School Starts!!

Benjamin started school again yesterday and was very excited! We went to the school with him on Monday to introduce him to his new classmates and see his teacher from last year. Thankfully he has the same teacher because he didn't know anyone else there. Benjamin kept asking "where are all my friends?" It was kind of sad, all of his friends, except a few moved up to kindergarten. He will be just fine though. He is still only 3 (almost 4 next month) but he is so much taller than all the rest of the kids. Matthew is almost as tall as the kids in his class, it is so funny. I didn't realize how tall the two were until I see them next to kids their own age.

Anyways, first day went just fine, just like he's been doing it all his life. Me on the other hand, I think I tear up almost everytime I drop him off. I just can't believe how fast he is growing up. He is catching on to everything so quick and learning so much even on his own. I am now starting to spell everything out that he can't hear...because he understands everything!! I even catch myself spelling things to Bill when the kids aren't around. His teacher is Ms. Gail and she is just so wonderful. She really does do a lot for the kids and she enjoys them. She has 8 kids of her own, which just amazes me. Anyways, Ben adores her so I am so thankful to be so lucky to have her with us.

Now onto the other kid. I don't know if anyone can believe this but Justice is in 8th grade this year. Yes I said 8th grade, that is one year away from being in high school. The other day I was trying to explain to him how fast time flies. I told him that in 10 years you may be married or graduated from college already or have a kid!! Oh dear, I think I was almost crying by the end of that conversation too. He is growing into a great kid who is a major help around the house...well as long as I don't call it chores, it gets done. He is hoping to run for President in his school this year and is doing great at his Cowboy Fast Draw. World championship is coming up at the end of September, which he will be participating in with his Dad and Papa. I am so excited for him because I know he can win it for the youth division. He is an A plus student so I am not worried about him at all. So lucky to have great kids!! Don't have any pics of his first day but I have other ones so enjoy!!

BOWLING!!

We all were home last Friday and we wanted to take advantage of it. So we let the kids decide where they wanted to go and they chose the bowling alley. Okay, so Justice decided he was really to go bowling again and the other two agree to anything big brother wants to do. We had such a blast though, they have a ramp that you set up with the ball on top and it goes down the ramp and hits the pins. It was great!! The boys adored it!! Benjamin would even start all the way back by the entrance and run all the way and push the ball at the end. He thought it helped him out anyways, which I think it did. I just look at the new bumpers they have that just pop up whenever it is the boys turn and dissapear when it was Bill and I's turn. Okay, I am not very old but I can remember when they had to put the blow up bumpers in the gutters and everyone had to use them if they were used. It was great though and it was Matthew's first time. I think he liked picking out what ball he wanted to use the most though. It was cute on one bowl because he went to chase after the ball and slipped right on his booty!! Well I got some pics so here they are, hope you enjoy. If you really have to know...Bill won all three games...what a show off huh?

Camping Trip to Greer, AZ 2010

We packed the van beyond its capacity and we set out North to Greer, Arizona. If you don't believe me, ask Justice. He was crammed in the back seat with a bunch of pillows and sleeping bags. Anyways, the trip up went okay, any ride that takes 4 1/2 hours is too long for kids. They all survived with the anticipation of seeing the wilderness and animals they have only seen on the television. We were about 10 minutes out and they were squilling with excitement, it was just too cute! We stayed at Bennie Creek Campground, which we visited once before. We loved it there, it is nestled off in the woods with very little people there.

Matthew enjoying his boonie hat or what he called "boobie hat."
We had a good time setting up the new tent for the first time while it was threatening to rain on us. Soon we had the van unloaded and we went into Greer to see the town. Greer is a very little tourist town that is full of cabins and a couple of restaurants. We said hello to Bill's parents and walked around the Greer Lodge Resort with them. We had dinner at the Neon Moon Restaurant, which was okay I suppose. We sat on the back porch and enjoyed the rain while we ate. We got back to camp and enjoyed a great campfire and marshmallows.

Little Anna reading to the boys at the Lodge

The next day we went to Big Lake and rented a fishing boat for the boys. The boys all got a turn driving the boat and fishing in the lake. Bill caught two Rainbow Trouts and Justice cleaned his first fish. He was even able to tear the worms apart by himself, so proud of the kiddo. When we got back to camp, we hiked to Bunch Reservoir and down into Bennie Creek. The boys were so excited when we started catching crawdads in the creek, well Ben and Matt kept calling them lobsters. The fish made for a great dinner that night while enjoying another great campfire.

These two pics are at the Lee Valley Reservoir, Ben was laughing at me while a bee was attacking me.

These are some happy boys on the boat in Big Lake.

Happy mom with Matthew on the boat

Matthew afraid to touch Daddy's first catch of the day
Matthew and Ben showing off our catch

Okay so one unhappy boy but the rest were happy fishing and looking for beavers in Bennie Creek by the campsite.

That campfire fun soon ended...the next couple of days we were rained out. On Tuesday we drove up to the Big Lake Look Out. It was supposed to be a nice hike but the driving directions put us right at the foot of the tower. This turned out to be good because while in the look out, it started to rain. The view was just phenominal, you will have to go see it yourself though because I was so overwhelmed by the height and view that I didn't take one picture. It is a must see though if you are ever in that area. After lunch at Crescent Lake we spent the rest of the evening in the tent goofing off while the rain continued.

At the bottom of the look out tower

The boys at the look out tower

On our last full day of camping we headed out to Big Lake for another boat ride. The rain held out a little while for us at least. We got to fish though and Matthew threw in and lost his fishing pole while trying to cast. Matthew also got his first fish and reeled it in. Benjamin learned how to cast himself, he knows how to even hold onto the pole. He does really good though and can get the line pretty far out. Justice got a lot of bites and is still learning how to keep his excitement under control. Soon we were dawning on the overpriced but wonderful ponchos and getting poured on. We made a mad dash to the van and headed back in the pouring rain. The rain continued through the night, so once again we were confined to the tent.


