Getting Outside

Some friends from Nebraska came out to their cabin in Colorado and we met them for a hike. Each summer I try to get the kids out into the mountains more and more. It isn’t always easy or fun, but I want them to understand that in our family the mountains are important.  I don’t want them to ever take for granted that they get to live so close to these beauties. Dempsey was feeling it today for sure...

Me: Wow-look at those mountains, they are pretty.

Dempsey: They aren’t pretty, they are magnificent.

Way better word Demps!

We ended up hanging by the stream for a good 1 1/2 hours. They threw rocks, ate lunch and somehow we managed to squeeze🤣 2 poops and 4 pees into that time frame. I feel like I’m winning that my kids all know how to pee and poop in the wild!

On the way home Dempsey and I had this conversation:

“‘mom I want to go to Alaska. Actually I want to go to Africa. Put that on the list. If dad wants to go, he can come. Otherwise we will just go.”

Lol. The list. We actually don’t have a list, but that’s a darn good idea!❤️

Mom

9.

The oldest.  The one who made us parents. The serious one.  The goofy one.  The thinker.  The brains.  Just a few of the traits that make up our Aylen John.  This has been a great year for the guy.  He had a great experience in 3rd grade.  He made some really great friendships, and has experienced his first sleepovers as well as riding his bike by himself to his buddy's house.  He is still working on the whole communication thing-aka "CALL YOUR MOM WHEN YOU REACH YOUR BUDDY'S HOUSE!"  AJ recently began playing baseball with alot of his buddies from his football team.  It's been a bit intimidating for him, but he is excited for practice and games, and he is trying to get better each day!

AJ is really such a great guy with the little guys in his life.  Recently we went on a hike with some friends.  He immediately took to Evie and I truly believe he played a crucial role in why we were able to complete this 2.4 mile hike with a 4 year old.  AJ kept holding his hand, talking to him about cool things, and even made plans for the fun things they were going to do together when they saw each other again.  AJ's cousin, Ethan, visited us this past weekend.  AJ did a great job finding guns, helping Ethan climb bolders, and just in general entertaining him.  I love that part of AJ that really takes care of the little people.











As I type this I'm listening to AJ and Russell discuss creating the Falcon 9 model rocket.  Russ found this gift for AJ's birthday, the rocket paired with a SpaceX hat.  AJ+Russell= 2 peas in a pod.  I swear.  AJ knows everything there is to know about Elon Musk-- he read an entire book on him.  I can't wait to get these guys to their first ever rocket launch some day in Florida!  Until then we were live vicariously through all the people that attend the SpaceX launches while we watch our Russell's iphone, and launch our own rocket in our BACKYARD.


AJ....thanks for being a steady dude in our life.  You do get sassy but usually I can talk you out of that real quick.  Thank you for trying new things, being brave, helping your siblings out, being a great friend, and working darn hard at everything that you try.  Love you Mr!

Momma

Painting Class

The boys took their first painting class with their awesome friend Patrick.  They loved it and want to do all the other classes. It’s nice to see the brothers together and getting along. I’m thankful for their friendship. Tonight they belted together their feet while they took turns reading Harry Potter to us. It’s not every day that they get along!

❤️Mom

The Firsts of Summer

Our first hike! Mandy and I took 8 kids! Surprisingly it went well! They all seemed to entertain themselves! 1.2 miles to the keyhole was enough hike! It was enough to get Dempsey interested in doing the family Gem Lake hike to earn her camelback!

Our first pool! Today we hit up the pool! Every year it gets easier for me to take these 3 kids to the pool. AJ and Ryk are totally cool without me, and Dempsey loves to rotate with her vest on and off! It’s amazing how they can be driving me NUTS at home and then boom we get to the pool and we can all tolerate each other very well!

❤️Mom

End of the Rainbow

We were up at my parent’s house and we enjoyed an evening thunderstorm. The rainbow showed itself and the kids insisted we walk to the beginning of it. We walked and when it started fading, most of them were convinced to quit searching. Everyone except for Dempsey who turned her back from us and said, “Well! I’m going to find the end!”  We eventually got her back with us❤️

❤️Mom

AJ Baseball

AJ is enjoying his first year of baseball. His team is pretty darn good and AJ is getting out there and playing. So far he has shown that he is really good at watching for balls, as he has walked quite a bit. Baseball has so many different situations to learn, which I think AJ really appreciates! I’m proud of him, especially since he almost backed out a week before his first practice. Right now he says that baseball is tied with flag football as far as how much he likes it!

Guh, he’s cute!

❤️mom

Demp-ism

This girl! She is unstoppable on the bike. This past weekend I let her take us on a ride, wherever she wanted to go. Her hair kept getting in her face and she finally let me braid it!!! The other day she told me that a boy she was playing with “broke her heart.” Right away the boys and I said “ahhhh.” She got embarrassed, and I said it was ok and asked a clarifying question. She said, “ You know mom, when someone says something and it hurts you. You know broke your heart.” So adorable. Just one of many times I’m sure that I’ll hear those sweet words.

❤️Mom

Lake Mac

This year was a blast. We added t-shirts for all the families! We barely saw the kids! We put in a canoe, couple with the SUP, provided the kids much entertainment. We had some gorgeous evenings. The kids picked up right where they left off. And Dempsey found her frogs and Ryk his lizards.❤️

Love these people and this place!

❤️mom