New house

I found this great house to rent for the next few years. It's over 100 years old but fully refinished and beautiful inside! It looks like a magazine--that is, until I get my crazy furniture in there. Somehow I don't think my hand-me-down peach and gray wicker sectional will go. Of course it's so ugly it doesn't go with anything. I'll have to put it in the carriage house. Yes--the home has a carriage house! I'm very excited--moving day in mid-July!

Testing Day

School may be out, but Josh still has tests to complete. He passed his karate test for yellow belt with flying colors! He's EXTREMELY excited and has been taking his new belt in the car everywhere we go. Good job Josh!

Josh's favorite day of the year

School's out for summer! We are all very excited--no homework for three months! It was a good day but I can hardly believe that Josh will be in 3rd grade! It's cliche but I can't believe he's growing up so fast!

Josh's teacher--Mrs. Powley, Josh, the 2nd grade aide--Mrs. Martin, and Kaedyn--a classmate who wouldn't step out of the picture. :-)

Graduation!

So we celebrated our first graduation! Jake is now officially done with pre-Kindergarten and has moved on to the real thing! I actually think any graduation before high school is a little superfluous, but he sure looked cute in his hat! They sang several adorable songs including "You Are My Sunshine"--one of my favorites. For Mother's Day Jake gave me a button that every time I press it, he has to sing that song. I love it!

Sorry it's sideways. I can never remember which way to hold the phone. It's still cute.

A Visit from Mom and Dad

Here are just a few pictures from Mom and Dad's visit in May. The boys and I were still in school, so they were on their own for entertainment but I think they did OK.

Josh got to show off his karate skills for Grandma and Grandpa.

Jake likes his Little Dragons class (although this is not what they do during class).

Jake loved his Cookie Monster ice cream.

No trip is complete without a bike ride on the Riverwalk.

Classic Jake.

Caption time!

During Mom and Dad's visit this week, Dad took this shot of the birdhouse Josh made in cub scouts. We've been having fun coming up with captions for the shot. What's your best caption?

An adventure . . . or two

I've been trying to take the boys on small "adventures" when we can--just checking out what's around us and going to new places. About a month ago, we decided to take a little adventure to Garden of the Gods after Josh's district pinewood derby in Colorado Springs. It was our first time there and the boys enjoyed running through the park and climbing on the rocks. Pretty spectacular scenery--next time we'll have to bring Grandpa with us so he can take some better pictures. (And yes, both boys have gotten haircuts in the meantime!)




Our second adventure happened on the way home. We were in Penrose right near the only gas station for about 30 miles when I heard that dreaded "thud-thud-thud." I pulled over and saw this in my front tire.

A stinkin' Allen wrench? Are you kidding me? Thank goodness we were right near the gas station. I pulled in and called a man from the ward who lives a few minutes away. His wife said he was on his way home from work (at Big O Tires) and he came right over. I just wanted some direction in changing my tire, but he pretty much took care of the whole thing for me. But I watched VERY carefully and feel like I could do it on my own now. Not that I need to cross that off my list of things I've never done before. I'm really not sure if I'm strong enough to loosen the lug nuts--better keep doing my push-ups. He did let me know that Big O has roadside service if you buy your tires there and they will help you out if you get a flat somewhere other than across the street from a gas station. I drove 40 mph on my spare to Big O (that took longer than changing the tire) and made it there ten minutes before closing! I think my guardian angels were working overtime that day. The boys thought it was great fun and were very impressed with all the hidden tools and spare tire. They really love our little adventures!