Bicycles and a Boxcar

Last weekend we took a quick trip to Rocheport to ride bikes on the Katy Trail and spend the night in a boxcar. It was so fun!

When we got there Sunday we went to our boxcar, which was right on the trail. It wasn't ready for us to check-in yet so we headed off on our first bike ride. It was chilly and raining just a bit, but it didn't matter once we got going.

Then we were cold and wanted to warm up and check out the boxcar. It was the coolest place and right on the trail. The owners of the bed and breakfast renovated it and now it has a bathroom, two lofts with beds and another bed on the main floor. It also had a couch, TV, and little kitchenette area. They had lots of games and kid-friendly DVDs too.

For dinner, the B&B owner invited us to a concert and potluck. Two other people staying in the main bed and breakfast were folk singers, so they gave a concert for everyone. After dinner we headed back to the boxcar to watch a movie and eat popcorn. The next morning it was quite cold so we weren't in a hurry to get out on the trail. The boys had a blast playing in the hammock. I wondered why Henry had dirt in his hair later that day. Then I realized it was front the wild swinging they had been doing in the hammock.

Soon we headed off on the trail and this time, had perfect weather. We explored a few caves along the way and climbed lots of rocks. The trail goes right along the Missouri River and the scenery is beautiful. After our ride, we ate lunch at delicious restaurant in the little downtown and headed home. We were only gone a little over 24 hours, but it was a wonderful getaway. On the way home we were already planning our trip back next year.

A Very Chilly (and snowy!) Halloween

Our two Lego Ninjago ninjas had a great Halloween. Henry was Jay and Jack was Lloyd. We loved their costumes this year. And they were roomy enough to have two layers of clothes underneath since it was so, so cold! We started our trick or treating by heading up to church for trunk or treat. (That's when it started to snow.) After seeing all of friends we headed home to see neighbors and meet up with Jack's best friend Quinn for more trick or treating in the neighborhood.

Last weekend we carved pumpkins and watched "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown." Henry wanted a scary pumpkin and Jack wanted a silly one. They both did a great job. Another great Halloween in the books!

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!