Last Weekend vs This Weekend

The first picture was taken in the backyard last weekend- we were out throwing the ball around in the late afternoon sun. Fast forward exactly week, and you will see the kids after Winter Storm Q. And then there is the video. Hard to believe that a foot of snow can be almost "unsleddable" (unless you have an inner tube!), but the kids sure gave it their best effort! My favorite parts are when big brother hustles up the hill to give sister a push (more like a kick, but hey;) and when Sophia shouts " What's the matter with this baby??!" only to have the sled launch down the hill without her. (It seems the video did not come through- so sorry)

Happy New Year!

Yes, it has been way too long since my last post-- but it has been quite a busy time. Here are the latest (mainly Christmas) from the

kids.

Happy Halloween

Sophia dressed to match her doll Julie as a Colonial girl. She was really excited and carried her in her arms the whole time. Ben went for the Star Wars theme as Anakin Skywalker. They had an aweome time and brought home an absolute haul!

Fall Festival

This series of Sophia swinging really captures her right now. We went to Bend State Park for their annual Fall Festival. They got to pet a corn snake & chickens, they helped make a apple cider, painted pumpkins and bowled with them too. The autumn is going fast and I am trying to enjoy every minute!

Watkins Ranch & More

I signed the kids up for horse lessons two weeks ago and they are loving it so far...I think mainly because of the BARN KITTENS they discovered the first time. They had to do chores before the ride this time, so I helped them through mucking two horse stalls. They were not real crazy about this part, but I agree with the owner that it an essential part of riding horses. Took me back to my summer at horse camp! (I asked Ben to show me his "Picture Day smile" and this is what he showed me...this should be another great one! ;)

First Day of 1st!

This was a monumental week for the Olmo family. Luis flew out to Cuba on Monday while I was atarting my first official day back to teaching (I have had three days of training beforehand). Ben began first grade on Thursday and Sophia began her year of preschool as a Voyager. We made it through the week but are all recovering from allergies/colds? this weekend. Please keep us in your prayers! ...I threw in some pictures from our last weekend together- a short road trip to Lawrence and Topeka.

Happy Fourth!

Our darling girl turns four today...and boy is she ready to tell the world. We are planning a movie party to see Brave to celebrate. When I look back, she seems to have grown up so much and yet that smile remains the same. :)