The BFF Crew Visits CO

We've had a busy few weekends this month.  I'll just get right to it: THE PEMBERTONS WERE HERE!  THE PEMBERTONS WERE HERE!

And it was just like old times.  Elliot and the kids arrived for an early visit before they set out for a family vacation in Aspen and then we were so much fun that they decided to come spend another weekend with us after Aspen, with Kari this time :)  Blaine and Siri embraced when they first saw each other and then ran off to play, not even skipping a beat.  Hannah and William were matter-of-fact and jumped into the play after a few minutes.  The kids were inseparable and played so well together the whole time they were together.  We had a lot of laughs, as we always do, with our dear friends and I miss them already :(

After Blaine's soccer game.  Blaine later wrote (in Writer's Workshop
at school) that "Siri cheered for me at soccer."  So cute.

The following pictures speak for themselves.

Blaine and Siri doing the Thriller dance at our
neighborhood Halloween party.

Craft time at the Halloween party.

Little friends that aren't so little anymore.

I would love to write more about our visit but I am seriously uncomfortable in this chair and this pregnant mama is about to pass out from exhaustion.  I tried to go to the doctor and be put on bed rest yesterday (kidding!) but they didn't see anything wrong with my consistent Braxton Hicks contractions, pelvic discomfort and severe nausea complaints.  My ginormous belly did measure 30 weeks though and I am only 29 weeks which likely means that Baby Sev is already preparing to be a sumo wrestler baby.  Awesome.

Here are some final pictures of the kids at the pumpkin patch and carving their pumpkins.

33 Wonderful Years Plus!

Where has the time gone?  I celebrated a birthday, my mom has been visiting (leaving tomorrow), we've been busy with lots of activities, and we've had multiple meetings at Blaine's school and at the STAR Center.  Same ol' story though - I'm just flat out exhausted at the end of the day so the blog sits and waits.

On the weekend of my birthday (October 27th) nine years ago I was visiting Austin, Texas for the first time.  I was living in Houston at the time and David and I had just had our first date two weeks before.  He invited me to celebrate with him and we never looked back after that.  I had a lot of fun reminiscing and having fun with the kids who wouldn't be here if that relationship hadn't begun almost a decade ago. :)  Of the last 33 years of my life, the last decade has by far been the richest, most blessed I have known (or perhaps I'm just more aware now!)  Thank you to everyone who made my birthday special and full of love.

flowers for my birthday...

 

and snow for my birthday...

Mister super happy about the snow.

GG arrived last Wednesday just in time for Halloween festivities.

Waiting for GG.

Happy to wait :)

Both kids were excited to get dressed up and ask for candy since they rarely get to eat it.  Hannah was scared of D's costume and even though Blaine was nervous to go up to the houses he did super!  We were so proud of him but the best part is that he was more excited about handing out candy than he was about getting it.  In fact he ate one piece of candy and then hasn't asked about it since.  (Victory!  This Mama says :) Hannah, on the other hand, has had her fair share but hasn't cared about it much recently. 

David, my favorite poultry

I always have a list a mile-long when my mom comes - from shopping, to day-trips, to organization, to shopping, more shopping, and more organization... there is never enough time to do it all!  And the kids keep GG on her toes, demanding her attention every moment they can.  We appreciate and love her so much.  Thanks Mom!

 

She helped me make gifts for Ms. Ali and her co-workers...

 

 

She hiked with us in the Rocky Mountain National Park...

 

She helped Hanny and I shop...

She went to Boondocks Fun Center with Blaine to spend his allowance...

She was able to meet and love on our newest family member... Ms. Peyton.  (I am the oldest and Peyton is the youngest grandchild on my mom's side of the family.)

And she just helped us all have a whole lotta fun :)

And now we're all really tired!

 

 

And a lot happening in Blaine's world but I'll have to leave that for another day.  He has finished 11 OT sessions at the STAR center and we're starting to learn more about Sensory Processing Disorder and how it is affecting Blaine specifically.  Life is just sometimes rough for our Mister!  We've had two long and in-depth meetings at Blaine's school and while we're not impressed with our options right now, we're continuing with the public education system because we've invested so much at this point and we're halfway through the year.  The administration has and continues to be diligent and helpful and are seemingly putting Blaine as a top priority.  It's been exhausting to say the least...

 

I've been working on this post for hours now - multitasking at its finest!  Now it's time for bed.