Fall Photo Session....with Elly's Bed!

So I have this creative genious of a friend who came up with an idea to use Elly's bed for pictures...out in a field. They turned out awesome! Take a peek.






This is the best photo session ever!!!



















We had a great time....can't you tell?! Thanks Meaghan!!!

Labor Day weekend in Colorado Springs

Started off the weekend with an hot air balloon festival


There was a lot already up when we got there...


...but we were still able to get in the thick of balloons still on the ground.


Left the house at 6:30, but we were not disappointed.


Sam's been staying with Sara, Dre and fam for the past 4 weeks while he works on a project in Colorado Springs.


Surrounded by balloons


Elly liked the view


Cade loves announcing "Uncle Sam" whenever Sam enters the room...a big improvement from being that scary guy Cade once thought Sam was!


Nick getting some wrestling in.


Got back in time to watch GameDay and see all 4 Coug flags flying....Go Cougs!!!


On Sunday, we went to Farrish for some fishing.


The boys tried hard, but came up short in the fish department


Elly and Cade kept busy playing with the worms...


...climbing on the fence...


and going for a walk.


Mac and Sam got some paddleboating in...doesn't Mac look like such a big boy in this pic?!


Checking out a new fishing spot


Cousins


Might as well give the little ones a shot at it


Daddy's little girl

Sam's on his fourth and final week for a project in Colorado Springs and we're SO excited to have him back home on Thursday!

Not quite ready for roller derby

The boys school had a fundrasier last night at Rollerland. My initial thought was that it was a bummer that Sam's working out-of-town during the week (he's been in Colorado Springs Mon-Thurs for the past 3 weeks, and has one more), because it would be a fun date for him and the boys...and then I realized...what am I thinking?! I used to love going to the roller rink when I was a girl! So although I laid off any neon colors, I was excited to take the boys. Here some pics, not the best with my camera, but wanted to share the experience.


The boys aren't sure what they're in for...I figured since they were such good ice skaters, they'd have no problem.


Not so much, my stomach hurt from laughing watching Nate try to roller skate. He was constantly on the ground.


But he kept a smile on his face the whole time.


Mac got it down pretty quick and showed Nate how he could hold on to the wall at first to get it down.


He also told him to skate with his arms out to keep his balance...so Nate was the one kid who looked like a plane going around the rink.

The boys didn't last too long, but we had a good time. They're already trying to figure out if they can have birthday parties there. We'll see...

Grasshoppers!

Grasshopper season has long been underway...and it's a favorite in this household! Mac and Nate can spend hours hunting for them and quite good at catching them. I love watching them tiptoe around the yard and then "pounce" to catch one.

Well today Sam surprised them with a grasshopper that he found in Sterling on the Eastern plains while walking a job site. Check it out..


Grasshopper catching takes some finesse..you can't be afraid to get dirty...



...or afraid of heights


Or afraid of the size! This one is ginormous compared to Nate's hand


Or Elly's hand


or even Sam!


The kids weren't scared though


they liked him a little "too" much


even building the little guy a house.

I for one, though, kept my distance...and am hoping it escapes to another yard tonight!

Nate's a Big Kindergartener!

Well, it's official...I've got two in school. It was much harder to keep it together dropping Nate off for kindergarten, so I was very thankful for my big, black sunglasses!


Can I get a smile?!


Nate's first day!


Talking with his teacher Mrs. Mitchell


All ready to go in!


One last pic with Mom...


...and in he goes for his first day.

His teacher gave us a poem that read,
The First Day
I gave you a little wink and smile
As you came to our school today.
For I know how hard it is to leave
And know your child must stay.
You've been with him for five years now
And have been a loving guide,
But now, alas, the time has come
To leave him at my side.
Just know that as you drive away
And tears down your cheeks may flow
I'll love him as I would my own
And help him learn and grow.
For as a parent, I too know
How quickly the years do pass
And that one day soon it will be my turn
To take my child to class.
So please put your mind at ease
And cry those tears no more
For I will love him and take him in
When you leave him at my door.

She gave this with a box of tissues, so needless to say, this didn't help me keep it together all that well on an already emotional morning! Ah well, he had a great day and I'm excited for him.

Mac's First Day!

School has officially started! Mac's first day of first grade is today. When I asked him what he was most excited about, it was to ride the bus. So of course, he wanted to ride on his first day. After he got on the bus, Nate, Elly and I drove to the school to meet him. It was crazy! Since our neighborhood school was combined with another school about a mile away, we doubled in size. I think all the parents were in a bit of shock of the chaos of kids running around. Here's some pics...


First day of school!


The bus is in his sights!


As the bus drove away, Mac waved with a HUGE grin on his face.

The school starts kindergarten in two groups, so Nate starts tomorrow. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle both the boys in school every morning! Mommy might need some tissues!