Winter Park, CO

We were able to spend a beautiful weekend in the mountains with family.

Right before the kids first ride down the alpine slide.  Ike was really excited and Via started kicking and screaming that she didn't want to go.  

She quickly decided that she enjoyed in but didn't like the long ride in the chair lift to get there.

Ike LOVED it and wanted to go down by himself. Denny had him do it twice with him and then I took him up. I let him go behind me so I could block him if he got going to fast.  He did great and went about 5 times by himself.  He also wanted to try and do the chairlift by himself. There was no way he was talking me into that!

There was a music festival at the park in Winter Park that evening.  It was hard rock so we didn't last long.

Via playing with baby Rafa

Papa took Ike fishing.

Hanging out at the condo.

Bill thought he would sip on some rum.

Birthday Splash!

On Sunday we celebrated two very special people.  Ike is now 6 and Via will be 4 very soon.  The kids had so much fun eating pizza and cake and then swimming with their friends and family. 

Here is the Ninja and Princess Lego cake they requested.

Blowing out candles with some helpers.

Present time!

Mom got to meet and hang out with sweet Rafa!

I remember a few years ago when we had a 2 year old and a baby. We lived somewhere new where we didn't know anyone.  Denny had started a new job and had to work a lot.  I was beyond exhausted and overwhelmed most days.  One day Denny and I were talking and he asked me what ages I was really looking forward to.  I told him 6 and 4. I said I can't wait until they are 6 and 4.  I treasure those days when they were little and babies, but those days were hard.  I knew what I was talking about because the kids are so much fun right now. This is the time when I get to breathe and enjoy every minute (well almost every minute).  I love their personalities and getting do to so many things with them now.  I love chatting with them and going on adventures.  I love not wiping butts or going places without one kiddo having an epic meltdown.  I also love that they are still cool with spending so much time with us and we are still their world.

First Days of School

Just like that our fun and exciting summer is over and the kids are in school.  Via will be doing preschool on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 8:40-11:10.  This is her first school experience and she was very excited.  I think it helped that it is the same teacher and school Ike went to last year and she did a summer camp there so she is familiar with it.  

Ike will be in Kindergarten Monday-Friday 8:55-3:35.  I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that he is going to be gone most of the day all week.  He has been my sidekick since birth and preschool was only a couple of hours a day four days a week.  This is going to take some getting used to for me, Ike and Via.  Ike has been excited about going to Kindergarten for months!  I hope he never loses his love for school.

Minnesota and North Dakota

We stayed at a house on Lake Sylvia in South Haven, MN

The kids loved riding on the Pontoon. 

Everyone gathering at Dacota and Jay's house.

Playing with jacks

Getting a lot of time to play in the dirt and water

Walking back to Dacota's after ice cream and coffee in Annandale

Lake Pleasant

My cousins Dacota and Terri

Terri helping all the kids pick which Power Ranger they wanted to be

Helping grandpa drive

The playground at the Annandale Elementary is one of the coolest I have ever seen.

Clear Water lake where my cousin Tanny and Jim live.

At my cousin Daniel's wedding. In Galchutt and Wahpeton, North Dakota