While mom's away......

.....the kids missed her! Matt did too! I had a work trip to Arizona and it was the kids first full week of school. The timing was not ideal - I had several calls filled with tears. One morning Nola cried "Do you PROMISE to come back when you said you were." I assured her I would be at the airport but couldn't make the plane schedule. Brenner worried about the helicopter ride to the school counselor (a good friend of mine). The day I did take the flight Brenner said to Matt "So I guess she made it back then." with no real concern in his voice. Too funny!

My first helicopter ride! I went with a couple other USGS scientists and a NPS scientist down to Supai village to meet with the Havasupai Tribal Council to discuss uranium mining effects. A fantastic experience - despite the storms at the end of the day (storms=high winds in helicopter - yikes!).

After our meeting, we had time to hike down to the falls. Havasupai means people of the blue green water. The color comes from the travertine.

Fred (hydrologist), me (biologist), and Brad (geologist) at Havasu Falls - about a 2 mile hike from the village. Note the rocks next to the water fall - they looked dissolved - which they are from water flowing over them. We also got a chuckle from a couple who slipped on the rocks in the water while trying to get the perfect selfie - the smart phone didn't get wet :)

Water quality lab experiments!

Nola's reading corner that she made in her room.

KC is really growing!

Look at her in this picture - so big!

All we get from Brenner's school work. Parents are no longer spoon-fed!

Some of Nola's drawings from school.

More work - pretty easy for Nola (according to her!).

Nola loved to read us her "new book"! She did great reading it to us!

Off to school

A HUGE week at our house with both kids heading off to school five days a week! Matt has been waiting on this day so he can devote more time to his business, while I have been dreading it a bit! Time is going too fast! But we tackled the week head on and everyone is doing great!

On Monday, we went to open house to meet Nola's kindergarten teacher Mrs. Lenz. Nola was very excited and seems right at home - this was the same room that Brenner was in for kindergarten!

Nola and Corbin (her neighbor, friend, and preschool buddy). Corbin is the only kiddo she knew but I am sure she will charm many. She only has 17 in her class  and about 100 in her grade - a bit down from Brenner's grade.

On Tuesday, we went to David Barton to meet Mrs. Owen. Mrs. Owen LOVES to read and Brenner and her talked books a bit. He was a little shy as always but has come familiar faces in his class. I have heard raves about Mrs. Owen - several proclaiming she is the BEST teacher at the school! She seemed awesome for the few minutes we chatted.

Big guy and his locker!

On Wednesday, it was off to school. I got up at my regular time (4:45 am) and took a shower. When I came out, Nola was sitting on my bed wide awake and ready to go. She was so, so excited! Brenner was also up early. Love these two to pieces!

Showing off their new backpacks!

Waiting for the bus and being silly. The walk down to the bus stop was hard on this mom!

Little Miss Confident - go Nola!

Sniff, sniff. But - new bus driver, praise God. He is very cautious with the kiddos and seems to actually care unlike the driver from last year. So - Brenner and Nola are riding the bus to and from school. So far so good! Corbin also rides with them in the mornings and there are other friendly faces.

First day ice cream celebration! I just had to hear how their day went :) Love those smiles.

Brenner was fascinated by the full moon this week. Matt helped him get out the telescope to take a closer look early one morning.

Nola doing a moon dance? Van Morrison would be proud!

On Saturday, Nola's bestie Morgan celebrated her 6th birthday and invited Nola to join her. Morgan wanted to eat at Golden Corral - this picture just makes me smile - too funny! We got some interesting pictures from Morgan's mom of chocolate faces and lots of whipped cream. Nola also told an interested story about her uncle getting a medal at the Olympics for playing t-ball. This made Morgan's day crack up even as he was telling me the details she put into the story (and she did admit at the end "Just kidding!")!

Next it was off to the movies to see Pete the Dragon in 3D. Then a sleepover. Nola's first with a non-family member. She had an awesome time!

It was promotion Sunday at church. Brenner will be leaving Dr. Bob's class and got a brand new bible to help him transition. Dr. Bob was very complimentary to Brenner noting he knows almost all of the books of the bible. Good job, Brenner!

Nola also was promoted from Mrs. Nancy's class (she will be going to Dr. Bob's class). Nola dressed for church in Morgan's clothes. I was told many times how pretty she look - I said I try to do her hair but she never wants me too. Guess Morgan was her motivation :) Anyway - thanks for all of our wonderful teachers that provide a Christian education to our kiddos every Sunday morning!

Sick puppy, trip to Kanas City, and school preparedness

It has been a hectic few weeks. Little KC got an eye infection and developed juvenile cellulitis (aka puppy strangles - pretty awful but she is doing well. The kids spent 4 days with Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck in Kansas City so Matt and I had a little quite time (really we worked on house projects!). We also celebrated cousin Gannon's 2nd birthday. Time is really flying - hard to believe that school starts this week! 

KC on the mend. The juvenile cellulitis made her eyes and jaw area swell. Thankfully she is looking back to normal. She is acting like a puppy - chewing, running, and eating. She loves to sleep on the A/C vents!

Note the bruise on her forehead. We can thank Brenner and an aluminum bat. Ouch - but she is a trooper!

Brenner's second grade class planted snake gourds as a year end project. We finally harvested some this week - they were quite impressive. Now what to do with them?!

Doggie bingo at Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chucks. Lots of games and fun!

While in Kansas City, the kids went to Science City, The Steamboat Arabia, and Sea of Life - wow no wonder they were tired once we got them back home!

Despite the illness - KC has really grown (check out the picture from the last blog post!). Brenner also looks all grown up!

There is his smile!

School supplies for Kindergarten. 30 glue sticks - still blows my mind even though it was the same for Brenner three years ago. Nola is so excited - we met her teacher Mrs. Lenz today during a school prayer walk. Such a sweet girl!

Brenner's school supplies for third grade weren't as extensive. I have to admit I am more sad with him going to third grade - he is going to a new building that is new for all of us. Brenner is a little nervous too - but he will be great! Open house is just a few days away.