Back to School for Ben

Benjamin finally got to start school this week. He has been so patient and asked me every other day if it was his day to go back to preschool. We switched schools this year, thinking that Ben would need to go everyday to get ready for a full day kindergarten program. Although he misses his old school, he really likes the new things here and is doing very well.

Ben on his first day.

Name tag on. See ya mom!

(He didn't even turn all the way around as he waved goodbye. Sigh...)

Family is here!

Christie and Lee came this week with Colby and little Emma. It was so fun to finally meet her! She is so tiny (and so is Colby!) We had a lot of fun just being at home hanging out. Saturday Lee helped my Dad tear down an old gazebo and the kids played outside. Once Brent was off we went to Manteca to look at model homes so Christie could get ideas of what she may want in her new house they are currently building.

Sunday afternoon our extended family came over to visit. I love hanging out with my cousins! Now that we are all older and in the same general area it's fun to get together.

Here's Nathan teasing Bree.

Shelby helping out too.

Happy Birthday Dani

Danielle is 8!

We can't believe our oldest is already 8 years old. The day of her birthday I brought otter pops to school because it was super hot. Danielle enjoyed passing them out to all of her classmates.

After school we took Danielle to her favorite frozen yogurt place with some friends. We let her get what ever she wanted and she did!

Saturday we had a few of Danielle's friends over to swim. It was windy and a little bit cool, but the kids didn't care. Here is Danielle with her friends Emma and Sydney.

Gessica, Jessika, Alondra, and Emma

I made a special heart cake for Danielle. She was so happy. She received lots of money for our trip to Disneyland. Enough to buy her ticket and most of mine!

Danielle we love you so much. You are such a good helper, excellant student, and wonderful sibling to your brother and sisters. We are so happy that we have you in our lives. We love how you laugh and joke with Daddy, and you love to still cuddle with me. We can't wait to make many more memories with you!

Go Bree Go

Air Force Academy

On our way to the airport we stopped by the Air Force Academy. We enjoyed the visitors center and watched a little movie about how people get in to the academy (let me tell you, it's tough!)

We then walked down to the chapel, which is so beautiful.

This is looking onto the barracks area.

The campus. I love the mountains in the background.

It was such a neat thing to see as we were leaving. All the kids fell asleep on the way to the airport and we made it home around 12:30am Monday morning. We fell in love with Colorado and would love to go back. It was unbelievably beautiful.

As we are leaving...

So as we are pulling out of our hotel, three bucks come strolling up the street looking for food. (Seriously?) They stopped across the street to eat some grass right in front of the Hooters. The kids loved it and wanted us to follow them, but we had one more stop before the airport to get to.

Last day to play

Sunday we were leaving. Our flight didn't leave until 8pm so we had the whole day to play. Brent took the kids back to the park while I packed and let Bree have a nap. It looks like they had a pretty good time.

Bingo!

Saturday we didn't have any set plans, but part of the reunion was to try to visit places in Colorado Springs so that you would get a Bingo on your card that was given to you when you arrived. I scanned it and for some reason it refuses to go right side up! Anyway so Saturday we spent running around town trying to get as many spots crossed off as we could. It was a lot of fun and we realized just how much there was to do!

Take a picture of your family in front of the fire place in the Hotel.

Take a picture of the Bronco and Cowboy in front of the Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Take a picture of the kissing camels and Balance Rock at Garden of the Gods.

Visit the Ghost Town Museum and take a picture panning for gold.

Find 3 art sculptures in downtown and take pictures with them.

Visit the Fallen Firefighters memorial and take a picture.

Visit the Olympic Training Center and take a picture at the entrance.

Take a picture of the chandelier in the Fine Arts museum.

Take a picture of someone in front of the large sculpture at the America the Beautiful Park.

Needless to say we didn't get to actually see all the places that we went. Brent actually took the kids back to the park on Sunday because we didn't have any time to play. It was fun seeing where everything was though and now we know what we want to see the next time we go back.