May 2018

Annika feeding Finnigan on the way to school for Pioneer Day. This day sounds like a pretty sweet deal for second grade. It's like your TI-99 version of Oregon Trail, but in real life. I'm just sayin'... there was dysentery involved.

Staring contest with the cows. You'll never win that one.

Last game of the season. Sarah totally does bicycle kicks like that during the game. It's her trademark.

Ready for the Kentucky Derby...

A little hot glue, fake flowers, and repurposed princess dresses.

And maybe a butterfly left over from a fairy birthday party.

Inseparable.

A close second for inseparable.

He's back folks. 18 months after his last race, slowly rehabbing a high hamstring injury... 

And he takes first place in the Masters Division 10K.

End of year field day which is barely controlled chaos. 

The much anticipated field day event between Sarah and Brody. You should've heard the trash talk in the car on the way to preschool that morning.

Annika taking down the obstacle course.

Last soccer game of the season for Annika: 50 degrees and blowing rain. Someday when she's a teenager and yelling at me about how I never do anything for her, I'm going to remind her that I sat shivering through this game.

The rain cleared by that evening for us to go to a Colorado Rapids game with her team to celebrate the end of the season.

They were invited to play on the field during half time which was a seriously big deal for Annika.

  

It was a heap of bodies without rules playing with twice the players that they usually play with, but still fun.

Mother's Day fruit pizza in bed. Because nothing says "I love you" like leaving crumbs on Mama's pillow.

We got two hundred milers this year! And Sarah got to 85 which is a significant improvement over her four miles last year.

Annika did her passion project on Mary Anning this year. Never heard of her? You're not alone. Annika will teach you all about her next time you're around...

2nd annual Walk for Water to raise money for clean water.

6K (3.75 miles) is the average distance that the developing world has to walk for clean water.

Our church does it as part of our 68project, based on Micah 6:8 -- do justice; love mercy; walk humbly.

The walk was a little wet -- this was hail left from the storm the day before.

End of year ballet recital for Annika.

...and for Naomi, far left. I still don't get how we have such a tiny little peanut.

Far left again for her modern dance recital. Cozy llama pajamas are way more comfortable than leotards and tights. She could really get into this modern dance thing.

We went to see Elephant Revival at Red Rocks with our friends the Eurys. Okay, it seriously rarely rains in Colorado. And if it does, it's for five minutes. It's never for 2 hours. And it's never 50 degrees in late May. Except when it is. And you're wet and cold. 

But at least you have good music and good friends.

Last day of preschool for Sarah. These women have taught our girls for six out of the past seven years. They're family to us. I got pretty choked up saying goodbye to them.

Annika and her school besties on the last day.

Naomi and hers, ready to be fifth graders!

Here they were on the last day of kindergarten.

Sarah and Annika hitting the pool on the last day of school!

Apparently we weren't the only people with this great idea-- more and more friends from school kept showing up.

Before long they'll be too cool and laying out talking about boys. For now, they're still just three buds and a donut floatie.

We went over to our friend's house for a BBQ that evening...

Summer goal for these three: lay around as much as possible. Eat cookies with sprinkles.

Date night at the Rockies game

And an early morning ride around the lake in our new kayak since the kids spent the night with Uncle Dave and Aunt Val.

It's a gorgeous time to be in Colorado.

Annika back at the Hites' farm taking care of their animals.

When the work is done, it's time to cool off.

... while I sit and enjoy this view. I'm telling you, a farm in Colorado is the way to go.

Bolder Boulder -- 4th place in his division. Someday I'll run (jog... meander...) through this race.

Hauling three kids to the stadium gets easier and easier. It wasn't that long ago that I was wearing one and pushing one in a stroller and nagging the third to keep walking...

Annika trying to look tough with bubble guns...

Hair salon and tea parties while Gyli babysits... The day before this one, Sarah and Brody got married. It was elaborate.

Time getting dirty down by the creek. Pretty good start to summer.