Basic Instructor Course Graduation

Travis has completed his training in the Basic Instructor Course. That's right he can now teach the newest and most impressionable Airmen in the Air Force! It was 6 weeks of preparation and presentations. And he did great! I may be partial because I am the wife...But, I think his ideas were great!!! After one of his speeches a few of the guys from his class gave him a , "Thanks man, you should have gone last...that was really good!" His sister from Wyoming was here to share in the celebration. She is the first person from his side of the family to be at any official military function. So I know that was special to him. And, the kids and I rushed back from Colorado, bringing our nieces with us, and we made it in time to be here for the Graduation too!

A day out with Papa Petey!

While visiting our family in Colorado, we were fortunate enough four my dad, "Papa Petey" to have a good amount of time off work and he was able to take us up to the top of Trailridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. It had been years since I had been to the top and gotten out and took pictures. It was so windy and cold! On our way back down we saw some Rocky Mountain Sheep and Elk...no moose or bear this visit!

The we went back down the pass and into the town of Grand Lake. Papa treated us to Miyauchi's Ice Cream and lunch on the boardwalk! We also went down by the lake and played for a bit and then went Go-Karting. That was my first time driving a Go-Kart. It was SO FUN!!! I already can't wait to go again! :)

I even to time to think of my love while we were down by the lake! (awww...it's ok, I know this may make some of you sick to your stomach!)

Fireworks!

Here are some photos from our fireworks fun! I didn't get many good ones of the fireworks. But, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the one of my niece, Lexi, holding her sparkler. So I had to include it!

Happy 4th of July!

We made it to Colorado in time for the 4th of July. It was fun to watch my kids spend the 4th doing the things I did in my childhood. Same parade line-up, some of the same floats in the parade, and a burger burn/hot dog roast! Ahhh...the good life! We did also attempt to go out to the lake, but the mountain thunderstorms rolled in just after we set up day camp...oh well!

A visit with Grannie...

On our way to Colorado to see the rest of our family, we stopped in Kansas to visit my Grannie. We had a wonderful time, visiting, playing at the park across the street from her house, making homemade ice cream and watering her flowers! It was so nice to get to spend time with her, but I still wish we were closer!

Ashlynn is 3!

Our baby girl is 3 years old! It seems like such a short time ago we were finding out we were pregnant and hoping and praying we would finally get our little girl. And although the ultrasound couldn't tell us and it was a BIG surprise, we were convinced we were having another boy. God blessed us with a little baby girl. Parenting her is a lot different than the boys. But with each milestone she passes we are enjoying every day. And, with the days we don't enjoy as much as others, we remember to look at her little angel face while she's sleeping. It helps us to remember why we wanted her in the first place! ;) I think the hardest part about her turning 3 is the bittersweetness of knowing our last baby is growing into a child, she's no longer a baby! It's a relief and heartache all at once!

Kalib turns 7!!!

We can hardly believe our son, OUR FIRST BORN SON (as Kalib would say) is really 7 years old. He is such a joy to watch learn and grow every day! He is such a big helper and has such a giving and caring heart. We are so blessed God gave him to us!