First Day of Kindergarten

So it begins...the road of public education.   It seems like yesterday that we received our Travel Approval to go to China.....now he is in kindergarten.  I had to attend my open house at school, so Rob had to hustle out of work in order to bring Eli to his open house. Don't you just love the shuffling of kids around to make ends meet? 

Eli's first day was perfect...except for the bus.  They didn't have him listed on their pickup schedule (for those of you that know me, realize how organized I am and had all of this worked out...they seriously forgot to put him on the list...urgh!).  After some serious phone calls, he was able to ride the bus home!  Now, two weeks later, it takes him five minutes to get off the bus...little social butterfly!

Another Big Dream...Accomplished!

The top picture was too cute not to attach!  My ole' teaching buddy and dear friend was visiting in Colorado so we met at Boyd's Lake for a fun afternoon adventure.  The boys had a blast in the water and building sand castles.

Rob and I have always wanted a camper...we can now say we have  camper.  I absolutely love it!  The boys beg to go camping every weekend.  Now that we are back to school, our weekends are jammed packed but boy do we figure out ways to be able to camp!

Our first camping adventure was at Guernsey State Park.  We were so excited for the boys to be able to swim and hang out at the beach...until we got there and were told they had drained the reservoir.  So, in the one picture of the boys on the beach, there is suppose to be water!  We didn't let that ruin our trip.  The boys were quite content playing in the dirt pile by the camper.  We also visited a super cool castle and a museum.  First camping adventure = success!!

Michigan o Michigan

July 9th, Rob dropped the boys and I off at DIA and the three of us headed to Michigan (Rob was suppose to leave a week later but his vacation was bumped up a week so he started his long journey to Michigan as well.)  The boys did great during the flight EXCEPT the last 30 minutes....Jace was that kid you didn't want sitting by you.  He was overly exhausted, hungry, and cranky....very cranky!!  He screamed. He hollered. He carried on.  There wasn't a trick in the books that was going to get him to chill.  Finally, after touching down, getting our luggage, we stepped outside and were welcomed by some serious humidity....I don't miss humidity one bit!  My brother Joe was waiting patiently to pick us up.  Since we had last seen him, he purchased a new car...let's just say we had fun fitting everything in...haha!!! Lucky for us, both boys crashed on the way to Saginaw.  While in Saginaw:
                                        *we swam
                                        *visited with Steph, Fer, and Lili
                                        *went to a concert in the park (boys fed fish, rode on a train, fun times!!)
                                        *Jace was baptized (thanks Ed, Nancy, Lisa, Mike, Lynda, Kelsey, Kennedy, and Father Dave for making this happen!)
                                        *best of all was able to spend a lot of quality time with my family.

 Kennedy, Eli, Kelsey, and Jace....cousins rule!

 Rob, Jace, and Mike walking into church for Jace's baptism.

 The crew celebrating Jace's baptism.

 Lisa, Jace, Ann, Eli, Rob, Nancy, and Ed  celebrating Jace!

Our next adventure was heading over to Muskegon.  Once in town, we stopped at SomePlaceElse Pizza...my favorite pizza in the world!  Then, we brought the boys to the Block House (it had been years since Rob and I were even there.  The boys had a blast checking everything out!  We also spent a day at The Fogarty's on Pickeral Lake.  Tara and I have been friends forever (our parents went to college together) The boys had a riot playing with Noah and Luke.  Plus it has been forever since I have been on a boat...forgot how fun they are.  The boys had their first adventure on a speed boat too!  Eli even got to drive the pontoon boat...he thought he was really cool!

Eli loves playing in the lake!!

Uncle Joe and Luke hanging out!

Noah, Eli, and Jace hanging out in the boat!

The next day, Rob went golfing with Cory and the boys and I headed to The Slater's House and went to Grand Haven.  Our first stop was Imagination Station which is an enormous playground for kids.  After the kids played, we headed over and walked the pier.  I love love love Lake Michigan.  The four boys had a blast eating lunch, getting ice cream, and hangin' out.  The walk back to the car was a bit intense as the heat and humidity was kickin'!  It was so awesome seeing Barb again...we have been friends forever (grew up on the same street).  That night, we headed back to The Slater's for dinner so Sydney could hang with the boys.  She wasn't able to go to Grand Haven with us as she was rockin' it out at soccer camp.

 Eli and Jackson looking for shade in the heat of the day.

 Imagination Station...super fun place!

 Eli snagged my camera and took some great shots.  Barb, Jace, and I hangin' out.

 Another Eli pic...too cute!!

 Love this pic!!  Eli, Jace, and Jackson wrestling around waiting for lunch.

 Who wants ice cream? Apparently Jace, Eli, Jackson, and Isaac do!!

 Grand Haven Pier...beautiful!

Jackson and Eli...Jackson had asked to take a rest and it was right by some shady trees.

 
Sydney and Eli having fun on the swings.
 

While in Muskegon, we stayed with The McDaniels.  They have two girls around the same ages as our boys.  It was hilarious watching the boys push around pink strollers.  The four kids played and played.  They even got to paint the cement (Jace even turned himself into Avatar) and had a couple water balloon fights.  Instead of hitting other kids, Eli decided to smack the grass...what can you say, he had fun!)  Megan is a fabulous cook...she even made us zucchini-blueberry bread.  Cory and Rob were even able to get a few games of horseshoes in.  Rob was stoked to eat some Scribb's pizza during our stay with The McDaniels.

Eli displaying Iron Man.

Jace and Lainey ready to get wet!

This is the coolest thing ever.

Ava and her beautiful art work!

