Venus de Miles

Today my sister Kate, our friends Kyla, Natalie, Kirsten, Leeann & Noelle and I all rode the Venus de Miles bike race/ride. It is a ride that all proceeds go to scholars that don't have the funds to go to college. Such a wonderful cause! There are many different levels of rides, 33 mile, 51 mile, 67 mile and 100 mile rides. We chose to do the 33 mile ride. It was such an amazing race! All women, very empowering. Fun, well planned event! It was mentally and physically challenging. I am so glad I did it, and will continue too every year! My goal is to do the 100 mile ride next year! Thanks girls for such an incredible day, it is one I will never forget! I'm beat, off to bed I think I am going to be sore tomorrow!!

Bear and 2 wheels

Jack has been talking about riding his bike with no training wheels all summer. He has had Joe take off the training wheels to get to the bottom of the drive way to say he doesn't want to do it. Last night after dinner, he asked once again to take the training wheels off. I was doing dishes and figured it would be the same as every other time. Once I finished doing the dishes, Joe has just finished taking off the training wheels, so they got right to it. He very quickly picked up on the balance and need to continue pedaling! He was finally riding a 2 wheel bike!! He was so excited, he knew last night was the night! Yay, Jack!! Today while I was at my big bike race, Joe took him to continue practicing. He can start and stop on his own, and was even able to make it around the whole lake by himself! He did it!! I also loved how supportive and loving Emma was towards Jack. When they were brushing their teeth last night I overheard her say "I am so proud of you, Jack!" I know they fight, but they genuinely love and care for each other! Bear we are all so proud of you!!

No cavities!

It's that time of year, back to school which means the 6 month check up to Dr. Jill (the dentist). Both Emma and Jack did great, they both got their teeth polished, flossed, fluoride and got the thumbs up on not having any cavities!! They also walked away with a few goodies too!! Good job taking such good care of your teeth kiddos!!

Jack's first day of 4 year preschool

Jackie bear had his first day of preschool yesterday. He is the first preschool class to go through at the new school, Red Hawk Elementary. He thinks this is pretty cool! He loves his teacher Mrs. Maul and her assistant, Miss Faul. Weird how their names are exactly the same, minus one letter. Makes it easy on the kids. When I picked him up he said he had a good day! He was anxious to start, he was bummed when Emma went back to school last week. Hard to believe how fast he is growing up, some days it feels like forever! But I am know I will only have them this age for such a short time! I can't wait to watch you grow Jack!! We love you!

A sure sign of a good weekend!

What a perfect way to end a perfect weekend!

Another great weekend....

Friday night we headed to the Rockies game with our great friends James and April. Joe won 4 tickets at the CML event we went to a few months ago. The seats were amazing! They were 5 rows behind the Rockies dugout. Games are always fun, but when you are that close it is a whole different experience. Saturday Joe and Jack went to the Broncos preseason game with James and Oliver, they again got to sit in amazing seats. First row in the south end zone. The boys hit Hooters before heading to the game, and the little boys got to high five of all of the cheerleaders. Emma and I were at home with Clayton and Taylor (who got the have their first ever sleepover!) and April and Avery. We played hung out, watched the game, ordered Thai food.... the kids were perfect! They played so well together, with no fighting or crying. It was awesome! When Jack got home everyone was very excited to hear about his night, they crawled into bed and started playing early this morning. It was a wonderful evening! Today we had Scott and Deanna's housewarming party, it was so great to see all of our wonderful friends and christen the Anderson's new beautiful home! It was an exhausting weekend, but wonderful! Jack was in bed by 6pm, and Emma was there at 7:30pm, that is a sure sign of a great weekend!

A small moment of fame.....

This morning when dropping Emma off at her first day of 1st grade, the local newspaper was there. A woman from the Daily Times-Call came up and interviewed Emma. It was neat to hear her answers. Then I was told later in the day, that Emma was actually quoted in the paper. It is a cool thing that her name is in the paper and her quote for the 1st day of not only first grade but also for the first day of the school being opened!

Here is the link if you want to check it out......

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-schools/ci_18704709

Emma's 1st day of 1st grade!

I hardly believe it's true, that Emma started first grade this morning. Last night when I was looking for pictures of Jack when he was born, I saw pictures of this little girl who was exactly that, a little girl. Someone much different than who sat across from me at dinner last night. Emma has grown, she's taller, has bigger feet, has lost teeth....but that's not the grown I mean. She is more mature. She is kind, smart, thoughtful, thinks things through, processes. She isn't the same little I was looking at in the pictures last night. In many ways in makes me sad, my baby isn't my baby anymore. But I am beaming with pride at the young lady she is becoming! She was a little nervous this morning for her first day, when I bent down to kiss her good bye, she looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes and quickly shut them, and began crying. Which anyone that knows me, knows I also started crying. Luckily, my sunglasses were on so she didn't get to see me be sad. I told her it would be ok, she looked at me wiped her eyes, pulled up her big girl pants and walked to her teacher. They then walked into the building. I was so proud of her! I knew she would ok, of course she would be ok. But I would be lying if I said I didn't miss her today! When I picked her up, she ran up and hugged me. I asked if she missed me and she said "no, not to much!" Yay! I was so glad! Happy 1st day of 1st grade baby! You are gonna soar!!

