Vacation, School and Waiting

Fair warning...this post has LOTS of pictures! ;) As I sit here looking back on the last week I am amazed at how much we crammed into it. To begin with, we went on a very impromptu vacation to Colorado before we started school. We met up with one of my hubby's cousin and his sweet family and had just a weekend of relaxation and fun. On our way, we stopped by a volcano in Capulin, New Mexico. Right as we got there, it started raining! The kids didn't mind at all and rode all the way up the volcano with the windows rolled down.

It was nice and cool and beautiful! We didn't get to walk the rim of it because of lightning but we didn't care at all. It was just nice to enjoy the rain and cooler temps.

Upon arriving to La Veta, Colorado, this is what we saw in the yard across the street from the house we were staying in! They were everywhere and the kids really enjoyed getting a close up look at some of God's most wonderful animals.

During some exploring, we found these guys at a local church.

On Saturday, we went to Trinidad, CO and had planned on swimming, but the clouds rolled in and it started raining again so we detoured our plans and went shopping instead. We passed this old stairway and I begged Princess to let me take her picture. It just had such character! Trinidad is such a cute little town with old architecture and history. I look forward to going back when I can spend a little more time there.

Then on Sunday we drove into Pueblo, CO and went to the zoo. My kids and I are suckers for zoos.

Can you say wishful thinking? ;)

Jerod's cousin, Casey, is not afraid to be one of the kids. He played and teased around with them all weekend and they were all good buds by the time we headed home. That says a lot for someone they had never met. He's a great guy and we can not let so much time go by between visits again!

I always call them my "little chickens"

Oh my goodness! A family picture!!

All the, umm, "kids" had to have their picture with the bears.

Mr. Brodie...one of the cutest babies EVER (and Casey and Jessica's baby), was such a good sport and just rolled with the flow.

After the zoo, we headed home. Thankfully, we had seen a local farmers stand before we left and was able to stock up on some delicious fresh produce. Peaches are a favorite in this house so we brought a box home with us. They have since been peeled and frozen and ready for yumminess during the cold winter months.

Bright and early Monday morning (okay, more like 10a.m.) we headed out to the school house for the first time since June to start our new school year!

Little Man is starting 5th grade

And Princess is starting 3rd

And we haven't forgotten about our little one who will be with us next year. We have been on the official waiting list for 3 months now...there have not been any referrals for 8 weeks now but they think there will be many very soon. Fingers crossed!! More referrals given means movin' up the list! (We still sit at 35)

We have the pleasure of studying the Roman empire to the Reformation this year so our first day of school was celebrated by eating lunch at Olive Garden.

Ya know...Romans...Rome...Italy...Italian food...Olive Garden....okay, it was a stretch but it works for an excuse to go to one of my favorite restaurants. The next day, we did a little more traditional meal and had fruit, bread and cheese. I had read that one of the small Roman villages didn't use stoves much due to fire hazard so this was their main meal choice. I added some meat to our tray and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Picnic on the fort!!

So all that plus a family birthday party, fantasy football draft and great visiting with neighbors and you have one very full, very fun and very blessed week. More adventures are right around the corner and we can't wait to get started!