Lately

Lately has been busy.  Lately, we have end of the year picnics, sprinkler parties at school (parents don't go, but remembering sunscreen, swim suit, change of clothes etc. is on the parents).  Lately, we have finished up soccer and ultimate frisbee, while also starting summer swim team.  We had a butterfly release for B's class (see above), a ropes course for Ads, birthday parties.... LT spent a weekend in Beaver Creek with a friend (the rest of us went to our place in the mountains).  And now we have my nephew visiting for a week and staying here, which is so much fun.

Lately the boys have been in a good rhythm.  The boys are all so lucky to have one another.  B adores the big kids and I think he is equally adored by them.  He brings out their playfulness, but is eager to learn from them and be a big kid.  Its a nice balance.  They are siblings and all argue, but for the most part, these three are best buddies.  I sure hope it always stays this way.  Most recently they have been very into Pokemon, all learning constantly from one another.

Lately, Lexi and I have been meeting a friend and her dog at the dog park. These photos are from her first time there, she was still learning the etiquette and got really worn out!

Lately, B and I have been spending a lot of time in the car together, shuffling kids from place to place.  We often are waiting to pick someone up, or too early for the next activity because the last drop off was early enough to have extra time, but late enough that we can't go home or do anything.  He's a really happy goofy kid for the most part.  He loves make believe play, water, art, his scooter, pokemon and telling stories about anything and everything he's learned about.

Lately, Ads has been watching B for us.  He helps us when we go running (playing with B), he cooks him dinner, puts him to bed every Tuesday night and is generally very loving and caring with him.  

And the big guys learned from the best.  I picked my nephew up from the airport (he had an 8 am flight and had gotten 4 hours of sleep), but he didn't skip a beat and immediately immersed himself in play with B.  He wants to be a pediatrician and currently teaches swim lessons to little kids (while also swimming several hours a day/6 days a week and finishing high school).  

 

Family photos

Back in November I set up the old home studio in the basement and gathered up the family, complete with the new puppy, and attempted to capture some photos for the year's holiday card. Chaos ensued. While we did get a few semi-respectable photos, the shot above is best representative of the reality of the whole effort. And really the reality of life in general. We decided to go with it as the main holiday card picture. It is easily my favorite of all the cards we've sent over the years. 

 

Mid May

With vaccines readily available (for 12 and up), we have begun opening up a bit more and with that comes a busy lifestyle again.  Its been really refreshing to see people in person again and have some noise and laughter (outside of our family) back in our home.
Last weekend was mothers day (while its not my favorite day, Brian and the boys made it special with our annual hike and Indian food).  My uncle was also in town and so both my brothers, our family, and my brothers mom spent the afternoon together.  

B loves playing games, he has a few favorites, but seems to get a new one out occasionally.

While catching up, LT hasn't quite passed Brian (he towers over me now, sigh).

A zoo day with my little one.

Friday night, the big guys had their buddies (brothers about the same age and neighbors) spend the night.  Saturday am, these guys left bright and early for an all day ultimate tournament.  Unfortunately, neither Brian nor I were able to attend, but they report that it was a great day!

A friend of mine sent me this photo.

Meanwhile the other three had bacon and cinnamon rolls before B's soccer game.

B and his friend's teacher came to their game with her new puppy.  The puppy was a much bigger hit than the game.

After the game, we had tickets to walk along the new part of I-70 that is recently finished, but not yet open to drive on.  While waiting for my brother and nephews, our two kids found the game console in our new car.

We were a little worried about walking back to the car with all these kids, but they had free golf cart rides!  Probably the best part of the whole afternoon for these guys.

And I am not sure we would have made it back in time without the golf carts for LT's first vaccine!  We scheduled it with his two buddies.

Uncle Steve played Mario Kart with all the kids while Brian and I made dinner for everyone.

The Coflax marathon is a tradition for me.  I've done it every year (with the exceptions of my pregnancy years and obviously last year when it was canceled).  The half marathon and marathon aren't until the fall, but today a friend and I did the 10 K.

 

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard

 

Zoom piano recital, number 3

The boys have had piano online for more than a year now.  They have had 3 piano recitals on zoom, most recently a few weekends ago.  While it's not ideal, their teacher does a great job and Papa was able to join us in person for this most recent recital.  

 

Teaching Him Young

 

Lexi is spayed

Lexi got spayed a few weeks ago.  She finally got her stitches out last Friday and celebrated this weekend by playing with the neighbors dogs.

 

Spring break New Mexico

 I'm more than a little late with this (our spring break trip was over a month ago) but had some photos of the great house in Albuquerque where we stayed and the strange house next door as well as some assorted moments from the adventure.