To Mom on Her 50th Birthday

These aren't the greatest pictures, but you get the idea. I heard Mom and Madonna are the same age. Madonna...you ain't got nothin' on Cassie. (please excuse my horrible english, but it didn't sound the same.) Mom...you are the wackiest and most amazing grandma.

i love halloween

Satchy the sumo, he refused to wear the wig though, which was the icing on the cake.

Emmy the bumble bee, and her 1st grade teacher. Her teacher was Selena with a fake booty and a red sequined boostia (the principle said no to the boostia over her shirt, so she wore it under). It was awesome. For those of you who don't know who Selena is, take a trip to NM.

Wrenny was a ladybug...I know I broke all the anti-headband rules with this one.

Willy's original costume. Dig those pecks.

One of willy's many costume choices. For his "Ms. Paula's" preschool party he went in Satchel's old skeleton costume from a couple years ago.

The fall weather here has been awesome, in the 70's still...(sorry mags, not trying to rub it in or anything) and the leaves, especially by the river (we new mexicans call it the bosque) are amazing. So we took the kids down to take some pictures. We ran out of sunlight tonight, but we'll try it again tomorrow. Wren ran out of steam after about 5 pictures, and she's getting so chunky, none of the kids could hold her for long. What a fatty.

This one wasn't too clear dang it, she is hilarious.

We couldn't get her to quit staring at Will, and look at the camera.

Happy Birthday Mags

MAGS!...yes I'm yelling it

My big sister Maggie turns 30 today. Sorry Mags, I had to post the picture of you sleeping because it is classic Maggie. The other picture, she actually told me she looked old in it. Are you kidding me, she looks old, only if her actual age was 10...sheesh! This post is for her, so you all don't have to read it unless you want to get all misty. Today more than ever over the past 7 years that we have lived apart I wish I was with you. I miss you so much. Wouldn't it be great if we could talk all night tonight and eat lots of chocolate cake and favorite soup. I was telling Kenyon that you and I weren't the best of friends in high school, not really enemies, just a little indifferent. But you are a "besty" as Ang would put it. You know and understand me better than any girlfriend I've had. You are an artist. You can create something amazing from nothing. Push pins...need I say more, I love them! You are a giver... Satch and Em would never have survived (en utero) had you not fixed my dinner 90% of the time. Seriously I think of all the times you fed us and feel like a real bum, but I'm so grateful. You are hilarious...I check your blog every day, atleast once a day, and yours is the only blog I can say that about. And here is the compliment of all compliments. I love talking on the phone with you and get excited when I see you calling me. Thanks. You are beautiful. I have always been jealous of your pantene commercial-esque hair, your puppy dog eyes, and your flawless skin. You are a really good person....your like grandma boyle....can't think of a flaw. You are such a good example to me, and always have been. Remember when you lied to Nathan Halls, about having to give a talk on Sunday so he would take you home from a heinous date....then called him up after you got home and apologized and told him that you had lied. In that moment I thought you were a little bit geeky...to be honest....but I have never forgotten that you did that, and how horrified you must have been. And it left a big impression on me. You are amazing. I love you Mags. You are the best. Happy Birthday...see you in Cali in the spring...I promise!

I'm trying to catch up. Wren is growing up so fast...tear, and is now 4 months old.

I think these pictures explain themselves, lets just say I've never laughed so hard.

Satch and Hunter demonstrating their "bat-pods" while camping this weekend.

Willy and his friend Hallie would go around and around the potties on their bikes...stink-y.

Emmy and her friend Madison spent all of their time working on their fort. It brought back memories of the "boyle rocks, and hardy and betty sue".

All the camping kids at "the fort".
Hunter and Wren

Emmy has been so helpful with Wren that I thought she deserved a little reward. (Mom and Dad...this is suppose to be a surprise when we come to your house, so pretend like you don't know.)

