Ready for Church

Lincoln and Porter in their Sunday suits.

Rocky Mountain National Park

 Getting a picture near the elk.

 A closer view of the elk.

The beautiful fall colors.

We had a great time at Rocky Mountain National Park.  The fall colors were gorgeous and there were more elk there than at Yellowstone.  We all had a wonderful time in the mountains.

Soccer

Lincoln almost scoring a goal.

When we got back from Hawaii, Lincoln scored his first goal.  Of course, I didn't bring the camera, because he cried the first three games.  This week I brought the camera, but he barely missed the goal.  Hopefully I can get it on video for his next goal.  Way to go Lincoln for being brave!

Nerf Gun

Porter, Caleb, and Lincoln all stuck darts to their foreheads.

Lincoln got a Nerf Gun for Easter and it is still his favorite toy.  He and Caleb shoot the ceiling fan blade and then wait for the dart to fall it him them.  Lincoln loves to play with it and is pretty good at aiming.

Hawaii: Day 5

Charlotte at South Point, the most Southern point in the U.S.

 Caleb and Charlotte at South Point.

The green sand beach.

Charlotte in the green sand.

 Caleb at a black sand beach.

 Caleb at the Pu'uhonua.

Charlotte at the Pu'uhonua.

Our last day in Hawaii was very busy.  We went to South Point, the most southern point in the U.S. and then hike 2.5 miles to the green sand beach.  It was so hot, but it was beautiful once we got there.  As we were walking back, a sweet couple gave us a ride back in their jeep, so we had time to go to the black sand beach.  We then went to Pu'uhonua an ancient sanctuary.  We then ate dinner and went swimming at Hapuna Beach one last time (this beach was close to our hotel and very beautiful with soft sand).  We had a 9:00 flight and we are anxious to get home and see our sweet boys.

Hawaii: Day 4

 Caleb at the Waipio Valley.

 Caleb and Charlotte at Kahuna Falls.

 The gorgeous Akaka Falls.

Caleb ready to eat at our Luau.

We spent the entire day together today.  We went to the Waipio Valley in the morning.  Caleb tried to meet with someone for work, but it did not work out, so we had more time together.  We then hiked to Akaka falls and Rainbow falls.  We spent the rest of the evening at the Luau and ate Kalua pig and we ate like pigs too.  The only thing we didn't like was the poi.

Hawaii: Day 3

 A sea turtle through the glass bottom boat.

A volcano at Volcano National Park.

Since Caleb had another full day of work, I went over to the beach.  The beach at our hotel had a rental shop and they have a special on Tuesday, where all the toy rentals are $25 for the morning.  I did a glass bottom boat tour, where I saw four sea turtles, gold tangs, sea urchins, and lots of other tropical fish.  I then snorkeled, kayaked, and did a stand up paddle board.  I had a great time, too bad Caleb was working and missed the adventures.  When he got home that evening, we ate at Subway and drove to Volcano National Park.  It was awesome to see the volcano at night.  The beauty of Hawaii is so amazing.

Hawaii: Day 2

 Took a morning walk along the beach.

 Petroglyphs at Kings Trail near our hotel.

  Caleb watching out for coconuts at Hapuna Beach.

The sunset at Hapuna Beach.

Caleb had lots of work to do today.  We woke up at 5:00 AM thanks to the time change.  Luckily the fitness room was open 24 hours.  We ran a few miles on the treadmill and elliptical.  We then got ready for the day.  Caleb then went to work, while I stayed near the hotel.  I went for a guided walk along the beach.  It was so beautiful.  Then I went shopping, walked along Kings Trail to see the petroglyphs, then spent the rest of the afternoon laying on the beach reading a book.  It was very nice to have some time to myself without any work to do.  Once Caleb got back from work, we went to Hapuna Beach to swim, walk along the beach, and watch the sunset.  We then ate at Macaroni Grill for dinner and then went to bed early.  It was a fun, relaxing day.

First Day in Hawaii

 Outside on our balcony looking out at the ocean.

 Walking along the beach at sunset.

 Love the cotton candy clouds of this beach sunset.

 Caleb along the beach.

We had a perfect first day in Hawaii.  After our long flight, we got our rental car and checked into our resort.  We swam in the infinity pool and then went for a walk along the beach by our hotel at sunset.  It is so gorgeous here and the sand is so soft between our toes.

Happy First Birthday

 Here is Porter's invitation.

 Lincoln helping Porter open the present from him.

Lincoln opened all of Porter's presents.

 The Very Hungry Caterpillar cupcake cake.

 Porter pretending to blow out the candle. (Lincoln was nervous Porter would try to touch the flame.)

The remaining pieces of Porter's cupcake.

We had a fabulous little Birthday party for Porter.  He loved the presents he got as well as the wrapping paper.  He loved his first taste of cake, but he did not eat it unless we held it or cut it up for him.  We have had such a fun year with our sweet boy.  He loves to play with everything, crawl around, throw balls, make a mess, open cupboards, climb stairs, bite on everything, and watch Lincoln.  He is always happy and laughs when playing peek-a-boo, This Little Piggie, pat-a-cake, and Zoom, Zoom where he is tossed up in the air.  He is always happy and smiles at everyone.  He has sure made this year very enjoyable for us.  We love you Porter.

Riding Together

Lincoln riding his tricycle and Porter driving the Little Tykes car.

Our kitchen table has been in the basement for a few months, so we have not been playing down there.  The boys had fun riding around.  This was Porter's first time in the car and he loved it, Lincoln hasn't ridden the tricycle for a very long time, so it fun to ride it again.

Table Makeover

Our table after hours of hard work.

We bought this table a few months after we got married.  We finally got around to redoing it.  This project was more work than we anticipated, but it is great to see the finished product.

Our Favorite Things

 Lincoln marble painting.

Porter playing with the computer mouse.

Lincoln loves to do art.  I am glad that I can use my education to help entertain Lincoln.  I did marble painting a few times during student teaching.  Lincoln loved it.  One of Porter's favorite things to do is play with the computer mouse and keyboard, so we try to us the computer during bedtime or we do not get anything accomplished.

Labor Day

 Caleb and Lincoln swimming.

Porter is happy in the stroller.

We went swimming as a family, which we rarely do.  I usually go with the boys during the day.  I am a bit sad that the pool will be closed now, because it gave us something to do, especially when Caleb is traveling.

Bear Country

 A big daddy elk.

 Big horned sheep.

 Black bear.

 Two black bears fighting.

Cougar.

 Black bear cub.

 Lincoln, Porter, and Caleb at the entrance of the Bear Country baby animal zoo.

On our way back home from our weekend getaway, we stopped at Bear Country to see all the animals.  We had to stay in the car until we got to the baby animal zoo.  We were amazed at how close to all the animals we were (we though the fighting bears would crash into our car).  We all loved seeing the animals and had a great trip.