Wow! It has been too long since I've posted! I wish I could say its because things have been rather low-key and boring, but in fact, we have all been busy since school started back up, getting used to homework, early bedtimes, soccer practice and games and children's choir started back up at church. We have also been busy working on fair projects in between getting sick and then Colin had a business trip to Denver, where I flew out and joined him for a couple of days. So, as you can see - anything but boring and low-key, but just not a lot of picture-taking. That is about to change, however, as FALL is here! We stay pretty busy in the Fall, starting with our fair this next weekend.
Right now, though, I would like to share some pictures of our beautiful little girl. She has been very busy since starting 1st grade, with many fun projects that her teacher, Mrs. Romero assigned. She loves first grade and is blessed with a great group of classmates and of course, a wonderful teacher. She does still get tired and worn out by the weekend and it is not unusual to find her asleep on the couch in her dress-up clothes like this
A couple of weeks ago, Tombaugh held its Open House for 1st graders. Colin was unfortunately on a business trip to Albuquerque and couldn't be there. He did go in to eat lunch with her the next week and she got to show him her classroom and some of her work. I snapped a quick picture of her with her self-proclaimed BFF, Max:
They were in Kinder together and hit it off there. He reminds me a lot of Colton as he is into the cowboy way of life and sense of style! That is probably why she feels such a connection to him. Her teacher told us that while calling roll one day, she asked them to answer with their favorite person instead of the usual "Here". Their last names both begin with "M" and they are right after each other. When she called Max, he didn't hesitate to call out "Cady" and when she called Cady next, she quickly said, "Max"! When I asked Cady about it she said, "What? He IS my best friend, you know!" :-)
One of her first projects was making a coat of arms that we all were asked to work together on as a family:
In the first section we had to put our last name and she chose - what else?- glitter! In the 2nd section was a picture of our family, third, a picture of our family doing something we enjoy and she chose a soccer picture, and finally, in the last section, we all had to decorate it together. For that one, we all stuck stickers that represent our family - things that had to do with church, archery, camping, soccer and our dogs. 
It was a fun project!
In the first section we had to put our last name and she chose - what else?- glitter! In the 2nd section was a picture of our family, third, a picture of our family doing something we enjoy and she chose a soccer picture, and finally, in the last section, we all had to decorate it together. For that one, we all stuck stickers that represent our family - things that had to do with church, archery, camping, soccer and our dogs. It was a fun project!Then, Cady was chosen as Student of the Week in her class and had to fill out a poster about herself to hang up in her classroom. 
She also got to take something for Show & Tell and chose a set of handmade nesting dolls that were given to her at a craft show when she was a baby, by a lady whose booth was set up near her Papa Jimmy's.
She also got to take something for Show & Tell and chose a set of handmade nesting dolls that were given to her at a craft show when she was a baby, by a lady whose booth was set up near her Papa Jimmy's.Then, Mrs. Romero sent a plain, red, paper apple home for them to decorate however they chose. I hadn't even finished asking her what she wanted to do when she said she wanted to make a "fairy ballerina apple"! I wasn't sure about that, but it was her apple and her idea, so we raided my craft supplies for anything "fairy-ish" and "ballerina-ish". With a little pink tulle, gold ribbon, rhinestones, flowers, glitter and wings, it DID look like a "fairy ballerina apple"!
I was so proud of her and her creativity!
I was so proud of her and her creativity! Finally, her class is completing a unit on Community and they each had to pick a building/place of business that is usually found in communites and make it out of a shoe box or something. Cady chose a hospital and we used a Justin Boots box to make it. Daddy and I both helped her and his idea was the helipad on the roof. :-)
She was happy with it and we think it definitely looks like a hospital!
She was happy with it and we think it definitely looks like a hospital!I know there are more fun projects to come - for her and Colton both. I don't mean to ignore him, but he hasn't done anything real "fun" just yet. I guess that is 4th grade for you! I am sure he will, though, and I will be sure to post it. He is doing well and enjoying school this year - that is what is most important!
They have finally been getting rain up there and everything is so beautiful and green! 
On Sunday, the guys got up early and went hunting for a few hours and Colton was excited to join them. I enjoyed taking pictures of Cady, Jackson and Jagger playing. Especially Cady and Jackson - they play so well together! Never squabble or bicker, just play and enjoy being together. I love that!
He got out his vest and checkered flag:
Jagger and their dog, Hank:
Then, Jagger spotted this lizard...
...and he enlisted Jackson's and Cady's help in catching it. They spent a good 30 minutes trying, and they succeeded! It was fun to watch!
He set it free after about an hour of captivity, though. 
They rode all the way around that campground dozens of times! It was especially fun after the rain on Sunday, when they got to splash through puddles. In fact, the camphost told us a couple of times how much she enjoyed watching our kids ride all around!
How many dads does it take to build a good campfire? :-)
Obviously, just two because they got a good one going that night!
We stayed up late and enjoyed the fire, the starry sky and the peacefulness of being outdoors. None of us were ready to get up the next morning and go home, but knew we had to. 
They did manage to get in a little playtime too:
Colton snapped this one of Colin and I before we left:
After a quick stop to tell Gramma Suzy and Papa Jimmy 'bye, we drove home. It was a great end to summer! I was sad to be home and have to start the ol' routine back up, but then this morning I remembered it is a short week this week, and there was a bit of "chillyness" in the air, which means fall is just around the corner! I am so ready - bring it on!! ;-)