New Life 2017

Back in July, Jack went to New Life again and had a blast. He went with Ben again this year, and they were very excited that Sam was old enough to go this year. These boys were ready for fun (and completely ready for us to leave) when we dropped them off. No nerves for Jack this year. He knew the fun that was in store.

His cabin was a little smaller this year (both the room and number of boys), and the bunk beds were three beds high. He loved his counselors, especially Mr. Chris and all the boys in the cabin got along well. Highlights of the week included lots of dodge ball games, visits to the Canteen, evening all-camp games and fun with his cabin. He also made it into the video this year! Look for him at around the 1 minute mark.

This year I got to attend the Friday night chapel service. When I got there Jack and his cabin were playing a game by the dining hall so he didn't see me at first. But when he did spot me, he ran as fast as he could to me and jumped into my arms. He didn't let go for quite awhile... I don't get very many hugs like that anymore and I absolutely loved it. Here he is with Ben before the chapel service. The past two years on pick up day, and this year on Friday night, it has been so awesome to see how incredibly happy he is at camp. We love that it's such a fun place, but even more that he is surrounded by amazing role models who are teaching him about Jesus and God's love for him. There is something special about camp.

Here are all three (very tired) campers as we were saying goodbye.

And all the kids (including Ben and Sam's sister Josie and their cousins who live at the camp) during our long goodbye. It's just so hard to leave! Jack was asleep within about 30 minutes and barely was able to wake up when we stopped for lunch. Until next year, New Life!

 Here's the other video from the week:

Henry's First Flag Football Game

Henry had his first flag football game today and loved it. He scored 2 touchdowns and threw another touchdown, and scored an extra point. He was pumped! He and his best friend Cameron even had their own touchdown dance, which they performed after the last score of the game. When he scored the last time, another little boy fell on his ankle. So he needed an ice pack when he got home, and he needed Fluffy the dog. He also told me at dinner tonight that I smelled good. When I asked him what I smelled like he said, "Love." Oh Henry, don't ever stop being so sweet!

Total Solar Eclipse

Today was the big day -- the total solar eclipse! The weather was not looking good. It was cloudy all morning and then starting raining and raining... But the rain went away and the clouds cleared just in time. We had a great view of the eclipse and it was so neat. And then just a few minutes after totality the clouds rolled back across the sky. We really lucked out with having a good view. It was such a fun day and it was so great to have Uncle Will, Grandma Pam, Grandpa Glen, Grandpa Bill and Grandma Sue here with us!

First Day of School - 1st and 4th Grade

School started for the boys today. They weren't exactly overjoyed to be starting school -- sleeping in every morning until 9 or 9:30 and staying in pajamas until lunch sounds better to them than getting up at 7. Jack referred to the start of school a few times as "the torture beginning." Despite their (half-hearted) complaining, they were perfectly happy to go this morning, see all of their friends and start a new year.

Things to remember about Henry from this particular first day of school:
- He is currently obsessed with Pokémon.
- He just lost his first front tooth and looks adorable with his remaining front tooth sticking out because it's so loose.
- He still holds my hand wherever we go.
- He really wants to be a marine biologist when he grows up.
- He turned into a fish in the pool this summer. He told me many times that it's "a whole new world" under the water
- He tied his shoelace to the drawstring of his shorts on the carpet at school today and had to have his teacher untie the knot so he could stand up.

And Jack:
- He totally made fun of our night before school book, "The Kissing Hand," last night. We have been reading it since the night before his first day of preschool when he was three. I told him I'll be reading it to him until he graduates from high school.
- He loves bugging Henry. He loves it a lot.
- He re-discovered his love for Minecraft last week.
- He finally decided he loves the Jayhawks.
- If he's quiet and I don't know what he's doing, he's reading.
- He got back from New Life a week or so ago and still bursts into camp songs/cheers throughout the day. He really, really loves camp.

We had such a fun summer together. They are just fun and even when they are fighting, I love having them home. Here are more pictures from before school this morning. No starting school jitters for these two -- they were messing around and being silly.

Scout Stuff

Last week Jack and Nathan went to Webelos Camp at Camp Naish. They had a good time, but it was really hot! Favorite activities were swimming, first aid class and wildlife class. Jack also got to shoot bb guns and try archery.

And here are pictures from his crossover in May. Done with Bears and moving onto Webelos.

Last Day of School

Here are last day of school pictures (a little late!). They each had a great year and, and are excited and ready to move onto 1st and 4th grade.

First up, the kindergarten graduate:

And the 3rd grade graduate!

2 More Pictures

I forgot about these pictures from Sunday. Sweet boys waiting to eat lunch.

Mother's Day Weekend

We had the best weekend. The weather was perfect and we did all kinds of fun stuff, and got through some not-so-fun stuff (like Henry getting strep throat on Friday). His antibiotics kicked in quickly and he was feeling back to normal Saturday.

Grandma Pam, Grandpa Glen and Uncle Will came over Saturday and we went to Jack's football game and then to Corner Café for breakfast. Then we were off to Henry's baseball game. This is a picture from the weekend before -- when Henry got the game ball!

After baseball we went to Lexi's graduation party. Lexi is our neighbor who has been babysitting the boys since she was in 7th grade. She is so sweet and the boys love her. They are going to miss her next year when she's away at college.

Saturday night we had a campfire with s'mores and enjoyed the new lights Nathan put up for me in the backyard for Mother's Day.

The boys ran around and shot their bow and arrows that have light-up arrows. They were thrilled to be up and outside, and running around, in the dark.

After church the next day (and Mother's Day breakfast in bed prepared by Nathan because the boys were still asleep), we went to the Plaza for lunch, walked around a bit and enjoyed the fountains. Monday was back to the real world -- Jack woke up with strep.  And yesterday he had to get his first cavity filled. It's been a rough week for him. Only 2 1/2 more days of school before their week-long break before summer session starts.

Easter 2017

According to Henry, Easter this year was "the best day ever." We started the day with Easter baskets and an egg hunt before going to church. Then we headed to Aunt Sherry's for lunch and the big egg hunt with cousins.

Easter Egg Hunt

The Easter Egg Hunt at church was last Saturday. The weather was perfect and everyone had a great time. The boys' good friends Cameron and Cole came with us, along with their parents. First we enjoyed yummy cinnamon rolls and met the Easter Bunny. Cameron and Henry have been good buddies since their first year of preschool -- they were only 3 years old when they met.

Then we headed up the hill to the egg hunt. There were tons of eggs to find!

Henry was pretty excited about all of his candy!