Miscellaneous Sept. Pictures

Let's try Gymnastics!

A couple weeks ago the three older kids started gymnastics.  It has actually been working out really well.  All 3 expressed interest in trying this, and they can all attend different classes within a pretty close time frame so it's a win for me too.  Our Monday evenings are now spent at the gym watching these 3 learn something new and use their bodies in new ways. It's been a very fun adventure, and so far they are all really liking it.

Olive is fun and sassy.  She is such a joy to watch.

Bentley likes to bring a book along to read while he waits for his class to start.

When it was his turn to climb the rope, he did it like it was no big deal. He is one strong dude in a little package.

Eden has really surprised me.  She is so beautiful and natural in pointing her toes and she is a fast learner.  This is such a great fit for her because it's not too hard to breathe, but she is getting stronger and stronger every class.  I love watching her.

Family Night at Dairy Queen

We were all enjoying our ice cream when Karly said, "Yup. I do like this place."  This is family night success!

Tinker Town Museum

I love that my kids aren't at school on Mondays which allows us the time to go on some pretty fun adventures.  Today grandma joined us over in the east mountains to visit TinkerTown Museum.  This was our first time there and it was interesting indeed! 

This place is build of concrete and over 55,000 glass bottles.  It's filled with over 20,000 handcarved mini figures and all sorts of random western memoribilia and old "junk" from roadshows etc.  This place began as a home and hobby of a man, but because of outside interest it eventually became a museum of sorts.  It was very random and strangely intriguing for sure.

There were so many bizarre and interesting things to see.  And of course, we had to stop and get our fortunes from the fortune teller machine.

The kids wrote messages and stuck them in the bottles on the wall.

It was a fun day and we are glad grandma came and enjoyed this strange museum with us. Homeschooling at it's best!  :)

Cool Creature in our Front Yard

This little guy was quite the prize for this creature loving family!  What a fun find!

Karly and Jude

These two still seem to be doing well together after their older sisters married them a month or so ago.  ha ha   Cute little buddies.

Ice Cream Social at the School

We got to attend a really fun Ice Cream social at the kids' school.  After enjoying lots of ice cream, the kids were off playing with their friends while we got to sit and visit with our friends.  Some time later Olive wondered back in full costume.  I have no idea where she got this, or how she managed to talk the costume right off someone else, but she sure looked cute!  This girl has serious social skills. :)

Art Show

What happens when you spend a lot of time writing stories and drawing pictures? You end up with a ton of art.  Then what do you do?  An art show of course!  Sometimes Brad and I get roped in and these little entrepreneurs try to sell us their projects and art pieces.  Sometimes though they just support each other and leave us out of it.  I love them.

A Nasty Bonk

Office desk = 1.  Karly = 0.

Ouch!!

Eden's Selfies and Update from the Eye Doc

This is how Eden entertains herself when we are waiting in the lobby (again) for the eye doctor. Thank goodness for technology that helps us pass the time sometimes.

As for the news from the actual eye appointment? Fortunately her optic nerves are looking really good which means the pressure inside her head is low, so they are going to recommend she stay off the medicine again.  We are very happy to hear this news, and will come back for another check up in 6 months. 

The bad news is that this neuro-ophthalmologist is now also leaving Albuquerque and we are going to have to start over AGAIN.  This doctor leaving was our 6th doctor since we started this journey.  Six months from now we will be meeting with our 7th doctor!  It has been such a frustrating journey.  There is no longer any neuro-ophthalmologists in Albuquerque, but instead we will be seeing a regular ophthalmologist who they say will be able to help us.  We will see how this next appointment goes, but I'm really on the verge of just getting this lined up in Denver as well because the constant turn over has been incredibly frustrating.  We shall see what happens.

I'm just grateful that for now my sweet girl is at a healthy place. We will count our blessings.

Hide N'Seek

Can you spot the child? 

Well played Karly. Well played. She always has loved this game.

Bentley and Karly

When I was pregnant with Karly and we found out we were having another girl, Bentley was pretty disappointed because he REALLY wanted a brother.  Well, obviously he didn't get one, but he did get a little sister that is so perfect for him.  In many ways, Karly is a lot like Bentley.  From very early on these two had a very sweet connection that continues to grow today. They play together differently, and connect differently and it is so cute to watch.  He is very tender with her and watches out for her and she loves him so much.

So naturally, I have to dress them alike sometimes. :)

Beautiful Sleeping Olive

Every night I like to peek in at each of the kids in their beds before I head off to my own bed.  Right now I find myself lingering a bit at Olive's bed and watching her sleep.  She is so precious to me.

Kids Time with Dad and No Mom

Through my friend Erin Haslam, I was able to get involved with the race directors for a local half and full marathon this weekend. Friday afternoon I spent the day behind the desk at the packet pick-up and met so many people from all over the US and even international folks who descended upon Albuquerque to run a Boston qualifying marathon down the Sandia Mountains. It was really neat to meet people from all walks of life, some running their first marathon, and some running in Albuquerque to reach their goal of a marathon in each state.  It was truly inspiring.

Saturday morning we left at 3am to meet with the team and get everything in order for the race to begin.  I was able to be at the half marathon start line and was the one to blow the horn to start the race.  It was so high energy and such a cool experience.  After getting the race started, we helped along the track and then got down to the finish line as the racers were coming in.  It was incredible to see the dedication, resilience and hard work for these folks who set a goal and reached it.  It was awesome, and it kind of made me wish I was running..... kind of.  :)

While I was away for Friday afternoon and Saturday, Brad and the kids were playing hard and enjoying their time together.  The arcade was a huge hit and they came home with tons of very large prizes.  I'm still not exactly sure how that happened.

I don't think I was missed one bit.  When mom's away, the children play! I'd say it was a successful weekend for all involved.