Birthday Girl and Girlie Weekend in New Mexico

At the end of September, I had the chance to head to New Mexico with the women of my family for a little retreat, or "Summer of Love", at my Aunt Pat's home. It was wonderful. But, it was so hard to leave my family behind! For one thing, I was going to miss Lucy's birthday festivities. I would fly home on her birthday, so I wouldn't miss it completely, but I would miss the Sunday family fun. It was also my first time leaving Archie, and only my second time leaving Lucy and Elliott. But, they were in good hands with Daddy, so I knew it couldn't go wrong. 

This was my view on my way out the door...seriously...how do you LEAVE THIS BEHIND!?!?!? They're so cute! 

 

Upon arriving in Albuquerque, Mike sends me this text. It seems Archie and his banana snack were giving him a hard time!

No worries though, this was the next picture sent...all was well.

I made it to New Mexico!! Don't I look relaxed and happy? 

It was beautiful. We just ate clean, earthy food, talked and laughed, Yoga'd, Chi'gong'd, breathed, accepted, and lived. It was priceless to just take a break, and reconnect with my family. Besides, who would't thrive in this environment??

 It was beautiful! And, it was magical too. My Aunt Pat swears there is no cell reception or strong wi-fi, but I was ablt to video call my family every morning and night! She couldn't believe it. It was definitely a "summer of love" miracle. I'm glad for it too, I'm not sure I would have made it through without it!

This is the lady herself, Aunt Pat, with my cousin Alexis.

I got to spend time with my cousin, and practically sister, Tiffany! Priceless!

Christa and Juliet and I enjoyed some great walks.

Sidewalk Chalk art!

It was like living in an art piece.

Me and one of my beautiful sisters, (they are all beautiful, this is just one of them!) Juliet.

Meanwhile, back in Idaho, Lucy celebrated number 9!!!

While they partied it up in Idaho, we were getting crazy in New Mexico...hey, what are Grandma Frazier and Gramma Karen doing??

Oh. Of course, a plastic bubble balloon sculpture!

Lucy got her much-wanted tetherball pole, and nail polish! She and Maric are quite a pair: korean beauties!

Look at my Lucy girl!!! She is so beautiful and OLD!!

Back on the "summer of love", we walked some more, enjoyed each other, and meditated on Pat's Labyrinth.  Here are Heather, Mom, and Grandma Frazier pondering the beauties of life in the wild.

That about sums it up! Don't you wish you'd been there? Maybe next time, the more love the better!

(from top left: Emily, Heather, Juliet, Grandma Frazier, Tiffany; second row: Mckenzie, Aunt Pat, Mom, Alicia, Alexis; bottom row: Christa, Aunt Gwen, and me!)

It may have been the "summer of Love", but my "life of love" was waiting for me when I got home, and that was my favorite part. 

The kids made me signs,

And met me at the airport with them.

 Ahhhhh, feeling the love!!

September Beginnings

This is Archie's scowl. He thinks it's hilarious. Ok, so do we.

I had to start you off with a super-cute picture of Archie so you'd all be more likely to forgive my GIANT hiatus from blogging...did it work? It is November 2 in real time, and I am just blogging the beginning of September!! So sorry, PLEASE FORGIVE ME!! 

Imagine this: school just started, the weather is lovely, it's time for some football!! Here is Elliott as quarterback. I know he's my son, so I must be biased, but he is such a good little football player! He throws so hard, far and accurately, and he chases down the other players when he's on defence....the boy doesn't give up! My favorite though, was watching him cheer for his team, The Bucks, when he was on the sideline. Such an enthusiastic kid. He dreamt of an interception all season, and it came in the second half of his last game! He caught an interception and ran for few yards. I don't think you've seen a happier little boy, or a more proud Daddy.

Here is Harmony (the mask is because of the crazy-smokey season and her poor allergies), and Archie hanging out watching the game.

Mike and I had worked so hard all summer, training for our first half-marathon. We trained together, planned and had so much fun! On September 1, we got to run it in Pocatello, Idaho!  Here we are road tripping to Pocatello.

The day of the race was a Blue Moon...that explains so much.

Goal Achieved!!! At mile 11, my knee gave out, so we had to run/walk the last 2 miles, but Mike stuck by me and we still managed it in 2:25!! It is hard to explain how amazing it felt to set a goal together, work so hard, and see it accomplished TOGETHER!!! He's got his sights on a full marathon in the spring...we'll see!

  While we were there, Archie got to spend some time with his future best-buddy, Ben Neilson!

One last hurrah at the local river...

Archie discovers the joys of Legos...something his big brother can tell him all about someday.

And his love of playgrounds; particularly the big slides.

Lucy got to participate in a volleyball clinic....I have the best kids!

And, Mike and I got to do something else we've been planning for a LONG TIME!!!! Les Mis came to BOISE!!!! He took me on a hot date the night before I left for a ladies getaway in New Mexico with my family....

But that's a story for another time!

We love to see the temple!!

The Boise Temple is having an open house following some renovations. During the open house, anyone can tour the inside and see it's beauty and feel it's Spirit, and learn a little more about why they are so special to us. We took the kids through with Mike's parents and it was so beautiful. The night before, we made little 3-D baptismal fonts and the kids were so excited to see them for real. The kids absolutely loved it. It's not something they will ever forget.


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Yikes! The First day of School!

Summer has ended, and school is here. For one last hurrah, we headed to the State Fair, a tradition of ours that I LOVE!!

Archie loves his little dirt-mustach he gets from being outside...

Lucy loves the flying swings...

and Elliott loves the gentle roller-coasters.

With the end of summer came FOOTBALL SEASON!!! Elliott is playing PAL football, and he couldn't be happier...it is a sport after all, that's all it takes to get his excitement flowing. We love watching him, and playing at the park adjacent to the football fields!

Of course, the end of Summer also marks the beginning of School!! I am a very lucky lady whose kids adore school. They cannot be more excited to go to school! Elliott wanted to go to the bus stop a half hour early.  This year Elliott is is first grade (he goes all day now!), and Lucy is in third (my favorite year of elementary school).

Waiting in the early morning sunshine at the bus-stop.

I made them a little "yay first day of school" treat when they got home. Of course, they also got a new book for the first day of school, we are keeping the tradition alive.

Look how excited Archie is to see them after a long day stuck with only Mommy!

Off the bus! He looks smarter already!

Melt a Mommy's heart with that smile! I'm so glad that she's still so happy to see me. 

This is a little survey to show you what is on their minds this year. I'll try to do one each school year to keep track of them growing up....it happens too fast for my meager brain to process it all, so this should help me remember the little things a little better.