Game Day

Ethan has been anticipating soccer to start for a very long time.  At last the day finally came.  He did a pretty good job for a first timer.  His little team plays 3 on 3 and they call themselves "The Cheetahs".  Watching your son play soccer is pretty fun and entertaining.  I can see why parents really get into this kind of thing.

Daddy's Home!

Daddy came home!  He arrived late at night so first thing in the morning the kids came and jumped on hime in bed.  It was such a nice feeling to be all back together again!

The kids luckily didn't have school on Friday so we were able to spend the day together at the pool.

Richard kept asking me to mow the lawn while Shawn was away.  I kept telling him "when Daddy gets home" - he didn't forget and this is one of the first things he wanted to do with Daddy.

First Day of School

Ethan started Kindergarten this year!  A huge deal and I won't deny that there were a few tears from me on the drive home.  In the morning we said a prayer together and at that moment I knew that he was going to be okay.  Annie started with a new teacher this year in 2nd grade.  She is in a class with 3rd graders and things are quite a bit different from last year.  They both (especially Ethan) were a little nervous not knowing what to expect, but they love to go to school and are already learning so much.  Richard didn't like saying goodbye and he wanted in on the pics. Transitions and adjustments are always hard and I'm proud of the way the kids have had positive attitudes and smiles throughout hard weeks of long school days, a tired pregnant mother and a hard working father who at this time was miles away.

A Day with Grandmas

We had a nice visit with Great Grandma Austin.  Is was good to catch up with her and feel of her goodness.  What an incredible woman that has endured so much and has come out so strong.

As tradition Grandma Chris prepared a lovely tea party for her lovely ladies.  The girls looked so elegant and Grandma brought out her best for the occasion.  They had their pinkies up and were so polite saying "Thank you Grandmother Christine". 

It was so good to see Grandma Lael.  Her home is a second home to me and it was fun to see the kids play in the backyard as I used to when I was their age.  Grandma is such a wonderful person in whom I love and look up to with all my heart.

Pioneer Day Parade

The kids were fortunate enough to be able to be part of the Hillcrest 4th ward annual Primary Pioneer Parade.  Annie dressed up with a bonnet and apron and Grandpa helped create a horse head to tape to her bike.  Ethan cruised through the streets like it was a race and Richard was pushed by Grandpa on his tricycle with a rake.  The only problem was that Richard is not very good at steering.  Richard would go in circles and Grandpa did his best to keep him going strainght. Grandma and I had a good laugh.

Madrid, Spain

We spent the last day of our trip together in Madrid visiting "El Prado".  It was so big with so much art to see we were both pretty exhausted when the day was over.  The next day we had to part at the airport and I flew back to the USA while Shawn found his way over to Sevilla where he would stay for  three more weeks doing research at the archive of the Andies.  It was hard to say goodbye.  My trip was uneventful except for the fact that my luggage didn't arrive with my plane.  It showed up at my parents doorstep the next day.  The reunion with the kids was great!  I missed their little faces so much! My parents were pretty worn out, but still standing.  Things had changed a little while we were away.  Annie was a toothless wonder, Richard was speaking in full sentences and Ethan could do cartwheels like I have never seen before.  They had a wonderful time!

Toledo, Spain

After a week and half in the Canary Islands we spent a half of a week touring a bit of the mainland
Spain.  Above is the amazingly beautiful and very historic city of Toledo.  We had such a great time just walking around the cobblestone streets, visiting cathedrals, viewing art by "El Greco" and buying souvenirs.  We also walked down below the city to see some really neat Roman ruins dating back to the  2nd century.  We couldn't resist tasting some churros with thick hot dipping chocolate!  So delicious!!