Albuquerque Vacay Part One

The highlight of the summer had to be going to Albuquerque (and Sam and my trip to Chicago). In order to get to Albuquerque my parents flew to San Antonio and drove back with me(!) The kids did really well and we made good time. My dad ended up in the back during the last little bit and we found out how he kept Eden happy. We found Oreos, Twizzlers, Starbursts, and gum in her carseat. Goodness.

We got to say hello to my mom's chickens and my sisters came over. Here are the kiddos with Kayla on the hammock:

We also got to meet my brother's new baby, Spencer.

Eden got lots of love from her cousins. They loved to fix her hair:

One of the activities we got to do was go to Explora. Can you tell the kids loved it?

Joey loves Praying Mantises!

I loved this quote because it is so. hard.

Eden admiring baby Spencer.

We also went to the Aquarium!

Kids were excited to find this puffer fish.

One of Joey's favorite animals in the world.

We enjoyed a date at Freddy's with Jeep Grandma and Jacob and Shauna's family.  Then we went to a splash pad.

We forgot our swimsuits. Oops!

Eli's so cool.

We met Jessica at the park the next day and tried to go to the West Mesa Aquatic Center, but Eli started throwing up right before. Joey got to go with my sisters instead. Eden was really grumpy that week and I think it was a combo of teething (her top teeth popped through) and was probably sick poor thing.

After a week in Albuquerque I left Joey with Jeep Grandma (Sam's mom) and Eli with Chicken Grandma (my mom). My mom was wonderful and spent four days potty-training Eli! And it worked! (I tried and failed a couple months earlier...did not have a fun time). Eden and I hopped on a plane to Chicago to meet Sam, then flew back to Albuquerque a few days later with Sam in tow.

Summer Time

Now that summer break is over, time to blog about it! We had a pretty awesome summer, though I'm ready for a routine. For this post I'm going to just comment on the pictures we dumped on here and call it good. The pictures go all the way up to mid July.

Joey graduated from Kindergarten! I think he had a good year
even if I had to convince him to go every morning.

We attempted a sport this year! Soccer! It started end of March but due to a lot of bad weather the games were postponed all the way til June! In fact, I ended up being the coach in Eli's last game due to the coach and his family going on vacation. Although I'd continue trying things with my kids, I'm not doing the same schedule I put myself through here (Eli's practice then Eli's game, then Joey's practice and Joey's game).

Trophies given to Eli's team.

Joey proud of his trophy. He said he wants to try basketball next.

One more pic.

Joey's first Sunflower in his garden. I was shocked how little they lasted and we didn't get any seeds. Oh well.

Sam decided to make a bed swing. He loves to make things that he would have loved as a kid.
Our kids loved it...for one day. Not sure they've been on it since (granted, it is hot and humid outside).

Eli legit fell asleep like this one night.

For our 8th anniversary we took advantage of a Give Parents a Break program at Lackland AFB and went on a date to Aquatica and Seaworld for some rides we normally don't get to go on with kiddos. Then on our actual anniversary we went to Kumori's sushi for some awesome eats.

Posing with our spread.

Terrible attempt to get a picture of the two of us on our anniversary haha

Our 4th of July was full of friends! Alas I don't have pictures of that but we had a couple families over for breakfast (since our ward didn't do anything this year). Then we brought a dessert over to the 4th of July BBQ at Sam's senior resident's house. That was so fun and full of kids! Then we sort of watched fireworks from our balcony from our own home.

Eli got a fat lip. Not sure how it happened.

Our upside-down dessert of candy coated rice krispy treats.

Eden loving on her daddy.

Our family at the BBQ.

Swimming in our neighborhood pool. People down on HOA's, and if I had a choice
I probably wouldn't live in one, but this is definitely one of the perks.

Finally, Sam's birthday. I was a lame-o and just took him out for a steak dinner (with a gift card I earned watching some little boys). However, we did some awesome things in Chicago to make up for a small anniversary and birthday celebration.

Sam did get super spoiled by his parents!

In addition to new dress shoes we were given a gift card to Red Robin, our favorite go-to restaurant.

Lastly, a picture of each of our kids and their shenanigans.

Look how natural Eli looks playing the cello! One day we can do lessons...

We had some fun with the FaceApp one night and Sam made this beauty with Eden's picture.

We attempted to grow a garden this year (it ultimately is failing due to our timer breaking on us right before going out of town) but Joey is holding the first watermelon that attempted to grow...right before he picked it off. What do you do?

Overall a fun summer at home! Lots of fun things to celebrate.

Dear Eden,

We made it, baby girl! Happy first birthday! You spent it with Mommy and Daddy in Chicago and got to spend quality time with us. We are your favorites but I see you warm up to others once in a while. We call you our princess because we like to spoil you (and you like to be spoiled).

We have not done your one year check up due to being out of town, but I suspect you are around 20lbs or less. You got your fourth tooth right before your birthday, and between that and possibly being sick you have not been terribly happy. However, these past few days you have been much happier, curious, and daring. It is so fun to see the glimpses into your world. We're not walking yet, but you stood for a few seconds at a time and cruise along furniture. I'm giving you around 6 weeks to take your first steps.

Your brothers love you (for the most part). Joey loves to call you ha-da girl, petty girl (he likes to "pet" you), one-year-old, and a few other things. Anything pink or purple is yours according to them. You like to get into Eli's "boy toys" and he doesn't like that, but it's good for him to learn to have a younger sibling. Things you like to play with include phones, keys and wallets. You already seem to be a teenager if that's the case!

Favorite foods? Mainly sugary things like ice cream and watermelon, but strangely enough you have become more tolerant of purees. You love water and when Daddy's water bottle is in sight, you make sure you are heard that you want some too. We are still nursing, but you have definitely slowed down. Not sure when the end date is, but your binky does a good job of soothing. You also prefer to be held and my shoulder and arm really feel it these days!

One of my favorite things about little girls is dressing them up. I have enjoyed doing that all year. Thank you for being my little baby doll! Can you guess what you got for your birthday from everyone? I'm going to have fun with all those clothes! Your favorite outfit is being naked and crawling fast away from me as I'm trying to change your diaper. You can be a little stinker.

You have come along way in many things. You make lots of different sounds, although your favorite is still da-da. You kiss now, and I can't deal with the cuteness. You blow the kisses, you copy the sounds, and you even press your lips to things and kiss them. You can play patty cake, where is the beehive, peek-a-boo, and give high-fives. No words, but maybe soon? You sleep through the night here and there, but this trip you have not done that once. Hoping to get back on a schedule soon!

I love you, sweet girl. You have been so patient with this mama. It can be so hard to be a baby when neither of us truly understand each other. But we made it past the first year and I hope you continue to learn and grow as much as you did. I think the most important thing I can do for you besides keeping you alive is to teach you compassion. This is a very scary world, but I have that hope that the gospel will bring you peace. I hope that you become the best version of yourself. The world is yours. 

Love, Mama