Angel Fire, NM

Austin got so high in this tree, we didn't think he'd be able to climb back down! My little Brookie is a snuggler and I love it!
Cameron was having a great time sitting by the water, but wishing and trying to climb down into the mud!

As we made our way home from Colorado, we stopped along the way in a pretty, little town called Angel Fire, NM. It's a ski resort town in the winter, but green and beautiful in the summer. We spent most of our day there playing and walking and fishing around the lake. The picturesque setting and cool, cloudy weather made it very relaxing.

John enjoyed helping the kids fish, even though we didn't get any bites. We saw some fish in the water and that was almost as fun as catching them, (for me and the kids at least.) The highlight of the day for Cameron was watching (and shouting at) the ducks as they made their way around the lake. He would have loved to climb right in with them!

Austin climbed trees, Brooke picked flowers and we all enjoyed the fresh air.

It was a beautiful day and a perfect pit stop on our road trip home.

Back to school!

Bright and early this morning, Austin and Brooke were all smiles for the first day of school. Brooke was really excited to be joining Austin in the world of the big kids. They were being silly and in great moods, thankfully! Austin is an old pro at the school thing and never even batted an eyelash about going back. He's a great student and was looking forward to seeing his friend that's in his class. Can't beleive he's already a 2nd grader!
Brooke did amazingly well today as well. I was expecting some tears or at least hesitation, but she was a champ! Daddy wanted to snap a few pictures and she decided to put on a silly show for him. Thus, the tag in her mouth.
It was Mommy who had the hardest time leaving today. Brooke's teacher gave me a poem that perfectly summarized my feelings, so I thought I'd share it.

She started school this morning,

And she seemed so very small.

As I walked there beside her

in the Kindergarten hall.

And as she took her place beside

The others in the class,

I realized how all too soon

Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw her as

She first learned how to walk.

The words that we alone made out

When she began to talk.

This little girl so much absorbed

In learning how to write.

It seems as though she must have grown

To girlhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred and hastily

I brshed the tears away

Lest by some word or sign of mine

I mar her first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with her

And keep her by the hand.

To lead her through the places

That she couldn't understand.

And something closely kin to fear

Was mingled with my pride.

I knew she would no longer be

A baby by my side.

But she must have her chance to live,

To work her problems out,

The privilege to learn and grow

What life is all about.

And I must share my little girl

With friends and work and play;

She's not a baby anymore--

She's in Kindergarten today.

Author unknown

Happy First Birthday Cameron!

Austin and Brooke were SOOO excited to celebrate Cameron's first birthday with him!

Lucky for them, their super fun and wonderful Aunt Melanie was there to help them make a cake for their little brother and they were very excited to do it.

They picked the frosting color, and helped make it, out of lots and lots of powdered sugar! :-) They also chose the decorations for the cake, which they had fun arranging in a pattern around the edges. We had mini marshmallows, candy kisses and a nice variety of sprinkles, of course. Yummy!
We were so glad Aunt Melanie could be there to celebrate with us and had lots of fun playing, visiting and making cakes with her.
Cameron was thrilled to have a personal little cake of his own to celebrate with

and chow down on. . .

which of course, he did!

Apparently it was VERY delicious!

and a little bit messy, so we had a quick "birthday bath" in the kitchen sink.
Then it was on to the presents. . . it's sure great to be one!

We love you Cameron! We sure have enjoyed playing with you and watching you grow this past year. Our family wouldn't be complete without you.

Happy First Birthday!

Go Brookie go!

Brookie had a fun time attending a one day "Cheer camp" with the LT high school cheer leaders recently. I wasn't able to stay with her, because I had rehearsal to go to, but she stayed and was happy the whole time. That was a big deal for us! It was the first time I have been able to take her to an activity like that and leave her. It was resassuring to see that she is getting more mature and will probably ease into kindergarten nicely.

Brooke is in the center, toward the back in this picture in the pink skirt. She had a great time hanging out with the girls. It helped of course that she attended with her friend Sidney, who invited us to go with them. They are good little buddies. It also helped that our friend Melissa was one of the coaches and Brooke had already spent several days at her house that week. :-)

SOTW Success!

Wow! The day actually came and now it's over. This Friday and Saturday we had 4 performances of our Savior of the World production and it was a great success. I am very pleased with how it turned out and judging from the 3 hour testimony meeting that we had with the youth this evening, they did too. Yay! Many lives were touched and for that I am grateful.

The cast presented our directors committee with beautiful signed plaques from the show and roses at the final show last night. That was so nice of them and fun for us to get. I came home and hung it right up. I formed some close relationships and had experiences that I will carry with me throughout my life. It was a great thing to be a part of.

Now, I will get back to getting my life back in order. That will be a bit of a challenge for a while, but I'm gonna give it my best effort! :-)

I'll post some pictures from the show soon. Hopefully when I get back from vacation.

Austin and Melanie left today. It was a sad day for me. I get to see so little of Mel to begin with and goodbyes are always tearful with her. It was particularly hard today to send her off with Austin. He was eager and excited, but I was a little hesitant, and of course, emotional. Brooke was sad to see her brother go as well. It will be fun to meet up with them this week when we head off for Grandma Jan's 80th birthday party in Colorado. That should be fun.

Well, that's the update for now. I'm gonna get some sleep!!