Videos from Kenny's Preschool Graduation

The ceremony started with the pledge of allegiance.....

The graduates sang three songs.  This was the 3rd, and cutest (we doubt that kenny will be appearing on Broadway anytime soon:-)

And finally....the presentation of diplomas.  Kenny was the very first to be presented!

Videos from Estes Park

We had a Sunday afternoon hail storm.  The boys had great fun collecting it and then making "hail soup".  It was YUMMY!

The J's were great hiking buddies during our last hike of the weekend.  It's amazing they didn't fall while holding hands:-)

Memorial Day weekend in Rocky Mountain National Park!

What a weekend we had!  Conditions weren't great (cool temps, cloudy & spotty rain), but we didn't let that stop us from racking up miles on our hiking shoes! 

 First stop was Lily Lake.  It was an easy hike around the lake before we opted to ascend to the upper trail (more conducive to rock climbing:-).

 Jacob and John didn't have any fear, or lack of energy!

 Jacob loves climbing anything....what could be better than a rock with a tree growing out of it?

 Day 2 took us on a 3.4 mile hike in the Wild Basin area.  The entire hike was gorgeous, mostly following this raging mountain stream.

 We hit major snow not too far after this picture, and didn't quite make it to the cascade falls:-(

 Sarah took the boys back to the trailhead and home for lunch while Darin hiked another couple of hours on his own (hence the selfie).

Day 3 took us to Alberta Falls.  We loved this hike last year, and couldn't wait to take our good friends on it this year.  Unfortunately, the late spring snowfall resulted in 80% snow packed trails.  We couldn't admit defeat and dragged 5 little boys through the snow and up to the falls.  All three Bolthouse boys were crying uncontrollably the last quarter mile to the car.  Needless to say, we didn't capture the adventure (fears of incrimination??:-).

 Day 4 and we finally had clear skies!  We did a quick one-mile lap around Sprague Lake before driving through the mountains with a stop off at Golden Gate State Park for a 2.5 mile hike. 

We'll all be sleeping well tonight!  Let summer begin!

Kenny's PreK Graduation

 It was graduation day around here!  It took me back to my own graduation....with frantic ironing and all:-)

 The Bolthouse brothers before the big ceremony.

 Kenny holding Mrs. Kellam's hand during the processional.

 Kenny had a front row spot for the ceremony. 

 His yawns were more impressive than his singing, though he did a great job with the gestures that went with the songs!

 Kenny was the very first to receive his diploma...he had a hard time coordinating the handshake while taking the diploma:-)

 The preschool coordinator presenting Kenny with his diploma.

 Brother's after the ceremony (J&J are anxiously awaiting the promised cookies at the reception:-)

 We couldn't love this sweet boy any more!

 Kenny with his buddies Preston & Noah.

 It was tough to say goodbye to Kenny's wonderful teachers.  Mrs. Wiesler was a slave driver.  She had high expectations for the kids and made sure they stayed on task....just what we needed:-)

And Mrs. Kellam always had love to share....and expressed her hope throughout the year to have Jacob & John in her class. 

Kenny's SUPER 5th Birthday party

 Fourteen kids, 11 parents, and one HAPPY KENNY!  We did a superhero theme for his 5th birthday.  Kids came in costume and solved the mystery of the kidnapped super heroes (scavenger hunt with action figures frozen in blocks of ice at the end).  The kids had to save the superheroes by squirting them with warm water to melt the ice. 

 What a fun way to celebrate Kenny's 5th birthday--and his transition from preschool to kindergarten.:-)

Mother's Day Snow Fun!?

This is no joke.  It's May 11!  Happy Mother's Day:-)

Happy Mother's Day!

 Trying to get a good picture with this crew is about as easy as brokering a mid-east peace deal!:-) 

 Mommy offered up jelly beans for anyone who was willing to look at the camera and smile.

What a crew....love them and their antics!  Happy Mother's Day to all:-)

Kenny's birthday continues!

 We like to have month-long birthday celebrations around here.  Kenny opened his card from Grandma Bolthouse.  It took us a few day sot get to the store, where he picked out a police truck lego set to buy with his birthday money.

The Star Wars lego stickers and Power Ranger stickers were an immediate hit!  Thanks Grandma!

Love In Action Day with MOPS

 My MOPS group had a Love In Action day project at a local park.  We picked up trash for one hour, then played and at popsicles for the next hour:-)  It was a great way to practice serving others.

 Thankfully, we didn't run into any snakes....

...though we did find a cool "tunnel" to explore!

Kenny's Snap-Circuit Circus:-)

Kenny turned 5!

Kenny had lots of love for his 5th birthday.  Great Grandma Clara gave him a robot card and money....

 We had pizza and "licorice" cake at Great Gma & Gpa Erb's house.....

 Great Gma & Gpa Erb gave Kenny a card and money too:-)

We got back to Colorado and went to sushi & self-serve ice cream (Kenny picked both), and gave Kenny his final gift.  A electronic snap circuit set.  It's really cool, but will take lots of help from Mom & Dad!

We love our clever little 5-yr-old whose favorite saying right now is "Mom, I just joked!" 

France Recovery/Iowa Fun

We are so blessed to have so many Great Grandparents to love and spoil us! 

 John and Great Grandma Clara enjoyed some book time (followed by John rubbing Grandma's back:-).

 Uncle Andrew is always good for some fun, but after his morning final, he was more into cuddling.

Great Grandpa Don was full of stories from his time in World War 2, sailing in and out of French ports.