Summer Camping...

 

Earlier this summer, when it was only 105 outside, we took the kids camping to the Superstition Mountains.  For those who aren't familiar, the Superstition Mountains are about 35 minutes from our home so the weather is definitely desert like.  The kids have been asking to go camping for a while, and anyone who knows me, knows my idea of camping is the Hilton or the Embassy Suites.  However, Jarrett found a perfect compromise and after some research found out that the Arizona Park systems has built a series of cabins (and air conditioned cabins at that),that can be rented out for a weekend or week day.  

We joked and said, "H" was for Haskovec (although really for the helicopters to rescue people off the mountain)

So in early June we rented cabin #5 at the base of the Superstition Mountains and for a weekend we Glamped.  Turns out, it was also the weekend of a Super Moon, a full moon and my goodness was the view of the moon rising over the mountains gorgeous. 

It was lovely, yes even I had a good time.  Although it did take me some convincing knowing that everything I had packed was going to have to be unpacked and that all the meals were up to me to figure out when there was no real kitchen available.   But we made it, and who doesn't like chili when it is 105 outside.  

This was me trying to decide if it was worth it to walk to the bathrooms down the trail at night to brush my teeth.  I was exhausted! 

Jennings and Finn had no trouble sleeping!

Getting ready to go hike first thing in the morning.

Michael was a fan of the bunkbed!

The cabin had two sets of bunk beds, and a queen bed in a back bedroom.  They had fans and the best part was we could turn the air conditioner down to 66!  Yes 66!  and that is exactly what we did.  In the morning we got up, went for a long hike up the mountain, yes all of us went, and then when it was too much for Finn, he and I turned around and went back while the rest when on.  And then when everyone was back we tuckered into the cabin and with it being 66 we put on our sweatshirts, wrapped up in blankets, and spent quality time together. 

Later in the day we went to a nearby abandoned gold town and walked around.  We got to go down in an old gold mine, we got to ride a train and we went into this crazy house that was built on the side of a hill and to accommodate any earthquakes because of the drilling, everything was turned on an angle.  It was the craziest thing but super cool to see.

All in all, the camping adventure was great, and we even had smores and a camp fire thanks to Michael's outdoor skills.  Sometimes with a family of our size and the big range in ages we have, it's hard to find something to accommodate everyone's' interests.  The camping adventure was a hit though and everyone enjoyed at least one thing.  Here are a few photos of the fun weekend.  The views were incredible, and these pictures don't do them justice!

Sure grateful for this crew.  A memory to cherish forever.

Until next time,

Angie

July Birthdays! and Jennings turns 4!

Earlier this month we celebrated Jennings 4th birthday!  It's crazy to think he's grown up so fast!  He is such a fun and energetic little guy and we hope that the crazy, wild, endless energy three's is behind him, as we are too tired to keep up. 

Jennings loves many things including playing with his brother Finn and his big sister Maddie.  He's so excitable and loves to discover new things.  I read recently that three and four year olds are like scientists, always discovering new things, investigating, looking for clues and finding wonder in all the world around them.  I think it perfectly describes Jennings.  I wonder what he is going to be when he grows up... sometimes I think he could be a boxer or a mixed martial arts expert, and other days I think he could be a researcher, a scientist, an astronaut or even a dinosaur hunter (the later is the answer he gave when I asked him, second to a firefighter).

Being Jennings mom means I'm constantly listening for silence and concerned when I hear it, or automatically responding to a big thud with, "what happened now?"  He definitely keeps us on our toes and as his former babysitter said, "There's no one quite like Jennings"  And she's right.  As energetic and life-thrilling as he is, we wouldn't want him any other way.

Jennings set up all his dinosaurs and about 2 seconds after this picture, Finn knocked them all down!

We were lucky enough to celebrate Jennings on his special day with family.  Thanks to Anita, Alicia, Andrea and Ryker for coming over for breakfast!  It was so fun to see them!

Then later that afternoon we were able to celebrate with Nana and Papa!  AND we got to celebrate their special birthdays!  Both Nana and Papa turned a very special age this year and we had a lovely afternoon swimming with them.  

We are so thankful for the family that we were able to celebrate with.  We are reminded how quickly the years pass and how blessed we are to have so many people who share love and kindness with us. 

