May Graduation and Fun

Bennett has become our “little helper.”  We’ve been working on placing pavers along the back of our house to hold our garbage cans, chairs, and BBQ and Bennett loves being out there “helping”  He grabs the tape measurer and “measures” the level and “levels” and uses the garden shovel to “even” things out for us.  He is also obsessed with the mower and all things “lawn maintenance”   I guess he really is following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.  

 We have had a bird invasion into our dryer vent the last two spring seasons.  Lance finally got this "bird repellent" paste and they haven't invaded since.

 We took the fam to Texas Roadhouse and the  waitress was kind enough to get Bennett his own peanut water cup.

Our friend Minnie is deathly afraid of our puppies.  Every time she comes over its a spectacle of her crying “no no no!!!” as Winston tries to free her with licks.

 Jillian’s eyes are getting lighter and lighter.  I never thought they would last being blue but she only gives me further reassurance that she is gonna be a blue-eyed babe for life. 

:: Colorado:: 

The end of may we ventured to Colorado for a family trip.  The week before we left Bennett had an ear infection and some other thing where he literally wouldn’t eat for 3 days straight.  The day he started getting better I all of a sudden came down with a 102 fever, convulsing shakes, and uncontrollable feeling of being freezing.  It was Saturday of Memorial day weekend and I was scheduled to work so I knew I would have to go to instacare and get checked out to opt out of work.  I had an ear infection and strep throat.  Awesome.  Monday night Jillian came down with a 102 fever and I knew the wealth had spread to her and was 99% confident she also had an ear infection.  With our flight taking off at 11am Tuesday I knew I would need to get her into a doctor to verify the infection and hope antibiotics and pain medicine would keep her sane.  So off we colorado we went with an ear infected 6 month old and Bennett still a little residually fussy.  Lets just say the first 3 nights/days were rough.   Jillian woke up screaming every hour.  Bennett couldn’t sleep with us 2 feet away.  Hudson kept waking up because Bennett was awake.  The house was full of people and I just felt awful for my children’s awryness.  

The house was literally in the woods.  An almost 2 hour drive to Denver and 1 hour to Colorado Springs.  We spent a lot of time in the mini-vans and just staying at the cabin.  We had a lovely secluded spa/BBQ/patio that was completely fenced.  We roasted s'mores, played bananagrams, and enjoyed 2 solid games of mini golf. 

 Watching Bennett and Hudson interact only gets more fun as they age.  At one point Hudson decided to throw a huge fit because he couldn't hold two gold balls, so Bennett tried to pick him up off the ground/hug him during his rage.

Bennett is a lover of food.  If he has a snack he goes from psycho crazy to 100% content.

 The cabin was surrounded by deer we were even able to meet a few bambi while we were there.

 The actual graduation was really cool.  I can honestly say it was the coolest graduation I have ever been to.  The cadets marched out in rows and to their assigned seats. It was efficient and magical at the same time.  Once we all arrived at the graduation they locked the gates. The thousands of family and supporters weren't allowed to exit until the end of the graduation.  Luckily they had shaved ice stands, and food trucks to occupy us as they read off all 800 or so graduates.

 At the end of the graduation they did a thunderbird fly over.  We all thought it was awesome! They flew so low and did some awesome synchronized tricks.  Jillian with the ear infection and exhaustion didn't quite think it was awesome so Lance had to take her into the mens room to muffle the loud noise from the planes.  Bennett and Hudson only made it through half the show before passing out.

 Lance and I traveled up to meet a family who was actually from Wisconsin and Lance knew pretty well from his mission.  It was great getting to catch up on old times and meeting her children who Lance hasn't seen in 9 years!

 Friday, the day after after graduation was "Chris's celebration day."  We went to play mini golf, batting cages, and enjoyed delicious cream cheese wontons and sesame chicken at a local joint.  I was even able to successfully hit some soft balls!

 We partied all these Air Force and I created an airplane game.

 Obviously Lance won.

 We enjoyed good food and had a good time as a family.

The trip was all together pretty fun despite Rona's fall and the childrens' craziness.