was a beautiful night with a light breeze. We played until we couldn't see where our balls went anymore. Then, we came back to our house and ate pizza together.

First Day of School!

Its the 1st day of school!!!

Brooklyn: 3rd grade

taking:

 Spanish, Literature, Language skills, Spelling, Geography, History, Science, Art and Math

Mason: 1st grade

Taking:

Math, Science, History, Language Arts, Phonics, Spelling, Art, and Music

August 20, 2012

Our first day was a pretty long one. Both kids started on their own computers at the same time. I pretty much tried to keep up with them both and coach them as they needed help. Mason needs me more since he is just in 1st grade but Brooklyn pretty much is a pro by now.

It takes some getting used to since they both have full days but we pretty much get done about the same time every day. I am so proud of these big kids and how much they are motivated to work! I can't wait to see how they progress this year!!!

Akron Fair

Akron fair time! 

We went with the Luceros and ate lunch, watched the Muttin' bustin' and calf riding, then saw all the animals! I was too late to sign my kids up for the riding this year since we were gone so long but they definitely want to ride next year!