Kentucky Dragon Boat Festival

  

 We competed in 3 races - all against BC teams.  We didn't win, but a fun day!

 We all linked boats and they brought us roses out there . . . we had a moment of silence for those that have lost their journey to breast cancer.   Touching moment.

School Picture Day

 Lots of personality in this house!

D (who's growing the beard for the haunt) cut his hair and glued some of it to make a uni-brow.  :) 

 

 Z likes to make a statement . . . and he did!

 

Labor Day Weekend

 

  

 

 

 

A group picture of us all exists . . . I just don't have it yet.  :)

  We gathered to celebrate our love for each other and our love for Benjamin.

We miss you Ben.

Our Boy Scout!

He got to go to Boy Scout Camp this summer!  (Just during the day, since he's only 11, but then on the last day, he got to spend the night!)   He was able to work on rank advancement  there and at this court of honor in August he was given his Tenderfoot and Second Class Rank!

 

 

Piano Recital

We are blessed to have Gma teaching us piano lessons! 

 

I should write down the name of the songs we played so we will remember . . . 

 

 B likes to make faces in pictures.  :)

 

 I have to almost beg for her to smile "normal"  :)  

Happy that Mammaw could come hear us!

End of Summer

Got back from our trip and we had one last play date with this family I met when I was pregnant with Ak . . . so she has known this friend her whole life.   They have fun together!  :)   They are moving away, but just for one year.   She'll be missed.   (Ak had 3 good friends move this summer!)

 

 We got a new water park in town!   D had one day free and the kids had free passses- so we all went!   FUN!  Although we were there all day and the kids got a little burnt.  :(

 Ak has been wanting to go get her hair cut at a lady in our ward at home salon . . . . she only wanted a trim. 

 But B wanted shorter hair so she didn't have to mess with the thick tangles she gets, so she got a lot cut off.   AND she got braces!   Ak said she looks younger . . . that doesn't worry me, but I'm worried about when she gets them off  . . . will she look older?!   

Z did ask for a mohawk before school started.  :)

Train Ride Home

I know I haven't been good at updating this . . . but I'd like to be better.   

I can't go back and catch up - so I'm going to start at the end of this summer with our Amtrak train adventure, home from 3 weeks in Colorado!!!

Our train started in California and was headed to Chicago.

 

Kids were very excited to be on the top of the double decker train!

 

We got on the train in Denver about 7 pm . . . after eating our sack dinner and some exploring, we laid back our seats, put out the leg rests and foot rests and went to sleep.

We splurged and ate breakfast in the dining car for the experience!  B and Z got the best deal - the kids meal of eggs, bacon, potatoes, and a croissant for $4.    (They brought Z a biscuit - so he got both!)

Ak really wanted french toast -- so we paid $5 for her . . . it turned out to be ONE piece?!?!   But she said it was the "best french toast ever!"   GOOD!   

In Iowa - they told us we could go outside for a 7 minute stretch break . . . Ak was so nervous they were going to leave us.  :)

We didn't have any ear phones - but the kids were able to watch a movie together.  

Found the observation car.   Played Cards.   Read from "Wonder".  

We got to Chicago around 2 pm.  We found some Pizza!

Then back on a train (not as nice) for our last leg . . .  

We arrived in Indianapolis around 11 pm and were excited to see Daddy!   and AJ!!!

Other than not being with David, we had a great time in Colorado!!!