Glasses

Minnie had been complaining that she couldn't see the board at school, so we went to the eye doctor a few weeks ago.  After clearing up some allergies in her eyes and doing a lot of tests, they determined that her eye muscles stay tightened up when she switches from looking close to looking far away, so both things will end up looking fuzzy.  Her muscles just don't relax as quickly so by the end of the day, she really has a hard time seeing clearly.  So she had to get bifocals and we picked them up today.  She looks different but very cute, and we are still trying to get used to seeing her wearing them. 

Reading

I LOVE when PC reads to our kids.  He is so funny, and they never stop giggling the whole time!  He uses funny voices and makes up stories to go along with the pictures, but not the real story sometimes.  I was able to capture this picture the other night.  I just love all their beautiful smiles and am so grateful for such a wonderful companion and father for our children.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Yesterday, Goofy and I went on a field trip with his preschool buddies to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.  We all bought a good deal off of Living Social, so it wasn't too expensive.  All the kids loved climbing through the dwellings and the teepee (though they spelled it "tipi," so I guess that is how it really should be spelled).  As we walked up to them, Goofy said, "Oh, a castle!"  :)  That's what he's used to visiting from living in England!

Balloon Festival

Every year on Labor Day weekend, they do a balloon festival in Colorado Springs.  They light them up one night, but we didn't go to that.  On Labor Day, we decided to go down to Palmer Park and watch them take off from that vantage point.  We picked up Johnny because he really wanted to go as well.  We had been to Palmer Park before, but only to the playground area.  The rest is so neat, and we plan on going back soon!  The kids loved hiking the trails and climbing the rocks.  The balloons were fun too, but I just enjoyed being with my family in the early morning. 

Oh, and the view of Pikes Peak was spectacular.

We then headed up to Ikea.  We got a desk and some storage pieces for our home.  It was a good trip.  Tink loves walking through the store with us and the younger three LOVE the play area! 

Picnic at the Park

On Friday, August 31st, the kids had a day off of school.  Nana had been telling us about this park a few miles away that we have been wanting to go and when talking with a friend, we decided this would be a perfect day for a picnic there.  The kids loved the park area and then we went on a short hike up the mountain.  It was hot and Goofy was wearing flip-flops. 

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Bucko broke his foot a couple weeks ago.  He fell off the counter. He used crutches for a couple days, but then we went to ortho and they gave him a boot.  He only has to wear it for three weeks total.  He has a small fracture on the side of his ankle, but also one through his growth plate, which is what they were mostly concerned about as it could cause problems later in life.  He does really well with it and was ready to give up the crutches after two days!  (Even though for the week before I took him in, he kept hoping against all hope that it was broken so he could have crutches!  He quickly realized how NOT fun they are!)  You can see his boot in some of the pictures below. 

After our little hike, we ate our picnic lunch.  The wind picked up and we got a bit chilly from it blowing on us.  Goofy's sandwich bag blew away and he jumped up to get it and his flip-flops came off, but he kept on sprinting after it.  He ran through yucky prairie grass and stickers and was crying when he came back.  It was so sweet. I told him he was so fast, his shoes couldn't keep up!  He felt a little better after that.
It was a fun park and we look forward to going again!

Uncle Johnny's Birthday



After coming home from the temple, we got ready for Uncle Johnny's birthday party at our house.  It was combined as a get together so some family could see our new house as well.  We had lots of finger foods and all the kids had fun.  We got Johnny a police light, which he loves.  We also gave him these cool gun sunglasses. 

Denver Temple

On Saturday, August 18, our ward had a temple day for the Primary.  We met up at the temple and were given a tour of the grounds.  The kids really liked it, though Goofy had a hard time sitting still halfway through.  They heard the story of all the Primary children saving their pennies and raising the money for the "bride's bench" which was a pretty bench area to take wedding pictures.  They all (except Goofy) went up and touched the temple walls.  That is always a special experience. We had them do that in D.C. and I still remember doing it when I was young.  It was a good experience and they each got a bookmark with the words to "I Love to See the Temple," so they sang that song all the way home!