Playin' in the Rain

We got a bit of a reprieve in the 90 degree weather today and played in the rain!


Who's under there?


It's Elly! Mac put his coat on Elly to keep her dry. Sweet brother!


The boys were piling these innertubes on the trampoline and jumping in and out of them...or just falling over


Double Trouble!


And they're down!

That's right...we just passed the big 1-0!

10 Years Ago

Well it was on the 8th anyway...but I'm a little behind. It's been a great 10 years, really quite amazing what happens in that short amount of time. I definitely still feel just as blessed as I did back then.

We spent our actual 10 year in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, but we got some time away in Juneau and Sam surprised me with a date night this past Monday. We finally made it to Red Rocks and even better...saw the Bare Naked Ladies! It was awesome....here's some pics...


An awesome venue


Denver's skyline


Ready for the show!

I have a lot of pictures to sort through, but hope to have a slide show of our trip posted soon. We had an awesome trip, can't wait to show you all the pics. We got back late Friday night and started this week with VBS, so still feel a little worn out. Getting back into the swing of things though!

Summer's Here!

It was Mac's last day of school today! I'm so excited for Summer and not having to wake up my night owl for school every morning! Not that Mac actually stays up late, but the kid is a bear in the morning. He likes his sleep...and I like a relaxing coffee that doesn't entail a deadline, so Hurray for Summer!

Here's some end of the year pics. Some are of the boys in their first bike races (there's a series of bike races over the Summer here, the boys got whupped by some serious roadies the first race), and the rest are of Mac's last couple days of school.


The boys getting ready for their first bike race...racing around the oval at CSU


At the starting line...


Nate's got a headstart w/the curb option...Mac actually couldn't get on his bike right away, so Nate had the right idea. The kids with the racing gear and road bikes won...oh well, we like the look of scrappers. :)


I loved watching Mac cross the street to school. He loved the independence of doing it himself...he would wait for Mr. Frank to put up his sign, then walk across, as soon as he got across, he would sprint to his class line.


At the end-of-the-year awards ceremony. Mac got a student-of-the-year and P.E. award for his class. He was so excited for his medals and we were of course, were very proud of him.


Mac getting his kindergarten diploma


Mac w/his teacher Ms. Kramer


Monkey #1


Monkey #2


Monkey #3....Elly is starting to make me very nervous. I've had to sprint to her twice this past week at parks with her hanging from a high spot. It's hard when her brother's are on a bigger playground...and they encourage her. She's not as bad as Mac has, so hopefully she can make it to 5 without a broken bone

Elly's Birthday & Nate's Preschool Graduation

We have entered 2 again, and I'm not sure I'm ready for it. Elly's not as much of a talker...so a little more of a screamer. She loves dolls and pretending she is a mommy. After visiting with her two aunts and their new babies, as well as me having friends around her that are nursing, she has decided to point at whoever's breasts and say "baby eat". So far she hasn't pointed at a random stranger, so that's good.

She also loves to climb and explore. This morning I had to take her off a shelf of books at the library and search for her twice. The boys are much better dates for the library at this point. Oh well, I guess I have to teach her sometime how to behave!

Nate graduated from preschool this past Friday. He did a great job, but is very excited for Summer. He told me that he would miss seeing and playing with his friends at preschool, but he'd rather play with me instead. I've got to enjoy my little homebody now, as I'm sure there will be a time when he won't be as excited to spend Summer with mommy!

Here's some pics!


In case you were missing another pic of Colorado snow. This was the morning of the 12th...Elly's birthday.


Here's the birthday girl and one of her babies!


Her gift from Gma and Papa Eli...got to get the girl going on some wheels!


Happy Birthday Elly! The boys helped decorate her cupcakes. Mac's wearing one of Elly's b-day gifts. Can you guess who got if for her? Nate is going to try to get Elly playing catch with him in no time!


Nate graduating from preschool


We're so proud of our little graduate! (so proud that he didn't hit any friends, scream at any teachers.... :))

Spring update

Happy May Day!

