Happy Birthday, Great Grandpa!

 My grandpa's birthday is actually in September but this year he had to have cardiac surgery that kept him down a little longer than usual ( especially for him considering that he plays golf, cooks and polka dances very frequently) . Finally, he was up to celebrating and we were all ready to celebrate with him! With the already large family growing, having parties at my parents house works best. The kids have ten acres for which to explore while the adults can sit on the deck ( when it's nice) or hang out inside.  Here are a few pictures from the day:

There were nearly 20 children under the age of 10 there and my mom managed to keep them all happy and entertained with ornament decorating and caramel apples. Brooklyn just adores Mason and he asks for her several times a day. She says she can't wait to be his baby sitter.

Mason had his first ( second and third) horseback ride. He loves it so much, he cried when it was time to get down.

Magdalena had her mind set- she was going to FILL that ornament with glitter to the tippy top

Pretty Mack

Peppermint marshmallows have a strange effect on some....

Waiting her turn for a horseback ride

Grams and Mason having a snack before the party started.

I  love this picture of Mason and Great Grandpa sharing a hotdog . Gramps kept chattering away to Mason and he just kept shaking his head " yes", waiting for another bite.

This is beginning to be a familiar site

The moon was spectacular that night. Mack noticed it ( and the two planets next to it) and I tried to capture it with out the right lens. As soon as Papa came in from doing chores, Mason had him come to the window saying " PAPA! MOON ! MOONY!"

Go Broncos!

I would venture to say that 75% of the people in the Denver Metro area would consider themselves Broncos fans. Growing up, I watched every Broncos game with my dad. He didn't say much during the games and I almost always fell asleep midway through , waking up for the last quarter, but those times were special to me. Now we often watch the start of the games with my dad before having to head home for school night routines. One Sunday night, I brought the kids home, unloaded the van and  was about to get Mason ready for bed when I turned on the game to see the score. Clear as day, Mason proclaimed " GO , BRONCOS!" . Even more adorable, he says it any time he sees any sort of player in a helmet.

A book for Brother

Mack spends her time haphazardly doing art projects. One minute she might be crafting a mail box or letter sorter where she tucks love notes to me. Another time you might find her drawing an ocean scene . This day, Mackenzie wrote a book for her brother- An Everything Book. I think we might have a teacher in the making....

Beeeetttllle!

Mason and Mackenzie played outside together from the moment we walked home from school until dinner time.  Beetle  searching was so much fun!

Goodbye, baby.....

 Every day I notice it. The more clearly understood words, the better body control, the " click" of understanding that tells me that Mason is no longer a baby.  Times like these, when I need to feel like our baby isn't going to turn into a man right before our eyes, I offer him the " only for bed" binky, his favorite blanket and I put him in his crib and I watch....And take a hundred photos, trying to imprint my brain with the way he jabbers to himself as he plays. How he wiggles his hands when he's excited. How he adores that binky of his.....

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A truly touching pair

Mack and Mason have been becoming better and better friends lately. Of course, there is always a bit of bickering here and there. Sometimes there is A LOT of bickering . That's to be expected. It's just so sweet to see a budding friendship.

Checkin' out daddy's compost

Mack reading to Mason while I cook dinner. Such a helpful girl, keeping her brother busy.

Watching TV together

Mack did her own hair for school! I admit, it is sometimes a little difficult to let her take over this part of her routine. I really like doing her hair but it is essential that she know she can express her own style and , if she likes it, I like it! And I do :)

Grams in the lead

Grams lead the four kids in am impromptu yoga lesson last week. There was lots of giggling and just as many backsides peeking out from jeans. Mason wasn't quite sure of yoga but he developed his own style.

Mini Mack

I find it simply adorable that Mason is so much like his sister. Each day, as part of our daily routine, we play outside before lunch. Before Mason does anything, he lifts up the same rocks his sister does when she's seeking out bugs. I don't know that he even knows what he's looking for but it just makes my heart skip a beat to see him following what he sees her doing. Soon after he checks all the local bug hang outs, he hurries to the mint garden where he rips off a handful and stuffs it in his mouth, just as he's seen his sister do every day this summer. It just melts my heart to see him pay such close attention to her .

It's not as much fun to be at a princess party with out the proper attire.

The Longest day EVER: The effects of a time change

My kids have never really had trouble with the time change. At least not until this one. The day began before the sun came up. The hour of 4 am should be seen by no one under the age of 18, least of all an 18 month old. Yet, there we were. Wondering what to do. Not to worry, it wouldn't be long before Mack would peek her head into my room, where Mason and I were begging the sun to rise. We played every game, we filled time with movies. We climbed on couch cushions, we played with  nearly every toy.  Finally, nap time. We could all rest! Or...one of us could lay in their ( ahem, his )  crib , babbling, then whining and finally, full out hysterics, begging to be done with nap. Or " nap" as we refer to it.  Even still, three days later, we are still trying to recover from the time change of Fall  2013....

Oh! And we took LOTS of silly pictures on this long day

Wearing daddies hat and having a bit of "binky time" to ward off those " Woke up at 4 am , skipped my nap" grouchies.

Couch climbing!

When the sun FINALLY set on that long day, it sure was a beautiful sight!

Purely Pathetic ( and Precious) Pooches

These two couldn't wait for Mack to leave for school so they could take over her bed! She had pulled all her stuffed animals down , which made a comfy pillow for the pooches. Ellie is so snuggled in, you can barely see her!

Halloween 2013

Halloween 2013 came and went! Here's how ours played out:

Mackenzie was set on being a star fish and Mike was all set to make the costume when Cass mentioned that her mom had a mermaid costume that Cass had worn in elementary school. All talk of the star fish costume halted after she feel in love with this costume. This is Mackenzie on her way to PTSA Trunk or Treat at school

Mike and I both helped out at Mack's school party. Mackenzie was so  proud of her brother at school. He was so tickled to be sitting with all the big kids.

Chowing down!

Mike cut out Mack's lizard jack-o-lantern and she painted it

Mason is ready to go!

Off we go!

By now, Mackenzie is an old pro at trick or treating. Showed Mason the ropes. After the first house, Mason had his own trick or treat style- once the door opened, he'd greet the neighbor with a " Hiiiiii." followed by a " TEETZ!" Seems he figure out the important word first.

It was a clear night so once the sun went down, the temps dropped. Gunner kept Mack and Mike company. He never moved or barked, even when people tried to pet him or we wearing masks! The only time he moved is when his first mommy, Kristi, and the boys showed up to say hello. He recognized her before she even got to him and his tail started wagging and he jumped down to great her and each of the boys.

Brewmaster, Mike

 Mike's pretty impressed with his latest batch of beer! I am just in love with the perfect amber color he created.  Mike continues to love brewing beer and hopes to brew even more this coming year. His hops plants did well over the summer but didn't yield any hops. He's hoping to brew with his own hops next year.

Play ball!

Last week, the weather was beautiful and Grams and the kids took advantage of it by having an impromptu baseball game.

Mackenzie , ready for her turn at bat after getting a
lesson from Grams first.

After the game, everyone was ready for a snack- it was the perfect time to partake in the annual tradition- caramel apples! Some enjoyed their apple more than others:

And the day ended with a beautiful sunset!