Our family seems to be growing and changing on the daily and as Jennings turns four I feel the sand in the hourglass slipping by faster than I want it to.  I recently talked to a nurse who was telling me about her only child, her son turning 19 and how she wished she could do it all over.   Just one of the many blessings I feel about having a large family is that we get to celebrate these milestones more than just once.  And as excited as I am to celebrate each of the kids' milestones and achievements, I remind myself to be grateful for the times we have had.  While I might want them to not grow up as fast, that isn't the reality of life. 

Wishing Jennings the happiest 4th year of his life and excited to see all that is ahead for him!

And happiest of birthdays to Nana and Papa too.

Until next time,

Angie

 

Belle's Clarinet

Belle (or Izzy) to everyone at school is now in 6th grade... middle school.  That's a subject for a stand alone post but as a part of being in middle school she now gets to try Band as her elective. Her other elective is PE, which she surprisingly LOVES too.

This week Belle got her instrument, the clarinet.  She is so excited and so far has been lugging it back and forth each day.  This week they are learning how to use the "noise makers"  Tonight I asked her to show us what she is able to do.  

She is so excited.  She's learned what the reeds are for, how to assemble it, how to clean it and how to make noises with it.  I'm hopeful she will love band, as neither her dad or I lasted too long in band.  I hope she'll find a true love and keep practicing and playing.  

For now, we will celebrate all the squeaks, the wrong notes and all the learning that is taking place.  I guess we needed a bit more noise in our house. :-)

Until next time,

angie

For the love of trains!

Finn is boy through and through.  He loves trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, fire trucks, monster trucks and every other type of truck.  But if you ask him what he really loves.... he loves trains.  

We have a special Choo-Choo train song that Alexa has to play about 10 times a day.  We have "distant train noises" that we have to play over Alexa at night to put us all to sleep, per Finn's request.  We've watched about every you tube video out there on trains, trains for toddlers, Blippi Trains, train shows, you name it... Finn LOVES trains.  

The other day I took the kids to the library and checked out every train book they had, including adult train books.  Finn was in his glory.  He insisted on carrying the books, sleeping  with them and even taking them with him to the baby sitter's house.  

While we have a set of Lego trains at our house, I've been dreaming of getting Finn a wooden train track and train.  Today when the other kids went to school, Finn and I ventured out and I found a set for him.   Oh my gosh you should seen how happy he was.  We called dad and he said "Dad, found train" and then he said, "Thank you"

We came home and he hasn't stopped playing the rest of the day.  He is so happy and watching him makes my heart swell.  I remember when Gabe and Michael were small and how much they loved trains.  Now seeing how big they are, I am cherishing all of these moments, for they don't last long enough.

While yesterday was 6 months until Christmas morning, I think if you ask Finn, he thinks it's Christmas today. :-)

These are the moments... I'll celebrate and remember forever.

Until next time,

Angie

 

First day of school- 2023!

Well today the kids went back to school and there are a few reasons why we can't believe it.  First off, its only the middle of July, secondly it feels like we are on the surface of the sun (only 118 today~ another record broken) and third, Jennings joined the ranks of the other kids headed to school.

As much as I raced around yesterday trying to get everything organized and ready, it still was a chaotic morning.  We got up extra early, had all the backpacks lined up, the lunches already made, breakfast muffins I made before the kids got up, and yet we still were racing out the door and Maddie couldn't find her shoes.  

This year also means we have 5 drop offs and 5 pick ups all at different times.  It kind of feels like a marathon... first we drop Michael and then we race to get Madelyn to school before the bell rings.  Then we get to wait 25 minutes until Isabelle can be dropped off and then I race back to the school where Maddie goes, to drop off Jennings for preschool.  Oh and somewhere in between there I will take Finn to the babysitter.  It's going to be a very busy morning and afternoon on school days.  

Today when I picked up the kids overall I heard it was a good day,  Maddie LOVES school, LOVES her teacher, has all her friends in her class and just seems like she had the perfect day.  Michael shared that he has classes with lots of seniors and may have let it slip that there are some really pretty girls in his classes.  Isabelle said her day was okay, went into details of some things she liked, a few more that she didn't really care for and at one time asked me if she had to go back.  I hope tomorrow has more good things for her than hard.  Jennings was excited when I picked him up and came plowing out of the school doors excited.  His first words to me were, "mom I listened."  I guess I might have told him once or a hundred times he had to listen to his teachers.  Thankfully he teachers supported his statement and said he had a good day.  I'm hopeful he will continue to adjust and grow in his maturity, as he does seem behind compared to others in his class.  

