Judah's Birthday

Grandson Judah just turned three and celebrated with a Spider-Man birthday bash!

Happy birthday, Judah!

Collin gives Judah a big hug.

Judah, large and in charge.

Sherry baked and decorated these cool Spider-Man cookies.

Judah admiring the cookies.

Alethia, Collin, and Hayley playing in the backyard.

Spider-Man decorations on the back fence.

Judah coloring Spider-Man.

Judah and Hayley coloring.

Grown-ups around the fire pit.

Kristi, Lael, and Hayley.

Paul, Amy, Ben, and Sherry.

Ben and his mom.

Judah checking out the presents.

Present-opening time.

Opening the presents.

Judah and his new Batcave.

Tof and Judah.

More presents.

The Spider-Man pinata. 

Doing the pinata thing.

Judah and his birthday cookies.

Blowing out the candle.

Playing with the new Batcave.

Laura and Lael.

The Lee guys.

Cousins playing.

Baby Lael didn't quite know what to think about all the commotion.

Collin and his baby cousin.

End of the party for Judah -- time for some quiet time in his room.

First Day of School

Last week was Hayley's first day of preschool (she goes Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Berean Education Center) and Collins' first day of kindergarten (he goes every afternoon at Echo Park Elementary). They both love their new schools and their new teachers (Mrs. Manno for Hayley and Mrs. Welter for Collin) and they're already making new friends.

Collin and Hayley with their backpacks on.

Collin, ready for school.

Hayley posing in front of the fireplace.

Hayley's ready to go into the school building.

Hayley in her new school room, standing on the "H" on the ABC mat.

Later that day, it's time for Collin to walk out to his bus stop. (Which is just at the corner of our house -- very convenient.)

Waiting for the school bus.

Patiently waiting. (Hayley took this picture.) 

Collin on the school bus. School awaits!

Ben Goes Back to College

Last week Ben made the return trip to Mankato for his sophomore year in college. It's his first time living off-campus in an apartment with two other guys. We think he'll do fine -- although Collin will miss him terribly.

Ben and Collin.

Ben and Sherry.

Four of us. (Collin took this picture.)

Ben in his new apartment -- the bedroom.

Living room.

View from the patio.