Still lovin' it!

Well - we made it through our first week of school. The kids are very happy - and close to home. Things are so laid back here. The kids are called into school by their teachers from the playground every morning. They also get 2 recesses during their day. They are allowed to wear flip-flops to school when they don't have P.E. and every Wednesday is 1/2 day. Chase goes to afternoon KG and doesn't start until 12:50!







Here are some pictures of Madison riding her bike to school.





Madison made an instant friend (Ally) at school. Chase did the same. His new buddy is also Chase! Madison is telling everyone now to call her "Maddy". Stuart and I are trying to correct this new phase before it sticks.







During the week we took advantage of the Lincoln Park Pool before it closes after Labor Day. Yes, that is Chase being the first one off of the 12 foot high dive! (Gammy don't have heart failure). Madison figured her little brother couldn't show her up, she went next. Bryce likes the splash pad and little pool the best. Madison loves the slide!


































We took off this past weekend to Glenwood Springs to ride along the river trail there. We rode for 13 miles. It was wonderful.

The we went for a dip in the hot springs - sooo fun! Here's a picture of the hot springs pool - HUGE! This is where we went after skiing this winter when there was snow all over the ground. There are two large slides on the left side of the picture. The smallest pool at the far end is a kiddie pool - not spring fed - normal temp. The next pool that still looks small is the theraputic pool - it's the hotest because it is the closest pool to the springs. Feels like a hot tub. The enormous pool feels nice.









On Sunday we rode Tour the Valley with Uncle Dennis, Aunt Terry, Katie and Lee. We rode the 35 mile ride from near the Grand Junction Airport to Fruita and back. It was the most gorgeous ride. It was a bit of a challenge the last part of the ride. It felt like a great accomplishment. Pictures to come on that one - I didn't take my camera. Please keep me updated on how things are going for you. I have only heard from a few of you (thank you) and would love to hear from each of you!!!


God bless you -


Kristy

Hey there!

8/20/2007 -

Well, we returned back to Colorado on the 6th and made it home on the 7th. When we got here, our house was 92 degreesAC was out of coolant. After that was fixed we were back into full swing. We really enjoyed getting to spend time with most of you while we were back in Florida. It made it very hard to leave. Man was it ever hot there. But, we do love and miss you guys.

We officially started homeschooling on the 13th . The kids were so bored by the afternoon and begging for things to do. After researching, I found that the homeschool support group here is NOTHING like "Heart" (the support group in Ocala). There is nothing organized, only a newsletter where people can start an activity themselves and post it, as well as a phone directory. So, even though there are 18 2nd grade girls and 17 Kg boys, there is never going to be an opportunity for Madison and Chase to meet them. People say that it's the "independent" Colorado way of thinking. The group was once small and set up to allow people to remain independent, yet never changed as the numbers grew. As people are moving here from other states and areas, they want more. A small group of people are trying to start a new group without offending anyone, yet it's a few years away from being established. I had a very sad day Thursday realizing all of this after talking to many people about it. So, I looked at a few schools around here (the school system out is amazing!) . We liked a new charter school that meets M-Thurs., but there were no slots for Chase. After lots of tears and prayers - we decided to put them in the elementary school that's next to our neighborhood. We can walk them to school! Chase will only be in 1/2 day. I'm going to be volunteering and helping out as much as I can. The kids are so excited to finally meet some friends. They only have a couple now from church. So that's our big decision for now - let them try school. They didn't get to start today (the first day for everyone else), but they will be there tomorrow. Here's a picture of Wingate Elementary School off of the county website.













On another note. I went to my Dr. visit today! The OBGYN was wonderful! He took me into his office to sit down and talk about any problems I was having (my cyst). He was very personable and he lives near us. His daughter goes to school where the kids will be going. He walks her to school, then bikes to work (about a 35-40 minute ride). Biking is HUGE around here. I just got a road bike and love it. Stuart road and mountain (scary!) bikes. Anyway, the doctor wants to do a Laproscopy to look at the cyst and any scar tissue from the rupture to take care of the pain I've had since May. Just wanted to update all of you. Please let me know how everything is going in your life. God bless you!
Love - Kristy