Nature Center!!!

We made a list of things we wanted to do in Albuquerque. The Nature Center was one on the list. So, the kids and I went to check it out. There were fun trails that led to all different native planets to New Mexico. They had little name plates so we could read what they were. 

I think the part we LOVED the most was the turtles. There were  a bunch of branches that were making a floating refuge for the turtles. There is a room inside the nature center that looked out over the turtles. We sat for 30 min watching the baby turtles going in and out of the water playing. SO, FUN!!!

The first pictures are some crazy looking fences..we didn't know what they were so, we just took a picture and hiked on. Morgan a month later came home from school so, excited she had just learned what those crazy looking fences are....back in the day 1930-1950's when the Rio Grande river was actually a BIG river then it is today. The settlers noticed that the river was overflowing so, they put the crazy fence things that are actually called, Jetty Jacks were placed in the water to slow the water flow. There were sooooooo many of them, it was crazy. They took them out of the river in 2002...now you know a fun New Mexico history ;0)

This was a cool little area showing us how they use to grow gardens. Dated back 4000 yrs, they said in China and India, they would bury clay pots up to the rim. Then they would poor water into the pots and the water would seep through the clay and water the plants. Great way to irrigate. 

I don't know how appropriate this is, but, it is a KID thing that needed to be BLOGGED. Joslyn has learned her letters. We were walking by and saw this sign...yes, a basic "NO PARKING" sign, we see EVERYDAY!!! Joslyn started giggling her deep gut giggle.....I asked her what was so funny. She ran over and said, "YOU CAN'T PEE HERE"....seriously, I about died laughing. You will now never look at a "NO PARKING" sign the same again!!!

There is a nest with a Mama owl and 3 babies in it....you can't see them, but they are there :0)

SOLAR ECLIPSE!!!

We had such a FUN night watching the Eclipse. We went to a park, down the street from our house and laid on blankets right in the middle of the field. There were SOOOOOOO many people out in the neighborhood doing the same thing, it was really fun to have so many people out wearing funny looking glasses with us!!! The kids ran and played and got all their wiggles out. We got some pictures of the Eclipse and of the FUN night!!! 

Our neighbors came down to watch the Eclipse with us, LUKE was in heaven. He ran, played and jumped on Malorie ALL night!!! She was amazing and WORE him OUT!! YAY!!!

Here are a few pictures before and after the Eclipse!!!

It was SOOOOOO AMAZING!!!

A BEAUTIFUL DAY WITH FRIENDS!!

Went to the zoo one afternoon for a picnic and fun with friends. Joslyn friend Matthew was able to get out of the hospital and had the OK to leave his house (to read more about Matthew click HERE). So, we all went to the zoo for a fun afternoon. We had a picnic, the kids had fun playing tag. Then spent a lot of time feeding the ducks. We went and watched the baby elephant for a long time playing with a big ole' tire. It was a fun day being with friends. We love you Matthew, we are praying for you all the time!!!

Our Motocross DUDE!!!!

We found some of Morgan's old Motorcross PJ's she was given from Stephane Roncada when we were on the road. Luke was SOOOOO excited to wear them..he had to get ALL his pads on and his Dad's BMX helmet. He rode his bike for a little bit, but then he just played still wearing everything for close to an hour, helmet and all. It was so cute. I had just got done cutting some wood, so he was playing in the saw dust.

GREASE LIGHTENING!!!

Morgan had her LAST choir concert. She was SOOOOOOOO ExCiTeD!!!!! They were doing 3 music numbers, one of them was a costume change and singing a GREASE number. We had her all ready.....I made her a poodle skirt, she wore Boomer's white button shirt (thank goodness, a native of that time, told me that she always wore her Dad's shirt, THANK YOU, MOM) buttoned and tied in the front, high ponytail, ringlets and bow....SHE WAS SET!!!

They did an incredible job!! Her teacher is dedicated and LOVES music. He has created a choir from 30 students to over 200 in his class. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!

Here are some pictures and video's of her songs. 

Morgan is in the front row, green shirt.

She is the one wearing THE BRIGHT GREEN skirt :0)

I don't know what Luke is doing :0)

Boomer was actually there, I feel bad we didn't get him in a picture, he was doing the camera that night, he did look good :0)!!!

Preschool Field Trip!!

Joslyn got to go on her FIRST Preschool field trip, she was able to ride a BUS and everything. She was SO excited. They took the Preschool class to the zoo for the day, so, Luke and I meet her at the zoo. The kids have 2 High School teachers with them all day. So, I just got to hang back and relax, they took over Luke too...:0) The kids were given a clip board with a paper that had some animals on it, when the kids saw the animals, they put a dot on the picture. Once they found them all they had to find Ms. Blatner, and she gave them ZEBRA cakes. It was fun seeing them run from animal to animal.