Buds

To have a cousin that you love to play with is such a blessing, but to have a cousin that is your best bud is an even bigger blessing! Jack adores Clayton, and you can tell Clayton feels the same about him! We are so lucky to have 4 kids that all love and care for each other so deeply, as cousins and as friends!

Happy Birthday Jack!

Jack, you have changed my life in ways I can't explain, but couldn't and wouldn't imagine it any other way! Thank you god, for choosing me to be Jack's mom. Every day he brings and smile to my face and love in my heart!

Today was a perfect day, we started the day with a breakfast celebration, followed by a great day at the Bay! Thank you Emma, Auntie Jamie, Clayton, Taylor, April, Oliver, Avery, Stella, Amy, Allison and William! It was such a great way to spend not only Jack's birthday but the last day of summer before school starting. Then we had meet and greet at the school, then a quick dinner and home to get Emma ready for her first day of school. Everyone was beat, tucked in bed before 7:30pm. That's a sure sign of an AWESOME birthday!!

Happy birthday sweet bear! We all love you so much!!

Gyro Bowl

Jack has seen the infomercial for the gyro bowl. So for his birthday I was going to get it for him as sort of a joke. He kept telling me, it would be the most perfect because then he wouldn't spill things. Well I forgot, Uncle Chad said something about it last night to remind me. So today when we were out running errands we picked him one up. He loves it, but within 2 min both Emma and Jack could get the gyro bowl to spill the snacks out! Not the best invention, but he loves it! Emma does too, I think we will be getting her one for Christmas or her birthday!

Our new secret...

Joe and I found this place in Arvada to go for movies, yes it's a little out of the way and a little ghetto, but it is only $2.50 per person if you go before 6pm and $3.50 per person after 6pm, for new movies that haven't come out on video yet! The kids hadn't seen Cars 2 yet, so this afternoon we went to see it. A movie for 4 and it was 10 bucks!! Can't beat it!! We will definitely go back. Bear was a little tired from his party yesterday, he crashed about halfway through. It was a cute movie and a great way to spend a Sunday with my family!

The Bear's 4th Birthday Party

Hard to believe that Jack (the bear) is almost 4! Will be on Wednesday the 17th. He is the most energetic, outgoing, athletic, inquisitive, sweet and loving little boy! He has a personality all his own, and when he does something he is all in! Whatever it is, I even mean temper tantrums! Yes, he can throw a tantrum with the best of 'em! He is also so fun, and has the best laugh that is so contagious! I have loved watching him become is own person, with his own thoughts and opinions. I also love that he isn't afraid to express them! Although, it's not yet his birthday we celebrated it this weekend with our families and our closet friends. He decided on a Bronco party, you will not meet a bigger fan than Jack! He loves the Broncos and CU Buffaloes! That's another thing about him is his loyalty, to everything he loves whatever it is! We had such a fun party, we had a pinata, cake, presents, good food and great company! He got some boxing gloves along with a boxing bag. His cousin Clayton got the gloves for his birthday, and since he had them he has been asking for them since. He also got a basketball hoop from us, mimi and poppa and momo. Another one of his favorite gifts was his Bronco helmet from momo. He loves this thing, had to eat breakfast with it on. It was such a fun night! Looking forward to continuing his birthday celebration on Wednesday this week! I love you Bear!!

A few more....

I have so many pictures that I didn't want to leave out! Enjoy!!

Lake of the Ozarks

Every year Joe's side of the family heads to Lake Powell. This is something I never had done before I met Joe. If you have never been, it is something you MUST do! Especially with the Carnival/Ferrera clan! They know how to boat! This year though instead of Powell we headed to Kansas to spend a few days with Nick and Toni on their lake, and then continued on to Missouri to Uncle Gary & Auntie Elvie's lake house at the Ozarks. Again, I have never been before and something you MUST do! We had such a wonderful trip, road tripping, laughing, drinking, boating, swimming, reading, playing with the kids, being together! I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the end of our summer vacation! I came to the conclusion, whether you are in Powell, Ozarks, Cancun or home it's the people you spend it with. The reasons our family trips are all so wonderful all of the time, is because it is such a special family!!

Thank you all for a great trip!! Can't wait for the next one!!