Anna’s first day of fourth grade

Both kids have started new schools this past week. Anna was very excited and somewhat nervous for her new school. After being at Waldorf for seven years this was a big change for her. A new learning system, new people, new teachers, new campus, it was all new to her. While she liked her first day by day four she was really missing her old school. After a weekend break with a lot of time to chill at home, she seems ready to go back and give it a go.

Anna got to ring the school bell on her first day of school

Jude had an extra three days of school vacation as his school did not start until Thursday. So he and Marcy had a little fun together before he began middle school on Thursday. He also liked his new school and had a great first two days.

Jude on his first day of sixth grade

I am down in Sydney for my father’s funeral which is tomorrow. I have caught up with some friends and family already and we are preparing for the service tomorrow.

With my niece Sarah on Saturday night

Chloe, Lily, Ella and Anna head off to Keystone Science School camp

Monday morning began in Keystone with four of the kids heading off to camp. Jude decided he did not want to do Keystone Science School camp this year so he was a free agent all week. The four girls all had a great time in camp and as it was the last one of the summer it was very much a celebration.

Jude went bowling in Vail

Jude did a variety of activities this week. Marcy took him on a long bike ride one day, fourteen miles around Lake Dillon from Keystone to Frisco, he did tennis lessons, mountain biking, a golf lesson and he went bowling one day. Nathan and I took him golfing for nine holes at the River Course at Keystone one day which he really liked as well.

Anna, Ella and Chloe go canoeing on Keystone Lake

Saturday was our last full day together. In the morning the weather wasn’t great but Jude and I went for a short hike before settling in to watch the Arsenal game. The others went to River Run and tried to stay dry. The weather cleared up in the afternoon and we all went down to the lake. There was some canoeing and kayaking as well as playing on the sand beach. Keystone even provided free s’mores for the kids.

Enjoying smores after dinner at Keystone Lake

We used to take photos of all the kids under the kitchen counter when they could stand underneath it easily. They are all too big for that now but Marcy took this photo to keep the tradition going.

All five cousins under the kitchen counter

This week was a rough one for me. My father had been in decline for some time but after a minor hip operation 10 days ago he went downhill fast. Every day, I would check in with the hospital expecting the worst. Then on Friday morning our time my brother called me to say our father had passed away. He had a good innings, he was almost 92. Regardless it has been a very difficult time for me. I will be heading back to Sydney on Thursday night for the funeral.

Me and dad at the nursing home in 2016

Jude and Anna enjoy their treats at Elitch’s: Dippin’ Dots and Funnel cake

I have been away for much of the last two weeks. The kids were in camp this past week, it was called Avid4Adventure and they both really enjoyed it. This was Jude’s only non-soccer camp of the summer and we are glad he had a good time.

The kids had been asking about Elitch’s all summer. I had promised them I would take them, so Saturday was the day. We got there before it opened and were one of the first people in the park. They went on plenty of rides in the morning and then headed to the water park in the afternoon.

On the Shipwreck Falls ride you get wet, really wet

We couldn’t stay as late as we wanted at Elitch’s because we had to head to Keystone on Saturday evening. Marcy had stayed home to help get the house ready and pack for our trip.The Dahlens drove out from Iowa on Saturday and we met at the condo on Saturday evening.

Jude, Chloe and Ella in the paddleboat with Anna kayaking in the background on Keystone Lake

We had a pretty quiet first day of the vacation. Jude watched some of the Arsenal game in the morning and then we went down to Keystone Lake in the afternoon. We ended the day watching the PGA Championship golf.