Labor Day Weekend

We had a busy but super fun Labor Day Weekend this year! We started it off by making one last trip to Pirate's Cove, a water park near Denver. We didn't know if the weather would still be warm enough in September, but it was perfect.

Andrew's dad also came into town for a quick visit over the weekend, and it was great to see him! Every year on Labor Day Weekend, there is a hot air balloon festival here in the Springs. Each evening during the festival, they do something called Balloon Glo. After dark, the hot air balloons fill up with air and glow without taking off. It was so cool, and I am kicking myself that we have lived here this long and this is the first time we have been. It will not be the last!

Waiting for it the start!

With Grandpa!

The first balloon going up.

A balloon starting to fill up right in front of us.

So pretty!

The next day we met up with Andrew's grandparents and had a great visit!

Great-grandparents!

Picking sunflowers.

One for Momma.

That's a lot of Straits!

Colorful Colorado

The last weekend in August we were able to squeeze in a trip to go and visit Andrew's grandparents. The weather was great, and we took advantage by enjoying some fun outdoor activities!

Fishing!

Helping Papa load up the 4-wheeler.

On a Jeep trail near Buena Vista!

Andrew on top of a rock.

Silly girl!

Walking around the site of an old mine.

Although it was a short trip, we had a great time!

Kindergarten and Candles

About a month ago now, Parker started Kindergarten. We had spent several months trying to get him used to the idea that he would be going somewhere without us to learn and have fun, but weren't quite sure if he really understood what was going to happen. The day before the first day of school, his class had an open house. Parker was really excited!

The kids listened to a story read by Mrs. Coleman while parents filled out some paperwork.

When we left, Parker was very excited to go back and Mommy had something close to a nervous breakdown about her baby going to school. Fortunately, by the morning I had pulled it together so as not to alarm Parker. :) This is how I found him when I went to wake him up on his very first day of school. To me, it was the perfect picture of how little and big he is, all at the same time.

And of course, the girl who never needs to be woken up needed to be woken up on the first day of school.

Eating breakfast....

....and spilling breakfast. It was quite the morning!

All ready to go. My big boy. *Tear*

Hard to believe this day was already here!

With his class at the flag ceremony. He made it off to class without a single tear from anyone! And we needn't have worried because he is just loving school!

Parker's first day of school was also Andrew's 32nd birthday! We celebrated that evening.

Eating Mexican food....what else? Happy birthday, Daddy!

Fun with friends!

Back in August, our good friends, Mike and Jasie, came and stayed with us for a few days. As always, we had a great time while they were here!

While at the mall, Mike and Jasie got the kiddos new Build-a-Bears. The kids were soooo excited!

Thanks, Mike and Jasie!

We also went shopping for a backpack for Parker who was going to be starting school in a few days. Of course, Sadie wanted one too.

While they were here, we also went to iT'Z for dinner and arcade games. We had a great time!

One afternoon during Mike and Jasie's stay, the kids were just 'done' after running around and this meltdown occurred. It was epic, and all I could was take this picture and laugh. Later, Parker asked why I was laughing when they were crying. Ha!

Jasie and Sadie!

The kids and Jasie playing Just Dance.

A lot of card playing happened while they were here....one of our favorite things to do together.

We are always sad to see them go, but glad that we had such a fun time while they were here!