In the Hospital

Raly and Reese visited often while Jack and I were in the hospital. Jack is on the "light table" behind Reese because he had jaundice. Jack is about to be dressed to go home...finally!

Raly and Jack

Block Party

Mid August - Block Party Time

Raly enjoyed the water games!

Reese loved batting the pinata...

and blowing the whistle as loud as he could for Grandad!

Raly loved all the time she spent with her girlfriends!

Several families weren't able to participate this year, but we still had plenty of kids to participate in the games!

Construction is Complete

Prior to construction: After Construction:

So it's a little difficult to visualize, but now instead of the vaulted ceiling, we have a bedroom, bathroom and small study area. Here is Raly's bathroom (you get to the bathroom by entering her bedroom).


Raly's bedroom: In this picture you can see three of the small square windows that you can see in the top "before construction" picture.


Study area:

Main floor before construction:

Main floor after construction

It was quite a long and expensive process, but very worth it. We opted to do all the painting and since I'm pregnant, Rhett had to take on this daunting task. He did a amazing job! He's now an expert, but I wouldn't ask him for any painting favors just yet!

First Day of First Grade!

I had planned to get a picture of Raly in her first grade line, but there were so many parents, strollers and kids that Reese and I weren't able to stand near the line, so this is Raly giving me a hug before squeezing through all the people to get into her line. When she came home, she told me that she would rather go back to Kindergarten or Preschool.

One other important note about first grade: Raly is now wanting to be called by her "real name." So her teacher and all of her classmates call her Aralya.

Cheerleading Camp

Raly participated in a week long cheerleading camp late in July. On Friday, parents were invited for their performance. She enjoyed her camp and would like for me to find a weekly cheerleading class for her to attend. We shall see...life with soccer, flag football, girl scouts, catholic education class, etc. not to mention doing it all with a newborn...

Mountain Trip

In mid July we took a family trip to the mountains. We stayed in a log cabin near Crested Butte. Among many other activities, the kids learned to play checkers while at the cabin. We stopped at Blue Mesa Lake to play in the water and this crazy grass (we called it "tickle grass").

By the time we left, Reese was soaked from head to toe and had to sit in his car seat in only his underwear. He thought it was "cool."

Black canyon of the Gunnison.

Roasting marshmallows! Yum, yum.

My favorite part of the trip...we rented a pontoon boat at Taylor Reservoir.

The kids loved finding big rocks to throw into the river.

We made a quick stop at The Royal Gorge. Reese and Todd were terrified of the bridge and it was very hot. However, both kids loved the little train ride and the carousel...$90 well spent!!!

Inside the cabin.

The outside...

Reese attempting the Bungee Trampoline jumping...he was terrified! Poor guy.

Luckily, Raly loved it!

It was a fun trip and great to get away from the construction.