CR-B Homecoming!

Last night, Chris, the girls, and I got the chance to go back to our Coon Rapids-Bayard for the homecoming festivities. I can honestly say I have very mixed feelings about heading back. First of all, Mike Deeth's speech about small town pride really touched me. I do have great memories tied to that town and I miss some of the people. I loved seeing tons of people involved from the community. My favorite part was seeing all my sisters involved in their own aspect of homecoming! Here are a few highlights below!

Emily speaking about the volleyball team! She has grown so much since I first met her over 10 years ago!

Abby and Anna getting ready to perform with the Colorguard. Man, I miss that part of CR-B for sure! 

Colorguard performing!

Emma and Suzy participating in a game with the royalty court. 

:-)

Emily and her parents- all glamorous! Brenna's reaction to seeing her was: "Wow! She looks Wonderful!"

Little fatherly love

The Court: The boy in the green and the girl in the red ended up as King and Queen. Even though Emma didn't get the crown, she's still top in our books!

I just love her expression in this one.

The court.

Emma and her two biggest fans!

This is where Brenna was the whole time after coronation.  Pretty sure she thought Emma was a princess.

Emma and Sean.

And again.

Brenna also has a special interest in this guy...not sure why. :-)

And possibly my favorite picture of the evening. :-) 

Brenna's first day of Preschool!

It is finally here! The day we have been counting down to since Lexi started school more than two weeks ago. Brenna's first day of preschool!

She looks so little next to the tree!

Last night, we picked out a new dress along with matching shoes and headband. We discussed who would be picking her up and dropping her off at Amber's. My favorite line of the night:

Lexi (while filling Bren in on her knowledge of school): "When you get to my grade.....good luck!"

While Bren is very loud and outgoing to people she knows, she can start off being a little shy. I was concerned about that all day. As we are discussing school on the car ride there, she is practically jumping up and down in her car seat saying, "I'm so excited!"

So Excited!

As I take her into the school, I think to myself...Here it comes: the clinging to my leg, the tears, etc. Did it happen? No way. Bren looks at me, gives me a hug, and runs into the classroom without looking back.

Finding a new friend already!

Of course, I am happy she didn't cry, but I could have used a little "I still need my mommy" emotion from her. It is very bittersweet to see your baby head off to school. I know many of you are thinking "She doesn't have to be the baby." But, for now, she is and I am so glad I got to share this milestone with her!

Happy 1st day of School!

Happy 1st day of school! The annual tree picture! I'm not sure which is growing faster!

 Alexa had to wear her new boots to school! She also got chosen to be an ambassador for the new kindergarteners. That means she gets to help them at lunch and at recess. She felt pretty important this morning.

Sisterly Love! Bren doesn't start preschool until after Labor Day!

Warrior Dash 2012

When I first heard that the Warrior Dash was coming to Earlham, I was excited. But when I heard the date, I knew I had to sign Chris and I up...regardless what Chris said. 7/14....our wedding date. Our 5th year wedding anniversary to be exact!

5 years may not be a long time, but we are so excited to have reached this milestone! Many people doubted we would last, but honestly, I think we are more in love now than 5 years ago. Enough of the sappy love stuff, on to the Warrior Dash!

For those of you who don't know what a Warrior Dash is, it's a 5k race with multiple obstacles along the way. For example, we had to climb rope nets, crawl through trenches, and jump over fire just to name a few. Here are some pictures of this day!

We are ready!

Our costumes! Chris is a trooper!

We had a lot of "Happy Anniversary" wishes during the race (from the people passing us :-)

Adam hoping over the fire

So excited to see the end!

Had to make sure the tulle didn't catch on fire!

Into the mud pit. Goodbye pretty white tulle!

Danielle and Erin after the race

We are warriors!

After picture. I had to lose the skirt because it was so heavy!

The men!

We rocked it!

Happy Anniversary!

Love.

Represent!

Don't mess with us! (By this point, Chris just wants the photo shoot over!)

 It was a lot of fun. Chris and I stayed with each other throughout the race.....you know, through thick and thin! :-) What a great way to celebrate 5 years. What to do for our 10 year? Tough Mudder, anyone?

Day 7: Laura Ingall Wilder Day!

Our last day of the trip was probably the highlight of the trip for me! I read the Laura Ingalls Wilder books when I was little and have always wanted to go over to De Smet to her house. But it was always too far out of the way on our trips to Grandmas in Minnesota.

Luckily, I have a husband who loves his wife enough to take her there. The girls and I have been reading the books together as well so this was as equally exciting for them!

"This is like Laura's wagon!"

pumping water from the well

Pretty proud of their muscles!

Washing clothes by hand.....A lot more work!

Alexa showing Bren what clothes pins are for!

This great tour guide really explained the life of a pioneer to the girls. They were intrigued.

In another wagon!

The girls got to help drive the horses to the school.

My little pioneer girls. Bren wasn't digging the hat.

Great experience!

After a long day,we spent one more night camping at Lake Thompson. Beautiful lake and scenery. We got up early the next morning and finished the drive home! What a great family vacation! I am so grateful for all the memories we made! Already planning our trip for next year!