The new yard ornament

Some people love old rusty stuff. Im okay with that. And I'm okay with trying to be okay with loving it Myself. Fortunately for me 5 out of the 6 of us are really excited to have an abandoned 1951 Cadillac on the side yard. That will eventually make me excited too. Right? Majority rules. Not always the momma.

It wont be so bad once its been cleaned up a little. By which I mean a LOT. And at least it isnt parked on the front lawn huh?!

I must say that I have seen the work and effort and smarts my hubby can put into a project and create a near miracle. I'm hoping to see all that come together once again. Once the yard projects are done of course!

The only good thing about the gov't shut down:

Free access to AF canyon!! 

We went for a Sunday drive to go see the gorgeous fall color here in our mountains. 

What a fantastically beautiful place God created that we get to be a part of! I just LOVE it! 

This is Cascade Springs. Always has been a favorite spot.

 Funny with the furloughed parks employees the bathroom facilities were locked up but the Outhouse was open, and plenty busy. And Yes, I am in my PJ's. It was comfy.

 D. and I spent a few hours of our Honeymoon 17(!!!) years ago here. Since then it has been ravaged by wildfire and then grown back just as beautiful. I think I have a picture of us on this same bridge, I'll have to go searching.

 Z. took several great shots of the scenery but my favorites are the ones she is in. Beautiful family. Beautiful place.

I fear I may be raising survivalists, dang Netflix!

The kids adore watching Man vs Wild and the spin off Man Woman Wild. They are trying out their new found tv knowledge daily. Oh Boy! Im not sure the branches and twigs they planted in the "someday sandbox" worked out as well as planned. They were hoping to at least be able to accomplish rule #1which is create a shelter. There imaginations are keeping them occupied and thats what I like to see. Out doing stuff, not in on the beanbag watching episode 1000.

Maybe Uncle S. could teach them a thing or two about adventures in out of the way places. On second thought, why not let the backyard be their adventures as long as I can help it?!

I hitched a ride to Colorado

And it was wonderful! S. and I found out Gma and Gpa A. were driving out to see Uncle T. and Aunt R. We immedietly got to work figuring out how to tag along. Alittle planning and a lot of help from loving family later we made it to Kremmling.

 S. was so happy to hear Uncle T. say that he once had climbed thru his own doggy door that she had to try it for herself. Then she only quit to sleep. She loved it. Now I know what to get her for Christmas.

 We enjoyed smores out in Adamsons backyard with a fire pit.

 S. enjoyed snuggling and irritating the dogs while she watched episodes of Disney shows. Much more fun than school would have been.

 Then it even snowed! Im not sure I could live there unless I loved skiing. Too much cold, too early!

 Of course that early Fall snow never lasts long and soon enough we were sightseeing and playing tourist at Grand Lake. What a Beautiful place they live and a wonderful trip. I want to go again already!

Find something quiet to do.

The kids hear that a lot from me. This time I could hear a lot of giggling. That happens but never is it the older 2 and S. 

Yes, she is tied up and they were just about to wrap her up and lug her down the hall! Resembles criminal activity, I think. 

But, oh how darling they are! I just cant get enough of them. Quietly, of course.

Grandpa Tom has a boat AND a truck

Which means after way too many years without we finally get to go BOATING!!

 Last time N. went out in it(as a 7?year old) he pirated the controls and tried to steer us back to the dock. He didnt love it. This time he seems to at least found a way to keep occupied. Making his mom snort at his antics!

Aunt Roo came too. She doesnt pass up a ski day if she can help it.

 Unfortunately the boat refused to run. Grandpa may have cried a little bit. The kids all did. Whats second best? Beach day. It was September and the reservoir is chilly but a beach is a beach. Enjoyable.

 The kids found a way to use the tubes without a motor. Hook a rope up to Uncle Todd  and make him run. Its almost as good, and Todd got a great workout!

 Showing off the wetsuits.

 I love this look on Roos face. Its totally N's look when he is happy. Dont worry N., everyone has a hard time sliding into a tight rubber suit!

 Mudpies?

 And so we tried it again. A week later. This time with cousin S.

 Z. loved it! N. loved it! T. loved it! S.&S. loved it! Grandpa loved it(because the boat ran!)! Roo loved it! Mom had a full blown out of the blue panic attack and nearly died! It was awful. I apparently need some conditioning to the sound and feel of the water again. It was sad!

 Upon returning home we found we had been in the right place all day. Although it ended up rainy and windy at the reservoir, the valley we returned to had just started bailing out from a 50 year storm. Tornado, Hurricane stuff. Unheard of here. Lots of wind debris and damage and lots of flood damage. Incredible. And the whole time the family members we left behind were worried for our safety. If we had been hit with that on the water we might not all be here today. Scary! "The pit" was almost full enough to pull the boat into. Great memories!

I love my Summer Birthday

I also love that my niece S. and I have Birthdays back to back. And that the weather allows for a picnic party in the park. Ahhh. the life.

Besides the Ariel cake and lunch food S. had a cupcake piñata. The kids were so happy to line up for a swing at it.

 N. and Grandpa gave me a laugh. Whenever N. was near it Gpa tugged it way out of the batting line. So funny to watch them, and funny to me that the only blindfold available was Andreas nursing cover. Just don't tell the teenager wearing it on his face. He He.

Want the pool to yourself?

Go the week after school starts! Its still plenty warm but its nearly abandoned. Z. took a friend or she could've ended up bored. Gasp! Actually she has a great talent for adopting friends. Last time she was bored she introduced me to some strangers, a real nice family from out of state and she got their #. Friendly!

 T-man is in love with the diving boards. He could spend Hours doing imaginative things on the board and in the air. What a great little swimmer!

 S. poses for a shot along the kiddy pool shore. I think she stole my seat! These kids are like fish and love the pool. Any pool!

Babes goes to Kindergarten!!

 Finally!  The long awaited day arrived! Well, in her case the long awaited afternoon.

What great excietement to walk down to the school and hang up her backpack on the hook with her name. She was happy to see a few of her preschool and primary friends there too. 

Now, I didn't cry or feel like she had gone and grown up on me because she does a great job daily of reminding me she's "Not a Baby!".  In her heart she is already one of the big kids but she will always in my heart be the baby, even if I don't cry over it.

Watch out if you whine during Family Night...

Daddy will pull out your teeth with pliers!

Daddy loves to include desert whenever it can be tied to a lesson. We love it. This night Z. had a loose tooth that was causing a lot of pain. Next step, Pliers!

Although pointy metal tools look scary she was so relieved to have that old baby tooth out of there. And the bonus was that she could eat her "every body helps out"brownie without pain.

What would we do without Daddys tools!?