1st Day of School - 5th + 8th!

 

Molly's last year at Cure' of Ars! First day of 8th grade - and she's been at Cure' since Kindergarten! I can't believe how fast it has gone!

Excited for all the FUN that 8th grade year is! Lots more social activities, volunteering with friends, Confirmation, dances, HS shadow days, Class trip to Washington D. C. and more . . . 

But, I still just see this little face when I look at her . . . 

Molly on her first day at Cure' - Kindergarten year.

She was SO excited then too!

I was just quite emotional after dropping her off - really 

wishing I could call my Mom at milestones like these . . . 

And Kate's first day of 5th Grade!!!

First year to switch teachers for science, math and ELA.

First year to wear the uniform SKIRT!

No more jumper for her . . . 

Bear doesn't want them to go back to school . . .

Last year at Cure' of Ars together . . . 

Been there together for 6 years!

Kate quickly found her friends in the hallway!

{Kate, Harper, Ruby}

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Kate with her friends in her homeroom classroom - 

{Madeline, Victoria, Kate, Ruby}

We continue our first day of school tradition of Shake Shack when school got out at 11:00 a.m.! Molly and her friends all went to Planet Sub together, walked from school.

Back 2 School Countdown . . .

 

Sadly, our fun, adventurous summer has come to an end - and school is back in session for the girls tomorrow. Summer always seems to go way too fast, especially the older they get. I love having them home - and the laid back days.

One last early morning sunrise walk with Bear before tomorrow when 

we'll be helping get girls ready for school before our daily walk.

Kate requested Sweet Potato Muffins with Chocolate Chips 

for breakfast for the first week. So we made a fresh batch today . . . 

And Molly asked to get her nails done with me -

my first time getting "dipped" and I loved it! 

Molly's nails are a lot longer than mine . . . 

Back 2 School Party for the Middle School grades . . .

And our traditional "Back 2 School" Family Dinner tonight!

Kate made the flower arrangement - with zinnias from the garden.

I made Grandma JoJo's chocolate cream cheese pie for dessert.

Cheers to a great school year girls!

I left them both secret notes in their rooms to read before bed . . . 

Chicago: Creighton Guys Weekend!

 

Mike and his Creighton buddies all met up in Chicago Friday for a 3 day reunion weekend! 

They went to the Royals Game at Wrigley field vs the Cubs!

Loved these pix! Most of these guys were in our wedding 16 years ago!

{Murnane, Payne, Mike, Freivogel, Smith, Sangalong, Walker, Rudek}

The largest pretzel ever . . . 

Rudek + McGinnis

Chiefs Training Camp!

 

It was a gorgeous late summer day in the 70's, and we left the house at 6:30 a.m. to head to St. Joseph, Missouri with friends to see the Chiefs up close and personal at training camp!

{Victoria, Kate, Anna, Molly}

The girls worked hard on their signs a few days before . . .

It was SO cool to be so close to the players and watch them practice. 

Way more fun than I anticipated!!

With some of the Chiefs cheerleaders . . .

Trying to get autographs!

Anna lifted Kate on her back . . .

We LOVE Harrison Butker!

Sarah was holding up Anna's sign! LOVE it!

All of us - we had a blast! We will for sure be back next year!

{Sarah, Me, Victoria, Molly, Kate, Anna, Bennett}

Our Week in Pictures . . .

 

We stopped in Lincoln, Nebraska to have lunch with Pat + Pat on our way home from Wyoming! It was wonderful to see them and discuss our trip together as Grand Teton National Park is one of their favorites!

Molly is officially taller than Grandma!

Celebrating Bear's 3rd birthday!! He is SO LOVED!

It was Kate's turn to make his cake this year and she chose a layered heart shaped little cake with butter, peanut butter, whipped cream and a bacon treat in the center. All his favorites!  

He was so excited to try it!

Kate is still riding bikes with her friends up to Meadowbrook - 

Kate + Charlee

Molly and I volunteered at Happy Bottoms one morning . . . were we packaged diapers that were donated to those in need of diapers for their babies.

Kate got her first round of braces off! Look at that smile!

Kate + Victoria started working on a poster to bring to Chiefs training camp . . . 

Last Day in Wyoming + Montana!

 

Feeling bittersweet this morning, as we head out to the park for our last day of adventuring. The last week has been so amazing. Such BEAUTY in nature and such wonderful family time - just the 4 of us exploring together. Lots of laughs and funny memories that I'll never forget. Here's to one more day in the park before we start the 2-day road trip home.

Today we are doing the upper loop of the park . . . 

1st Stop: Paint pots and mud pots from boiling waters . . . 

The mud pots were so cool to watch bubbling.

More hot springs . . .

So much natural color . . .

A different view to hike to of Yellowstone Canyon.

This time hiking to the top!

We made it!

Love his adventurous spirit! I'll follow him anywhere!

Stopping for water on the hike up . . . 

Looking for animals . . . 

Searching . . . 

Found one!

Oh excuse me while I cross the road here . . .

Found a herd not far behind him. So huge!

Spotted: Mama Bear and 4 little cubs by the road - 

Her cubs were so cute, literally rolling down this hill . . .

So cute but glad we were in the safety of our car . . . 

Mike set out the last morning at 5:00 a.m. to view 

the animals at sunrise and saw quite a few - 

Really gonna miss these two beautiful parks! 

Feeling grateful and blessed.