Week 2 of School

 Jacob took a nasty fall in the backyard rocks and awakened looking like this the morning of school pictures!

 John lost (and swallowed) his first tooth.  It took the tooth fairy awhile to come (we're out of practice!)

 The J's and I have been having fun in the afternoon.  We made a trip to the Littleton Historic Museum and had the place to ourselves. 

First Day of School 2016

 These three are ready to roll!  (Kenny, once again, opted out of wearing the school shirt....maybe in 3rd grade??:-)

 Jacob walked tall into school.  This kid does not lack confidence!  Bring on Kindergarten!

 John was excited, but kept saying he didn't want to read books!  That didn't last long.  By week 3 he has read 3 different books all on his own.

 Kenny all of the sudden seems like a big kid!  Reading longer books and doing math drills.  He's rocking 2nd grade so far!

 Kenny lining up with his class for the pep rally

 The kindie's all sitting in a huddle before the pep rally.

Jacob walking out of the 6th grade tunnel and ready to head to his classroom.

John exiting the tunnel.

I may have squealed my tires and sang the Hallelujah Chorus on my way out of the parking lot!?:-)

Back to school already? Meet & Greet

 Summit View Elementary is now the school for all three boys.  Hallelujah (although I'm there three times a day dropping off and picking up!)

 These three are too cool for school!

Jacob with his Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Belitz.  (John's in the same class, I just didn't get a picture)

Erb Family Fun

 It wouldn't be a trip to Iowa without lunch at the Whistlestop Café.  We loved keeping Great Grandpa company, though the lunch was less than peaceful:-)

 John hit the jackpot at the Ledges (a state park about 3 miles from my family)  He started by catching minnows and quickly graduated to full-size bluegill!

 All the cousins had so much fun playing!

Living the good life in Iowa

 We started our time in Iowa with a birthday party for Uncle Nate!

 He provided the entertainment with lots of go-cart rides. 

 The boys were thrilled to meet their new cousin, but proclaimed that they won't be playing with her since she's a girl!?  Seriously!

 But Sarah will be happy to play with Ella (and may be starting to lobby for a girl:-)

 The boys loved helping Grandma in the garden. 

There's nothing like a County Fair in Iowa

 Jacob checking out this tractor....too bad the keys weren't in it:-)

 It was boiling hot and the boys had to wear long pants and shirts for the mutton busting, so we had to get an ice cream cone to cool off.

Jacob rocked mutton busting!  He rode the length of the arena (the farthest of all the kids).  He was a little shaken after he fell off, but loved the applause of the audience and liked the idea of participating in a Colorado rodeo (I think we'll stick to skiing:-). 

Kenny was less than excited when he saw the crowd in the grand stand.  He said, "Mom, I thought this was a contest, not a show!".  Needless to say he didn't give his ride his all, and decided that riding a sheep once is enough:-)

John was the last Bolthouse to ride and gave it his all.  He hit his elbow when he fell off and had a quivering lip, which turned into tears and wailing when he reached mama at the edge of the arena. 

Our favorite summer hike: Devil's Head Lookout

 We did our favorite local hike with our favorite local people.  The boys rocked the hike up, especially all the stairs to get up the fire tower (and the mommies were pretty calm too:-)

 These 5 were impatient, but Kristen and I were determined to get their picture with the forest ranger. 

This is forest ranger Bill.  He's 84 years old and has been manning this tower for 34 years (April-October he lives in a cabin at the base of the tower).  He has to hike down once a week to get supplies, which he then carries back up.  Amazing!

4th of July in the Black Hills: Cathedral Spires hike

 We love doing evening hikes and this one didn't disappoint.  We did this hike on the 4th of July, and finished in plenty of time for fireworks:-)  It was so peaceful to be the only ones on the trail, and to enjoy these gorgeous views all by ourselves!

4th of July in the Black Hills: Mt. Rushmore and Buffalo

 It wouldn't be a trip to the Black Hills without some up close encounters with buffalo!  We came across this big guy on a dirt road in Custer State Park. 

 Once the buffalo was checked off the list it was time for Mt. Rushmore!  This was the highlight--right here.  The boys' first view of the faces.  Within 15 minutes they were underwhelmed.  But Darin and I enjoyed learning how they created the sculptures:-)

4th of July in the Black Hills: Jewel Cave

 The boys' first experience in a cave.  It was great, but I don't think we're the spelunking kind of family!?

4th of July in the Black Hills: Sylvan Lake Hike

 We had just enough energy to do the easy 1-mile walk around Sylvan Lake. 

 Georgeous!

John found minnows and we could barely pull him away.  We went back the next day prepped to swim and he spent the afternoon catching minnows with a borrowed net.  I wouldn't be surprised if he caught 100!