Balloons Over Labor Day.

Saturday of Labor Day weekend.  We woke the kids early in the morning, only a few minutes before they would have normally woken.  We made some pancakes and put drinks in old water bottles.  We headed down to the Olympic Park where at least a hundred hot air balloons were getting ready to launch.  The boys took their favorite animals with them (Rory and Tracker), but they had to watch from the back seat of the car while we were gone.  The balloons were so cool.  Willie and I hadn't been to a good hot air balloon festival since we lived in Boise(with out kids).  I think this will become one of our traditions.  I love the early morning.  We ran into a friend of Parker's from school, Logan.  They took a family photo for us.  Once the hot air balloons took off they would go to the small lake and do a splash and dash.  We ended up parking over where we could see most of all the action.  The boys really loved the fish, and sun hot air balloons.  The sun was smiling on one side and on the other it had on sunglasses.  

All the kids enjoyed the pancakes and watching the balloons.  It really was a super fun activity.  My favorite balloons were the rainbow colored ones.  I have a good picture of one from right below.  It had rained during the day but we decided to see how the balloon glow went.  There were only a few balloons that participated and it wasn't as cool as I've heard they are.  I was a bit disappointed.  I did talk to someone who said it was just a bad year that usually more balloons participate.  We enjoyed what we saw and then we left.  The morning launch will be on our list for next year.  Thanks Colorado Balloon Classic.     

School Carnival in the Spring

Mario Time.

My kids love to play Mario Kart.  They were introduced to Mario on one of our trips to Utah.  My parents had purchased a Wii.  Since our last trip the boys have seriously loved playing Mario.  They love to pick their characters; Luigi, Donkey Kong, Bowser, Yoshi and Mario are among their favorites.  They know their every move and can quote the characters.
My favorite part of this is that we don't own a Wii but they love to play it.  They act it out on their scooters and tricycles.  They race each other around the sidewalk and drive way or on a cement pad in our back yard.  Then once the lap is finished they go up on the stand and do a victory dance; moving their arms side to side.  I wondered why Lincoln was hitting his head with his fists one day and when I asked he said "I'm Donkey Kong and I lost."  Then he pulled out a sad face.

Swimming Lessons

May 2013

Lincoln took five swimming lessons.  We went to Donna's Dolphins because of a Groupon that we had purchased for $50.  This place was really cool and I liked their system but if we didn't have the Groupon it would be expensive.  Lincoln was incredibly shy/nervous; it was hard to tell why he didn't want to get in the water.  Once we pretty much threw him in he had a great time and he trusted his instructors.  He had a couple of really great instructors but I think Lincoln needed consistency.  His favorite instructor that he had twice was Jade.  I wish Lincoln could have learned more in his time there.  Here are a few pictures from his swimming lessons.  Great job Lincoln, you did awesome! 

Oh I forgot to mention he was practically refusing to do lessons by the second or third time so we needed to bribe him with a trip to Chuck-e-Cheese if he would get in the water willingly and do his swim lessons.  He loved it.  

 Jade is the instructor helping someone else, Linc is on the sidelines waiting his turn.

 This was about the third or fourth lesson.  I love his happiness.

I thought I had pictures of his last day with Jade, this is a reminder for me to find them.

A Bit of our June Utah Trip

We purchased our house and a week later we were off to Utah to have some fun.  Parts of our trip included going to the Combe cabin which is always so much fun. I am hoping to one day post more pictures but as for now this is all I have from our trip.  We went up to Yellowstone for a nice beautiful drive.  We even had a near whole family photo except that my dad wasn't with us at the time.  Too bad.  We visited with Willie's parents.  This time we had a work-ation where we helped his mom move some things around in her new house.  It was great to help her out as long as someone watched my kids I was okay.  We attended three temples in three days.  I love going to the temple and what fun it is to go to so many in such a short time.  We visited Logan, Salt Lake and Brigham.  I'm glad I could go with my sister to the temple as well.  I have always been so happy that she decided to go to the temple.  Willie's dad was sealed to his wife while we were there too.  

In my home town we did some miniature golfing, parades, family reunion and some golfing.  How could we go to Utah without golfing?  Anyway here are just a couple of pictures from our trip.  More to follow one day. :)