October 2015

October was an eventful month for us. We started it off with Dave taking his Cardiology boards (thank goodness that's done with!), and a crazy hail/thunderstorm that left our yard looking like it snowed, and our basement flooded. There was just so much water that came down so fast that it literally started leaking through the foundation of the house in Cole's room. Fortunately we're renting and the landlord took care of it quickly.

I took Cole and Lexi to go see "The Cat In The Hat" play at a local theater, and they loved it. They got to wear their pajamas to the show and they had milk and cookies afterwards. Why can't more nights out be like that?!

In the middle of the month I had a tonsillectomy - not the most fun thing in the world. Fortunately my mom came up to help us out for a few weeks. She was a lifesaver! It's pretty tough to negotiate with a four-year-old and two-year-old when you can't speak, let alone eat. 

We also had some family fun hiking time. It's so nice to be so close to the mountains!

Clara is growing everyday and loves trying to new foods. This is her trying Tiki Masala. Judging by the smile I think she liked it.

Lexi is still our little secret sleeper. Every night when Dave goes to tuck her in it's a surprise where she actually fell asleep. The usual places are falling off the end of the bed or on the hard bed frame itself, but this night she was actually underneath the bed (there's not that much room down there!). It took us a while to actually find her.

And of course there was Halloween. Lexi is small enough where she fits into the plethora of costumes we have between the sizes of 24 months and 3T. For the ward Halloween party she was Elsa (from Frozen - pictures to come later), and it took us many wardrobe changes (bumble bee, giraffe, monkey, Elsa) to finally settle on a butterfly for trick-or-treating. Cole was Spiderman every chance he got this year (unfortunately his head is too big to fit into any of the masks ;-) ). All of the kids had a blast going around the neighborhood collecting candy. We were blessed with a beautiful first fall here in Colorado and could not have asked for better weather.

Minus the world's worst haircut, Cole keeps getting more handsome every day. 

Preschool Picture - 2015

September 2015

September was a busy month for us. We went down to Albuquerque to visit Grandma and Grandpa Blacker over labor day weekend, and then the kids and I stayed for a week while Dave attended a Cardiology board review course in Chicago.

We were in New Mexico over my dad's birthday, and my mom put together a super cute spy party for him, including individual spy gear (you know, the essentials like dark glasses and mustaches), shooting practice, a laser course, all sorts of puzzles and challenges, and even a bomb complete with dynamite that we had to disassemble.

Hiking is one of the kids favorite things to do, so we ventured up the east side of the Sandias and they loved it. The trip was complete with a picnic lunch, rock climbing, and resting with Grandma and Grandpa in the forest.

Being in New Mexico during chili season I had to get some fresh roasted green chilies. We accidentally got really hot ones the first time around, so we had to get some mild ones to combine with them so we could eat them. Let's just say that we accidentally spent a couple days peeling, washing, dicing and freezing about 100 pounds of green chili. We should be set for the rest of the year with fresh chilies though! ;-)

Grandma and Grandpa also took the kids "camping" in their backyard. They roasted hot dogs and made s'mores over the fire and then slept on the climbing tower. Grandma and Grandpa are so much fun! There's no way Mommy would have slept out there.

We also got to spend some time with Bryan and Aubri. Bryan even took me for a motorcycle ride.

Cole sure loves his baby sister.

We also went to the New Mexico State Fair with Shantae, Brandon, Grandma and Grandpa. The kids loved the big ice cream cones, seeing all of the livestock and animals (including a seal show), climbing on the big tractors, the petting zoo, and capping off the evening with pony rides.

Cole has always loved to help clean, but he does it with style at Grandma's house.

Making monster cookies was a highlight of the trip for the kids. Grandma's creativity never ceases.

Clara turned 10 months old while we were there. I think her glamour shots turned out darling!

Cole was on his first soccer team this fall with Coach Kelly and Team Rampage. He probably spent more time laying down in the grass on the field and chasing after dogs walking by than he did chasing the ball, but I think he had fun. Snack time was definitely the highlight of the game for him.