picture day

My dress-loving girl was happy to wear this soft dress for picture day, and we spent a little time curling her hair before school.  I wasn't sure how the professional pictures would turn out (real smile vs. forced), so I took a few of my own.  We adore you, Brookie Boo.

FHE at the lake

Shortly after buying our current home, Kevin and I were on the phone as he drove home from work.  As he crossed over the bridge, he made a comment that he didn't know how he could drive over the bridge every day and not have a boat at the marina.  I laughed, and told him that he better take the long way home so that he didn't have to cross over the lake every day, haha.  We weren't buying a boat after just buying a house!  But all joking aside, Kevin loves boating so much, and it has become part of our family.  This year, Jerry and Bev let us move the boat to Joe Pool Lake (right by our house), which gave us the chance to take quick rides after work. 

Kevin has been IN HEAVEN...

And I had fun trying out my new camera...

TOFW

Sometime in the summer, Mom asked if I would be interested in going to Denver in October for Time Out for Women (TOFW).  She would already be there with Kimberly to help with baby Claire, so it would be a fun mini-reunion.  We were also hoping that Madi could come as well!  I pitched the idea to Kevin and he was on board, so I bought my ticket and looked forward to the weekend.  

Jerry and Bev both came to watch the kids on Friday, then Kevin could be home with them the rest of the weekend.  The kids are at a great age for me to leave, so I didn't worry too much about leaving them.  But I still needed kisses before I left...

Dad was also in town that weekend (he was going back and forth to California during the 3 months Mom was in Denver), so he was the lucky one to get me from the airport.  We were stuck in major traffic on the drive to Kimberly's apartment, but we had a nice chance to talk and catch up.

Once we finally arrived, I was able to hold Claire and my heart totally melted.  She felt so tiny!  A week or so before the trip, Mom asked if I thought it would be hard to hold Claire since it was so close to the due date of our baby we lost.  I really didn't think it would be hard, and it wasn't as I held her, but I totally cried during the first dinner prayer.  I don't know what happened exactly, but I was expressing gratitude for meeting Claire, and I just cried.  It took me a a minute to regain my composure, but I did and the rest of the weekend was great. The messages at TOFW really spoke to my heart, and I think that was exactly what I needed.  Moms are inspired!

During our lunch break on Saturday, we met up with Dad and Josh and ate at this amazing restaurant called Union Bistro (in Castle Rock). It was seriously delicious, and we shared a variety of what they call "small plates", which included things like crunchy broccoli with sriracha cream, thai flatbread, italian egg rolls with pesto, cuban flatbread, and some sort of tater tots with garlic aioli. We finished the meal with  a homemade peanut butter cup the size of a brownie that was dusted with powdered sugar.  Wow, so good, it makes me hungry just thinking about it!

Sunday was church of course, and it was so nice to just be together.  I really wish that Madi could have been there as well, but hopefully next time she can.  It's hard to live so far away from family, but I guess it makes you appreciate the time you DO get to spend together.  I have a feeling that we'll try to make this a tradition.

conference campout

Conference Weekend meant it was time for our Conference Campout!  We started this tradition when Brooke was a baby, and have loved doing it twice a year ever since.  What once started in Grandma and Papa's backyard, has been in our backyard the last few conferences.  No matter where we are, we have a blast. The kids were eager to help with the set-up...

I was really skeptical about all sleeping in the tent (I have always slept in the house with Colby since there really wasn't room for everyone with our big ol' air mattress), but we were going to give it a shot.  This year, since Colby knew what was going on, we ditched the air mattress and laid out our sleeping bags on top of some blankets for padding.  These two were just so excited...

We read books, then tried to go to sleep. Brooke fell asleep quickly, but Colby was another story.  He was between Kevin and I, but kept standing up and trying to wander around, plop on Sissy, mess with the zippers, etc.  We kept laying him down over and over, but he kept resisting. I was worried that he would wake Brooke, so I finally threatened to take him in the house if he didn't lay down.  That was a mistake, because then he kept saying, "I sleep in my kib (crib)." Then it was game over!  I finally took him in the house and we both enjoyed a great night's sleep, haha.

