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.