August 2014

random pictures from August

Hiking in Palo Duro for Laci's birthday.

5.2 miles roundtrip... hiking to the top of Palo Duro Canyon.

18-weeks pregnant

Mr. Owen

the boys helping mommy stretch

the Elizondo girls over for breakfast

Owen has taken a turn and enjoys coloring with markers for much longer periods of time.  He typically makes a big blob on the paper and tells us what it is (usually a monster).

Peace and quiet on a Monday morning.  Owen drilling, Kaden building, Schatzi lazing around, and mommy pouring over notes before class. 

Sharing Kaden's free birthday treat from the Barnes & Noble cafe.

post early morning run/wog.

Kaden trying out his new "bendy straws" that Kaaren bought for his 5th birthday.  

Super-cool present!

Tammy & I playing around before our meetings at Amarillo College... trying to come up with joint (promotional) photos for our website, etc.

Owen, the butterfly

This month I've learned how to brew my own Kombucha-- a probiotic drink that has proven to help my guts a bit this pregnancy.  With Laci's help, I can make about 7 bottles (a week's worth) for less than the cost of 1 bottle at the grocery store.  Score!  

Papa's 69th birthday!

AAANNNDDDD... I somehow hit the jackpot and traded a bunch of the boys clothes for baby GIRL clothes.  This house has never been exposed to so much PINK!

Looks like we're set for at least her first year.  

Thank you Jackie and Julie!!!

Owen getting ready for his baby sister... learning how to take care of his baby bunny.  We have really seen a sweeter side to Owen as he is VERY gentle with is rabbit and takes good care of her. 

Kaden is 5!

Our boy is 5 years old!

We met Kaaren a few days before at the Bagel Place for a lunch date and for him to open a big birthday present. 

Kaaren and Owen

Kaden's brand-new box of "Straws & Connectors" that he picked from her recent Mindware catalog.  He now has several different toys from this particular catalog and they have all been fabulous for his building creativity.

Birthday Eve:

I actually look forward to making the boys' cakes on their birthdays. 

This year Kaden discovered Pinterest on my phone and he decided, after much deliberation, that he wanted a rainbow cake.

It wasn't all that hard to make, just a little time consuming since it was 6 layers!

cooling on the stovetop...

The big day: August 23rd

We don't want birthdays to get too out of control at this age (he's only 5 after all) so instead of a big party with lots of presents, we decided to invite a few friends to the bowling alley for a morning of fun.  Even though I called a few weeks in advance to make sure the alley was open at 10:30 am, I was shocked/slightly scared to see that they parking lot looked like a ghost town. 

we just discovered that 10:30 on a Saturday morning is the PERFECT time to take a bunch of kids bowling since you basically have the entire place to yourself.  :)

And why NOT wear super-hero costumes?!?

birthday boy Batman

Ben decided to take advantage and have an entire lane to himself.

"too heavy"

Bonus: this turned into a sorority house gathering

(Sarah, Laura, Laci, Abby and Julie)

(Ridge- muscle man, Owen- Superman, Kaden- Batman, Erika, Evelyn, Michal, Luke- Robin, Katie, and Danni- butterfly)

Yes, Owen seriously got the highest score. 

True- there were bumpers and they all mostly used a ramp, but Owen insisted on using the heavier ball.  :)

Hot dogs & cake

The rainbow masterpiece!

Kaden with his brand-new art supply set.

Grandpa in Amarillo

Grandpa came to stay with us for a few days. 

Since it's HOT in August, we decided to go for an early morning walk in Palo Duro Canyon; it's been a few years since we've done this with dad (since his knee surgeries).

Grandpa and Kaden

Sunflower Trail

Mr. Owen

We hiked about a mile in (in which Owen did great) and a mile back to the car (in which Kaden stopped complaining). 

The Dow Brothers

The following day we made a trip to the Discovery Center.

building a roller coaster with daddy

 

...with a fat burger at the end at Coyote Bluff