Balloon Festival

I've always wanted to go to the balloon festival in Albuquerque, so when we found out that Alamogordo does its own rendition on a smaller scale, we were so excited. Being there in person meant getting up with the sun, so I had to stay home with the sleeping little ones, but Scott took the big boys and went down to watch the balloons launch. Colby's buddy Tyden even got to take a ride - lucky!

Nolan's 10th Birthday

Well, it happened - my first child hit the double digits. We're on a slippery slope to teenage-hood. And believe me, he's getting his attitude all ready to go! Still, I don't know what I'd do without this boy. I know I wouldn't make it through a single day, actually. I rely on his help so much, and he is always there for me. He can get kids dressed, take kids potty, get things out, put things away. He carries the baby when my hands are full. He does his chores so willingly, and still gives me lots of hugs and kisses. Oh, how I love him!

Nolan's birthday landed on a school day this year, so we had some yummy gooey danishes for breakfast and a very quick unwrapping of gifts. He had just joined the chess club at school, so he desperately wanted his own chess game (I had to comb through the only 3 stores in town and finally found one at Kmart). We got him some legos as well because he's just so good at legos! Then I put a card and some tic-tacs (his favorite candy right now) in his lunch and off they went. After school he had scouts so I brought his birthday cupcakes there and everyone sang happy birthday to him. It wasn't the magnificent day that he deserves, but we're planning a trip for go-karts and mini-golf very soon.  :)

New Neighbors

I'll probably end up with a lot of these White Sands pictures over the course of the next year, but I can't help posting them. We have so much fun every time we go there - this time especially! We brought hot dogs and marshmallows and our new favorite friends John and Sofia (and their dog, Shelby). I feel so blessed that when we played the real estate lottery in Alamogordo, we landed in a house right next to theirs. Sofia is from France, and has not only helped me to brush up on the language, but she has kept me company and entertained, not to mention watched my kids in a pinch a time or two. It was fun to expose her to Smores for the first time...way too sweet for une mademoiselle Francaise!

First Day at a New School

I must say, if you have to yoink your kids out of their school and away from their friends, do it while their still young and naively enthusiastic. These kids haven't complained one bit and were excited as ever to get back to class - largely thanks to the Spencer family who provided one friend for each of my school-age children and made it so they won't be entirely lonely on their first day. My big boys are getting old enough to be very opinionated about their clothes (plus they've been in uniforms for years) and it was fun to let them style themselves for once. I think they look so cool.

Liam wanted his picture taken too!

Hanna is my little darling baby girl and is going off to Kinder garten! But how can I be sad when she is SO happy?! She kept saying, "Mom, this is the best day ever!" She wasn't shy or nervous or scared...she simply could not wait. I loved every minute of shopping with her, getting excited about the clothes and shoes and accessories, curling her hair and getting her ready to go. She is my kindred spirit and my dream come true! Good luck at school Hanna!

Alameda Park Zoo

Well, my kids' chances for some semblance of an exciting summer were looking bleak in the beginning since all our time and efforts were focused on the move for the first month or so; but whatever time was lost planning, packing and cleaning has been made up for and then some since we settled into Alamogordo. We have been endlessly entertained exploring our new surroundings and we've absolutely fallen in love with this place. The Alameda Park Zoo is one of its charming features. It's too small to make us too tired, it's never crowded, and the animals come so close you can almost touch them. My kids' favorite is the "giant guinea pig," but we also love the bears and the lemurs.

Cloudcroft Hike

I know I swore not to, but I can't help but love living here. There are so many fun things to do, so close by. And after being in the hot city so long, I forgot how much I love being outside. Here are some pictures from a recent and lovely walk in the woods. This was not a planned vacation or even a day trip. It was just one day after dinner when Scott and I looked at each other and said, "let's get out of the house!" So we all got in the car and drove straight up the mountain. 15 minutes later (and 20 degrees cooler) we were on Osha Trail outside of Cloudcroft. Or were we in heaven? I can't tell :)