36 is rad

I had agreed to watch Julie and Nathin's kids (Luke & Evelyn) months earlier so they could attend a family wedding in Buffalo, New York and it just-so happened that wedding weekend fell on my birthday weekend.

Therefore when we went to Santa Fe for Laci's 40th birthday bash in mid-September I (secretly) pretended it was for my birthday too.  Really... I got to leave town to spend an entire weekend with my friends (sans kids), eat great food for days, run a race I had been eyeing for a few years, and not worry about taking care of anyone... what more could I ask for?!? 

Laci helping me watch kids on my *actual* birthday.

I have great friends. 

Like REALLY great friends.

Julie is the ring-leader at making people feel special on their birthday.  

This, coupled with the fact that she felt guilty for "making" me babysit her kids all weekend sent her on a mission to scheme a fantastical week for me.  She and a few others came up Olympic-themed birthday allowing me earn "gold medals" for participating in events with my family and people in our friend group.

Event #1

Pinterest TRYathalon

(cooking something new from Pinterest)

in Julie's kitchen learning how to make wontons

 as well as egg-drop soup

 the wontons were wonderful

the soup was not

Julie mocking Grace as she stood screaming in time-out.

Kaden looking somewhat skeptical, but he surprised himself by liking the wontons.

 my podium stance and earning my first medal

Event #2 occurred with Laura:

Track & FOOD

Who else besides Laura would show up to my house at 5:30 AM with a tray full of scones and ready to go for a dark-mornings jog?  (Nobody.)

We threw the scones in the oven and set off on a short loop while they baked. 

 Of all times for ALL FIVE kids to be wide-awake by 6AM... 

Happy 36 to me. 😬😉

During the weekend/week of my birthday I had friends and family popping over and doing random-amazing things:

I went out to dinner with Ben.

I rode bikes with the kids.

I "junk wrestled" at the yard sale with mom

Laci even snuck in during nap time and dropped off an apricot cobbler.  

All of the effort put into combining my love of the Olympics + spending quality time with my favorite people (opposed to just getting "stuff") 

made #36 one of the BEST birthdays EVER!

September 2016

random photos from the month

riding pink pony in a princess dress (the dress she LOVES to choose from the drawer)

kid fit at the Town Club

Kaden waiting for his 7-year-old wellness visit

weird, but NOT bad...

Owen doing what he loves: the dino-dig, from Uncle Kyle

finding a turtle in the back yard

in a fitting room

this excited to be on a bus... to get to the rodeo

 Boys Ranch Rodeo 2016

I FINISHED embroidering the Christmas stockings

we started cub scouts...

getting fun things in the mail from 

Aunt Kathy and Grandpa

special DQ treats

Laci entertaining the kids while Kaden was in his piano lesson.

drinking wine, cruising Walgreens & acting ignorant while waiting for Nathan to be picked up from his junior-high dance.  I'm SURE we didn't embarrass him.  😂

Grace on the cherry bike

highlights from Santa Fe

Harvest Party @ High Plains Food Bank

The High Plains Food Bank hosted their annual harvest party and invited everyone to their community garden on Osage Street, downtown. 

 This was the first time I had been to the garden and they had a lot of activities and learning opportunities for kids. 

checking out the ducks

easily keeping track of Grace

before trying to feed the goats

chickens

Owen and Laura's son, Ridge, painting pumpkins.

 Kaden

I didn't get any pictures of the kids harvesting tomatillos or peppers but they had fun.

Fire Slice pizza also partnered with High Plains and fed everyone pizza with vegetables harvested from the garden. 

 successful morning