a boy of few words

I realized that I am failing to report milestones when people have come to visit us and didn't know whether or not Ian was walking. By the way, Ian started walking at the end of June.

Talking doesn't seem to be a big priority to him though. Out of the words that he uses the only ones that are really clear and consistent are "ball" and "throw," often used in a combination. He also would rather watch baseball, football, or even golf than other shows we put on. He is definitely all boy.

the colton's home for imaginary friends

If you aren't an avid PBS Kids watcher, the above picture is of Nadine, D.W.'s imaginary friend from Arthur. We have had a revolving door worth of imaginary people cycling through our house lately. The girls "become" other girls at random times who are from Provo or Disneyland, depends on the day. We have had Sara, Jennie, Clara, and the more exotic Bo Blossom, Cedar Blossom, and Bass Boom. Cali and Kimi don't respond to their own names when they are the other personality and seemingly don't recall what happened when they "get back." We would worry about multiple personalities except that we are pretty sure that is not contagious.

Out of all of the visitors, Clara seems to have taken up a permanent residence at our house now, usually as Kimi's invisible companion but sometimes possessing her, and is constantly telling Kimi how things are different at her house so she can inform us. Clara's house seems to be a lot more fun and relaxed especially concerning what they eat. I am glad to have Clara around though now that Cali has started school because Kimi still has someone to color with and play games with during school hours. We will see if anyone else decides to move in.

and so it begins

Cali came home from school yesterday convinced that she needs her own cell phone because some of her friends have them. Again after school today she tells me she NEEDS her own phone. I thought this would happen sometime, but I wasn't really ready for it yet.

girls gone camping

When I found out that Cali wouldn't start school until September 2, and that Mom and Dad were planning on going camping the last week of August I starting hatching my own plan. I couldn't miss this last opportunity to get away, and asked Janice to watch Ian during the day and I would take the girls up camping. Scott ended up just taking the days off to stay home with him and have some guy time. Sorry there are going to be an awful lot of pictures for this post, but I ended up with about 300 pictures and had to choose. I had a lot of videos too, but probably lucky for you guys, I can't upload those. The trip was fun and fabulous and it was so great to get away for a while and go to the place that I consider "God's country." Sitting around the campfire on the first day.
Kimi being Kimi.

A real stagecoach in West Yellowstone. (It was pretty cold that day and there were not too many shoppers around. It was funny that the most tempting thing to buy was down parkas.)
There are cool bison statues all over the city of West now.

Kissing the bison.
Posing in one of the stores with their cool new hats.

Now we are inside Yellowstone.

There were a ton on elk in a meadow, and I uploaded the wrong picture. Just imagine a lot more.
We kept passing bison on the side of the road and I had to snap a picture every time. The Japanese tourists just make it look so fun.
By one of their cool rebuilt tour buses.

Holding our noses by the stinky pots.
Checking out a geyser.
On the boardwalk.

We waited and watched Old Faithful from inside the lodge.
Cali waiting for what they decided was the most "boring" geyser.
Christine noticed this cool shot of Kimi looking out the window in Grandpa's truck.
Tino and Cali hanging out in the back seat.

Checking out a waterfall.

Looking through the "frinoculars" or "goggles." I don't use the words I just repeat them.

Can you see the glowing red eyes on this bison? Good thing the truck never came to a stop.

A rousing game of "paper, rock, scissors" back by the campfire.

Kimi and I weren't quite in sync.

Down at the Buffalo river fishing dock.

Splashing in the water.
Hi, Tino.

Looking for fish.
That water was cold, but they didn't care.

Painting at the campsite. They only painted pictures, no rocks. I guess they aren't the entrepreneurs that we were.
Blowing bubbles with Grandpa and Grandma.

Chasing bubbles.

Looking for fish at Big Springs.
This was the fish that we nicknamed "gigantor." He was a whopper.
The little cabin and water wheel at Big Springs.
Thank you, Tino, for being willing to spend so much time in that back seat.

cali's first day of kindergarten and ride on the magic schoolbus

Today was that great and terrible day for me where little Cali went off to kindergarten. I took her to the school and waited outside with her until she had to walk inside. I thought about just following along with her. Her teacher did say that we are welcome to visit the class anytime. I came home and went for a long walk with Kimi and Ian so I wouldn't go lay on my bed and cry. According to her account the first day was good, she made some friends, and everything in class was good except for the crying boy.

The only hitch in the day came when it was time to go home. For some reason they didn't know what bus to put her on and loaded her onto the wrong bus and she got sent to a daycare. I received a call from "The Magic Castle" while I was waiting outside for the bus to drop her off. "Mrs. Colton we have your daughter here." Lucky for us we had drilled our name and phone number into Cali and she was able to keep a cool head and tell them. I left the other kids with a neighbor and hurried over to get her. In the parking lot was their bus with "MAGIC" written on the side. (It was some acronym) She was a little shaken up, but they had given her a hot lunch and some crayons and a coloring page while she waited. Mom suggested I let her ride the bus there everyday if they are going to feed her. :) I have made a few phone calls and was reassured that it won't happen again. Tomorrow she is riding the bus there as well as home so I will be keeping my fingers crossed.