The Reno Hot Air Balloon Race (and Tailhook)

Every year, the Tailhook Association meets in Reno, Nevada at The Nugget Hotel and Casino for their big conference. Josh is a member and tries to get there each year. I have never been able to go with him before, but have always wanted to. I would love to see the convention, but really I've been drooling over the Hot Air Balloon Race that always happens on the same weekend. This year we finally got to go! We drove up there on Friday with the kids and the dog and checked into The Nugget. I got the kids in bed while Josh headed downstairs for some Tailhook fun with all of his fellow aviators.

The next morning was brutal. I was up at 3:30 and we had everyone out the door by 4 to get over to where the balloons would be. Why so early, you wonder...well, the festivities start in the dark. They have several balloons that participate in what is called the "glow show", where they light up for everyone to see--sometimes in sync with music.  Immediately following, these balloons ascend in the dark for the "dawn patrol". This year's dawn patrol consisted of six balloons. It was so cool to see them all lit up against a dark morning sky.

I should mention, that it was so unbelievably chilly. We were dressed for it to be cool, but not quite as cool as it was. Lesson learned!

After the dawn patrol, the pilots began setting up their balloons. We watched a couple of them get things started right in front of us before deciding to hike up a hillside for a better view...

We hiked up a small hill and settled in for the real show--the mass ascension. This by far was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. I loved every freezing cold moment of it. I think everyone else did too! If we are still living here in the years to come, I forsee the Keevers making this a yearly event!

First day of Pre-K

Reagan started her first day of Pre-K last week. She was so excited to finally get to school! It was like torture for her having to watch Wyatt go to school every day for two weeks while she just had to hang out at home with mommy. She had so much fun and is rearing to go for this year. I can't wait to see what all she learns and how she changes and grows during her last year of preschool.

My babies

My babies...all four of them...before school this morning.

First Grade!

This year Wyatt has Mrs. Reitveld for first grade. She is actually the wife of another pilot that Josh has worked with. She's super nice and after a week of class, so far so good! This year should be interesting and quite the jump from Kindergarten. Wyatt will have weekly spelling tests, penmanship tests and a weekly Bible memorization verse! I can't wait to see what all my little man learns this year!

Swim lessons

Wyatt and Rea took two rounds of swim lessons this summer. First they had lessons at the local Parks and Rec just like last year. After two weeks of those, I wasn't happy with their progress. They were still very timid around the water and refusing to do most things the instructors asked them to do. So, I called a local swim school that I had heard people raving about. Thankfully, Hammond's Swim School had two openings. The kids then did two weeks at Hammond's. Can I just say that those people might be miracle workers. The progress that my kids made was astounding! We will definitely be going back next year...and Loyal will join them!

Tea party

Poor Loyal...the little brother with a big sister. I forsee many more tea parties in his future...

Wyatt turns 6

Um...how do I have a six-year-old? What happened here? I swear, I just had him. He was just toddling around in diapers, dragging his blanket behind him. He's in first grade!!! Sigh.

Wyatt is getting so big. He had a massive growth spurt this summer and is showing no signs of stopping. He still loves Lightning McQueen but has started his love affair with Legos. He loves to build and rebuild all sorts of things. His Nana gave him an iPad for his birthday so he's pretty much glued to that whenever we'll let him use it. His favorite thing to do on it is to look at maps of places all over the world. He's going to be the ring bearer in my brother's wedding in a few weeks, so he's been working on his dance moves. Lets just say the reception should be interesting. This boy is smart as a whip and has a memory like I've never seen. He's also incredibly sweet and tender-hearted. Unless his sister has taken something from him or irritated him in some way--then he can be a bit tenacious. We're still working on the not fighting thing... He is so much me and then so much his father. It's amazing how that works. I can't wait to see what kind of man this boy will be...