more Galena fun

 We rented a pontoon and explored the lake.

 The kids kept wanting to go faster but there was a speed limit.

 It was still fun to see how pretty the lake is.

 We were happy to survive a boat ride with 6 kids on board. 

 Almost all of the kids.  One didn't want his picture taken.

 Got all six!

 After the boat ride we enjoyed a pizza dinner complete with shenanigans.

From all ages

Moms & kiddos trip

My dear friend Aparna and I loaded up the car and headed to Galena for the weekend.  Our husbands were gone on a guys trip and we decided that we should go have some fun as well.  So, we decided to give Eagle Ridge Resort a try.

 The 3 oldest were able to hit the trails on a guided horseback ride.

 2/3 of the youngest weren't big enough for the trail ride but were able to do a lead line ride.

 Evelyn opted not to do the lead line ride but looked cute in her Minnie Mouse zip up.

 The trail riders coming back all smiles

 Audrey love it and can't wait to go back.  Carter even admitted to having a good time.

Officially 5

Our Mini Miss is 5!  She looks forward to her birthday donut and bringing a treat for her friends at school.

 It was a super special birthday this year.  She got an eclipse!  It's hard to selfie when you can't see a thing with your protective eye wear on (except the eclipse). 

I got so experience it with both the girls

 This time we had someone else take our picture.

It sure is exhausting adjusting to Kindergarten.  Passing out on the couch has been her after school routine.

Almost 5

 We celebrated Evey's birthday a few days early since Tita Angela and Uncle Brett were in town.

 She picked out an American Girl Wellie Wisher (and other items) when we were in Chicago. We were impressed that she was ok with us saving it for her birthday.  Even though she already knew what it was, she was still so excited to open it. 

 The kids got to love on and take care of Cruz

 He certainly was not deprived of any attention that weekend

 She picked out another awesome cake.  She really enjoys looking at cake pictures and picking out the one she wants.

 Make a wish our little princess

 The royal family

And they're off

First day of school breakfast.  Poor Evelyn couldn't keep her eyes open for the picture.

 Middle school starts later than the grade school so he gets to sleep longer and eat after the girls are off.

 I can't believe my baby is off to Kindergarten!

 Third grade for the diva!

 Evelyn was so excited to go to school with Audrey.

 First day of middle school for this guy.  He admitted to being a little nervous.

 The girls bus was crazy late so I was able to get a picture of all three of them together.

 The bus FINALLY arrived and Evelyn ran on without looking back. 

Audrey accepted her mission to have a fantastic year of third grade.

Open house

 The girls ready to see their classrooms and meet the teachers at open house.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, there's a Royal in us all!  Evelyn has been waiting for the day she gets to go to school with Audrey.  She's finally a Royal!

 She even got to create a little introduction of herself to the teachers on the chrome book.

 The hallway has a new selfie area

 A third grader and a kindergartener!

 Audrey accepted the mission and made it through the lasers.  She was thrilled to have the same teacher Carter had for third grade!  So, was I.

End of summer

 This year no one needed stitches after our last visit to the pool before school starting.

 Reality sunk in on schedule pick up day for Carter.  He also got to move into his hallway locker that day.  He practiced his combination a bunch of times in hopes he won't have trouble with it on the first day.

 The 6th, 7th and 8th grades have their own pods in the school which makes for an easier transition.  This is the entrance to the 6th grade classrooms.

 After coming home from moving Carter into his locker we noticed something wasn't quite right with Sasha. We immediately took her to the vet. They discovered she was bleeding internally from a mass on her spleen.  Given her age and the location of the mass they didn't feel surgery would help. It was so sudden and unexpected.  The positive is that we didn't have to watch her suffer long term at the end of her life.  It also happened before school started so the kids were able to be with us to say their good byes.  She had a great 12 years of life and she left some big paws to fill. Sasha was the best pound puppy find ever! 

The vet made us a paw print keepsake for us.  

The kids immediately started their Christmas lists with a puppy (a real one), except for Evelyn who just wants Sasha back. When I explained to her that can't happen she simply stated, "Well God brought Jesus back from the dead.  Why can't he bring Sasha back?"