Perhaps the one who had the hardest day was Finn.  When Jennings left to go to school he burst into tears and cried for his brother.  Those two have had almost every day of their life together and so I'm thinking Finn is trying to figure out where his other half went.  That being said, once we got home and he realized he got to have all the toys and didn't have to share, his approach to the day started to change.

I hope that this year is a good one for all the kids, that they learn and grow, that they build self confidence and friendships that bring them happiness and support.  

So even though it might be the hottest days of the year, we will get back into our routine celebrate back to school.

Here's a few photos from today...

Some bodies were not interested in getting up at first.

This is the boy who fights us every night to go to sleep!

All ready a moment before we had to race out the door.

Maddie is starting 2nd grade, wants to be a doctor when she grows up!

Isabelle started 6th grade (Middle school) and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.

Jennings started preschool and wants to be a firefighter when he grows up.

Michael is a junior and .... (well didn't want to participate in my back-to-school festivities)

Finn insisted on being in the picture too!

Izzy and her friends all got their hair done the night before school so she has her hair braided and looks super pretty.

Finn is mad that he doesn't get to go to school!

Jennings is thrilled to have a new backpack that he can buckle and unbuckle

Madelyn made three signs for back to school and has so much on her sheet I can't even remember all her notes.... she loves to read, loves strawberries, has her friends in her classroom, loves rainbows.  She was made for school!

Belle has grown like crazy this summer and is super tall and lean.  I hope she has a great year, I remember how hard middle school can be for a girl.  I told her to find friends who are kind.  

Her final look as she got out of the car... "here I go mom!"

And then it was Jennings turn... He was so excited.

Here he is talking to his teacher and telling her his name.  "I'm Jennings, but also JJ"

Michael wasn't too interested in me taking too many photos. 

Gabe will be starting his final year of high school in just a few weeks when he goes to ASU Prep Online.  He will be turning 18 this fall and plans to move to be closer to his girlfriend, so online school was the best route for him. Crazy to think he will be in his final year.

Here's hoping they all  have a great year!

Until next time,

Angie

 

Reflections as we watch Finn grow.

Because I've been so terrible at blogging these last few years, I haven't really talked much about our littlest guy, the one who completed our family and who we savor every moment of the "being little" part of life with.  He is our last and definitely the icing on the cake (hence these pictures).

Finn was born in the middle of me finishing nursing school, the later part of the never-ending pandemic, and during a time when our family was going through a lot.  He didn't get often the attention most babies get at the beginning of his life from the outside world, mostly because we were home and going through stuff.  That being said, we have savored each and every moment we have with him and I give thanks daily he is here and in our lives.

Now two years old (can't even believe I'm saying that), we affectionately call him "baby Finn" even though he's always been big and definitely isn't a baby anymore.  He talks non-stop, LOVES trains (even talks about them in his sleep), has no fears and keeps up with his big brother like they are the same age instead of 19 months apart. 

I am savoring each moment of the cuddles, although they don't come as often as when he was little.  As he outgrows each thing, or moves onto a bigger size, I try to remind myself that with each new stage brings something new and exciting.  

I guess there is something about having your last baby that the finality of it all, hits a bit differently.  I remember when I first became a mom and how I was worried about so many things... about doing everything I could to set the boys up right... to get them ahead, to make sure this was perfect and that was as good as it could be.  

Perhaps its because Finn is number 6, or maybe its just because I'm exhausted, but I don't feel the same stress to push as hard, to grow them up faster.  Instead I'm just thankful I still get to experience "this stage"  Because seeing just how quickly the other kids have grown, I'm keenly aware just how quickly it all passes, and I'm not ready to let it all go.

So for how we savor the chaos, the constant noise and messy house... because it means we have them here to be with us.  Yes sometimes I wish the house could stay clean for even an hour, but I honestly don't want them to leave, so messy is fine.  

And Finn he helps with the messy, a lot of the messy.  Gosh am I grateful for it.

Until next time,

Angie