A Monday

So, our life is busy. Two working parents, three young kids, school, activities, appointments, therapies, bathtimes, bedtimes, dishes, laundry and some fun events here and there are enough to keep us going. But sometimes (all the time) unexpected situations come up and put us in the near-chaos zone.

A couple of weeks ago we had a day like that. It was actually a series of days that accumulated to make for a chaotic Monday. But I'll start at the Saturday before. Myles woke up complaining of stomach pain, which he had been mentioning on and off for a week, so I decided to see if we could get him in to his pediatrician. The day went like this - Myles, Gilby, and Ryker went to karate while Sydney and I ran an errand, we caravaned to the pediatrician, went to the appointment, drove to get x-rays, grabbed some lunch, went to Sydney's soccer game, made a quick stop at home, Gilby took the kids to Myles' soccer, and I went to work for the evening. At some point in the afternoon, the pediatrician called and reported that the stomach xrays looked like Myles either had kidney stones, or had swallowed four pebbles, but he was leaning toward the pebbles. Myles!! That kid always keeps us on our toes. We were instructed on how to do a fun "clean out" and told to check for the rocks. (That was Gilby's favorite part of the weekend.)

Fast forward to Monday about 5AM - Ryker showed up at my bedside complaining of stomach pain. I didn't think much of it, got up to do a workout video during which time Ryker constantly asked me to make him breakfast. Got done with the workout and went to make Ryker breakfast. (All the kids are up and asking for ALL THE THINGS at this point.) Ryker was coughing at the counter while I got breakfast ready, and when I turned around, he started to throw up a bit. I thought he had choked while coughing, cleaned him up and gave him a bowl of cereal. About halfway through he threw it all up all over the counter and in my hands. Yummy. I decided he was sick and that I would stay home for the day. Fifteen minutes later and Ryker is running around like a crazy man, feels fine, and ate more breakfast without incident. I changed my mind and decided I had to go to work. Now running super late, I quickly got ready and we were on our way. The other two kids had gotten on the bus and Gilby was at work.

That morning Myles' pediatrician called to get an update and asked me to get follow up xrays to see if the rocks were moving along. I left work a bit early, picked up Myles and Sydney from their after school program and went to get the xrays. The good news was that the pebbles were well on their way out, but the bad news was that there was a new pebble in his stomach. Myles!! Ugh. (Yes, all relevant parties are now aware and watching for any future pebble swallowing.)

While getting the xrays, our neighbor had texted me to tell me the electricity was out on our block. I didn't think much of it. I grabbed dinner for the kids at a drive-thru on the way home since it was already getting late. While pulling into the driveway I thought our garage door opener was out of batteries because it wasn't working. It took me a minute to realize that because the electricity was out, our garage door wouldn't open either. No problem, I went to open the front door, and when that didn't work, I realized that all of our doors were latch locked from the inside due to Myles being an escape artist and us having to keep our house on lock down so he can't get out. Gilby pulled up with Ryker at that same time. The kids were having a little picnic on the front lawn while we were figuring out what to do, and then Ryker had to pee.

Right after that, Myles told us he had to poop. Yup, that got us moving quickly. Off to Qdoba we went for dinner for the adults and a stop in the public restroom. When we got home later our electricity was still off. My husband is a genius and figured out a way to use the extension ladder to break into our bedroom window and let us all in through the front.

An eventful, chaotic night indeed.

Black Belt Training

Early this summer, Myles went to a birthday party at a karate studio and loved it! The instructors were so encouraging of him and invited him to come to a free class. After looking into it further, we decided to sign him up. He has been going to class two days a week for the past few months and doing really well. About a month ago, the instructors approached us and asked if we wanted to enroll Myles in black belt training, which involves a three year commitment and longer class times. Myles was invited to a "super secret" training where he got a taste of black belt testing. He carried around the invitation to the training the week prior and felt very special. Needless to say, he is now in black belt training. It's a big commitment, but the instructors are just as committed to him as he has to be to the program. We feel like it's an amazing opportunity for character development and might just end up being his "thing."

Chatfield Farms

A few weeks ago Myles had an early release day on a Friday, so I took the kids to the school's PTO event at Denver Botanic Gardens - Chatfield Farms. They have a corn maze, jumping pillow, hayrides, pumpkin patch, and more. We skipped the corn maze since it was SO HOT and that would have involved a lot of walking with three little people, but they had fun with the other activities and seeing some friends from school. {I'll stop here while it was still fun, and not mention the mile long walk back to the car where I had to alternate between carrying Myles and then going back to carry Ryker all while they were both crying out of sheer exhaustion. That's when things got less fun.}

Those mountain views never get old.

The three best of buddies.

Family Hike

One Sunday in September we went out for brunch in Morrison with my parents and drove a bit further west afterward to Lair o' the Bear Park for a family hike. Lots o' fun!