We also visited with Rob's aunt and cousin.  We met for dinner Whitlow's.  They have the best lake perch....yum, yum!!  (Can you tell we had to hit all of our great eateries while we were back!!)  We finally were able to meet Mark's wife; Lori.  We also met up with Rob's sister and his family for a little visit.  Can't believe how big our nephews Tommy and Jesse are getting!

On the long drive back to Wyoming, the boys were fabulous.  Heck they do a better job with long distance travel then going up to Walmart!  We had a great time while on our vacation...it is rough to fit everyone in but we tried to do the best we could.  Until next time Michigan friends and family...we love you and thanks for everything.  Our door is always open and we would love to see you!

Catching Up on Pictures

 Batter Up!  Eli's first year playing t-ball (excellent example of taking a village to raise a child)

 Jace being a complete nut during a t-ball game (he was the champion of having to use the restroom during the games)

 This is typical silly Eli...I wish I would have taken a picture of him conversing with the other players while they were on base.  He is such a friendly boy!!!

 Taking a dinner break during a day spent riding the quads.

 The Kennison and Crosby gang hangin' with a mountain man at Fort Laramie.

 My two handsome boys waiting patiently (well sort of) to get to Michigan...friends and family here we come!

 Jace and Eli hanging out at what used to be a school at Fort Laramie.

 Hangin' out in their undies, enjoying a snack.

Eli showing off his new helmet (a men's medium!!!)

Summer Fun

Hard to believe how quickly summer flys by!  We are in the middle of having a great summer (maybe you can tell by the lack of posts...haha).  I will be so excited to get our regular Internet service back this week as using the Mobile Hot Spot off our phones is SLOOOOOOOOWWW!  Once we get up and running, I will post some pics of our vacation to Michigan and our various summer events. 

Over the past month, Eli attended summer school.  I was a bit apprehensive about him attending but looking back, I am so glad that he went.  He had an absolute blast.  He even took a field trip to Barnes n Nobooks (Noble) and Scotty's Pizza (he asks daily if we can get pizza from there).  While he was at school, Jace and I had some quality time together (it isn't too often that its just the two of us).  We went to the park, walked, and just goofed around.

July 9th, we headed back to Michigan for fun and lots of adventures.  My brother Joe picked us up in Detroit then we headed to Saginaw to hang with Mike, Lynda, Kelsey, and Kennedy.  While in Saginaw, Jace was baptized.  His Godparents are my brother and sister-in-law.  We had lots of pool time (my boys are dark as can be).  My friend Steph and her family also came to visit.  It was great to see her and her fam again!  We then headed across the state to Muskegon.  We stayed with Cory and Megan (they have two girls similar in age to our boys....they played so great together!!)  One day we spent with The Fogarty's at Pickeral Lake.  It has been so long since I was on a speed boat....forgot how much fun they were!!  Eli and Jace had a ball playing in the water with Noah and Luke (Tara and Steve's boys).  Can you tell the boys had some serious play time!!!  Also during our trip, I was able to spend the day with my dearest friend Barb and her two boys (yes, more play time for the boys).  We tackled Imagination Station and the Grand Haven Pier.  I LOVED being back by the water!!!!  After all of our visiting, we were actually able to hang out with The McDaniels.  The four kids had several water balloon fights (funny how long it takes to fill the balloons but how quickly they disappear) and did finger paints on the cement.  Jace looked like a little Avatar as he was painted blue from head to toe.  Before heading back to Wyoming, we spent time with Rob's cousin and aunt.  We also visited with Rob's sister and her fam.  It was a busy, busy vacation.  I would have loved to have seen more family and friends but it is sooooo hard to fit everyone in.

Pictures to come!!!!! 

Celebrating 4 Years....Gotcha Day!

One of my favorite posts to do every year (each year goes so stinkin' fast!) happens to be Gotcha Day!  I am a BIG tradition person (drives my hubby nuts!).  Each Gotcha Day, we usually watch the China video but not this year since someone (no names....urgh!) erased the entire China video, we had to switch traditions a bit.  All of us gathered on the couch to go through Eli's Lifebook.  This was the first year Jace got to join in on the tradition so it was very exciting!  Ok, so I have to say it, "I can't believe it has been four years since our first trip to China."  Each year, Eli's abilities grow and grow.  Here is a list of some of his accomplishments/other interesting tidbits (yes, another tradition):

        * His speech is incredible (still struggles with l and r but this is light years from where we started)
        * Finished his last year at Stride (pre-k program)
        * Officially a kindergartener (sigh, sniff sniff)
        * Loves the "duty" of being a big brother
        * Ironman...enough said 
        * Diagnosed with ADHD (probably didn't even have to fill out the paperwork...a mom knows)
        * writes first and last name, recites address and phone number
        * knows the location of about twenty states (lots of families members spread out)
        * has a personality that leaves one in stitches
        * hates to have water in his face...yikes, mama loves the pool
        * very much a daddy's boy
        * loves to do the chicken dance
        * created a wind dance where he gets knocked over (we get A LOT of intense wind)
        * tackling yet another sport...t-ball (oh my...has to be better then soccer, right??)
     

Summer Break is Around the Corner

Hopefully the weather will start to cooperate once we are our for summer break.  Being a teacher, I really don't mind the cool, rainy weather (however, it gets old on the weekends when the boys want to go outside and play).  With that being said, it is difficult to watch the lives of people being destroyed by the horific weather that is happening around our country.  May all of you find strength!

Summer breaks means trips to the park, gymnastic classes, spray park, camping trips, visits to see Nana and Papa and so much more....so bring on the sunshine and the beautiful weather!