Labor Day in Casper

 We spent Labor Day weekend in Casper, WY celebrating with family - Doug's aunt and uncle accomplished 50 years of marriage so all of the family went to Casper in honor of them.  The happy couple after 50 years - Margie and Gerry.  It was a great weekend!

Charlie loves his aunties!

Jeanene

 And Susie.

 All of the Kroetch boys entertaining themselves during the open house.

 The whole family - we were missing a few but still a strong turn-out for our family.

Birthday Boys!

 We celebrated the boy's birthday a couple weekends ago.  It is great that we can get away with one birthday party for a few years.  Anyway, for this one, we rented a jumping castle and had a party at a park for the boys, their friends, and cousins.

Aunt Jeanene and Aunt Susie both came to Colorado that weekend (as did Aunt Sondra even though we don't have a picture of her).

 Time to open presents!

 The most popular gift was the rocket launcher - we actually got 2.

 The cake - I still cannot believe I made it.  I was pretty proud of it!

First Day of Preschool

 James started preschool again last week.  He is at the same school in a new classroom.  Here he is on his first day.  

And a few pictures of both boys before we left for school.

Mom and Charlie

My aunt just e-mailed me these pictures and I deemed them "blog-worthy".  Only a grandma would get this wet just because her almost 2-year-old grandson didn't want to get in the water without her.

New Kitchen

 We embarked on a major kitchen remodel project this summer.  It started in May and officially was finished this past week.  I heart my new kitchen.

Before:

And After!

Camping 2012

We took the boys camping last weekend with Tricia and Nathan.  I didn't get any boating/tubing pictures but here are a few from around the camp.

But first, check out Charlie's face scrape that he accomplished on our drive-way.

 Mmmm...cookies.

My favorite picture from the weekend...

A large play structure near camp.

Our Family Vacation Part 2

Part 2 of our family vacation was in Grand Forks for my cousin Jeff's wedding.  It was by far the nicest, most beautiful wedding I have been to and was full of little details.  We are so glad we were there for their nuptials!  

I love this picture of my brothers which depicts just how opposite they truly are.

My mom and Charlie

 The kids playing before the wedding

 Just one example of the cool details - these were our table placecards.

 The bride and groom!  Jeff and Brittany Opp

 My whole family...

 Charlie found a chair that fit him perfectly.

 And we ended our vacation with my good friend Paula and her kids - Elliot and Whitney