Christmas 2021

We didn't spend as much time with the kids this year.  They came over mid-afternoon and we had a simple dinner.  I wasn't up to making a huge meal.  We had tamales (from Costco) and posole.  Christmas cookies for dessert.  Everyone was happy.  Carrie is in New York, Dave was here for part of the day and at his parent's for part.  We understand that the boys want to be at their house and enjoy Christmas there first and it is okay.

Gifts were easy this year.  The family wants to go to Great Wolf Lodge again so I gave them all gift certificates and wrapped with a small food gift and a snow globe for each boy.  I had gone through my Christmas decorations and whittled it down to 2 boxes instead of 5.  The snow globes were from that.

Rylan delivering packages the best way he could.
 

Christmas Eve

T

 All dressed up for Christmas Eve Service.  The first time we had been in the actual church building to worship in almost 2 years due to the pandemic.  I was so happy to be there.

Getting Ready for Christmas and Some Silliness

We did our annual cookie decorating and eating them when we went out to see Christmas lights.  Rylan was not interested in anything but eating the decorations.

We then had some silly fun with a filter on my phone!

 

Eldorado Canyon 2021 Addition

Still trying to catch up!  This was taken in July (we took the same picture last year).  Eldorado Canyon one of our favorite places to spend the day out of the heat.  We did not bring Rylan this year.  I thought it would be too hard watching him around the water - maybe next year.

This was on our way up the mountain.  We did not make it to the top again this year - my fault once again.  The boys would have continued running up the path.  We did make it further than in previous years.

And of course the lure of getting your feet in the stream and throwing rocks into the water.  It never gets old.

 It was a fun day!

Same Place Eleven Years Later

 

This photo was taken in 2010 when we were in Nederland for my 40th class reunion.

This photo was taken this year when we were in Nederland in June.

Same swing set - different swing.

Gavin Turned Five

Boy am I behind.  Gavin turned 5 in September.  He asked for a Spongebob cover for his bed and that is what he got.

He is in kindergarten now and as always I don't know where the time went since I started taking care of him when he was 6 months old.
 

Happy Birthday Rylan

 This little cutie is 2 today.  He is the sweetest little guy.  Loves cars.  Loves being outside.  Loves his brothers and does his best to keep up with them.  He looks so grown-up here after his last haircut.  

Happy Birthday, Love Gram and Tito.

First Day

The boys' first day of school was on the 11th, but I am running behind posting.

All set for the first day.  Kaiden is in 7th, Trevin 4th and Gavin Kindergarten.  Gavin looks a little apprehensive!

 Trevin helping Gavin on the bus.  He has been a wonderful big brother - watching for Gavin at the end of the day making sure he gets on the right bus coming home.

Kaiden heading into middle school for the first time.  Since he did remote learning last year this is a new experience for him.

Back to School

School starts tomorrow and the boys have been getting ready to go back.  They are actually going to school this year not doing classes remotely.

This is a big change for Kaiden as he is in Middle School.  It is his second year but last year was done at home.  He met his CORE teacher, Ms. Ross.  He has actually known her for his entire life as she is a member of our church.  

On their visit to his new school, he and and Trevin found time to run around the big gym.

Trevin and Gavin will be in the same school for the next 2 years.

Gavin enjoying the Kindergarten playground.

 Then Rylan joined in the fun.

It seems so early to be going back to school but that is the way it is now.  We always went back the day after Labor Day.

Carousel

On our way to the cabin back in June we stopped in Nederland to have a picnic.  After the picnic we rode the carousel.

Rylan was not quite sure about the whole thing.

I found a friend.

 Gavin didn't want to ride by himself.

Fishing

One day most everyone went fishing

but Tito and I stayed behind and enjoyed time with Rylan.

 

Mountain Time

We took a long weekend, rented a house near Ward and did nothing but enjoy the mountains, eat good food and relaxed.

There was a hot tub and play area which the boys really enjoyed.

There was a fire pit which we took advantage of to sit around and relax

slap at bugs,

 and make smores.

Powder Ball

One of the summer activities at the library this summer was a powder ball fight.  The boys were the only ones that showed up for their time period so it was a brother powder ball fight.  They were supplied t-shirts and balloon balls filled with powder and given 10 minutes.

They had a great time and got some pretty good hits in.

The final result was all over their shirts, their shoes, their hair

 and as you can see here their faces.  Note the yellow in Trevin's hair and his blue eyebrow.

Bed Head

Every morning Tito wants me to take his picture before he takes his shower.  Yesterday I sent this photo to Carrie, Trevin and Kaiden.

 Kaiden sent this one back to me.  I told him he won!

Trevin is 9!

Trevin turned nine on May 11th.  The Saturday before his birthday the grandparents gathered for cake and ice cream.

It was a rainy chilly day but that didn't stop him from trying out his new scooter.  Love that smile

The day before his birthday we took him to the rec center to swim and come down the slides.  He was a little hesitant at first to come down the big slide but I told him I would do it if he did.  I did it once, he must have come down 30 times. 

Once was enough for me.  I ended up loosing my float, bumping my head, elbow and jamming my toe against the side and came out of the tube swallowing water and was enough for me.  I'm glad there is no picture of me standing up sputtering water and having the lifeguard checking to make sure I was ok.

It was a fun day.  We really enjoy taking each boy out on an outing for their birthdays.  I hope they remember these days much longer than they would a material gift. 

Changes

The boys are getting older and developing interests and relationships outside of the family.  And even though this is what is supposed to happen, it isn't always easy.  I can feel them pulling away and it makes me want to make time stop.  But I can't so I take the time with them when I can and I enjoy it.

This week Kaiden, Trevin and Gavin came to spend the day with us.  They were excited to help making breakfast (hot dog eggies which Trevin says is a tradition).  We baked cookies which they always like to help with and eat.  They wanted to go to the park and have a picnic so we packed up a lunch and went to the park.

We have had a second hand play tent since Kaiden was little and it finally fell apart.  We purchased this one.  I was thinking more for Gavin and Rylan since they are still small.  I did get it out when they were here and Kaiden and Trevin pretty much put it together with some help from Tito.

They all grabbed pillows and blankets and climbed in and it was a full house.  They played in it most of the day.  

 Leg room or lack of it for Kaiden.

I was very happy that we had a day filled with the things we have done for so long.  I hope we still have many more days like this before they feel they are too old to have a day with Gram and Tito.