Little Gymnast

Mia started a gymnastics class earlier this month at West Valley Gymnastics School.  She LOVES it!  It is a parent-tot class, so I am able to be out on the floor with her.  It is incredible how much of a total body work out it is for her, climbing over all of these apparatus that are twice her size.  She is exhausted after each class, and will often fall asleep on the way home in the car (at 10:30 in the morning!).

 

Mia's favorite? The rope swing and the ball pit ... oh, and posing with her arms up while saying, "Ta Da!" as she finishes each obstacle.

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

We had a small celebration on my actual birthday with the kids since we decided to postpone the "real" dinner out and celebration for a couple of weeks.  They sang, helped me blow out my candles, and ate cake.  I love how much they love birthdays right now - no matter whose it is!

Family Photos 2012

We met with our favorite photographer, Anna Feccia, to have some family photographs taken.  She has an amazing talent and we are so lucky to have her work grace the walls of our home and capture the memories of these ages in our kids' lives.  Here are some of my favorites:

Apple Hill

I have been wanting to take the kids up to Apple Hill for a couple of years now.  The fall and winter always seem to get so busy, so when we were planning out our fall weekends over the summer, I made sure to put Apple Hill on one weekend day in September.

Our first stop was Rainbow Orchards for their famous apple cider donuts.  They are made to order and come out hot and delicious.  I think that they got the stamp of approval from everyone!

Aidan, Bailey, and Jessica also joined us for the day.  The kids had a great time running around the grass area and hay bales.

Mia was a fan of the fresh apple cider.  I'm not sure what she liked better:  the cider, or drinking from the mini carton.

We stopped at Larson's Apple Barn for lunch on their back patio.

Our final stop for the day was at Denver Dan's Apple Patch, where we were able to pick our own apples.

There were also pony rides!

All in all, we had a great day.  There is so much more to explore in Apple Hill and I'd love to go back again next year.  One thing we decided for sure:  it was too far for a day trip, and next time we will go for a weekend and stay overnight.

Luke the Kindergartener

Just a quick update on Luke's first few weeks at St. Martin's.

First of all, and most importantly, he seems to absolutely love it.  These first weeks have reconfirmed for Michael and I just how ready Luke was to take on Kindergarten.  He has absolutely risen to the occasion, loves going, and just seems happier than ever.

Outdoor family movie night at St. Martin's - watching The Lorax and having dinner (and wine) under the stars with some of Luke's new friends and their families

Back to School night - having a look at some of Luke's art work from the first few weeks

Luke counting and sorting the cans in our pantry as part of one of his project-based homework assignments

Luke being honored as Kindergarten Student of the Month for September!