First Day of School

Cole's First Day of Kindergarten!!! He was really excited and didn't even look back. He did come and give me one hug before he left just to make me happy. He goes all day to school so he and Kyle have been missing each other and giving lots of hugs in the mornings. He is a great student. His teacher said he sits in his chair and doesn't move or say anything. I can't believe we are talking about the same kid. He is so happy.
This is Blake's big year....4th grade!! He gets to go to Yellowstone for 4 days with his class in October. (Curt & I are also going as chaperones) He is also staring Jr. Ranger football with other 4th-6th graders. Mom just hopes he can run fast...away from all those big 6th graders. He has a difficult year ahead with lots of projects and book reports.

Hannah is in 5th grade which is over at the middle school in portable classrooms due to construction. That has been a big adjustment but Hannah is really enjoying having to switch teachers and rooms for different classes. She is also going to be in band. She hasn't decided which instrument yet, but she is leaning towards the flute.

Visit to Reno

We stayed at the Peppermill Casino in Reno. The kids loved the arcade and the pool. Here is Cole at the arcade.
Here is Kyle hitting the balls into the dogs mouth. He loved it!

Hannah and Blake are competing at DDR.

We also rode the Indy cars. Hannah & Blake had their own while Cole and Kyle rode with Mom and Dad. Mom was the slowest, of course.

Blake in his race car. He and Hannah were crazy drivers. They both tried to take out anyone in the area when they tried to pass.

We went "Glow Bowling" - glow in the dark bowling. Hannah got two strikes in a row and still ended up with a total score of 36!! Lisa was the only one who broke 100.

Curt, Lisa, Uncle Harry, Grandpa Steve, Great Grandpa Harry & Kids

after eating out at the Olive garden.

Grandpa and grandkids

We had a great time at Circus Circus and watched a few circus shows.

This is such a great picture of Kyle with Great Grandpa Harry riding the ferris wheel in a big sporting goods store called Sheels in Nevada. Grandpa was so excited to take them on this.

Here they are in line patiently waiting for their turn.

Blake with Great Grandpa Harry

Blake, Kyle, Hannah & Cole at the beach on Lake Tahoe

Kyle playing in the sand (and eventually the water....resulting in changing clothes)

Blake at Lake Tahoe

Cole doing what he does best at Lake Tahoe

Family Reunion

We recently went to the Winn Family Reunion in Nephi and had a blast. It was really fun to visit with all of Curt's family. The kids had a lot of fun with their cousins and riding on the four wheeler. Curt & Lisa made it to the finals of the hoseshoe tournament (but lost).

Lagoon Trip

Stephanie (friend), Hannah, Cole & Blake waiting in line for the white roller coaster
Going on the Wild Mouse.

Cole & Kyle on the baby boats.

We all got soaked on the Rattlesnake Rapids.

Tilt a Whirl...Mom didn't go on this one thank goodness!

Backpacking Trip

Hannah survived a backpacking trip with all boys. Curt took Hannah & Blake into the Uintas with Shaun and Zach and they spent two night camping, hiking and fishing.

Shaun and Zach

Grandaddy Basin

Blake, Zach & Hannah and all their gear.

Hannah, Blake and Zach up on the rocks.

Hannah, Curtis & Blake

Hannah and Blake holding the walking stick. Finding the best one was the biggest adventure.

Summertime Fun

I took Cole and Kyle to the Zoo with Auntie Kelly and we had lots of fun.
Here is Cole with a monkey (the animal he is most closely related to)

Cole sitting with the big gorilla.

Here are Cole and Kyle on the train.

Cole is finally coming out of his shell!

Hannah, Blake and friend at the pool.

Hannah floating around at the pool.

Kyle has no fear of the water. He is going to be a great swimmer one day.

Cole was showing me all his cool moves. His favorite was the back flop...no surprise there!

The boys hanging out together getting ready for bed.

Ute Stampede

Grandma & Grandpa with us at the Ute Stampede. This was right after the rodeo when they let you go out and look for buried coins.
Hannah & Blake with cousins Ryann, Zach & Kobi

Hannah & Ryann with some baby cows. You should have seen the look on Hannah's face after she went to pet one and it started sucking on her fingers...I wish I'd got a picture of that!

Here is Grandma Nielson with some of the grandkids.

Grandma was honored in the parade and at the rodeo for being "past royalty" in the Ute Stampede.