1st day of school, part 2

After two weeks of being home while all the other kids in the neighborhood, at church, and in our home were at school, Micah and Maddie finally started school today. I am always very sad to see the summer come to an end, but today was a little different. It was so hard having two kids in school while two were still on summer vacation. I couldn't get into any kind of rhythm at all. It is so nice to be starting back into a regular routine, for all of us! But while it was nice to drop all four off today, it is bittersweet. Each new 1st Day of School makes my kids a whole grade older. As fun as it is to watch them grow up and experience new things, I am not ready for them to be "grown." I know I still have a few more years before that happens, but their childhood is beginning to feel fleeting. I don't like that. I wish I could hold on to these years somehow, so I can come back for a visit now and then. I know I can only visit through pictures and memories, though, so I am trying to soak it all in...

whitewater

I neglected to post pictures from the "guys adventure trip" back in June. While Maddie and I were in Vegas for a week, Bob and the boys took off for some camping fun. They went hiking, biking, rock climbing, and, the highlight of the trip, whitewater rafting! Needless to say, they all loved it! Here are some pics of their adventure...

christmas in august

This past Christmas, my brother and sis-in-law gave Maddie a gift certificate for afternoon tea at Glen Eyrie castle. The Glen is a beautiful castle built by General William Palmer in the late 1880's. It was sold to The Navigators ministry in the 1950's and has been open for training of Christian leaders since. They offer wonderful afternoon teas, and after many months, we finally used Maddie's Christmas gift yesterday. We invited Grami to join us, and it turned out to be the most beautiful day. The tea was lovely, and the scones and clotted cream... oh my. Heavenly. Thank you, Uncle Jason and Aunt Megan. We enjoyed ourselves immensely!

new glasses, 1st day of school, Part 1

I was going to wait to post this until I had time to write a neat little message to go along with it. Since finding the time to do that isn't looking likely, and since I haven't posted in forever (yet again), I have decided to simply post pictures. Maddie got glasses last week (as did Nate, but he hasn't let me take pictures, yet). She looks so cute!



Today was the first day of middle school. I now have TWO jr. highers! Nate started 8th grade and Caleb started 7th. My boys are growing up!