Misc. August Photos

Casa Fiesta!! Dream Home Coming Soon

It's official!!  Construction has begun on CASA FIESTA!  This has been a long process so far, and it's getting real now!  We have spent months planning this all on paper and we can't wait to see all our ideas become real. We are beginning our dream home and I can't believe it.

So to recap - In February we hired our builder, Candelaria Homes.  For the next few months we worked on designing the floor plan.  We had several meetings to tweak and tweak again until we got what just what we were looking for.  June 15th our plans were finalized and we received the technical drawings.  From there our contractor has been working on permitting and now we can begin!  We cannot wait to see this process take place.

Let the fun begin!

Feeding the Ducks, and a Peacock

With the big kids off to school, the girls and I are finding some fun adventures and enjoying our time together.  I figured an outing to the zoo was the perfect place for today.  Despite all the cool animals to see there, the best part of the day is always when they get to feed the ducks.  Today we had a special visit from a peacock too who was loving the bread just as much.

The second best part of the day was seeing the new baby elephant.  Cute!

And it's not an official zoo trip unless we get pictures on the colorful chair!

Thanks for joining us grandma!

Sister Snuggles

These two girls are a lot a like which is really fun when they are having fun, and really NOT fun when they aren't getting along. They make life fun and interesting around here, that's for sure!

But when it's good - it sure is good. Life would be boring without this duo.

Homeschool Days!

School is back in session which means our Monday home school days are back too.  This is our second year in family school and it already feels so much better.  It takes us a bit to figure out a new routine and get a good rhythm, but we are off to a much more comfortable start than last year.  

I love this time together and I am grateful for the opportunity to play a greater role in their education.

Grandpa's Birthday - Mud Party

Today we got to spend the day in Bosque Farms celebrating Grandpa's birthday.  It was an awesome day full of all the fun adventures that grandma and grandpa are so good at.  But first? Ice cream cake!

Next.....shaving cream drawing in the sunroom.

Third.... "tractor" rides.  Quaker was insane about it and kept following them and trying to bite the tires.  I'm not sure if he was playing or worried and trying to stop what was happening.  Strange dog.  But regardless, the kids had a blast.  When grandpa was done driving, they roped grandma in to drive too.

There was A LOT of spinning on the swing.  I don't know how these kids never seem to get dizzy.

There were lots of games to be played.  Grandpa was concentrating hard to beat these two.

And then the best part of all?! The MUD pit!  The kids were so happy.  Eden was our longest lasting mudder.  She was in there for hours. It provided great entertainment for them all.  This is real childhood right here. Thank goodness for grandma and grandpa's house.

At one point Olive got splashed and she was not happy about it.  It sure made for a cute picture though.

Crossing the mud pit bridges - don't slip!

Happy birthday to grandpa!  And thanks for another amazing day of great memories down in Bosque Farms.

Big Beetle

I love that my girls love creatures and bugs.  I have always encouraged them to hold them and take a closer look - they may or may not have noticed that I never do so myself. :)

That is one big beetle she found!  

First Day of School!!

Eden is starting 4th grade!  I can't believe it.  It feels like it wasn't long ago that she was clinging to my legs crying as I tried to drop her off at kindergarten.  How is she so grown up already?!  She is excited for her new class and new teacher Mrs. Vanessa.  Her best friend Avery is in her class so things are already off to a great start!  I know she will do amazing things this year.

My baby boy is starting first grade!! He is only 6, but he has always been so mature and advanced for his age so for some reason it seems weird that he is only in 1st grade. ha ha   Bentley is looking forward to having a male teacher this year. He says he is excited to learn more math. :)

I am excited for them to set and accomplish new goals this year.  I will miss them at home, but know that I'm leaving them in great hands. 

Have a great year of learning you two!!

A Hike to Travertine Falls

We had to fit in one last summer hike before school starts tomorrow.  We are both excited and so sad about school coming.  How is it possible that having a routine and schedule is both so nice, and so annoying all at the same time?!

So today we decided to hike to Travertine Falls.  It was a beautiful day outside.  I loved being with the kids and enjoying the beautiful outdoors.  Something about being outside helps me feel so deeply present and connected with them as we enjoy each other and nature.  We take it slow, find creatures and things to learn about on the way up. It is so refreshing for the soul.

They were so cute hiking and holding hands.  I love watching them truly be friends.

So we made it to where the water fall is supposed to be.  It wasn't too much of a surprise, but there wasn't any water in the fall! The kids discovered a cave nearby and had a great pretend game going soon. It was an awesome afternoon.

Bentley got stuck in the mud pit at one point. Fortunately he was able to find his shoe that got sucked off.

I'm so grateful for these fun adventures with my kids.  I hope to inspire in them a love for the outdoors!