Caleb

Caleb is alive and doing well in France.  We get weekly updates from him about the fun times, not so fun times and all the work he does every week.  He is enjoying his time in France and loves his companion.  This is a picture he titled "being goofy".  Just wanted to update everyone.  He has now been out 9 out of the 24 months.  

First day for Chase

Chase had his first day yesterday at his Montessori school.  This will be his last year of preschool.  He was excited to go back to school (which I honestly wasn't sure if he would get to that point-he loves being home so much).  He got a new teenage mutant ninja turtle backpack and lunch box and was all set.  He said he wants to be a "super hero" or a "policeman" when he grows up (nearly the same thing in our house...).

This is how thrilled he was taking first day of school pictures for mom with a sign...

After lots of encouragement and possibly a bribe, this was the best I got out of him.  

Caleb in France

Caleb sent a few pictures this week along with his email.  Thought I would share them.  

Caleb thought it was cool they found a corn field...and so he wanted a picture in front of it.    

 Caleb said this is how he cools off after a run with his companion.  

Color Run 8/23/2014

This past weekend, Mark and I (plus a group of friends) did the Color Run (the "happiest 5k on earth").  Through this 3 mile course, there are 4 different color stations that throw color at you as you run.  Mark ran pretty fast, so he is pretty clean.  It was a good time, a fun run and something we would do again.   

Before the race

After the race

 Our group of friends, before the race

Group after the race

                                                 

First day of school

Big things have happened in our house this week.  We started school.  Not just any first day of school...

Madeline left her elementary school and is now attending the 6th grade in Middle School

 Cassie left the middle school and started as a freshman in High School.  

 They are both up early in the morning (school starts at 7:30am) getting ready together and then both go to the same bus stop (although they each get on a different bus).  Madeline has never taken a bus before (she has always walked to and from school), so this year is full of change for her.  

Camping

We had a free weekend, so we decided to take a quick camping trip to McCall, Idaho.  Kacey was on a church camping trip, so we missed having him with us, but we had a good time.  We drove to our camp sight on Friday night, had some dinner, went on a walk to explore the area and hung out (as typical for camping).  Next morning we woke up, drove a few miles into town and had breakfast at the famous "Pancake House".  The food was huge and delicious.  After that we returned to camp, took it down and then headed to the lake for swimming fun.  The area had a beach and docks to jump off.  After a few hours there, we packed up and headed back into downtown McCall, got chicken for our beach picnic and then enjoyed a few more hours on teh beach, eating and swimming.  Then it was time to pack up and head home.  It was a good time and a "must do" again for next year.  

 The Pancake House for breakfast

Swimming Lessons

This summer kept us busy with swimming lessons.  Chase was first signed up for 2 weeks of swimming, which he passed with flying colors, so we enrolled him for 2 more weeks.  We had 20 days of swimming lessons all in a row.  Needless to say, we were just as excited on his last day of lessons as he was.  He did a great job and is such a fish.  He has no fear.  He jumps off the diving board...backwards and LOVES the deep end of the pool.  After swimming, we took all the family to the water park and had an enjoyable day.  Chase and all the kids loved the rides and just having fun in the sun (no pictures-sorry).