September Events

 Pool Fun with Daddy!

 Swinging on the rope in Gymnastics

 Queen Elsa and Luke Skywalker are working together to defeat the Storm Troopers

After a long day (preschool and a 2 hour play date at the splash pad), Derek fell asleep on me. These moments are rare and I enjoyed every minute!!

 Painting

 cutest load of laundry ever

 4 years old and cavity free!!!

Date night with this special lady...new purple sunglasses (worn just like Mommy wears hers) and 2 new princess dresses...then dinner and ice cream...LOVE spending time one-on-one with the kids.

 the RAINS came down.....

 wrestling with big brother is the best!!

Rylie LOVES to read in her room before falling asleep for naptime or bedtime. 

Flash lights are the best.

 Weather is cooling off so we were outside riding bike and coloring with sidewalk chalk

 Costco runs are our favorite!

 Weather is cooling off...park time!!!

 We LOVE Daddy!

 Pirate Derek after Lily's birthday party and Rylie studying the treasure map for the party.

 making pinkalicious cupcakes with Rylie/Queen Elsa

 lunch with Daddy after Children's Museum

 Rylie's hair is getting so long and she LOVES the park!

Grand Canyon

We took a family trip to the Grand Canyon (it was a first trip for Derek, Rylie and myself). We got up super early and made the 3.5 hr drive to the Grand Canyon. It was absolutely amazing!! It doesn't seem real, its just soo big! We visited 3 different viewing points and even hiked a short bit, all the while keeping a TIGHT hold of the kiddos. Derek and Rylie were great travelers and we can't wait for our next family adventure.

trying for a family selfie

hiking a ways down - with Miss Sharon

Enjoying lunch

 Hiking a little bit

Family Adventure Day

We have decided to be intentional about the time we spend together as a family. We discovered that the best way for our family to do this was to plan adventures to go on as a family. They are purposeful and planned in advance and so far have involved some sort of road trip. Not only Matt and I have LOVED our adventure days, but Derek and Rylie have LOVED them too. They talk about them and ask when the next one will be! :) We LOVE getting away, being the car for 2+ hours together, being unplugged from technology, talking, laughing, and making memories! Can't wait for our next adventure!

Exploring Tonto Natural Bridge and getting ice cream in Pine at the Gingerbread House.

September 2014 Derek Preschool Pics

meet and greet with Derek's teachers

1st day of Pre-K

We are so proud of Derek and excited to watch him grow this year. We pray he would continue to ask questions, be curious, investigate things and love to learn. 

Before dropping him off for his first day we went to Dunkin Donuts for special breakfast. Derek got a red donut and Rylie picked pink, of course.

In asking Derek a few questions before his first day of Pre-K....

* When I grow up, I want to be  - Darth Vador

* I am super good at - racing cars (matchbox cars)

* My favorite place to be is - the Police Park

* This year I hope to learn - about reading

* I love when I get to read - books

* The coolest person on earth - is God

* My favorite thing to do at school is - work

*My best friends are - Zack, Bella, Ryan, Lilly & Quinn