Student Council!

This girl worked hard on her application ALL by herself & got into student council. We prepped if she didn’t get it and we cheered when she found it:) So coooooool!

-Mom

We're Backkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk! 24/25 School Year

oh boy....here we go.......

My 14th year in this district. AJ starts high school-big 9th grader. Ryker is in the middle school in 7th grade. Dempsey is in her final year as a 5th grader at elementary school! So we are representing 4 schools. That is 4 different start/end times, 4 different back to school nights, 4 school conferences, 4 different sets of activities, etc. 

AJ tried out for football the day before his first day of school. This was an epic event that was quite the adventure. Above all, lots of lessons were learned. At the end of the day- AJ felt loved and supported by his parents, and had the chance to make the best decisions for himself. He had a great few days of school. He really likes his teachers, he is in class with friends, and has decided to join the Ultimate Disc team. 

Ryker got to start school a day after all of this, and he really enjoyed basking in that! He got to spend the extra time with Russell and that was an awesome "start" to school. He was asked by two staff members to be an aide of them, which tells me Ryker has an awesome reputation at school! He decided to be the aide for the school counselor! Ryk has watched AJ's experienced and has now backwards planned what he needs to be doing each season so that he is prepared for freshman high school football tryouts.

Dempsey loves her class and is digging her teacher. She has decided to apply for student council which is a huge deal for her! I'm excited to see how she decides to fill out the application! I still can't grasp how she will be in middle school next year, but it's cool because I legit don't need to deal with that for awhile. HAH! She is still attending gymnastics and really loves it! 

As for me.....I'm getting used to a new partner at work. Typically my past partner would hold on the information in her head, and I'd help! But now I'm the person who has it in my head. It's been overwhelming to say the least. Today, after a full week at school, I am exhausted. I couldn't even get out of bed until 930am:) But I'm proud of myself...I maintained a great workout schedule, had healthy meals the entire week, and managed to get good sleep all week! Let's see if I can keep this up! 

***I do feel like I'm teetering on what I want to do next in my career. I keep telling myself I can't make decisions during the first few weeks of school. Hah! 

Cheers to a new year! New school, new partner, new extracurricular activities.........We can do this!

Love,

Mom

Jellystone 2.0

 Fun City:  AJ and Ryker rode the go carts three times and traded taking what they considered the fastest car on the second and third runs.  They then spent a lot of time together in the arcade.  They spent so much time there, they ran out of money so asked Dempsey if she would pay for their third go-cart ride.  She gave them her pay card so they could make that run.  Normally Dempsey is the first to run out of money.

 

Dempsey wasn’t excited about playing miniature golf but she scored 2 hole-in-one’s, the most of us five playing.

 

Jellystone:

Dempsey and Ryker started the balloon games which were in two general categories:  Blowing them up and seeing which could either go the furthest or stay in the air the longest once released. The second game involved water balloons which were either exploded on rocks, used in a game of soft hands (throwing back and forth between two players without breaking the balloon) or rolled down the camp paths to see how far they would go before breaking,  AJ and Ryker modified these games by putting one balloon inside another to see if they could get it to fill more.  Balloon games kept all five of us engaged in outdoor activities and contests

 

 

Dempsey has been saving quarters for goodness knows how long so she could use the in the arcade.  She would have lived in the arcade if we could afford it.

 

We played miniature golf where the goal is to go through the 9 hole course in order to find golf balls that have landed and then been abandoned in the shrubs, weeds, etc., around the course.  On golfing day one Dempsey golfing with Grandma and Grandpa found 25 golf balls.  On Day 2, all grandkids played and between Dempsey and Ryker they found 16 golf balls.  Last year between the three kids, they found 40+ golf balls.  The golfing is secondary to the golf-ball hunt. 

 

General observations:

 

1.     AJ:   a. Was somewhat subdued and later reported he was tired as he stayed up 1:30 a.m. the night/morning of his sleepover just before Fun City.   He took some quiet time but was there engaging with Ryker and Dempsey.

b. He was only 1 of 2 freshman who attended a tennis hit-around at Skyline HS on Tuesday after.  He said his preference still is football because it is a true team sport.

c. When we moved some garden fixtures, he was indispensable in handling heavy fixtures.  Couldn’t have done it without him.

 

2.     Ryker: a.  Was incredibly helpful the entire four days.  If there was something that needed doing, Ryker was on it.  He suggested ways to pack up the cabin on the last morning and he organized the truck packing of all of our belongings.  He was complementary of Grandma’s cooking and was a delight to be around.

b. Ryker attended a robotics gathering at Trail Ridge.  As we talked about his team, he noted that he and Dom would be the only team members but they would be on the lookout for a good driver which he felt would make the team much stronger.   He is focused on team building.

c. Was our team motivator when it came to Jellystone bingo games.  He just missed a blackout by one number on our day 1 but then hit the first bingo on our day 2.  He got his bingo unbelievable fast. It made up for all the misses last year.

