Pictures of the kids

Sometimes the best pictures are just of the kids being themselves.

Sorry, kids, you can't come in until that window is clean again!

 

Maya, I said to think OUT of the box!

 

The kids are actually starting to play together, not just near each other.  It is SO awesome.

 

Every night I sneak in and kiss him goodnight... he has the most amazing smell and sometimes it's hard to say goodnight.

 

 Dr Jeckyl, meet My Hyde!

 

 Maya hamming it up

Xander's First day of school portrait

Don't make a big deal out of the first day of school or the kid might cry!  Quick, snap a picture, grab a hug, wave goodbye and drive away before the kid sees you get all teary.  How quickly they grow up.

 

Xander at Blue Mountain Montessori Pre-school

Pro Cycling Challenge in Crested Butte

Xander starts school this week, but we decided to start him late so we could all be up in Crested Butte for the Pro Cycling Challenge, which goes right past our house up there.  How cool!  Last year was the first year and I was so busy with school and with launching FFM that it just wasn't possible and this year I really didn't want to miss out!  We also then got to see the race start out of Gunnison the next day.

The Fossums came up, and our great friend from Virginia Tech days, Jake Stephens, stayed with us as well.  We even got to see my Aunt Ruthie and Uncle Jim from St. Louis briefly, as they were helping to marshal the course!  Everyone had a great time, and we introduced the kids to super-fan tailgating!

It's amazing how close the Fossums and the Lewis's have become.  Elizabeth and I met while pregnant with the boys, who have practically grown up together.  Elizabeth has taken care of the kids at least one day a week and as many as three days a week for most of the last 3 years.  You can see how comfortable the kids are with Paul, too!  It's such a blessing!

 Oh wait.  Hmm..... Maya and Jackson's first kiss.   This is trouble.

Old Dog, New Trick

6 months ago we watched a friend's dog, and this dog slept on couches... Ever since, Otto has too.  Oh, he always did, but now he doesn't even try to pretend otherwise and sneak up onto the couch after we are upstairs.  We knew Otto only had a little while left with us, he's been losing weight (check out his super loose collar in the photo) and mobility, so we decided it was ok, to let him have this happiness.  Well, Otto has surprised us and has hung in there.  Unfortunately, the couches are now in pretty rough shape from Otto's enormously long nails.

Ah well, it's a small price to pay for more time with our buddy.  Rest up, Old Man.

I'm going to PUMP YOU UP!

Xander helping Dad pump up his muscles...

Xander in a Moment

These photos absolutely CAPTURE Xander... carefree, happy, creative, mischevious, clever, athletic, and ready to save the world.  He's not quite ready for flying lessons, but his bike is pretty fast!