I Don't Feel Tardy

Unfortunately for Carissa and Derek, tardy is what they will be a lot this year, thanks to nightmarish traffic in the morning and schools 4 miles apart. Whatever happened to bus stops in the front ??

All the pictures came out blurry because the camera was on the wrong setting, but here is the crew for the ritual "in front of the tree" picture.

At this point Grayson thought he was going to school, too. Derek was going for an A&F pouty look in these pics.
Thank goodness for this huge lighting up backpack! We have an entire lunchbox in there!!

Yay- we got Mrs. Blakley! (that's not her, BTW) Mrs. Blakley was Carissa's teacher, too and WE LOVE HER!Sitting on the carpet, getting ready to say goodbye. Derek did very well. And he even made a friend, "Eric". The person most upset by it all was Grayson, who screamed and cried when he realized Derek wasn't coming home with us. He got over that fairly quickly, however. Poor Carissa had to get dropped off super early in order to get Derek to school on time. She didn't care, however, and likes her new teacher, Mrs. Woods. She's mostly happy about being able to play handball again without a cast. That girl was made for school!

I mostly enjoyed not breaking up fighting boys every ten seconds. It was a very peaceful day!

Rocky Mountain National Park

This is where geology classes should be taught. Is this the heart of the Rocky Mountains or what? The gravel road built in the 1920's takes you past amazing scenes.

Besides the Elk, Antelope, Deer and little critters there are hundreds of Big Horn Sheep.

Even hikers who are in less than prime shape can climb to the heights and feel like they are literally on top of the world. The short trail that led to this vista is near the Alpine Visitors Center.

We hiked past a series of small glacial lakes (tarns) that were spectacular. We dodged the raindrops for a few minutes but were rewarded with more beautiful vistas and good sized Cut Throat Trout that fed on the surface of the crystal clear water.

Evan and Brady wanted to be in the water - just like back home in Ralston Creek - but had to be content to throw rocks and play in the mud.

On the way to the upper lakes Mireille, Brett and the boys stop for a picture at an overlook. This would be a great place for the family to meet up for some summer camping.

Trip to SoCal

What a great experience we had on Saturday, August 22! The focus of the day was on this little family. Everyone who was fortunate enough to be there basked in the glow of love and family.

Where shall we go to lunch? Each of us has an idea except dad, who got lost on the way to the Cheesecake Factory.

That restaurant turned out to be the perfect choice as everyone pours over the menu.

LUCKY! Amid the din of the little boys and the grandparents, brothers and sisters, friends and cousins, little Caleb conked out and Dad got to hold him.