Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Camping!

The Asuncion's go camping!!!

(And R was super helpful with the packing!)


We hadn't been camping since spring, and we would usually go right at the end of summer, but with S gone from the beginning of August to the end of October it really wasn't an option this year. Even though it's already November I really wanted to try and squeeze in one last trip, and luckily living in Arizona we are able to go much later in the season!


I will say, it got colder then I would normally like. The days were beautiful, but the nights and mornings were really cold, and in the future I'm not sure if I would go that late in the season again. We also went kayaking, and while it was beautiful out on the lake the water was way to cold to actually go in!



But the dirt was obviously still perfect, and the boys had a blast digging holes and collecting treasures!

(Brrrr!!!!)

The boys were much less wimpy then I was and they did good in the cold weather. As always, the loved the fire and they have this mama several heart attacks when they got to close/wild around it. We did marshmallows, but L informed us that he doesn't like S'mores. Apparently he likes marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers…. but not all together. If you put them all together, according to L, they are "damaged". This kid, I swear.



The first morning I was freezing, but the boys got hyped up on hot chocolate and pancakes and were ready to go. I was ready to crawl back into my sleeping bag in the camper (and I did for awhile) but eventually it warmed up enough to head down to the lake.


(For the record, R did not sleep well the night before, and he kept me up most of the night too. So he took a nice little nap!)

The lake was pretty low, but once it warmed up it was beautiful out and it was a great day for kayaking. L took it out by himself and few times (within eyesight and with a life jacket, of course!) and R had a great time going out with mommy. As usual, L2 wanted nothing to do with it, but hopefully one of these time he will warm up to it!



We spent most of the day at the lake and then went back to the campsite where L decided he was a budding photographer. S was very calm about letting him use the (expensive) camera and take pictures. I'm thinking a point and shoot camera of some kind might be good Christmas gift!


(Doesn't he look like he belongs in Seattle or Portland?)

And then there is this kid… he is just to funny for words!



We ended the night with another great campfire and, of course, S'mores. It was a great trip, but I was definitely ready for my soft bed, a bubble bath and our comfy couch the next day! Two days of "roughing" it is my limit!



Apparently S would like to argue that camping in an established campground, with flushing toilets, and a bed in an enclosed camper is not roughing it…. but I beg to differ.






R turns 2!

As of a week ago (November 3rd) my sweet little R is two!!!


Two, guys! Two! Where the heck did the last two years go?

(He was obviously super excited to wake up on his birthday morning!)

S had to work, so after we dropped L off at school I took L2 and R to our local bakery to pick up some birthday donuts. You really cannot go wrong with birthday donuts!



After our donuts I dropped L2 off at our neighbors and they watched him until it was time for him to go to school, and R and I got to spend the whole afternoon together. We just went out to the outlet mall and walked around a bit, but it was nice to have some one on one time with my little guy!

Once S got home we took the kids out for a birthday dinner at a pizzeria we like, and then came home for cupcakes, and of course presents!!!






I think one of the best moments of the night for me was capturing these moments:



The Pictures on the left are from R's first birthday, and the ones on the right are from this birthday. I am so in love with the fact that he is wearing the exact same expression of awe in each one!

He was also very happy with his gifts, which included a guitar, an oven, crayons (which have since been used to draw on our walls!) and cute new PJ's!






Happy birthday, my sweet R. You make my life brighter every singe day. I love your laugh, your cute little grin and your kisses. I love how you tell me "down" and "no" and "stop" because you are so independent and always want to be doing things on your own. I love that you are still the worlds best cuddled and often find your way into our bed at night. I love that you love shoes and hats. You are one of the brightest lights I've ever met, and i am so happy that you are mine. I love you baby boy, forever and ever!










Thursday, November 5, 2015

Happy Halloween!

Happy  (late) Halloween!

We had such a great holiday this year! There is something especially amazing when a holiday falls on a weekend, and you don't have to worry about staying out late or having to work or go to school the next year. The is year the boys dressed up like animals. I was a little bummed I couldn't get them into any of my matching costume ideas, but I figure this is one of my last years to get the older boys into cuddly animal consumes, so I'll take it!


L dressed up as a monkey, L2 as a koala bear, and R as an elephant. These were all especially fitting, since L's nickname has always been monkey, L2's has always been the bear, and R has always had a thing for elephants! My sweet little animals!

We trick or treated with our friends again this year, and we also brought our neighbors niece along with us, so it was six kids in total!  They all looked adorable though, and we well behaved (well, as well behaved as six kids on a sugar/excitement high can be!)




R had so much fun trick or treating. It was adorable. And he seemed to be under the impression that everyone that opened their front door was offering him a personal invitation into their house! L2 and L also had a blast, and lasted much loner then I though they all were!

(I even got into the dressing up spirit this year!)




We stayed out late, and when the little kids tuckered out the other mom and I took the older kids out for another half an hour or so. It was a great night!




At the end of the night we walked our kids home, and they were all so beat they had to be pulled in the wagon! 

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Pumpkin Carving

Coming in a few days late, as usual! But, hey…. here we are pumpkin carving for Halloween! The kids love doing their pumpkins, and this year L was really into getting to do the carving himself. Mommy was not to keen on the idea of my six year old handling a knife, but S helped him and he did a good job!


And, when you live in a house with all boys, sometimes you have to carve yourself a princess pumpkin. I have to get my girly in where I can!


The were so proud of there creations!