Back to school came a little earlier in August than we would have liked, but these kiddo's handled it well. Jacob started first grade in Mr Browns classroom. Spencer, 4th grade, with Mrs Golden. Maren, 7th grade at West Middle, and Amanda began her sophomore year at Grand Junction High school.
The kids handles the early morning fairly well, and all four have been biking most of the time, to get themselves to and from school, which is really nice for me! At least until the snow starts flying.
Spencer won a few tickets to see the Grand Junction Rockies play through the summer reading program at our library. In fact they were realy good seats. And the treats were pretty good as well.
The local symphony did a fun concert in the park night. It was really fun. The kids loved the star wars music they played, and the atmosphere was relaxed in a beautiful setting.
And just because school had started didn't mean we were done adventuring, we just moved those adventures closer to home. We took a back road route up the front of the MESA to hike this beautiful trail. It was so cool. But we may have signed up for more than we bargained for when we came across fresh Bear scat on the trail. Luckily no bears made themselves known, and we got to explore a fun new area.
Dave and I spent a day when the kids were in school hiking the crags crest trail on the mesa. It was incredible. Amazing views along the highest elevation of the grand mesa. It was really a tough hike too, and I was glad we had opted to do it without kids, as my legs felt jello towards the end. We enjoyed the time together and the challenge.
The trail follows along this narrow spine for several miles, it is exposed and rocky, but the views were some of the best anywhere.
We also took a day trip down to arches to hike the fiery furnace, for which we had reserved tickets to months in advance. It was so cool to see all that was in this area. I believe we only touched the tip of what was down in there. But what we saw was pretty neat.
Scull Arch
I also talked these kids into fitting in one more hike, after a lunch and a rest, to delicate arch. I have never hiked this Utah icon, and I thought it was about time to remedy that.
Maren had her best friends over to celebrate her 13th birthday. They went to see a movie, had pizza, and just generally goofed off all day. It was the perfect way to spend a birthday!
We did manage to meet some new friends in the neighborhood, and this about sums up how my kids feel about that. And their roller coaster is imaginative play at it's best!
Maren had another fantastic soccer season, with no injuries, and lots of goals and assists. man I love watching her play!
Jacob had another great season again. His team moved up to a bigger field and more players on the field, and I think he really enjoyed the space to spread out and play. He has been lucky to be on a team with a few teammates he has played a lot with, and they are getting good at talking to one another and setting up plays together. They went undefeated this season, only tying one game.
Jacob also had a, not so great, trampoline injury, that of course happened when I was unreachable because of jury duty. He lost three of his top teeth, only a few months after loosing his official first baby tooth. He had to have them pulled out in the end. And who better than to have teeth pulled, then with your best friend? Who also happens to be your dentist's son. I guess it made it fun for the both of them?!?
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