First day of school

The first day of school was exciting. This is the first year in two years I don't have a kindergartener going half-days. Brianne started 2nd grade with teacher Mr. Keys. She has more homework this year but is exceeding in language arts. She continuously gets 100% on spelling tests and is doing really well reading above her grade level. Like her mama, however, she recoils at the thought of math and needs dad's support and understanding to conquer it. Brianne is playing soccer again this year and has become more aggressive and even faster. If we can just get her to kick the ball sooner into the goal instead of dribbling all the way up to it, she' may score this year.

Maicee started 1st grade with teacher Mrs. Price. She also is excelling in spelling and learning to read more words. Mrs. Price is known for her great readers. She flys through her homework and asks to do more however, in her haste to complete it forgets to focus on the details. She's turning out to be quite a leader and gentle reminders about not needing to be "in charge" are needed. She started karate with Mike and Papa Jr. this year and she really enjoys it.

That leaves Josiah home with mom or dad which he doesn't seem to mind so much. The first day of school was hard for him and, of course, he wanted to have HIS picture taken with HIS backpack too. He was upset and cried after walking Sisters to class. He wanted me to leave him there too. Every evening when I'm packing lunches and ask what the girls want, he chimes in "penabutta n hunny too".

Roaring Camp Railroad

During our Church Family Campout, we took our kids to Roaring Camp Railroad in the Santa Cruz Redwoods. It's an hour ride through the beautiful trees and along the San Lorenzo River into downtown Santa Cruz. We ended up at the Boardwalk and road a few rides, then boarded the train again for the hour long trip back up. It was relaxing enough to put Josiah to sleep on the way back.

The Beach

I didn't get many pictures of our beach trip this year. I guess we were enjoying ourselves too much. It was a great week with family and always my kids "favorite" part of their summer - they love their cousins! Josiah and Graeson were best buds all week and got along great for 2 year olds. We took a break from the Beach and went to Mark and Giselle's wedding, where Mike officiated and the girls were flower girls.

my sibs

Good for the soul

Thanks to Mom and Dad, Mike and I took an entire day to ourselves and went for a hike and picnic. We went above Kirkwood and hiked about 5 miles at 9000 feet elevation. It was beautiful! At some points we were hiking through snow. We had lunch at Frog Lake and then hiked onto Lake Winnemucca. It was so good to have hours of uninterrupted time together. It was breathtaking and the silence was soothing to the soul. We hope to do it again next month when all the wildflowers will be blooming.

Maicee turns 6!

Maicee's class took a fieldtrip on her birthday to the Zoo and Fairytale town. I drove so Josiah could go and to be with Maicee on her special day. That evening we went to pizza with the Peoples clan and then to the Sutter Creek Ice Cream Emporium for dessert. Nanny and Papa were here from Arizona to help celebrate.

Gone Fishin'

The smallest fish we caught was 12"

We took a family vacation to the Carson River Resort where we camped and fished for a week. It was beautiful, relaxing and good family time. Dispite having colder weather than anticipated, the kids loved being outside all day and into the night. We made s'mores each night and Mike got up early each morning to fish and enjoy time alone on the river. We caught some big fish but Mike 'won' with Big Daddy measuring 25 1/2" and weighing 5.5 lbs. It took him 45 minutes and alot of skill to bring it to shore, especially considering he forgot the net that morning.

Sister Saturday

Here are just a few pics of our annual "Sister Weekend" that ended up being more like a Sister Saturday this year. We are thankful for whatever time we can have away together! As Gentry said it..."we know how to do it...Rome on Easter and Berkley on Earth Day." Can you say granola?