Sara's 1st Day!

Today was Sara's first day of preschool.  This is her last year before kindergarten!  Isn't she STYLIN'!!!

 And this is her after preschool :-)

Labor Day

Yesterday, we hiked to Cuberant Lake and the Lofty Lakes in the High Unitas.  

(yah, we hike in formation because we're cool like that :-)

We must have seen a dozen lakes! 

Sam and Rylie decided to test out the water.

We underestimated the amount of miles it would take us to hike to Cuberant and do the loop.  We ended up doing 8 miles.  The terrain was rocky and steep in places, but the views were worth it.  We were met with some wind and rain toward the end of the hike.  That always seems to happen when we're hiking in that area.  Thankfully, our kids are real troopers!!!

(note to self: always pack rain gear and fleece jackets when hiking in the high unitas :-)

And this last picture is for you, Dad.  

(He's a Plant Pathologist and studies water lilies.  I can't count the number of times I've seen him wade into some body of water to collect samples.)

The GOLDEN RULE!

Each year we have a "Back To School Feast" with a theme.  In past years we've done "I Am A Child Of God", "Put On The Whole Armor Of God", "Let Your Light So Shine", etc.  This year we decided to focus on the Golden Rule...and not just at home, but wherever they go! (Let's hope it sticks!)
 
For our feast, Aaron smoked pork tender loin (YUM!), and we had some "golden" sides like apricot jello and rolls.  For dessert I made creme brulee' (YUM...again!)

I spray painted wooden rulers a metallic gold color and wrote the golden rule on each of them for the kids. 

The best part of all, following the feast-ivities, Aaron gave each of the kids a father's blessing.  I don't know a better way to start off the school year!!!