It's all about Star Wars

It's hard to believe how fast my babies are growing up. Yesterday we celebrated Elijah's 5th Birthday! And in his little world it's literally all about Star Wars. We didn't end up having a huge kidfest....but opted for a "quiet" little family celebration. We let him pick the dinner option....pizza of course. After checking out a local pizza restaurant we came home to have some "Star Wars" cake. After two bites Elijah was ready to tear into his presents. After all was said and done Elijah seemed pretty happy with his family party. Mainly because he received more Star Wars stuff. Nothing like simple pleasures.

The Highlights

Summer has practically come and gone for us. While it was challenging to be away from daddy for 5 weeks it was precious time spent home in Minnesota. We had so much fun visiting both sets of Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and friends. And the fun still hasn't stopped. After coming home we immediately headed up to Glacier with our amazing German friends that we met in Ohio. We spent four beautiful days with them at a cabin just outside the west side of Glacier. The kids loved cooking out, the campfires with smores, and hiking everyday....(with only a little whining about the 4 mile hikes). Two days after we got back from that trip Uncle John, Aunt Lacey, Cousin Ahna and Uncle Dan and Aunt Tina arrived. So many fun memories were made this week including going to the State Fair, late night game playing, mountain biking, picnics, and another trip to Glacier for a full day of hiking. The kids did even more amazing hiking 7 MILES with literally no complaining. We were so sad to see everyone go home on Sunday. But plenty of fun planned for this week with Vacation Bible School. We know that it's going to be a continued sprint to the beginning of school with so much to do around our house...i.e. the front porch railing and scary looking overgrown bushes....as well as trying to soak up the last little bit of Summer.

Hanging with Family

Since our time in Wyoming the kids and I have been busy. Thanks to many prayers we safely made it to Des Moines, IA to see our friends without any problems. The highlight of the drive was watching my kids sound asleep from the rear view mirror. I couldn't resist taking some video. I was laughing out loud to myself.


The next stop after an amazing time hanging out with our good friends was Grandma Suzanne's and Papo's house in St. Cloud, MN. Here we also got to see Uncle Jon, Aunt Lacey and new baby cousin Ahna, as well as, Aunt Tina. We had so much fun holding new baby cousin, going to water parks, and seeing uncle John playing Softball. The best part is that we get to go back and spend
some more time with them. Next time I need to get some pics with Grandma Suzanne!



After spending 5 Days it was back to Minneapolis to spend some time with Boppa and Grandma Jane. We have kept hoppin with a shopping trip to IKEA (Yeah!!!), a shopping trip without the kids to the outlet mall thanks to Uncle Johnny and one of his girl friends. And a July 4th spent at a local park with lots to do and a kids concert by the "Splatter Sisters" one of them was my old director of a kids singing group I was in. Then of course, we went to a BBQ at friends lakehouse and topped the night off with Fireworks. And if it sounds like we have been busy....it's not even nearing the end of the agenda. We are going to the Science Museum to see the Star Wars Exhibit, fishing on Boppa's boat, and checking out a couple of movies the kids have been wanting to see, not to mention catching up with friends. We will head back to St. Cloud and spend more time with Grandma Suzanne, Papo and Family. So needless to say we have been to busy to even think about blogging. I am so happy to be spending time with family. Although we all are really missing Daddy! We can't wait to start having some BBQ's of our own with all of you back home! Here are some more highlights from Boppa and Grandma Jane's!

Grace did Boppa's Hair!
!

So much to blog about so little time

We have been making the most of our time in Cheyenne. We caught another break, David didn't have to work Friday because it was a wing down day(Air Force for free day off). So, of course we wanted to make the most of the weekend. And seeing as Denver is only a mere 1 1/2 hours away we thought we would go check it out. So much fun....here's a little photo synapse.

Taking a rest at the Denver Zoo

My monkeys watching monkeys

The next day.....we headed to the "Boondocks." For............

Elijah creaming mommy in the bumber boats

mini golf really didn't go over as well as we had hoped. The kids wanted to quit by the sixth whole....we think they need a few more years.

mommy's teaching Gracie how to drive

For the grand finale we ended the 92 degree day with always the kid favorite....the swimming pool!!!!!!

Ta Da!!!!!!!

Please entertain us

So we have been getting pretty lucky picking restaurants with kid entertainment lately. The other night we went to Culvers in Cheyenne and found ourselves hitting the jackpot with 1.00 kids meals and FREE face painting (Don't worry we tipped). And these were no ordinary paintings.

Then we went to dinner in Denver and found ourselves being entertained by a magician...complete with any balloon request. I think we have a sign our our heads that says "Please help keep our kids happy so we can enjoy ourselves" or something. At any rate....we've been having fun on our mini vacation.

Hiking at Estes Park

So far our plans this summer has included a 7 week manning assist at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. However, I have to say it really has been a nice little get away for us. This weekend David wasn't on call so we conveniently decided to Fort Collins, Colorado which is only about 45 minutes away from Cheyenne. Today we spent the day hiking at Estes Park in the Rocky Mountains. We are staying the night at the La Quinta for free thanks to the 30 some days David stayed at the chain in San Antonio last fall. The kids always love an opportunity to go swimming. And tomorrow we are going to go hit the outlet malls. What could be better? It's been a great little vacation that I think is well deserved, seeing as David has been gone pretty much all last fall, and this spring. We are also kinda having a continued celebration of our ninth anniversary and father's day all in one. It's funny when we first found out about having to go we weren't so excited. But it really has ended up being a great trip.

My Big Girl!

Last day of Kindergarten


Gracie with her kindergarten teacher


My life feels like it is moving at an exponential pace! It seems like just yesterday that we moved to Montana and I was wiping away tears as I dropped my little girl off at kindergarten. I know everyone says that the time goes fast when you are raising your children. But nothing can prepare you for it until you have children of your own. I just want to make every effort to raise my children into people who love and serve the Lord. It's milestones like this that really make you appreciate how little time you have to train your kids. I just can't believe that Gracie is just a summer shy of first grade.