We came around the corner and saw this peacock with it's feathers up. What we didn't realize we were standing in between him and the lady Peacock her was trying to impress. Peacocks can make a "MEOW" sound really LOUD, to get you to move. The kids thought it was really funny, well, until it charged them out of the way. 

DON'T MESS, WITH A MAN ON  A MISSION TO IMPRESS THE LADIES!!!

The zoo brought out a Llama and an Alpaca 

for the kids to pet, THEY LOVED THAT!!!

Joslyn made me laugh, she was putting the duck food at the tip of her shoes trying to get the ducks to eat off her shoe... look really 

close at her shoe pictures and you can see the food. The 

top right picture is her and her well deserved ZEBRA cakes.

Rylee's New BMX bike.

I forgot to post Rylee's NEW BMX bike. We have been saving for her to get a bike. At the place she rides they have rentals and she would always rent this specific bike. The bike fit her really well and she LOVED riding it. So, after practice one night, Boomer surprised her and went and bought the bike, instead of turning it back in......SHE WAS SOOOOOOO EXCITED!!! We almost have all the gear she needs, we just need to get a chest protector and she will be COMPLETELY protected and ready to RIDE!!!

Playing At Daddy's Office!!

Boomer actually had a local Demo day, so about 30 minutes before take down, we went and let the kids hit balls. They of course LOVE going to his office to play. I told Luke we were going, so he went and got on his "CALLAWAY" golf shirt. You have to focus and get serious about all this golf stuff!!! He grabbed his club and we were out of the door!!

The only hard thing is going to these Demo days, is there just isn't enough balls :0) Luke will hit and hit and when the balls are all gone, he then runs on the driving range grabbing all balls in a 10 ft radius to him. LOVE IT!!!

Goodbye, PRESCHOOL!! Hello, KINDERGARTEN!!!

Joslyn had her last day of Preschool today. She woke up and sobbed till her ride came to get her. Such a bitter sweet day. She goes to Preschool at the High School, so besides her friends she has made, she had 2 days of goodbyes to the different classes that help her each day, 110 students love and hug on her within 2 days. It has been such an AMAZING experience. I took my camera the last 2 days so, she could get pictures with her favorite people.

Day 1 of last days

This is the teacher, Miskee Blatner

AMAZING!!!

Some of her favorite High Teachers

This is her friend Ryan

These are her buddies and car pool crew

(Hailey, Soren, Joslyn and Olivia)

Luke had to get in on the picture :0)

The HS teachers put together ALL year these MOST AMAZING portfolio books of Joslyn. They have pictures of her, art work, questionnaires.....

ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS!!! 

front

back

inside

Day 2 of goodbyes.

This was an emotionally morning. She sobbed all morning, till her ride came.

This is her friend Brooke

And OUR FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER LANI,

she also goes to church with us, so she gets lots of hugs on Sunday's.

GOODBYE, Preschool!!!

HELLO, KINDERGARTEN!!!!

Our Strider Rider!!!!

Rylee has been riding and racing BMX for sometime now and LOVES IT!! Boomer was working late and Rylee has practice on Wednesday. So, I decided to take her. We (Luke, Joslyn ans I) were watching Rylee practice. When the announce called all the Strider riders to the half point mark on the track and let them ride. Luke, who happen to bring his Strider, we did forget his helmet, but he wore his sisters BEAUTIFUL purple and pink flowered helmet...(I know, I know) His first race and he looked like that :0) 
I asked Luke if he wanted to ride, he turned to me with THE BIGGEST SMILE and said, "YES".
I was texting Boomer the whole time squealing with excitement that he got to ride the track. Thank goodness, Boomer was almost to the track and only missed his first time around the track.
We got some great footage. The first time around I was kinda being a LITTLE protective..and Luke kept telling me, "Mom, LET GO OF ME"....He raced the track 5 times and got better every time. The funny thing is Boomer and I took turns running with him and we BOTH about collapsed at the finish line :0) We need to work on our CARDIO!!! :0)

Luke is on the orange KTM Strider in the back.

(click on picture to enlarge)

Here are some pictures of Rylee...

(she is on the green bike on the end)

Here are some great footage of the event. Boomer and I are just laying our hand on his back, but he is doing everything else...we had to help him up the hills a few times, but, other then that he was doing GREAT!!!

On the video with me, Luke totally to the last hill by himself,

 it was so EXCITING!!!

For those who don't know what a STRIDER is..it's a bicycle with no peddles. They learn how to ride walking themselves around...it teaches them balance. It's basically bypassing the training wheel stage.