School + Dad's Birthday

The first day of school for the kids and I was Thursday - August 15th. The alarm went off bright and early and we made it happen. Hannah was excited to go back for everything, Zane was excited to see his friends again. This year Hannah is in 2nd grade and Zane is in 4th.

I get to work with the same great team as last year! 

 Friday after school, we went straight up to Iowa to help my dad celebrate his 70th birthday! Saturday morning started with some fishing, as most mornings do on the lake. Nick and Mason took a loop in the paddle boat with no luck.

 But Mason got one off the dock!

Dad wanted to paint with the grandkids so they each got a canvas, and while they were all painting the same thing, each one turned out unique to the imagination of the artist. It was a neat process to watch and the kids loved it - AND they have new, homemade art for their walls!

Dad was a great sport and agreed to my surprise photo shoot!

 I think each grandkid took a bite directly out of the cake after we were done. I mean, how often do you get to do that?! Thanks, Dad, for humoring me :)

Hannah helped harvest potatoes.

 The cousins cooled off in the pool.

We gifted Dad a photobook that took him down memory lane. 

Evening fishing was good to Hannah - she got 2 Bluegills!

Nick is taller than me. He's 14. Zane's not quite taller than Erica yet. 

We finished the night with a bonfire. No s'mores though because we were all full of cake!

Happy birthday, Dad! I'm so happy we could spend the day with you.

ATA Tournament

The day after we got back from Colorado, we loaded up again to head an hour and a half south to an ATA tournament in Lake of the Ozarks. This was Zane's second tournament and he competed in forms, weapon, and sparring against other 9-10 year olds in the blue-rec black division. First up was form:

 Weapon was next...I don't know what I was doing but this one of him after his routine was the only one I got with the sword.

 Then sparring. He's on the left.

 He's on the right. Look at that high kick!

He's on the left against a different opponent this time.

Hannah entertained herself by tumbling on an empty mat once things cleared out a little bit.

Zane took home 3rd in sparring! Way to go, buddy!!

CO Reunion :: Hiking + Pearl Street

Morning family hike!

Hannah was interested in taking pics.

This is her photos. We'll talk about framing and filling the frame...but for now, it's in focus - yay!

We reached a neat lookout after not too long and stopped to catch breath and take photos.

Kiddos with Oma.

Cousins on a rock.

Rippeys on a rock.

Deer! It's wearing a rather large tracking collar, but still cool nonetheless.

Hannah and Scarlet in a tree.

The grass had a blue hue to it. 

 My boys.

We split up after the first set of rocks, some going up more, and some going back to the cabins. We never miss an opportunity to pose on rocks.

Whew! We reached the lookout and could see the whole town. Thankfully, people had made these huge "couches" out of slabs of rock.

Zane and Uncle Chris chillin' pretty hard.

We didn't go that way.

Zane and Aunt Megan on the descent.

Our squirrelly dinner dates.

Scarlet.

The toy shop on Pearl Street isn't messing around.

Uncle Chris is the best! Ice cream for everyone!!

Uncle Matt watching the hooligans.

Painting wooden fish under the awning of Oma and Opa's cabin during a rain shower.

Dinner al fresco.

Uncle Matt shot a video involving everyone. Here he is showing bits and pieces of the raw footage. Can't wait to see the final product!

An evening hike with Amanda and Fred.

And a double rainbow to end it all. We left feeling grateful and recharged. Thanks family :)