Sunday

The Sunday after Derek got back we just really needed some family time. So, we piled up in the car and drove toward Park City. We pulled off the road and found a nice place to hike. We had a blast catching bugs and just being together as a whole family again. It was some much needed family time and I'm so glad we did it. We got to enjoy nature and some fun bugs. Derek and Kael caught a grasshopper, blue dragonfly that wasn't a dragonfly, 3 praying mantis' and the green one ate the two yellow ones... We caught some other little things but let them go.

Gymnastics

Kael and Eden were invited by our good friends the Bradbury's to go to take a friend to gymnastics. The kids loved going with their friends. One day I will actually get to sign them up for this stuff and it is going to be AWESOME. Both kids had a blast and really loved it.

He's HOME!

Derek got home on Friday afternoon. We had lovely babysitters who allowed me to pick him up and go on a date. It was fabulous! Then, the next day we took the kids to our last beginning of school year block party for the family student housing here. We had a great time, and then that night we were blessed by a friend Justin Doble who gave us REAL soccer tickets! It was AMAZING! We got a babysitter for Elara because she would have just been tired. It was so much fun and we loved getting spoiled by Dad. He brought home presents for all and lots of love! Kael got a sling shot, Eden got new dress up slippers, and Elara got a new baby doll. Kael and Eden also got Mexican wrestler masks and capes. They are awesome and we should have gotten them for the whole family for Halloween, but we didn't. The kids look awesome in them though. Here are pictures of the Real game and Block Party. So sad that we lost 2-1. I've never heard of Real losing a home game and we happened to go to that one. :( Boo. It was so fun though.

One of Kael's happiest moments. He wants a pet snake soooooo bad. Sorry bud, not for a LONG while. You have to take care of the thing and I only want to pet it, not take care of it, so maybe when you go to high school. ;)

Last part of Derek's San Antonio Trip

The food alone was worth the trip. After talking a lot and discussing pros and cons and going back and forth and back and forth and asking a million questions, Derek and I decided to put San Antonio as our #1 spot for residency. We will find out in December if that is where we will go, and if not we will do the regular match in March, which will be awesome as well. So glad the boy is home!

 Greek Food

 Bison Burger and sweet potato fries

 Hibachi Steak

The guys.

Letter to a flying plane...

Dear Derek,

You are on your way home! Yay! You should have been here by now, but your flight was delayed. Of course. I am so anxious to meet you. I feel like I could just snap! I'm so glad the kids are all napping. This quiet moment before the storm! The kids are just as excited to see you. We have missed your smiling face so much! Be prepared to be completely smothered with love when you get here. Home has been missing a piece of our hearts and we are ready to have it complete again. We all love you so much!

Welcome HOME!!!

Your patient, but not really, family!

She climbed in all by herself. Good job Elara you little monkey!

 Best Friends

Evelyn and Elara

 Finally! Nothing makes them take a better nap then sleeping in Mom and Dad's bed.

 Nothing was waking up the big kids. Not even Elara squawking at them... She was too cute not to take a picture of.

AND... Elara's first pony tail. It looks ridiculous, but man I'm excited to start doing her hair just like Eden's! I keep chanting, grow, grow, grow!!! YAY for a pony!