Dave took the kids camping!

So, Dave thought it would be fun to take the kids camping in Flagstaff while I was in Washington, visiting my Grandma. He organized the whole thing himself and the kids had a blast. I was pretty impressed. He's a good dad like that though. I think we'll keep him around!They went hiking, of course.

What a cute boy!

My Dear Grandma

My Grandma Nieffenegger is an amazing lady. She is 88 years old and her mind is as sharp as a tack. I got the opportunity to go with my sister Melissa to visit her in Kennewick, Washington for a long weekend. It was fun to be with her and serve her, even when she insisted she could do it on her own. She was just in the hospital and then rehab for 6 weeks but is at home now and very happy about that! I sure love you Grandma!

Labor Day in Prescott, AZ

We had a fun trip to Prescott for Labor Day weekend. We stayed with my parents and then met up with Melissa and Karl's family and went to a lake nearby for hiking, feeding the ducks, catching crawdads, and barbecuing hamburgers. It was a lot of fun and the weather was great. It's always nice to escape the Phoenix heat!

Ella didn't have any problem touching the worms. They were her new pets which she tried to carry in her pockets.

Jensen, Ella, Ryan, Emma, and Kylie

Grandma and the grandkids

Dave, monkeying around

Me and my sister, Melissa

Playing with mom's camera

Ella's had a thing lately where she wants to take pictures of everything with my camera. We're always telling her no, but some of the pictures turned out kind of funny once she got the other kids involved too. Gotta love it!

This is typical Ella when she is mad and doesn't know what to do...she just grabs her head!?

But she can be soooo cute too! Right?

Kylie is being that goofy 8 year old that we love.

They even got a picture of us and I don't even have red eye. Good job kids!

Responisble Ryan

We are so proud of Ryan for having a great first month of Kindergarten. His teacher says he is such a big help to her and so he received the Character Education award at the Patriotic Assembly. This month the character trait was Responsibility. Way to go Ryan! Along with his certificate he gets a free kids meal at Red Robin. He's pretty stoked about that.

Ella's First Day of Preschool

Ella was so excited to go to Mrs. Foster's Preschool. She has been dropping off Ryan at preschool with me the last couple years and is now so thrilled that she gets to stay and be a big kid! She picked out her own backpack (Dora, of course) and didn't miss me at all.

Back to School!!!

Well it's that time again. School started on Monday and the kids were really excited. Ryan is starting Kindergarten, Kylie is in 3rd grade, and Ella will have preschool 3 mornings a week. They met there teachers at back to school night and really liked them. I'm pretty happy with them too! I think it will be a great year. Ryan wasn't sad to go at all, which made it easy for me. It was a tearless morning for all, except Ella. She kept wondering when she was going to school (her preschool doesn't start till Aug. 11th). Ryan and Kylie both liked their first day of school. Kylie said, "I LOVE 3rd grade!" when I picked her up. I love her enthusiasm for school. Ryan was exhausted by dinner time and asked if he had to go back to school the next day. Yes buddy, and you'll do just fine.

Kylie's classroom is in the new building behind them. It is so nice and a beautiful addition to a really old school.

Saying goodbye to dad...and no tears!

This is where the 3-5th graders hang out before the bell rings. Kylie is there on the right. Doesn't she look so small? I promise, she is growing up too fast!