Math Camp

The summer has passed too quickly, and I started my internship today.  Technically the summer is not over, but it feels over for me.  The kids start homeschool next Monday, but Brandon has two more weeks, because Oregon schools start a lot later and then go till the middle of June.  This will be the longest summer break of his life.

I was poring over pictures of the summer break and had nearly forgotten about the two weeks Andrew and Evan spent at BYU Math Camp.   They were in heaven spending most of the day doing math and then swimming and playing games all night.  we even took them on a few field trips to dinosaur museums both at Thanksgiving Point and at BYU. 

The BYU exhibit was a nice surprise.  They enjoyed it, and I was impressed with what was packed into that small building.  Danielle was a little apprehensive at first, but she soon forgot her fears and was strutting around as if she owned the place.

Connor was overjoyed to spend the week with his cousin Isaac and then spent the last couple nights in Orem with his Day cousins.    They slept very little and made tons of memories.

Nicole had the pleasure of staying with Grandma and Grandpa Cherpeski for the first week.  She was spoiled rotten.  She loved swimming in the pool, eating tons of junk food and staying up late with cousins.  She also had four very special days with my parents before my dad had his accident, and those memories have been seared into her mind.

At Thanksgiving Point I took the kids to an IMAX film.  I enjoy those films, but I enjoyed watching the kids watch it nearly as much.  Danielle's glasses only stayed on her long enough to watch a dinosaur swoop near her, and then they stayed off the rest of the show, so it wasn't so scary.

Jen made some awesome matching, math-related t-shirts for the boys at Math Camp.  They were hilarious and helped them to stand out from the crowd.  (My favorite was "May the Mass Times Acceleration Be with You.")  They held their own.  I was uncertain how Andrew would do, since I've never had anything to compare him with, but he did quite well on the final test over the material covered.  I am proud of him.  He can't wait to go back next year.

Mesa Verde

Before my life was turned upside-down and I thought that moving was my great challenge, we took a trip to Mesa Verde.  After living in Colorado for 6 1/2 years, I plotted to fit this trip into our travels as the final place I wanted to experience in the state.

I had seen lots of pictures and heard stories about the place, and I worried a little that it might not live up to my expectations.  I must say that, on the contrary, they were exceeded.

The story of how and why these living quarters were built were fascinating; and they were so perfectly preserved.  I also was surprised that we were allowed to walk among them and even go down a ladder into a kiva.

Another surprise was the greenery on the trail down to the pueblos.  We drove for several hours through high desert sagebrush and pine trees, and then out of the desert, we descended into an oasis of verdant beauty.

Nicole was the only one who didn't want to climb into the confined space of the kiva.  It was a little claustrophobic; and dusty!  But it was also pretty cool.

I'm grateful that we took that drive through southern Colorado, before the fires wiped out all the trees from along much of that area.  I also have a hard time comprehending all that would transpire only a month later.  I am still mostly in disbelief, with a dose of sadness and a touch of acceptance mixed in.
   

We drove through Monticello, Utah a few hours after we left Mesa Verde, and found the first small temple that was built.  Though little, it was lovely, and there was a beautiful spirit there.  I am grateful for the peace that comes from the temple.  I need to get back there soon.