Forgotten Vacation Pics-Matt & Karen's

My how time flies.....I had these pictures ready to post from our Colorado Vacation in March and never got them posted. 

The rest of our vacation we spent time with family.  We stayed with my cousin's  Matt & Karen's.  They are tucked away in a nice neighborhood in Littleton.



They had purchased a pool table since our last visit, so we spent quite a bit of time playing.  My cousin, Matt, is so patient with my kids.  He took the time to work with Mallory on shooting pool.

Of course, what trip to Colorado doesn't include some time with Matt & Karen's four dogs.  My kids love them. 
The weather was so nice while we were there, so the kids got to spend a lot of time outside with some of their favorite dogs.

My favorite part of staying with Matt & Karen is the wonderful food that Karen dishes up for us.  Hannah was very eager to help.

She was a master biscuit maker.

Hannah's Feather

Feather Extensions seem to be all the rage. 
Of course, my girls wanted them. 
And, I gave in. 
Seems pretty harmless.  They are temporary. 
They are inexpensive.  They are FUN.

Here is Hannah's.
PINK.  Her favorite color.  :)
Ignore the Kool-Aid mustache. Please.

Hannah's Field Trip



Hannah's official last day of preschool was today. 

They ended the school year with a Field Trip to

the Manhattan Zoo. 

I was able to take the day off from work and enjoy

the day with Hannah. 

The trip over to Manhattan was a fun, loud, rambunctious ride with four almost-kindergarteners. 

Big Hanna (Yes, she let's me call her that) was able to come

along as well and spend the day. 

I worry about the day my Hannah grows up and moves away...but really worry about what I am going to do when Big Hanna finishes college, gets a job, marries, and has babies of her own.

She become family to us....



The girls all fell in love with Big Hanna. 





My mom was able to take an early lunch break and join us.   I loved the fact that she got to meet so many of Hannah's friends.

Hannah finally got to see a pink flamingo.
Made. Her. Day.

There were peacocks everywhere. 
Their colors were so bright and beautiful.

Hannah with two of her friends, Ashley and Marie.

My friend, Angie, and her kids Skylar and Sylis.
I don't know what I would do without her.
It's great having friends that can help with all the running around and craziness of life.

After the Field Trip: Hanna, Hannah, and I made our way to the So Long Saloon in Aggieville.  This is one of my favorite places to eat.  If you haven't been there, the Jack Smack Burger ROCKS!

The weather was beautiful.  It was such a great day and a wonderful way to end preschool.

A little Pomp & Circumstance.

My days as a Preschool Parent are coming to an end.
Hannah had her preschool graduation tonight.
Her last day of school is today.
She finishes off with a Field Trip on Tuesday.
It's a bitter sweet ending.   

Hannah with her teacher Miss Judy.

Receiving her diploma.

It's official!  No more preschool.
Kindergarten here we come!

Ava, Zoe', Rylee, and Hannah

Hannah and Skylar

Matthew's Field Day.

The 2nd grade class had their Field Day this week.  I was able to break away from work to attend.  My mom was also able to make it over, too.  It was nearly 100 degrees and humid. 
Crazy weather for May.
Matthew enjoys Field Day.  He does well with the events and it's nice to see that competitive streak in him.

I videotaped most of the Field Day but also managed to snag some pictures too.   Matthew and his classmates participated in a tug-of-war.  They even let the parents participate.  I stepped right up and eagerly embarassed my son.  He's a firm believer that mom should be a spectator only.

It was a good day.  A hot day. 
School is winding down for the year.

More Projects......

I think that we finally eradicated the mole that was wrecking havoc in our yard.  My proof was finding my dog rolling around in the yard on his remains.  Yuck!

Now that he is gone, the yard needs a major overhaul. 

The nice beautiful grass we had last summer is no more.

Who would've thought one small creature could be so destructive?

I finally finished painting our patio set. 

It was this awful seafoam green before.

Now, it's this nice stone brown.  Better. 

Menards just opened in Salina and that's where I found the seat cushions.

I have not found the time to fill all my planters yet.

My boss did get me some beautiful geraniums.  They have brightened up the area.

I transplanted some irises last fall and they are doing pretty well.

The landscaping at our home was terribly neglected prior to our purchase of the house.

I have spent the last couple of weekends doing a major overhaul.

I'm not done, but am starting to see some progress.

This is one of the smaller landscaping beds with the edging reset and new rock.



This area was and still is a complete mess. 

There were shrubs scattered throughout and they seemed so out of place.   I dug them up and gave them a new home.  They look more at home on the west entrance.

1. 

   We have tried repurposing and using rock from the existing beds.  It's been a great chore for the kids. 

Neighbors.

Our neighbors recently moved to their newly built house.

It's always a little nerve-wracking wondering who will buy the old house and what they will be like.  Today, I found out that the house may be under contract to a family with small children.  Score!  



Matthew spends a lot of his time studying. 

He looks and inspects and ponders everything. 

He thrives off of understanding.

He finds pure enjoyment in discovery. 



Children have to be educated, but they have also to be left to educate themselves. ~Abbé Dimnet, Art of Thinking, 1928



Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes



Look Mom! No training wheels!

Hannah is bound and determined to ride her bike without training wheels.  Todd spent a great deal of time running up and down the sidewalk with her practicing.  She's a little squirrely on her bike right now but with time I know she'll get it.