Off to School

The girls started back to school today, and this is always exciting and nerve racking. Liz is now a 6th grader and Mikaela is in the 2nd grade. I know both teachers very well and am excited to see how the year goes. Liz got to announce the Pledge of Allegience over the school intercom first thing this AM. Both girls are amazing and I will keep the blog posted throughout the year with all their achievements.

Opa these are the new outfits you were wanting to see:)

(Emilie, Jesse, and Mikaela friends since age 2)

Liz and Tommy saying the Pledge

Our Nieces

We got the chance to spend some time with Brett's girls Danielle and Chelsea while on our trip. This was wonderful and they are growing up so fast. Brett is doing well too!from left to right (Mikaela-7; Danielle- 8; Chelsea- 6; Liz- 12)

Colorado road trip

Our trip this year was very simple but we got to see wonderful things and experience life in a different way.

It started out with the long drive to Denver. Debby, Dennis, Ken, and Theresa went to the Rockies and Cubs baseball game on Sunday. (We won!!) The girls stayed with cousin Rachel and we came back to laughter and smiles.

Then it was off to Estes Park and the drive through Rocky Mountain National Park. This is where we traveled over the Trail Ridge pass (the highest paved mountain in the US.)http://www.nps.gov/archive/romo/visit/weather/history.html

While in the National Park we hiked around Bear lake and then up to Alberta Falls for a total walk of 2.5 miles. This was my first major hike since surgery. (reminder to all that like to hike flip-flops and crocs are not advisable footwear:) Now for the trip down the mountain...Colorado Rocky Mountains are the best anytime of the year. We saw herds of elk and witnessed Colorados drastics weather within a 15 minute period. We headed down to Grand Lake where we pitched our tent and roasted marshmellows. This was our first time sleeping in a tent and all I can say is the next morning both Ken and I stated we were staying in a hotel the next night:) Long story but losts of fun!

(bear lake)

Then we did some typical tourist shopping and site seeing. On Weds. we did a white watering rafting trip with the girls. This was awesome! Our tour guide was a stick in the mud but the girls really enjoyed the experience.

(Alberta Falls)

(camping at Grand Lake)

Elitche Gardens theme park was on Thursday and school shopping on Friday. Lots of family time. On Friday I also got to visit with my two younger nieces (Danielle and Chelsea- Bretts girls).

Thanks again to our niece Rachel for shopping and entertaining the girls - we love you and wish you farewell as you travel to another year of school!

(can you see Presiden Abraham Lincoln sleeping?)

Parenting rewards

Sometimes it seems that parenting never has any rewards until the following things occur:

- Your 7 year old get a loose tooth while eating corn on the cob (no...she has yet to lose any so this is very exciting)
- Your child learns how to ride a two wheel bike and is now riding her older sisters bike from last year.
- Your twelve year old is out until 11pm two nights in a row babysitting (3 children age ranging from 6 years to 7 month; first night babysitting job)and has now made more money than you in a two day period.
- You look out the front window because you hear two siblings yelling at each other and the hose comes out and a huge water fight breaks out....yes, the 7 year old pulled the house out on the older sibling in rebellion. (This means you have taught them to fight their own battles!)

It has been a week of sitting back and enjoying the fun of two young beautiful girls that keep you on your toes at all times...just when you wonder "what in the world am I doing" the above things occur and you realize you are raising bright, funfilled, and well behaved children.


To all the parents out there...
Be sure to stop and look at all the good things (especially the little things) when things seem down and out!

Have a good week to all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today is my dad's birthday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

New Arrival

It is with great pleasure that I announce the arrival of our niece....Olivia Michelle O'Neil. (well the last I heard this was the final decision on her name:)

She was born to my (Theresa) sister and brother-in-law Stacy and Brad O'Neil on July 27, 2007.

Everyone is doing well and they have arrived at home!

CONGRATULATIONS STACY AND BRAD!

Also congratulations to all the grandparents who waited so calmly for this day to arrive.

just stuff

The last week or so has been busy as usually, I am told that it would be abnormal if I wrote that this week was not very busy:)

Our past couple of weekends have consisted of the college kids over for dinners, floating the river some more, and losts of sleepovers with the girls friends. Also study groups at the house for all the exams we have had. We hit the county fair and have made it a point to have at least one day put aside for family day. This coming weekend Ken's brother and sister-in-law will be coming for a visit and I think we might actually go out with adults for a date!!! Not sure if I will remember what that is like:)

I am finishing summer finals at school and then have three weeks off! I am very excited about this and have lots of R and R planned during this time off. Next week will consist of sitting by the pool side with the girls. We litterally have no activities for that week. Then the following week Aug. 10-18 we are taking our family vacation. It won't be much but a trip to Colo. for some white water rafting, six flags theme park, a Colorado Rockies game, and more R and R (rest and relaxation).

Liz: is continuing her volunteer work at the horse academy and last weekend got to help run the rodeo for the disabled children. She will continue to do some volunteer work but will also be taking a class of her own to learn more about the horses and get a chance to ride herself. She keeps herself busy with all her friends and has many plans when she starts school. She is very excited about this year as she will be the top of the school. (6th grade is huge in wyoming).

Mikaela: She did a gymnastics camp last week and got a trophy for doing back flip flops (a slow form of back handsprings). Each year at camp they have to achieve a new trick, we werent sure she was gonna pull this one of, but as mom (Melleen) says she will always keep us guessing and did want she was suppose to do.

Ken: more house updates....this last week was our entry way. We pulled up the linolium and it was disgusting!!!! He is now getting ready to lay tile in that area. He also painted and repaired holes. I will send pictures with the completions. Outside he has continued to work on the yard and pull weeds, sometimes I wonder if it is worth it (I usually help when children do not need transported somewhere). Or they are out helping. He still hates driving and will be so glad when I graduate!

All though it seems busy, we are sure to take time together as a family. The girls always have so much to say so we take walks and sit on the back porch just so they have time with us and know that we love them.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!