14

Today we celebrate Nathanael's 14th birthday. We love you son. We are so proud of the leader you are becoming. You are such a blessing to our family. We love you. Happy birthday! 

Mom

Today's also a big day for our family because it's my moms birthday! I also realized we need to take more pictures of the two of us together! Happy birthday mom. I love you. 

19 Years

Or 228 months as our friend Tom would say. Happy anniversary to my beautiful wife. We sure have seen some things, haven't we? I think Dave sums things up pretty well:  

Wanna pack your bags, Something small

Take what you need and we disappear

Without a trace we'll be gone, gone

The moon and the stars can follow the car

and then when we get to the ocean

We gonna take a boat to the end of the world

All the way to the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough

We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby

You and me together yes, yes [x2]

You and I, we're not tied to the ground

Not falling but rising like rolling around

Eyes closed above the rooftops

Eyes closed, we're gonna spin through the stars

Our arms wide as the sky

We gonna ride the blue all the way to the end of the world

To the end of the world

Oh, and when the kids are old enough

We're gonna teach them to fly

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby

You and me together yes, yes

We can always look back at what we did

All these memories of you and me baby

But right now it's you and me forever girl

And you know we could do better than anything that we did

You know that you and me, we could do anything

You and me together, we could do anything, Baby

You and me together yeah, yeah

Two of us together, we could do anything, baby

You and me together yeah, yeah

Two of us together yeah, yeah

Two of us together, we could do anything, baby

First Day

A rather non-traditional first day of school picture, but I'll work with it. Yesterday began the 2016-17 school year for our group. Yes, August 8. When you take every Friday off, you have to pay the piper sometime. Noah begins his SENIOR year, Andrew starts is sophomore year, Nathanael his 8th and sister joins the boys at the middle school as a newly minted 6th grader. Jennifer also begins anew, moving from 6th grade Lit/Comp to 7th and 8th grade history. Here we go! 

6th Grade!

Here she comes! Sarabeth had a half day on Friday for her first day of school. She was greeted outside the middle school by the entire 5th grade team, who were waving signs and cheering on the Class of 2023. Must have been a busy day, because she came home and took a 2 hour nap. The boys and Jen report Monday! 

The Men

A very busy summer is winding down this week. Kids all report on August 8. But until then, there is still time for some silliness. We were finally all back together last night for a family meal in what seems like forever. So here we are all dressed up for a game of badminton in the yard. 

Young RYLA

Nathanael made it home Friday from his trip to Young RYLA. He takes about it for almost 2 solid days. He shared about the talks they had, the leadership lessons he learned, the sunrise hike he participated in, and the many ideas he wants to implement this coming year at Frontier. Couldn't be more proud of the man he is becoming. Thanks to the local Rotary club for sponsoring this tremendous camp for young people! 

RYLA

Off to a week at RYLA! So thankful Nathanael was selected by his local Rotery Club to attend the week long Junior RYLA camp this week with his friend and partner in crime, Brock. Jen has just dropped the guys off in Larkspur where they will remain until Friday! Good luck this week Than. Mom and I are so proud of you and the man you are becoming! 

Laramie-Sarabeth

Sarabeth finished up her Laramie camp week on Thursday. It was another wildly successful week at grandma and grandpas, with a whole host of activities. The highlight was the annual Tea on Tueaday at the Ivanson Mansion. Other activities included a trip to several of the museums on campus, a secession at the pottery painting place and a cold drink at Coal Creek! Thanks to the folks for the back-to back weeks with the kids! 

Moonlight Ride

Last night was the annual Moonlight ride sponsored by the Greeley Police Department. It's always an annual highlight for the bike riders in our family. Sadly, they were all out of town. So it was just Uncle Andrew and I pedaling away last night. Most of the fun in years past was having the police escort though town blocking major intersections so we could pass right through. This year they changed the course so most of it was on the Poudre River Trail. While it was still cool to race down the trail at night which you usually can't do, some of the magic was lost. The was pizza waiting for us when we returned to the station! Thanks for riding with me D. Someday maybe I'll have as sweet as bike as you do. 

Nathanael

Than has been having a pretty great week at G&Gs summer camp 2016. He has learned to play disc golf, saw a play with grandpa, made a few trips to the pool, caught a movie with grandma and slept in pretty late. He was joined by Satabeth yesterday morning, who is starting her week. Nathanael should be home later today thanks to a ride home from our friend Jeff! 

Laramie-Parade

Too much fun for just one post. Here are the pictures from the Jubliee Days Parade (almost 90 minutes!!) and the afternoon at the carnival with the cousins. Too cute!