More cousin time...

Rynn and Molly helping me make some cookies

Had to get them in birth order ... 

Had to get them in birth order to see the height difference ...

Aren't they beautiful and so grown up?!

Rynn and Molly doing some chalk drawing one night

Eleanor and Jack working on their throwing with Uncle Jason

Eleanor and Jack were quite the builders with legos and Pops' remote control car

It was wonderful to see the cousins play together and see what they would come up with throughout the days.  They would play all together, then they would pair off, then they would switch pairs.  Since we had a good long 2 week visit it was fun to see their relationship develop and change.  Jack and Eleanor were fast friends and loved doing many of the same things.  Rynn often would do things by herself, but she and Molly also did a lot together.  Molly, being the youngest, sometimes struggled to find her place.  I can remember some of those feelings when I was young and with my cousins ... I too was the youngest!

Chicago cousin time...

Rynn, 10 Eleanor, 8 Molly, 7

The girls with the beloved Daisy!

Pops on the porch surveying the family playing in the front yard

The Little family from Chicago arrived in Colorado on the 5th of July for a good and much anticipated visit with us.  The kids were so very excited to see Rynn and Eleanor.  They had not seen each other in 2 very long years.  AND they were bringing their new puppy, Daisy, with them so there would be another dog to love on for 2 whole weeks.  You can see by the girls' smiles that there were many happy times together and lots of laughter.

July 4th ...

Jack ready for his pose

Pops ready for his pose (notice Jack semi-smiling as he works)

Homemade vanilla ice cream

Look at those smiles

We had a low key 4th of July this year.  We did go over to some friends' house for dinner and set off a few illegal fireworks, but no going to a big firework show.  I didn't want to mess with the people and traffic.  Pops and Jack went to Hobby Lobby to get a kit to make a pinewood derby car.  They both were excited to get started.  Pops had the great idea of using the drill with the sanding bit on it to smooth out the edges.  It was fun to see them work on a project, and Pops thought it a good time to teach Jack about taking ones time on a project and not rush through it!  (Final pictures of the car another day!!)  Molly and Grammy made some yummy homemade vanilla ice cream with the fabulous new ice cream maker.  Molly loves to be in the kitchen, and we all got to enjoy the natural goodness of her work.

Where did summer go? ....

Granma with her two grandkids!

Jack and Eli looking so old and grown up

Jack had thrown a ball over the fence so this was the two of them trying where it went and how they could find it

I realize that I have not blogged all summer long ... there are many excuses that I could bore you with.  Instead, I have decided to go through my pictures and give you a day at a time.  They will be in order of how they occurred and they will have a little commentary on what happened that day.

So ... this was the July 3rd.  We had just gotten into town.  We drove down to Longmont for the day to visit with cousins and Granma.  The kids were excited to see Shirley, and she was gracious to shower the kids with chocolate pudding, cheetos, and some homemade soda.  They were loving all the goodies.  We then went to see the Andersens.  It was a good day ... we never saw the girls -- hence no pictures of them.  Eli and Jack decided to throw the ball a little.  Eli was pleased to have his picture taken, but Jack was less than thrilled.  They were just all excited to be together, and Holly and I got some good visiting in that day.

SCHOOL started today...

Our grown up 4th grader

My little baby bear ready to tackle 2nd grade

Some sibling "love"

The new school building with a great new sign

Molly at her desk with a little hesitant smile ... the nerves had hit and there was some feelings of uncertainty

Jack ready to learn and ready for mom to stop taking pictures, but doesn't he look SO grown up

Well school started this morning ... a new school, a new school building, a new town, new teachers, and new friends.  The kids were more than excited yesterday that school was finally going to begin.  They were all about the new school supplies and getting them ready.  This morning they were up and ready to leave WAY before it was really time to leave.  I, on the other hand, was running behind schedule.  It was been awhile since the routine of school morning has been around ... those school lunches to be made!  We moseyed BY FOOT the two blocks to school for the ribbon cutting ceremony.  The kids didn't really care about it and really just wanted to get inside the building.  We went to their classrooms, and there they are now learning all about their new life at school.  Kyle and I went to a coffee shop to relax a minute and reveling in them being at SCHOOL.  Now life has really begun and the routine of things are on their way ... PRAISE the Lord!  This girl likes routine ... now, I just have to find out what that routine is going to be in Spokane, Washington.

Enjoy the pictures!

When the toys get packed ...

FORTS ARE MADE!  A couple weeks ago we packed up most of the kids' toys for Spokane.  They are down to the bare bones of things.  Needless to say, they have gotten a little bored.  It might not have been the best of our ideas.  However, they did get to build this great fort that has been up for THREE days.  Those of you that know Kyle and I ... that is a record.  We "put" up with the mess in the family room just so our children could enjoy the fun.  They made a tv, remote control, had a trash can, some animals.  It was taken down today for two reasons.  First, we are having a few people over for a cookout and it was just time.  Second, there started to be a clashing of ideas between the kids so it ceased being fun and was just an avenue for some really good sibling fighting!

Jack, the baseball player ...

Well, the baseball season is almost over.  It was not the best of seasons, but not the worst.  Jack was much improved.  He again LOVED playing catcher.  He discovered the joy of sliding into bases.  He also got to steal some bases this season.  It was the first year for player pitch.  Every time the catcher did not "catch" the pitcher's throw, a runner could steal a base.  Many of the runs scored this season was not due to great hitting but to great base stealing!  I do believe that he has worn his hat with sunglasses everyday since receiving the hat.  He is a true baseball lover.