Ben showing off his catch of the day

Overall the trip was great and we headed back home to the blazing heat. It is not easy going from almost 70 degree cloudy weather to 115 degree heat!! We are thankful for the wonderful family time spent and for having a safe trip. To sum it up we saw elk in the distance, a deer up close, squirrels played in our campsite, chipmunks, ospreys, lots of cows, fish and a cat! The place was beautiful and we had a blast.

Visit from Sam and Family

Oh dear, it has been way too long since I have updated this blog. Life is just so busy. Sam drove down last week with Camron, Trent and Austin. My dad was returning from Chicago with Michael. Tatiana also stopped stayed a couple of nights with us. So I got a good five days with family. We didn't do much, we just visited...I loved it. We went and saw the fireworks, had a great Luau for Matthew's and Jacque's birthday and did some swimming. The kids are all getting so big, I can't believe how fast time is flying. Michael and Camron are both taller than me now, Trent is on his way soon. Ben and Austin were two peas in a pod. They were chatting away in the van and played together I think all the time. Matthew now jumps off the diving board, my brave one and Ben is working his way there slowly. Austin is a little daredevil, he launches himself off anywhere in the water. Sam also joined me in cutting off 10" of my hair, it is taking me a while to get used to but I will be okay. All in all it was a great visit and I was sad to see them leave yesterday. I thought I would share some photos with the rest of you all though.

Easter

Well first of all Happy Easter everybody, I sure do hope everybody enjoyed. We had a wonderful Easter. Before I left to work I woke up the kids and they enjoyed finding their baskets and looking through it. After work Bill had prepared a wonderful Ham dinner for us and his parents. His parents were brave enough to come over with a house full of sicko people. We all have been dealing with some sort of stomach problems. Anyways, the ham was great and we ended the day with an egg hunt for the boys. Matthew and Benjamin did really well finding the eggs and putting them in their basket. Justice was a good sport and left most of the regular eggs for his brothers and made off with the plastic eggs with quarters in them. That is okay though, he did good and still had a few eggs he couldn't find that they did.

They are all getting so big and learning so much. It is just amazing having kids and how fast time flies. Benjamin is just exploding at school, he is learning so much and just loves it thank goodness. Matthew is speaking more every day even though he won't do it in front of many people. He is also starting to protect himself and hit Benjamin back...makes for fun days. Justice was recently asked to appear and help teach at a seminar. He also completed his first presentation in class on taiga areas that came out really well. He is working hard already on his future shcool of Harvard University, I am sure he will make it one day.

We are very thankful for all of you that read our blog and that keep in touch with us. We love you all and miss our families spread across everywhere. We are thankful everyday for the good Lord above and how much he has blessed our family. We are so blessed, not only have I found a job that works so much with my schedule but we are all healthy and doing great. We have recently added a deck on the house with a flower garden around it, thank you Bill and Justice for all of your hard work on it. We are just so lucky to have each other and all of you. Thank you very much!! Love always...The Sibole's

Trip to Missouri

First of all I want to apologize for taking so long to post again, I am still trying to get used to juggling life right now.

Last month, Bill and I took a three day trip to St. Louis, Missouri to see Codey's (my nephew) graduation. We got there and was instantly frozen stiff, it was freezing! There was snow everywhere and the place wasn't too bad looking. We got upgraded into a Cadillac, which I just loved!! If I could fit us all in it, I would trade in the minivan. Anyways, we picked up Danielle and headed over to the hotel. That night we explored the St. Louis Arch, what a piece of work. I don't know how people are capable of building things so great and beautiful. I can barely pass regular classes and these engineers were able to defy gravity and many other things for that matter. I don't know if anyone remembers Mork and Mindy but they put us in that little egg to go to the top. Besides Bill almost having an accident in his pants, it was really a neat and wobbly ride up. I don't know why, but they put windows on our door so we could see all the mechanics going up. At the top they have these little windows to look out, boy what a view. It was just gorgeous.

After that we had to pit stop at the motel since I had lost my purse...it was at the hotel. We then headed to the St Charles Casino and had dinner at the buffet. We looked around and I lost $20 and we left. We stayed up a little chatting and had to get ready to wake up early. Couple hours later, we were on our way to Fort Leoard Wood for the graduation.



It is just so amazing how fast kids grow up and how brave they are to make decisions about life like joining the military. He looked all grown up in his uniform and of course so handsome. The graduation was really nice and pretty interesting. We grabbed Codey and took off to anywhere but there.

We had found Meramac Caverns nearby so we checked them out after breakfast. They were just breathtaking and full of history. Look them up and if you are ever around there, stop and see. You won't be dissapointed. We had a blast though:)

Being there with them both, it made so many feelings come back and I couldn't help but think of Laura. I thought that sometimes we are faced with horrible situations and moments when we are unsure why things happen. My sister's death altered my whole life in a blink of an eye, well not only mine, my whole family's. Codey and Danielle had the most important person in their life taken away without a reason or say. They were so blessed to have such a wonderful mother that lead them through life so well that they were able to continue on making life decisions on their own. They pick themselves up everyday and march on without grumbling over the hand they were dealt. Never have I heard either one of them use it as an excuse to anything that went wrong in their lives. I am so very proud of both of them and I am so blessed that I was able to be there to spend that wonderful time with them. I miss her so much and love seeing the kids doing what I know she would be so proud of. Love you Laura!!