The Toledo Zoo Visit

Enoch did a really good job having stuff set up for us to do during our trip out to OH. We were able to spend a lot of time with Gabriel, and Evan was loving life.
We went to the Toledo Zoo on Monday, right?, cause it was free before noon.
We spent most of the time in the Arctic room, because it was air conditioned, and Toledo was boiling lava hot that day.

Seal!

Polar bears!
OK, we've lost interest...
And he's asleep.
Thanks Enoch, that was really fun!

The Butterfly House in Whitehouse

Mom took us to Whitehouse to the Butterly house. It was a really cool butterfly exhibit with all kinds of butterflies. The butterflies would land on heads and eat from the banana peels that were left out. It was really fun. Evan and Gabriel really enjoyed it. They ran around like crazy, both inside the house and outside. It was a great time.

Mom got the boys matching shorts.
It was really hot that day, and no AC inside the butterfly area!
Gabriel, can he be any cuter?
Attack of the butterflies!!
And that was a great outing. Thank you Mom!

Evan and Gabriel at Grandma and Grandpa's House

OK, so I couldn't let another month go by without anyone posting anything on the family blog. Things have been so hectic and crazy with the move to CO and settling in, but now things are starting to get back to normal.
During the move, Evan, Brady and I went to OH while the packers came and got the house packed up in VA, and then unloaded in CO.
Brett was stuck dealing with all that stuff, but overall it wasn't too awful of a process.
During our trip in OH, the boys played in the sprinklers, ate ice cream, and just really enjoyed each other. Here are some pictures.

We miss you Gabriel!!!

Mike got the job!!!

Hi, Guys:

Mike has been super busy getting things going as far as his police stuff done. He asked that I put it on the blog so that you all would get an update with what is going on.

Well, he applied to be a cop at Arcadia, Upland, Fontana, and Ontario. All of the departments really liked him. In fact, Upland even went as far as to tell him not to go to Arcadia because their department was better and were going on and on about Mike being at the top of their list and so on and so on... Anyways, Arcadia's paperwork and tests were all done and all of a sudden, Mike was told that they weren't hiring anymore because of a budget freeze but if something comes about, then he will get a phone call. Our hearts completely sank to the ground. Then, he called over to Upland, and they weren't hiring anymore either!! Then, Fontana called and said the same thing and so did Ontario.

That night, we prayed for help because he really wanted to be a cop and we needed this for our family. Then, the next day, the hiring sergeant called Mike and said that he feels like someone is watching over him because the recruit that was at the Academy quit!!! Can you believe that?!?!?! Now, there was a spot available. HOWEVER, there were three applicants that the Chief was going to choose between. (Mind you, the Chief as never met Mike or the other two applicants. All he has were applications and results from all of the tests.) We were on pins and needles. We just kept praying and praying that Mike would get the job. WE WAITED THREE DAYS!!! Finally, we get a call and it was the sergeant. We were bracing ourselves. He said that of all three, Mike was the best and he offered the job to him!! He went in the next day and signed the papers.

YEAH!!!! We are so excited. Mike is doing something he has always wanted to do and he is really excited about the whole thing. God has blessed our family so much.

Well, today is Mike's first day at the Academy and there has been so much to do this past week to get ready. From buying supplies and getting things made and sewing on nametags.... the list just goes on. We got up at 4:3o this morning. We were both very anxious, but it's good. I made his lunch and then the girls got up because they wanted to see their Daddy off on his first day.



He is at the Academy right now, probably getting his head chewed off (HA HA HA), but probably having a great time too.

Love you guys!

Growing up

This week was a week of growing. I thought I would be brave and start the whole potty training with Rori. We started out great....I put her on the toilet and she says, "Mom, hand me that book." She may look and act like me but she has picked up some habits from her father.



Kaori had her preschool graduation party and I'm glad it's done, but sad because she will miss her group of friends she looks forward to seeing every week. We had a cute little group of kids. It's amazing what they pick up and I love watching them interact. The girls naturally formed a pack and you would often hear, "Let's go girls!" or "Uhhmm, girls only." They got a little snobby and I was so shocked to see how quickly this little attitude comes. I even had my first modesty fight with Kaori the other day....I was like, "What!? You're four!" So it's sad...my girls are growing up.

And we are off...

Since the beginning of March, Lysle has been super super busy. He had architecture contests/travel grants to apply to (a total of 8?), which he had to make a portfolio of all the things he had worked on that year. One of the contests was for his thesis, so that needed a presentation. Some needed essays with a travel itinerary and research. Plus on top of all that he had finals and work. Lysle has his own little business doing some design on the side. So seriously I could count on one hand how many times we actually went to bed at the same time. He could probably count on one hand how many hours of sleep he got every 3 days. It was really bad. But last week Rice had there annual grant/prize ceremony. They gave away $230,000 to students in the architecture program that day. Lysle came home with some great paper as well....



$8500 - Hello Spain



$2000 - Hello Day spa in Switzerland click here to see



$5000 - Hello......thesis (yeah!)

We are planning on doing all this travel in August before he starts his FINAL semester at Rice. I'm very excited to take off for two weeks with my talented husband. He completely deserves this vacation. I love you Lysle. I'm lucky to have you. Seriously...lucky.

Here is a portfolio that Lysle entered at a national level. Each Ivy league school in the U.S. selected 3 student's portfolios...he didn't get the prize but was given an honorable mention. It came out absolutely beautiful. The pictures don't tell the story....plus I suck as a writer and won't even attempt to because I'll screw it up. So come visit and let Lysle explain and tell you what is behind the "design" of this.

Luke's favorite thing

Hi again:

Luke is really funny. He walks around the house with his favorite thing on: His Sunglasses. He is so funny. He doesn't want to let go of them, sometimes he wears it even when is dark out. I guess little kids are funny that way. They go through these phases where they like only one thing for a while and nothing is going to change their minds at all.

Anyways, have a great week!!
Michelle