A Willy Nap

Dad, this post is for you. Willy has a lot of energy, but when he is out, he is out. My dad calls it a Willy nap. He had just finished a "sip sip" (Willy slang for fruit by the foot...don't ask) so his lips were blue, and during most Willy naps he sleeps with his eyes opened just a little. Up close it is a little freaky, I know.

Stinkin Hilarious

I know this is totally gross and probably inappropriate...but holy crap it was hilarious. I was on the phone with our insurance company when Kenyon was trying to get my attention. He was holding Wren and she was grunting, and yes...there was dripping involved. I had to cover the phone to keep from spitting into it. Kenyon didn't think it was quite as funny as me. Emmy has been wanting to change diapers, and I had just let her....without supervision. Ergo poop on legs.

First Day of School

Yes...it is very sunny and hot in Albuquerque. I couldn't get them to move their arms for a picture. Aw....twins.

Willy is going to a friends house once a week for preschool. He informed me that his was "supa dupa good" his first day. Sorry I hate side ways pictures too, but I havn't figured out how to turn them...yet.

Wren's Blessing: thanks everyone for coming!

cousins

This summer I realized how instrumental my cousins have been in my life. I was blessed to grow up around a bunch of cousins, and those that didn't live in a 30 mile radius, we saw....it seemed, really often. Crystal, I forgive you for sitting on my head when I was a newborn, and thank you, its made me who I am; Ang..man I miss ya. I wish Bella and Em could be corrisponding producers like we were.

We spent 4 weeks of this summer with Fausett, Shumway, and Boyle cousins and my kids had the greatest time of their lives. So this post I dedicate to all my cousins. My childhood memories are saturated with you.

Happy Birthday Haley and Ben

It is so surreal to me to see my baby brother and sister as parents. This past week I got to hang out with them. I found myself staring at Ben thinking, "he has a man body...like actual muscles and facial hair...when did that happen?" Haley has been a mom since she was born, but only recently had a baby girl. Last year, I called her just after she had Lilly. I remember I was on a walk, and couldn't help getting choked up. My little sister was a mommy, and I was so impressed that she did it without any medication...not that I don't think that is a little insane, but still very admirable. It is strange to seem them as parents, but amazing how good they are at it. Ben is always calm and collected but still a goof. So much like Dad. Haley is an amazing mom...just like we always knew she would be. She is one of my best friends and is someone I look up to so much....Ragnar, graduating from school, being patient (you know what I mean), overcoming so many obsticles.

I love you guys so much! Happy 25th!

oh....for all those who havn't seen this picture, its mud.

This week I am at Kenyon's parent's house. Since they live on a farm twenty minutes from the nearest city, their internet connection is super slow....and so this will be my one and only blog until I am home. (Its already taken me 25 minutes). I found this picture of Emmy from last summer. She, Will and Satch were all helping grandpa Bill cut hay, and she decided to take a little siesta in the grass.

My garden has been pretty much neglected this summer. I think maybe neglect is what it needed because holy crap check out my squash. I might sound nutty, but I'm really proud. Satch helped me plant this squash and both he and Em pull weeds, so maybe they deserve the credit.

Swim Team

Satch and Em were both in swim team again this summer. They have practice every morning, and swim meets on the weekends...not Emmy anymore I guess. It is awesome and Satch and Em have become great swimmers, and by the end of the summer are sporting some neon green hair...anyone have any remedies for that. Anyway Satch had a swim meet last Saturday. It was pure torture for Emmy. Satch did really well. He got a 2nd place ribbon in freestyle, a 3rd in backstroke, and two 4ths, one in breastroke, and one in a relay he did with three other boys. Every kid gets a ribbon for each event they take part in. Last year at their first meet Satch was so disappointed when he got out of the water and was given a purple ribbon. He tried to be tough and hold it together, until his next event when he took 5th place which happened to be a pink ribbon. I could see it coming...and was hoping he would slow down just a tad. He stepped out of the water and started sobbing. I felt bad for him, but it was a little funny.