Myles Biking

When Myles was born there were things I knew would be tough for him, but there were far more things that I never contemplated, like bike riding. I guess I assumed he would ride a bike, but didn't consider whether it would be more difficult for him or not. Turns out bike riding is a lot harder than I ever realized! Even with training wheels, the coordination, stability, steering, angle of the leg to the foot, and balance are some of the pieces I have learned are more difficult than they look.

We were fortunate earlier this summer to be gifted an adaptive bike by a family that was no longer using it. From the first moment he climbed on, Myles has been a rockstar, and can officially ride a bike! It is our goal to transfer him to a standard bike with training wheels, and then without training wheels, but for now it's just nice to enjoy his success.

Belleview Park

We took advantage of a hot Sunday in early September by cooling off in the stream at Belleview Park. The kids thought it was pretty great!

 Daddy found a turtle.

The boys watching the train pass by.

Wedding Date

Just one week after watching Liz get married, I was able to witness another longtime friend of mine say "I do." Kristin and I were roommates for three years in college, and one year in Denver before I got married. Like me, she has stayed in Colorado since, and I was so happy to be present at her wedding in Golden last month. Although I somehow left without a photo of Kristin and I, I did snag one with my handsome date.

California Trip

At the end of August, I was lucky enough to travel with my mom to California for a long weekend to visit my sister and see one of my best friends from high school get married. We were gone from a Wednesday to a Sunday, which is the longest I have been away from my kids to date. Super-Dad did a great job holding down the fort in my absence!

Siri and Raum picked us up at the airport Wednesday evening, and I was able to sit in the backseat with Raum for the 45 minute drive from San Francisco to their house in Petaluma. It was during this drive that I remembered just how much I adore my nephew, and also how much he talks. He's so smart and SO chatty! It was a joy to be with him without the "distraction" of my kiddos for a few days.

Thursday we explored nearby Santa Rosa for awhile before heading to two winerys. We were able to meet up with Liz and the wedding party/guests at the second winery. Liz is one of my dearest friends, and although we haven't lived near each other since high school, each time I see her it's like no time has passed at all. I was so excited to be able to celebrate her in person over her wedding weekend!

Grandma and Raum in Santa Rosa

Winery in Santa Rosa

Gundlach Bundschu, winery in Sonoma

Friday we stopped by the small town of Sebastopol to shop around and see where my sister used to live. Then we went to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve to walk through the giant redwoods, and later, drove to the ocean to walk along the beach. It was really neat to see the vast landscape that this area of California has to offer. From grape orchards to forest to ocean to city, it was all beautiful.

The largest tree in the park.

 Siri, Raum, and Grandma

Raum loves the ocean, and was the only one brave enough to get wet. Brrr!

On Saturday we headed into San Francisco and spent the first part of the day as tourists. We were lucky tourists to have my sister as our guide. She's been living in the area for the last several years, and was able to take us all over! We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and through a few neighborhoods before stopping at Lombard Street, the famously crooked street. From there we had lunch in North Beach, and then headed over to Haight Ashbury to Jammin' on Haight, the tye dye store my sister has been involved in starting over the last few years. We walked around each area a bit and were able to sightsee more of the city while driving.

By mid-afternoon it was time to check into our hotel so my mom and I could get ready for the wedding, which was held at the Presidio. The Presidio is a former military base, current park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula. The wedding was held outside with an absolute gorgeous view of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. It really felt like something out of a movie. After a very genuine and moving ceremony, the party started. Liz and Meredith put so much thought and detail into their wedding, and everything was perfect. After drinks, dinner, fun speeches, and yummy treats, the dancing began and lasted well into the night! It was an amazing wedding!

My mom and I at the site of the ceremony.

Liz, Jenna, and I - it's been 19 years since we all met in high school band!

Having fun wtih Jenna and her husband, Justin.

Sunday we spent some more time exploring San Francisco before we needed to be at the airport. We parked in Union Square and took a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf, exploring all the sites along the way.  

Cable car! 

With my sweet, sweet nephew, Raumers.

We packed a lot into four days, made many memories, and had a lot of fun! A huge thank you to my sister for hosting us and serving as our personal guide for the weekend! Bye, California!

Grandpa turns 65!

For my dad's 65th birthday this year, my mom decided we should celebrate at White Fence Farm, which is a restaurant/working farm/tourist attraction. Basically, it's like Wall Drug meets Cracker Barrel, except bigger. So in other words, awesome.

I spy with my little eye, three little toe-heads. 

 I'm pretty sure White Fence Farm was my dad's first choice of places to celebrate his birthday. At least it looks that way.

I guess we thought the best place to take a photo of my fabulous parents was in front of the Family Restroom, obviously.

Selfie going on our third hour. This is what Gilby's face looks like when he can't contain his excitement. He told me he wants to go back to celebrate his 40th this year. 

I'm kidding, it wasn't that bad...just a funny experience. The kids did love it and it provided hours of birthday fun. After leaving "the farm," we went to my parents for some yummy pie and presents. When we were getting in our separate cars, Ryker turned to Grandma and asked, "Are you going to the party, Grandma?" 

Happy 65th Birthday, Dad! We love you soooo much!