 

 

3.     Dempsey: a. Dempsey wanted to get out and do things.  She wanted to bounce on the bouncing pad, go to playground, play miniature golf, and of course plant herself in the arcade.  She got along well with both AJ and Ryker in balloon games and within the small confines of the cabin.

 

Just as conclusion, we were packed tightly in a one-room cabin with different sleep schedules, little privacy, and the opportunity to get on each other’s nerves.  We all did a great job of giving each other the room to be comfortable and accommodating in that limited space.  It was a great trip.  We are delighted they want to do this again next year.

Jellystone!

Guest post from the grandparents:) They started a tradition of taking the kids to Jellystone! This year could have gotten halted by a series of events: hurt shoulder, fires, camper that needs a new roof, etc. But have no fear, because traditions matter:)

Here are some snippets of memories:

• Just thought of another memory from this week with the grandkids.  Ryker got on Google Maps and showed me the route he and Russ took to go to Nebraska to go fishing, places where they stopped to fish, the brick factory in Endicott, etc.  That trip was memorable for him.  He mentioned it several times during our 4 days together.

• Kids melted my heart today.  First off they have been so incredibly helpful, especially Ryker .Second, as we were leaving Jelly Stone they wanted to make sure we were doing this again next year.  How sweet is that!!!

• I have only videos and a photo of some of the 25 golf balls Dempsey found in the shrubs surrounding the miniature golf course.  Ryker and Dempsey then found 16+ the next day.  When I am a little more rested I will send you some notes about our time.  Summary: Ryker was super helpful to us.  AJ and Ryker several times played balloons games together.  Dempsey gave up $22 of her Fun City card so the boys could have one last go cart ride

• We were worried that the one room simplicity cabin would bum the kids out but they were troopers.

Demps was worried that she wouldn’t get any sleep because AJ reads with a light on but we hung a blanket around his lower bunk and all was good.

Ryker took our marble chess board with us so the boys had a few good chess games.  AJ was found  reading his books.

Fun City was a must again and we all had some fun for sure.  If Demps grows up to have a gambling addiction it Grandpas fault.  Just kidding.  She had to keep trying for certain ducks and then at Jelly Stone she had to keep trying for certain pencil toppers.  She got what she wanted. I’d of given up long ago.

Demps, AJ and I went swimming one day while grandpa took Ryk to to the mountain coaster.  I should say AJ and Demps swam.  I stood chest deep in the freezing, and I do mean freezing, water doing exercises.  Holy buckets that water was so cold!!!!

They wanted Bird and Jim’s one night so we had that.  Demps had my homemade Mac and cheese.  Another night they wanted Antonio’s pizza.  These are must haves when they come up.  Again, Demps had Mac and cheese and a corn dog.  Grandpa grilled delicious cheeseburgers two nights and hot dogs.

I learned Demps prefers turkey sausage and English muffins for her breakfast sandwiches and she informed me the boys like croissants.  Duly noted. 

We were able to look at two other larger cabins incase we wanted to do a cabin again next year.  One we felt would work better.  Jest relieved they do want to do it again next year.

AJ brought a new card game with him and we played it which was challenging and fun.

We had a good talk about someday they will have other interests commitments as they get older and will not want to do this.  We told them this is natural and while we would be sad we totally understand that change in life and wished them the best in their endeavors.  Demps said she’d be in college and still want to come do this with us.  How sweet is that.

Loved all the help, hugs, kisses, thank yous, laughs and great memories.  We are so blessed.

——-

This was awesome timing as I was just heading back to work. It allowed me to come home and not think. Russ and I never even cooked:)  And the kids really really look forward to it!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

Love,

Meg

Hobbies Around Here!

Dempsey has enjoyed rescuing frogs from the side of our pool! The other night she found this! A salamander! Ryker named him Cory!

This was a 1 time hobby =but it was such a nice night that I had to document it. Russell and I were working, and the kids were all doing their diamond art. 

We lost a tree in a storm and it provided a few hours of entertainment for the boys. They towed it over to the fire pit, and then worked hard to get the stump out!

Making fires, with new small torches. What could go wrong?

ALL THE cartwheels, then turned into handstands, now talking about roundoffs!

Sand creations

Macrame fun

Golf--Russell has been a bit hurt so we haven't gone out much! BUT I do enjoy it (usually) when I go!

Birding-we've had some new to us birds come around and we have had fun trying to identify them!

