Fall Update

Jacob started kindergarten a few weeks ago. He loves riding the bus to school (which picks up right at the end of our quad). He made a new friend on the bus - Sveras (a 3rd grader from Lithuania). They ride the bus together most mornings. He had a little problem adjusting the first week of school -- he was having a hard time getting along with the girls -- but last week he did much better. He enjoys working on his homework assignments and is having fun learning Spanish.

Hannah started preschool last week. She loves it! This morning she couldn't wait to get her backpack and go to school. She is attending the same preschool that Jacob attended last year Monday and Wednesday mornings. I will be helping in her classroom about once a month throughout the year.

We started Community Bible Study last week. We're studying Mark & Ephesians this year. Hannah and Luke are both coming to Bible study with me. There is a children's ministry program for kids 2-6 years - they sing, listen to Bible stories, and do a craft that coordinates with the story they're learning. They have a staffed nursery for kids under 2. I am so glad Ft. Collins has a CBS program! I missed this community in North Dakota.

The biggest news -- is I'm expecting! The baby is due to arrive mid-April. We are excited as we anticipate the newest Haertel's arrival!

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

Hannah turned three on August 29th. We had a small birthday party for her on her birthday. She asked for a pink horsey birthday. And her menu request was hotdogs. So we grilled hotdogs but ended up inside for the party instead of a picnic outside because it was thundering and sprinkling. We had 11 people inside our tiny apartment -- but it was still a fun party!

I made an angel food cake with whipped cream and strawberries and decorated it with horses and a pink fence which I made out of mini craft sticks. Hannah had fun opening presents and playing with her new toys -- especially the horses and tinker toys.

I can't believe our little girl is three and will start preschool in a few days!! Wow!
We love you Hannah!

Travels

We spent a month traveling this summer. Our travels included stops in South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois, and camping along the way. We like to call it our mid-west family tour.....4000 some miles later, here are some of the highlights:

On Nana's farm in South Dakota:
Helping in the garden - picking raspberries, green beans, beets and helping weedRiding Annie - Hannah had her first horseback ride
Taking walks through the fields to see the beautiful wild flowers in bloom

Discovering new things -- Luke learned how to sit down a chair just his size and started taking a few steps while we were awayCrivitz Adventures:

A trip to the ER on our second day after Pat stepped on a rusty nail

Fishing! Hannah loves to fish. After each fish she caught she would say "I want to catch another one." Jacob on the other hand was finished after catching one fish.

Exlporing a whole new world for Luke - here he is sitting in a wash basin in the cabin

Kayak rides on the river

Hannah bonded with the dogsHiking the new trail Nana cut through the woods -- we saw a flock of sandhill cranes at the end of the hike

Picking wild blueberries -- eating them on oatmeal, in cobbler, and in pancakes -- yummy! Here are Jacob, Hannah and Nana cleaning blueberries together.Swimming at Newton Lake -- Jacob loves swimming -- what a change from last year

Arcadia Days:

Visiting with cousin Katie, Amy and Chris lots of jumping! Swimming in Lake Michigan and playing in the sand (always a treat with Uncle Tom around)

Hannah's first sailboat ride with Nana

Playing the piano togetherSquare Dancing at Camp with the kids - Luke loved watching the people dance and bouncing to the music

Attended the morning program - Hannah warmed up to the Ark after a few days

Rides in the antique stroller
Jacob and Hannah loved the Arcadia parade and hope to be in Arcadia to attend the parade next summer

Watching the sunset

Ohio: (camera on the fritz....pictures hopefully to be scanned and added later)

Amish Country - for a little window shopping and a good Amish-cooked meal

A trip to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo - the Rainforest was the highlight -- especially the orangutans. Jacob also had fun sitting in Uncle Frank's police car.Celebrating Jacob's 5th birthday at Aunt Carrie and Uncle Frank's house (Jacob had a United States themed birthday party)

Here is a picture of his cake.....

Luke enjoyed the cake!

Playing with our cousins -- at Nana and Papa's house, at Amazone (an indoor playland), and at their new house Jacob, Kailyn, Aunt Kim

Illinois:
A quick visit to Uncle Tom's on the way back to Colorado

A trip we will not soon forget -- we had a lot of quality time with our family