School Days

This year is a landmark year for Sterling. He started full day Kindergarten. He didn't get much preschool and I knew it would be an adjustment for him. He has adapted very well and is a diligent student! I have watched him in class. I can see him trying so hard to do just what he should! He is growing so much!



Eve started 2nd grade this year. She has been such a great big sister, helping Sterling find his class each morning and sitting with him on the bus. She also offers tons of advice - sometimes a little too much. :) Sterling has figured out the ropes now and seems to be a pro!







Sheri started preschool 2 days a week. She has Sterling's previous teacher and she has been very happy to learn and go to school like her siblings. She was definitely ready for this step and I am glad she has something to add interest to her life now that everyone else is in school. My favorite is to watch her walk down the path at the drop off spot. She is so little and yet becoming so independent!





Sheri got tired of me taking so many pictures and decided to try and hide from me. She enjoyed this little game.


Happy school days! Now that we are in the swing of things, I have finally had time to update my blog here and there. If you have been watching my blog posts, I am sure you are amazed how much blogging I've done.

I just have to pause and acknowledge that my kids' teachers have really made this year and all these transitions SO MUCH easier! Thank you to all the wonderful teachers out there!

A Stop in Omaha

Matthew was recently offered a position (with Con Agra Foods) in Omaha. He has accepted it and so we decided to check out Omaha on our way home from Colorado. With school staring soon, and a few days to spare there was no better time. We were able to get a feel of the area and also were able to see some homes with our realtor.

While there, we explored and had a little free time. The kids needed some wiggle time after being in the car all day looking at homes.







We also enjoyed the church history sites. There is a visitor's center at Winter Quarters and Council Bluffs, Iowa just across the river. These Historic places really give you a chance to remember just how easy our life is and how much the pioneers sacrificed. The kids really seemed to enjoy Winter Quarters. They have a lot of kid friendly things. The sister missionary there was especially sweet and connected well with the kids.





The kids were given a short time to try and pack everything in their wagons to illustrate how the pioneers felt when they were not given much time to prepare to leave Nauvoo.



An example of a log cabin they stayed in during the winter.



The Pioneers had to cross a "mud puddle" as high as the top of the wagon wheel that went on for miles.


Pushing a handcart.



Next to the Winter Quarters visitor's center is the temple and the cemetary with many of the graves of the early saints. I think it is neat that they were able to identify many of the graves based on one or two journals. It shows how important record keeping can be. Isn't the temple beautiful?




We attended church on Sunday, and then Monday Matt started work and I headed home with the crew. Surely it was a much easier ride than the pioneers could have ever imagined!

Catherine and Aaron Get Married

Our last day in Colorado was the big wedding day. It was so wonderful to see Aaron and Catherine so happy together. The day started at the temple and ended at the reception center for the ring ceremony and reception.






Our Happy family 10 1/2 years after we were married here.














We were so happy for Cat and Aaron! We wish them a happily ever after!

Colorado Trip - Part 3

The next week and a half was filled with miscellaneous fun activities.

Monday, August 1 - Shopping with Annie, Eve's ears pierced, Dinner with Annie.

Tuesday, August 2 - The pool with Kara, Rachel, Jen, and friends, Shopping for school supplies, and wonderful talk time with Sara.

Wednesday, August 3 - More school shopping, hanging out with the Robisons

Thursday, August 4 - Hanging with Jennifer, watching Pride and Prejudice, getting all caught up. Kids loved playing with their cousins.

Friday, August 5 - I have no recollection since I didn't write it down. My memory gets foggy. This is why blogging is so great for when I lose it completely!

Saturday, August 6 - I went to Carla's house for a Pampered Chef party. It was so fun to see her new house and be inspired by all her self reliance/emergency preparedness.

Sunday, August 7 - We celebrated Annie's Birthday.







Monday, August 8 - The Robisons took us to the Science Center. The kids had a marvelous time learning about the human body and seeing all the neat exhibits. Thanks so much for a fun day Jen!




After the museum we went back to their house to hang out and then we headed back to grandma's house. Eve and Sterling then got to swim with Bethany at her house. This was also a great day because Grandma Iola came to stay with Mom and Dad for the wedding.

Tuesday, August 9 - We went swimming again, met Rachel at the park, and then the kids went to the Johnson's to be tended again. I was able to attend the Denver temple with my family and then we headed out to dinner.

Wednesday, August 10 was really our last free day. We were able to have some time with the Millers, then the Whitneys, and end the day I went to dinner with Kara, Brenda, Jenny, and Rachel. Here are a few pics:





I wish I had gotten pictures of my girlfriends! I'll need to remember that for next time!