Rodeo-ing....Dad and Della hooked us up this year with ringside? courtside? arenaside? seats. GUH it was awesome. As Della said she wasn't responsible for the dirt and poo that got kicked up...and indeed it did get kicked up!

Roger Groving- always a highlight! It's crazy how much water was at the start of the season and now it's more of a trickle!

I don't have many photos but the boys have been into Brawl Stars. IT happens ALL THE TIME if we let them. Why didn't I create a tech game?????

Ryker has really started to enjoying whittling. He made this cool wizard! I'm excited to help him create his own whittling space in the garage!

Things to add to our hobbies:

• Tennis for the boys
• Overcooked
• Drawing for Dempsey

It's been a good summer, yet somehow I feel like I have 5 million things I still want to do!

<3 Mom

Fourth of July YEEEHAWWWWW

We had a party for the 4th and it WAS a party! We probably had close to 50 people here! We started early at 3pm and went until 10pm. It was so rad. Pool party! Shaved Ice! Tequila! Boat/STEM/fireworks! We had an awesome day and really enjoyed all the family. I did have a great showing from my school. I made the choice to sport my bikini with my sparkle hat and just ROCKED It. BECAUSE why not! It was a whole other side of me that they haven't seen!

GOOD TIMES:)

Mom

Family Visits!

We got to see my brother for a weekend! It was awesome and so bizarre because he wasn't with his sweet family! We haven't seen him on his own for a LONG TIME! We spent a ton of time just chilling, and that was really nice! Riya made a visit up to Estes-we were gone most of the time camping but we got to sneak in a visit to this awesome lady!

:)

Mom

My Ladies are Everything

Cheyenne Frontier Days- Outfit #2 of the night...those boots=my favorite EVER!

CFD outfit #1-such a great time!

The Backpacking Ladies that chilled out a bit this year! Here was our charcuterie board!

Hot Springs, yes please!

Found time to paddleboard!

Surah came and saw my most favorite spot in Longmont! Rogers Grove!

Got spend time with the S and K

These hats are the gift that keeps on giving-thanks Mandy!

Holy moly I love my ladies. These pics are not everyone, but there are many of them! Sometimes during the school year things get to so busy. Meetings, kids events, exhaustion, cold, etc. BUT SOMEHOW the last few years I've gotten better and better at making time for my friends. THEY are my lifeblood. They are always there for me. They know how to make me laugh, give the best hugs, listen to the same ol'/same ol', pep me up, bitch with me, create with me, hike with me, play in water with me...the list goes on and on. I've learned the importance of telling them that I love them, because I love them. SO MUCH. I hope my kids see this part of my life and understand the importance of keeping their friends close. In a world that can sometimes be isolating and lonely...things always feel a bit easier when you know you have your crew. 

GLENDO 2024

Mother's daughter-look how strong she is?

This is when Russell stayed put and we were all good!

The trek back to our campsite from the water!

Ella and Dempsey's village

The boys created a teepee fire and kept a lookout for the ranger

GLENDO 2024 was just the best....! This year we reserved 3 nights, which continues to be our favorite amount of time! We had a spot that was a bit different than the last few years, which I experienced some grumbles for. I did (and Russell) reminded the children that if they want to have an opinion to join on in around February when Mandy and I are hunting for camping spots! GEESH-hard to please! 

This year we had amazing days-warm and the water felt so refreshing. Kevin had a blast, and we all enjoyed our time throwing the ball/sticks to him. The boys created a fort in the brush and worked on it for hours. The girls created these houses! There were new and improved pictures with cooler tricks- pyramid? THAT"S right!!!!! Lots of cartwheels and handstands. Russ even moved on. me during my handstand to help save Dempsey....#savethechildren, right? 

We did try and go cliff jumping on Saturday. At the same time a storm decided to move on in. We were able to get 15 minutes of jumping before the waves were crashing, and the sky was insanely grey. We decided to come back on Sunday before we left. We did the smaller jumps and then headed over to big one. According to the ranger that I spoke with-this is 60 ft. Russell thinks it is more like 50ft. EITHER way...huge. Our first jump was spearheaded by Russell, followed by Dempsey, then me, then Ryk. AJ knows better (wink wink). Our second jump was a bit more eventful- I splayed by leg a bit weird and also weirdly contemplated if I should be doing this with a new hip on the way down (GREAT TIME TO CONTEMPLATE THAT)....I also lost my apple watch for the 2nd time while cliff diving (I'm wild and crazy...I know)....Demps landed with our arm out and it looked/felt horrible....and ...well 2 times jumping was enough.

WHAT a great time had by all!!!!!!

Mom