September 2021

I've really been trying to play catch-up with my journaling.  Lots and lots to talk about and SO MANY pictures!  Playing large block Jenga with the kids makes the top of the list in September.  We've been teaching all sorts of new games to the girls- Cover Your Assets, Qwirkle, Uno, Blokus, and Old Maid.

I bought some pumpkins to start decorating for the season, and Howie freaked out! After some time, he warmed up to the new decorations.

We've been trying to expose Howie to different environments...

swimming in the lake and paddle boarding...

driving around in the car (he now hears the keys and runs for the garage door!)...

and running around at the park and playgrounds.

Me and the girls went on a weekend trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Dallas with one of my best friends, Stacey.  It was nice to lounge around in the sun and splash in the water with the kids.

What was not so fun was figuring out the stupid wand that cost oh too much money! The kids didn't want to share and everyone ended up crying.

But after a good nights rest, everyone was friends again.  

We had a great time!

Bryan had an Army competition during my birthday, but sure made up for it with gifts and surprises.  I got flowers, an edible arrangement, a cake with confetti surprise, and chocolates.  I really felt loved, especially since I had to work and he delivered to the hospital. He really planned ahead!

The girls took me out to eat at Bubba 33, a new restaurant in town.

And then we had some cake, which the girls picked out at Nothin' Bundt Cake.

My beautiful bouquet.

Bryan won first place at the medical Best Medic Competition.  He is amazing! He might be the first optometrist to win 2 consecutive competitions.  Now he has to prepare for the FORSCOM Best Medic Competition in January. 

When Bryan got back, we drove down to Kerrville to complete the Aqua Bike race.  Originally we were both signed up for the 1/2 Iron Man, but I haven't been able to run or bike since my injury and Bryan has not been training with all of his other obligations.  And so only he competed and he changed it to the swim and bike event.  Bryan did really well, as always. 

July- August 2021

After our family vacation and celebrating all the birthdays, the girls and I stayed a week longer in Utah to have some more time with family before school started.  

We went paddle boarding, rafting, and swung into the ponds of Mona. 

We hung out with our fun Aunt Koko before her BIG move to Hawaii.

We had a sleep over with cousins. 

I went on a hike with my family up North American Fork Canyon.

Grandpa let the cousins explore his treasure chest. 

We went swimming at grandma and grandpa Koplin's pool- no poop this time!

We went to the movie theatre.

And we explored the Museum of Curiosity.  

I drove back to Utah by myself, which is quite the distance.  I had to be back for Open House at the school for the girls. They were pretty excited to see friends again!

Jane is in 1st grade with Mrs. Moore.  Her teachers has been teacher for over 25 years. She has 21 students in her class this year (a lot more than last year-15), but has the help of a Teacher Aide, Mrs. Steffel.

Kate is in 3rd grade with Mrs. Harvey.  This is her teacher's first year teaching. 

Kate competed in her first swim meet.  She got 1 first place and 2 second places in the event.  She swam 25m freestyle, 25m backstroke, and was in a 200m freestyle relay. 

The first day of school is finally here! Kate had a difficult time coming up with "when I grow up I want to be...". But she finally came up with "Beautician", which I find very suitable with all her nail polishes and spa kits and make-up.  She's ready to start this year stylish!

Jane wants to be a missionary when she grows up.  She has definitely been influenced by her friends at school and her grandparents serving a mission.

After the first week of school, we had an exciting trip planned for the girls.  We took them to go see the Broadway musical Wicked in Dallas. 

Afterwards, we regretted taking them to Texas de Brazil.  We paid $25 for Jane to eat croutons and water!

 

Jane is 6!

Although we celebrated Jane's birthday at Yellowstone National Park, I wanted her to have a party with cousins and grandparents.  We booked a room at my parent's pool house, but unfortunately someone pooped in the pool 5 minutes into the party.  So we opened presents and went to a different pool.  I don't know if Jane really cared, but it was quite the bummer for everyone.  

We actually celebrated my dad's birthday and Kate's half birthday.  Apparently Kate felt like she doesn't get to have cousins and grandparents at her birthday parties, which made grandma feel bad. And so grandma made sure everyone knew it was a party for Jane turning 6, grandpa turning 73, and Kate's 1/2 8th birthday. 

Because we had to go to another pool after opening presents, we had cake and ice cream at grandma and grandpa Koplin's house.  Some people left because of all the back and forth, but like I mentioned before, Jane didn't really notice.

Oh how I love my little 6 year old! She brings so much joy to our family. She can roller skate and read and write in cursive and ride a hoverboard and plays the piano. She fiercely loves our dog, Howie. Her best friends are Lily, Riley, and Abigail. She is always requesting to go to the school's games or Wednesday night activities to be with her friends.  Jane loves to wear lipstick and lots of jewelry. She dresses to impress, even if it is in her school uniform! Jane gets her feelings hurt easily, just like her momma. Lately, I have noticed similarities between my girls and myself as a young girl. Sometimes I catch myself laughing because they are acting just like I did at that age. I love watching Jane grow up and become more independent.  She is such a charmer.  I love being her mother.

July 2021 Part 2- Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks

After Colorado Springs and Teton National Park, we drove the hour north to Yellowstone.  The girls immediately smelled the sulfur and learned all about the different kinds of hot springs and geysers.  The area is such a contrast from the Tetons with all the different colored waters and landscape.  We were lucky enough to have part of the Izu and Hadfield families join us for this part of the adventure. 

West Thumb

Jane found a frog at our campground at Bridge Bay.  We also woke up to an elk eating our neighbors chair in the morning!

The girls are playing in the black sand off of Yellowstone Lake. 

Jane got to celebrate her 6th birthday waking up in a tent! Her one request: Old Faithful

We decided to put up tents while in Yellowstone because we were jumping from campsite to campsite each night.  The pop-up trailer is a little more time consuming than our trusty tent. 

This is Grand Geyser.

Old Faithful

Birthday ice cream for all the littles.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. 

Funny story.  I wanted to paddleboard in Yellowstone, but the only river you can is between Lewis Lake and Shoshone Lake (roughly 10 miles).  I told Bryan we would never be able to do that with all the little kids.  Boy did that cause him to really, really make it happen.  So we did it and here is the proof!

Fire River with a rainbow. 

By day 3, the girls were pretty sick of seeing geysers and hot springs.  So we left the kids in the car and caught this beautiful rainbow amongst the thermal features. 

Mammoth Hot Springs

It took us about 6 hours from the northern most part of Yellowstone to drive to our next campsite near Glacier National Park. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get camping reservations in the park.  I looked 6 months in advanced! 

I think we should have done a little more research on Glacier National Park.  I thought one of our activities would be to drive the "Going to the Sun" road.  This is actually the only road in the park and it will lead you from the west side to the east side.  It takes more than 2 hours to drive the whole road and the parking is very limited and the roads are so thin. 

But the views were magnificent!

Once we found a parking spot, we hiked to Hidden Lake.

We saw mountain goats and touched glaciers.

We hiked St. Mary's trail

and some of us jumped into the freezing water!

Our family took a whitewater rafting trip Flathead River. We had so much fun! 

Of course, the kids enjoyed the campground filled with games and water and free breakfasts in the morning!

It was so much fun to hang out with family on vacation.  Beautiful scenery, lots of laughing and playing, and enough food for all thanks to Rachel and Becky's pantry and preparation!