Here's some pics from our trip to Colorado Springs to visit Sara, Dre and the boys. Of course the kids had tons of fun playing with their cousins. They've never been so antsy on a road trip. You'd think the 2 1/2 hours was a day of driving! It's fun to have the kids at an age where you can see how much they love their cousins and can't wait to see them. They already want a plan as to when we'll see them again!

We've been enjoying the Spring with it's crazy weather. One day feeling like it's Summer, then the next, having a reminder that it's not all shorts quite yet! The boys are nearing the end of their school year, Nate being done mid-May and Mac at the end of May. I'm very excited for Summer!

Sam is out-of-town this week, working in Fairbanks. He actually got to spend a day in Juneau with Jim & Debbie, then will go on to Fairbanks today for the week. It's going to be hard to have him gone, but it's a huge blessing to have the work. The kids and I have a busy week with school winding down, so I'm sure the week will go by fast. I'm praying everyone is healthy for the most part. Elly got sick yesterday, but I'm thinking it's just from congestion from a bad cold. We'll see. Everyone slept great last night (as opposed to a bad night the night before with Elly under the weather) and for that, I am thankful!

Here's a bunch of pics!


The big boys trying on their outfits for Aunt Lizzy's wedding


Elly, Cade & Nick cheesin' for the camera


Elly giving Maggie kisses...Mac & Elly are definately convinced they need a dog, Nate...not so much


Mac, Nate, Jake & Nick enjoying the sunshine


Back in our backyard, the boys are excited for another bug season! I don't mind the roly polys so much.


In they go to the bug jar...


It takes such teamwork for a good bug collection!


Elly and I joined Nate's preschool class on their field trip to the farm


Nate helped Elly see the baby cow


And here's the lamb


Watch your nose Elly!


Elly and I at the Spring Tea with our church.

Are you wondering where I've been?!

Because I have! I have felt very far removed from cyberspace these days, e-mail and my blog. Sam has been working on our computer from home and it has been a little hard for me to get time these days. However, today his laptop FINALLY arrived and he has officially moved his business downstairs. For those of you who don't know, Sam was laid off about a month ago. He's kept busy with some contract work and figuring out how to open his own business. I'm excited to have him working from home...but even more excited to have him working in his own space at home. For those of you who have husbands working from home understand my predicament. Keeping kids out of his hair is hard enough, but plans in the middle of the floor to tiptoe around is none too easy. Anyway, it's okay, we're getting it all figured out. And I'm just proud of him for deciding to go out on his own and going after it.

I've also been trying to catch up from the weekend. I was gone at a women's retreat with my church at Estes Park. It was very refreshing and encouraging. And of course, it was great to get back home. Sam and the kids had cleaned up before I got there and it was impressive! The kids all had colds too, so I'm not sure how it all got done. I'm still waiting to open a closet and have a bunch of stuff fall out at me. :) Here's some pics...


Mac drew this Welcome home sign for me. This is my new chalkboard I just finished...although I like Mac's artwork, I'd like to keep kid's art a minimum on this chalkboard. It's Mommy's!


The boys decided to have a parade...with Elly on a float


Wave Elly!


Here's Sam's new office! We just had to get him moved in...we'll deal with the walls later. :)


In case you don't hear from me again in a while...you'll know where I am. This is the pile that came out of our storage room to get to Sam's desk. I've vowed to only put it back in organized. I really need to go through my stuff more often!

Happy Easter!

Hope you all had a great Easter! I decided to post an album this time around. Besides the Easter pics, there are a couple pics with my parents here. They were in town for 5 days and we had a great time. Hopefully the kids didn't tire them out for their trip to Atlanta! The boys got Papa Monte on the tramp numerous times...and no, no one got hurt. :) My mom helped me out with decorating and teaching me to make curtains. The home decorating has been going slow and steady. I'm looking forward to one part of the house looking finished at some point! Anyway, hope you all had a great Easter and I'm really hoping from now on, our pics will only contain sunshine!