Alex's 6th Birthday Party

 My little buddy turned 6 last month and we celebrated with a Star Wars themed birthday party. Thanks so Pinterest I was able to make some pretty cool stuff like these Clone Trooper marshmallows, and pool noodle light sabers. Before the marshmallow project I didn't know food markers exist. And with a little help from $5 Below I was able to get $1 pool noodles. With a some duct tape and black electrical tape you can transform these noodles into light saber weapons. Each kid got to take one home...they were a big hit!

 After we played a couple of games, Darth Vader paid a visit and the young Jedi had to battle with him. (Darth Vader mask, $5 at Target!!!)

Darth Vader is defeated and good conquers over evil!

Chanticleer with international students

 One of the perks of the job is taking international students to beautiful gardens and showing them around. On September 5th, we took about 20 students to Chanticleer. I always love walking around with them, teaching them the names of plants, and flowers.

 Alex found a caterpillar and was so brave to have it crawl along his hand.

The Start of School

 The kids have been in school for almost 3 months now. Alex started kindergarten this year. It was a bit of a rough start for him, but he's adjusting well to the long days.
On his first day of orientation there were many tears. He was fearful to leave the next and go alone to school. But the next time he went to school he was fine and dandy. He will always be someone hesitant of new things, but I know he will grow stronger in this area as time goes on.

Alex was so excited to finally ride the trailer bike to school. For three years he watched Lilia ride with her daddy. Now it was finally his turn!







After dinner most nights in the summer we would go for a walk around the neighborhood, Kelly drive, or campus. I'll miss those, but it won't be long until we can enjoy them again!

They both started full day school just after labor day. Alex was happy to go to school with his big sister and Lilia was proud to show off her little brother. I hold their sweet relationship so close to my heart!

1st day of 3rd grade

Off they go! Lilia has to ride her own bike now. They mostly ride in the street once they turn off 50th.

Bethany Beach, DE 2015

 Ahh summer. What's summer without a beach trip, even if its just for the day?
Because my dad broke his fibula in a motorcycle in late June they didn't come to Colorado with us. My parents invited us down with them to the beach for the week. Of course we had to go! (Dave stayed home to work. He's a little weird and doesn't love the beach.)
In years past Alex is so hesitant about the ocean. This year, he dove right in (figuratively). On the first day he was eager to get his feet wet and play in the surf. It was so delightful! You can tell by this picture to the right how much Lilia loves the ocean!

Lewes, DE

 We love to make the 30 minute drive up to historic Lewes. The town just screams "New England" with it's cedar shake houses, fun colors, and beautiful flower boxes.
We visit the candy shop, my mom and I do some shopping, and we always eat dinner at Agave. The mexican food there is so fresh and so incredible; it is worth the 45 min-2 hour wait. We play it smart and put our name in by 4:45 ish. At that point it is only a 45 minute wait. They don't take reservations.

After dinner we grab some ice cream (if there's room in our bellies) and hang out in town before heading down to the bay.

This year we played it smart! Usually we are dressed nice and the kids just have to put their feet in the water. So this year we packed bathing suits and towels. They still only got their feet wet, but it worked out well.


I love this picture of my parents (below). It was a LOT of work for my dad to make his way across the thankfully flat sand, down to the bay, but he did it. My mom stood by him for support, both mentally and physically. It is such a beautiful picture representing 40 years of marriage.

Lewes has the best stones with many interesting shapes and colors. I have more than I need at this point so I just helped the kids find things of interest to them.
Alex took up a crab shell collection. We tried to bring a couple home, but once they are dried out they break so easily. However there is nothing more fun than combing the beach for treasures!

Bethany: in town/the boardwalk

Blue Heron

 Because my dad was on crutches still he couldn't go on the beach each day with us. One evening we went into Bethany to get ice cream and walk around. This is as close to the beach as my dad got. The good thing about all this is he only broke his fibula; things could have been worse! The other good thing is that this is all temporary! For a week my dad was able to change up the scenery of home and exchange it for the beach house. He joined us at the pool each afternoon, and next summer he will be as good as new!

Sunflowers in our back yard

Colorado summer 2015

 This is a conference year for Cru. So since we had to be in CO for work, we went out about 12 days early to spend time with family.
We went with Pete and Julie to their favorite rock climbing gym, City Rock. It was fantastic. It was our first time going and we loved it! Out of the two kids I thought Alex would tear it up and Lilia would be fearful of the height, but it was reversed. Alex didn't love it and Lilia was a natural. In fact when we were at the conference, her and Julie went together.

 So Pete was belaying Lilia and he was challenging her to go to the top of the red line. The higher she got she was getting a bit fearful. Dave and I auto-belayed in and raced up to her to encourage her to keep going. It worked! As you can see she made it to the top (pictured below).

Cousins!!!

Lilia reading to Blake about Thomas - her current favorite.

Playing Legos with Grandpop

Lilia and her BDF (best dog friend)

Alex rock climbing

Julie rocked this green line. I captured a few shots of her in action.

And what's a trip to Colorado without seeing a double rainbow?