This weekend we spent two nights up in Divide at our annual church retreat.  This weekend is always full of activities, fun and fellowship.  The ranch property is gorgeous and I never get enough of hiking around and taking in the beauty of the land.  The upper campground where we tent camp looks out over the ranch and Pikes Peak.  The kids love running around exploring, building forts, hauling logs and playing games with their friends. This year some new church families attended the retreat and it was so great to see some new faces.  Today we ended the retreat with worship time in the open air amphitheater.

I have come to this silly blog about a zillion times and have nothing to say.  Okay, so, it isn’t that I don’t have anything to say, I just haven’t had the energy to relay it all to you.  Anyway, here goes. 
The kids have gone back to school and they are getting into a routine.  The hardest part of our day is at the end of school.  The kids come out of three different doors on three different sides of the building.  I have been working on using the drive-thru line more but in the instance when I need to park and meet them at the school, I am having difficulty catching them all.  I am sure we will get it all figured out sooner or later 🙂  Paige is loving Kindergarten.  She has a really sweet teacher and aide.  Sam and Alice are enjoying their classes as well.  Sam’s teacher teaches in a really unique way and the kids love it.  Alice is in a more “traditional” class and that works for her as well.  Overall, a pretty good start to the year.  Mason had his preschool open house on Thursday morning.  He is soooo excited to start school.  At the open house, he met his teacher, had a snack, played outside and met some new friends.  I know he is going to love it!  He starts on Tuesday morning.
I am really missing the kids being home and the relaxed nature of summer.  We had such a fun, busy summer.  Busy in a good way.  Is it bad that I am already planning field trips for next summer?  A few things we wanted to do this summer but didn’t have time for…Georgetown train ride, Butterfly Pavilion, Waterworld….oh how I love summer!! I am sure that I will snap out of this funk soon.
Sam has started soccer practices and all three older kids are running cross country so I will have lots to start posting about very soon. 
This weekend we are camping at our annual church retreat in Divide.  Always an awesome time of fun and fellowship with some great people.  I should probably start packing soon…..
Guess what?!?!  I am finally growing  a summer squash in my garden.  After faithful watering, lots of watching and animal nibbling, we are getting produce. Okay, so far, I only see one piece but I have high hope for my garden (before it snows).  Sam is still waiting for his tomato plants to produce fruit but I don’t have the heart to tell him, that may not happen.
Here’s to finding some energy (or caffeinated soda)!  I hope you all are having a wonderful start to September and enjoy a nice Labor Day weekend. Much love from the CO Wescotts!
Love, Jennifer

Mason made these ears in Sunday school.  He thinks they are so cool.  They are a good reminder for him to listen.  This craft was a great visual for the younger kids.  We talked a lot about keeping our ears open and listening to our hearts and what God has  for us to hear. We also talked about how God wants little children to listen to their parents and teachers.  I am co-teaching Mason’s class and it is really awesome to see the little kids excited about attending Sunday school and learning about Jesus.

Maybe I should make some of these ears for myself.  Sometimes I could use the reminder too 🙂
Jennifer

Tired.
Very tired.

No, not Alice.
Me.

Girl Scout Camp.
Need I say more?

Samuel now has glasses.  He is amazed at how much better he can see with them on.  I think he looks very handsome and older. 

Who knew that 4 kids could eat up an entire bag full of peaches. In less than 2 days. One lone peach left. For now. Who knows how long it will last!
Thursday really cannot come quick enough. We need more fruit!

There they go again.

I so wish that time would stand still.

This past weekend, Alice, Paige and I headed to Denver for a girl’s overnight.  We went up Friday night and did some school shopping.  We stayed at a hotel and the girls had fun swimming.  Saturday morning we went over to the (new) American Girl store.  The three of us had sooo much fun.  Paige’s doll, Gwen, got her ears pierced and Alice’s doll, Felicity, got a new pretty hairdo.  The both got to pick out an outfit for their doll and a pet.  After the morning in the store we went across the street to eat lunch.  The restaurant caters to American Girl shoppers and had seats for all the dolls.  The dolls (really the girls) even get a free dessert. Very cute!