The First Day

So we are well into another school year. While the first day of school was two weeks ago, its never to late to post a great photo!



Caleb has Mrs. Warnecke this year. He really wanted her, as his sister had her for 3rd grade, too! He is overjoyed and is really enjoying this year. Especially when she gets her ipod out and finds just the right song to jam to while she is teaching. For a boy to get out of his chair and wiggle around while learning...nothing beats that!


Emaleigh has Mr. Peterson. She was so hoping for a male teacher this year. She had a 50/50 chance, so the odds were pretty good. She is really enjoying the freedoms he gives his students and is looking forward to the many opportunities she can work towards. A mock trial in the spring at our city courthouse, a one on one shadow experience with a local employer in a field she is interested in, and just being able to challenge herself in new ways!

It looks like we're off to a great start...

For the Love of Music

Don't you just love a good song? Well Ema and I have added a new gadget to our blog tonight. It's a music player that you can turn on by hitting the play button. The songs we've decided to add speak to our hearts about enjoying each other as a family. The songs on our list are ones that remind us of each other when we hear them. Hopefully they will strike a cord in your own life, and help you to appreciate all of the wonderful things that exist around you each and everyday! Be sure to check back from time to time, as we will be adding songs periodically.

We hope you enjoy!

Thank You Strizich Family

So I know it's hard to believe, but up until this past spring, we never made a homemade tostada. It is all thanks to one of our infamous date nights with the Strizich's that we were introduced to this new yummy meal. Thank you our friends who love to share Friday evenings with our children and provide them with opportunities that they would have missed out on were it not for you!

Life's Craziness

It is obvious we have started back into the swing of things now that school is back in session. I can always tell because there is usually a two week period where the blog doesn't get updated. In fact, there isn't any time to ever consider the blog, since I am so busy getting everything ready for my family to start a new year, as well as my own classroom. Last night was our turning point though! All of our open houses have been attended and now routines are being established.

While the last weeks of August are always crazy, I so enjoy getting back into our school year routine. This year I will be starting my year off working W/T/F. I am enjoying getting to know my new class. They are such sweet kids and like all children just want to learn and have fun doing it! This year we are starting with 23. It is a little louder than last year as we only had 17. What a difference 7 kids in the classroom makes. I hope one day our government realizes the true importance of smaller class sizes. Not just so teachers can meet the individual needs of all students, but simply because my ears cannot handle 23 chit chatters at once!!

Rest assured, now that we are back into the swing of things I look forward to regular postings again!

Until next time....

Our Last Day

Today is our last day of summer vacation. While, I was back at work last week, the kids don't officially start until tomorrow.

Last night was our last 'Sunday Dinner' without having to get home to get ready for school. We enjoyed a relaxing evening at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandma is recovering nicely from her recent shoulder surgery. Aunt Katie made cupcakes and curled Grandma's hair, while Grandpa, Uncle Eli and Craig put together a cedar playhouse for all the kids. I mingled between the two helping with dinner and holding screws and wooden planks, as needed. The kids bounced on the trampoline, gathered green "haycorns," (or unripe acorns as the rest of the world refers to them!) climbed the slide to the fort on the play set, and just had a great time waiting for the playhouse to be finished. What a great end to our last days of summer!

Today I think we will just hang out and enjoy being together one last day before the hustle and bustle of school schedules, after school activities and homework sets in.

I can't believe it is the last day of summer vacation.

Family Ties

This weekend my cousin Nancy and her family came in for a visit from Chicago. They were able to spend some time with Auntie Pam and our Grandma, as well as our family. Unfortunately the batteries for our camera died every time we went to get some great shots. Here are just a couple of what we were able to get of the kids.

It was amazing that they'd never met, but bonded instantly. We hiked Helen Hunt Falls, as well at the trailhead that leads to Seven Falls. We had a gourmet pancake breakfast made by none other that our infamous Sunday morning pancake maker. We spent an afternoon at the Cheyenne Mtn. Zoo, which included a horseback ride and snowcones! And of course lots of great conversation. Our time together was short, but filled with many great memories. We were sad to see them leave, but we know we will catch right back up when we see them next time!


THE GIRLS~Katie, Emaleigh and Lindsey with a little hint of Caleb!


THE BOYS~Caleb and Sam

Dinner in the Park

As we continued on home we stopped at the City Market in Buena Vista, CO for Caleb to use the bathroom. We decided to grab some chicken and fruit and we headed to the park to eat some dinner. The kids were overjoyed because they got to play at the playground and get some of their energy out before getting back into the car. What a relaxing ending to a great day!





After a short drive, we came upon the rock that resemble a frog along the road between Florissant and Divide, CO. I could only get the back side of the frog, as the traffic was too heavy for me to cross the highway to get the front side.

Independence Pass

After our hike in Glenwood we ventured over Independence Pass. This is a beautiful drive from Glenwood through Aspen and back around to Buena Vista. We stopped along the way to hike through the the old mining town of Independence, CO and of course at the summit of the Pass. Truly God's beauty in all its splendor.

Hanging Lake

For such a long time, we have heard about this great hike near Glenwood Springs. We finally made the trip and it was absolutely amazing. The hike was a bit steep and rocky, but worth every ounce of effort.