Brooke and Kevin did great out there all night, but apparently she didn't sleep quite as good as normal because she fell asleep on my lap that afternoon as I stroked her hair.  This girl hasn't napped since she was two and a half, so I knew she was tired. I just cherished that sweet time with her.

One of the things I love about Conference Weekend is the time to just enjoy our home and not have other commitments.  Kevin always says that he loves just being in his own home since he's gone so much of the time.  The kids enjoyed the simple pleasure of collecting leaves in their buckets. Pants optional, haha.

But even Kevin's desire to stay home can't keep him from a quick trip to the lake, haha.  Colby is such a nut and wanted to stand up on the cushion.  Don't worry, I took him down after I snapped a picture, but I had to capture his crazy antics.

We're already looking forward to the next Conference Campout!

papa's birthday

This year, Papa decided to throw his own birthday party, complete with invitations and food assignments, haha.  We were in charge of bringing all of Papa's favorite treats: red vines, orange slices (the gummy ones covered in sugar), and vanilla wafers.

Three cute cousins, ready for the fun to begin. 

 Before we pulled out of the slip, we wanted Papa to open his birthday gift from us.  This pictures is my favorite...

He loved his new Captain Hat :)

We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon splashing in the water, riding the tube, and having a picnic on the boat. I think Papa was pretty pleased with his birthday party and I have a feeling we may repeat it again this year.

preschool girl

On August 31st, we attended the Preschool Meet & Greet at Little Hearts. We asked a friend to watch Colby so that we could really focus on Brooke and the information being presented.  She was really excited about meeting her teacher and checking out her classroom.

A few days before school started, when Kevin was preparing to give back-to-school blessing to a family of girls in the ward (parents are divorced and Dad isn't active anymore), we realized that Brooke would get her first back-to-school blessing as well.  It amazes me that although my kids are little, they understand that the Priesthood is something special.  Brooke obviously understands more than Colby, but Colby sat quietly with his arms folded for the entire blessing (which NEVER happens).  When Kevin finished, Colby put his own hands on his head and asked "My turn?".  Kevin scooped Colby up and gave him his own Father's blessing, which was adorable. Six of my young women don't have the Priesthood in their homes, as well as two of the leaders.  It really just makes me grateful to have a husband who honors his!

First day of school pictures!!  Although I was a little sad to leave her at school, I know that she will love it and I feel confident in the school that we chose.

She especially loved her space backpack, which looks gigantic on her.

First picture with her teacher, Mrs. Angela.  I'm excited to compare this picture to one I'll take on the last day because you'll see how much Brooke loves her teacher.  Every morning, she rushes over to give Mrs. Angela a huge hug, and the love is definitely reciprocated.

Celebrated the first day with shakes from Chick-fil-A!

This was taken the following week, but I loved her "All About Me" poster.  I asked her all about her favorite things, we printed and cut out pictures, and then she organized them the way that she liked.  We only had one fit, and it was after the whole poster was complete. She changed her mind about the dance picture (it was her ballet costume), and was adamant about changing it.  Well, the paper tore when we tried to get it off, but in the end we fixed it, so yeah for that, haha. Normally, I would make her stick to her initial choice, but I also wanted her to be proud of her poster since it was her first big school project.

labor day weekend

Poor Jerry has had a rough year with multiple foot surgeries, but he was finally up for getting out on his boat!  He has been nice enough to let us use it all Spring and Summer, which we were so grateful for.

Brooke had a blast floating with Grandma, and was constantly giggling as she tried to stay on top of that noodle.

These kids love their Grandma and Papa so much!

I love this family picture so much.  In fact, I framed it in our office.  We love being on the boat together, and cherish the memories we make at the lake.