Ice Bucket Challenges and Fall Time!

The kids thought we needed to get in on the ice bucket challenge this week.  For those out of the loop, here's the deal.  Once you are 'challenged' you have 24 hours to dump a bucket of ice on your head and post photo/video to your challenger.  After doing this you are supposed to donate a minimum of $10 to the ALS Foundation:  www.alsa.org

If you decide to refuse the ice dump - you must donate $100.  Pretty clever fundraiser on the part of ALS I think:)  Our family had fun and the kids were educated on something new.  FYI:  Laura, Tricia and Moelder - you are nominated by me!  Regan and family - you are nominated by my husband!

Here they are:

Fall is coming.  I love fall - cool evenings, tea, sweaters, slippers, oatmeal, and football and around here chiles!!   M- and I picked a bunch (3 T-J's bags full) of apples from the park by TKD.  Happiness is free apples!  

My husband might be the most excited one in the house about the chiles.

M- started flag football (we let him give it another go since we knew the coach).  

This is the last week of 'summer' for us.  School starts next Monday - yep no holidays for homeschoolers in this family.  

They're Here!

My parents have arrived in New Mexico!  They bought a wonderful house in a 55 and over community with pools, walking trails, exercise room, and many social activities to choose from!  No yard to mow, no trees to fall down, no storms to worry about, and only about 5 minutes from our house:)

I spent the morning yesterday unloading their pod.  Kids were recovering from their 1 a.m. nights with friends so they weren't there.  Thanks to Jack, a neighbor, we got it done in a little over 2 hours!  I am a little sore and tired today.

Dad is in love with his new walk-in shower.

We'll be unpacking boxes this weekend while kids and hubby are camping with scouts.  Moving furniture (which is currently in our garage) in Monday.  

Cheers to parents living nearby!

Adios Amigos!

We dropped Lizard and Techy at the airport this morning  - there might have been a few tears, but I won't say from whom...  What a fun week for the kids!  I love these kids (mine included) - they are so kind, smart, respectful, creative, and happy!  I'll leave you all with some miscellaneous moments from the week.

Queen Lizard and Princess E- with their duct tape crowns.

They had sword battles.

Made movies of sword battles and other things like "Snark Week" and the E- and Lizard cooking show.

They dove off mountains.

Fished for turtles.

Had turtle sandwiches (not really)!

Made t-shirts.

Made weapons  (many weapons).

Bought a few stuffed animals - including Disney Build-a-Bears!  

Until next time!  Thanks for the fun kiddos!

Day 6 - Milkshakes in the Morning

How much fun can a day be if you get start with a milkshake at 10 am?  Yeah- it's a rhetorical question:)

The kids spent a few hours at the Flying Star playing games while I went to the walk through of my parents home (they arrived in NM yesterday!).  I have no idea how loud they were - but they didn't get kicked out!

They were dropped at the mall to see "Guardians of the Galaxy".  Mixed reviews from the lot, but I think the consensus was that it was cheesy fun.  I skipped it and walked the open space area instead.

Ooo - look at me inserting images!

My generous parents wanted to treat everyone to a New Mexican meal.  Other than El Pinto, Sadie's is the place to go.  Here is Lizard's burrito:

And... the sopapillas - OMG!  They are the best.  They bring me back to childhood and my days in Denver when I would beg to go to Casa Bonita.  Look it up, here's the link!    http://www.casabonitadenver.com/

This place was like a castle with cliff divers, caves, a treasure chest to pick a prize, sopapillas... Sadly, my friend Tricia checked it out recently (she had the same memories as I did after going there as a kid) and she said it was in the ghetto and really not all that!  Sorry, I digress - this is what Sadie's sopapillas do to me!  Here are E- and Lizard with the tasty treats!

And here is the gang enjoying their feast:

Thanks Mom and Dad!  We are all excited to have you home in New Mexico!

Day 5 - Rollin' Down the Rio Grande

Took the kids down to the 'beach' today.  The Rio Grande beach that is.  Boys didn't feel like taking a dip, but let me snap their picture.  They entertained themselves with ball games and sword play.

The girls, however, were feeling a little adventurous!  Here they go - 

They made it to the middle!

Made a mud castle 

Crossed to the other side and had a mud bath and fight.

And got really brave and rode the current.  Those are their heads bobbing in the water!

Proud of their excursion back to the other side.

No amount of fun was had - obviously;)

Day 4 - Amen for Santa Fe!

It was a girls day of fun in Santa Fe today.  We road the Rail Runner this morning, walked through the farmer's market and then began our journey into the heart of Santa Fe.  

Whilst (E-'s word!) walking, we happened upon the State Capitol building which surprisingly was open and air-conditioned!  No one there, so it was fun to roam around and check out the Senate and House chambers and see how many doors we could get open:)

Next stop was the oldest church in the U.S.A. - best tour for $1!  Girls really enjoyed the history from the docent.  No outside pics as they are re-constructing the bell tower.

Around the corner a stop at the oldest house in America - bummer it was closed.

A little shopping and then a look at the Loretta Chapel's famous spiral staircase.  Even a movie made of this amazing architectural structure - The Staircase with Barbara Hershey.

Before heading to mass, we checked out a couple art galleries.  The coolest was Eggman and Walrus - great name.  The girls even got to add their touch to one of the exhibits.

Last stop of the day, mass at the cathedral.  Sweet little children's choir returned after summer break.  Cutest little boy made us smile as he belted out the music in Spanish...wish I could have photographed him!  

Ah - Santa Fe!  Always makes me feel like I am on vacation:)

This is the Loretta Inn and Spa - tell my husband to take me here!

 

We're still going - Day 3

 We all enjoyed a much needed slower day yesterday before heading out for the evening.

Kids lizard- hunting - without success.

Doing skits in the backyard.

Techy doing the filming.  

And at Zoo Tunes.  The kids only sat on the blanket to eat and take this photo.  Otherwise they spent 3 hours roaming the zoo at night acting out "Lord of the Rings".  Don't ask!

One more photo (from Thursday) - Hubby and I used a gift certificate from a good friend to El Pinto.  The best Happy Hour in ABQ!  Margaritas, beer, food, and live music on the patio.  Smiles and fun:)  Thank you Darcy!!!

The girls and I are off to Santa Fe today - more adventures on the way!