August Round Up

If I'm being frank, I have slaked majorly on this blog.  I hit a bit of a snag last year because I couldn't convert my blog to print like I normally do.  So, for that reason, I sort of lost the wind in my sails.  AND life has suddenly hit fast forward.  People used to mention to me that time speeds up as your kids get older.  Well I didn't believe them.  I should have, because time has hit warp speed and I just want things to slow down.  I am typing this blog on September 22.  So much has happened that I didn't write down.  Here is my attempt at catching back up and promising to be better as the next few years fly by.   

Chelsea came for a quick visit and we went to dinner with my friend, Jeremy Brumley, for his birthday.  We had a blast just laughing and talking the whole evening.  I love sweet Chelsea and any time I can get visit her is a huge blessing to my life. 

Stephen and I were invited to a murder mystery party and we had so much fun.  Dressing up and pretending to be someone else is one of my favorite things!  PS: I won!!  I guessed the correct killer!

Not pictured: A fun day at the wibit where I didn't take a single photo, but played a very fun game of tag with all the youth in our church.  Also, all the games we have played every night at dinner with my parents. This is a photo of the supermoon that looks as bright as the sun!

 

14.5

 It is awfully strange watching your child grow up.  Especially when he is taller and stronger within a matter of months.  Edward is now 5'6" and 145 pounds.  He is a freshman in high school and living his best life.  He is becoming a man.  I even think he is enjoying his life more now that some of those horrible hormones are under control.  Edward loves archery, roblox, minecraft, and his friends.  He still loves eating all the food.  Doesn't matter what the food is, he will try it!  I love that about him.  I love watching him grow up and I try not to be too sad about the days that are behind me.  He is becoming a man right before my eyes.

First Day of School

 And just like that, summer is over.  Don't mind Edward's non smile.  He is actually happy that school has started.  He loves his school.  That is a HUGE plus for us here at the Barnes home. 

Edward is a Freshman in High school this year.  I just can't believe I have a child in high school.  He will start seminary next week.  Am I really that old?  Nah!

Nolen is starting seventh grade and has chosen to home school for another year.  This is the start of my fifth year of home schooling.  What?! I honestly can not believe this much time has gone by.  It is INSANE how fast time fly's when you're having fun raising your kids.

Swemb Birt Day 7

 Our last day!  This was such a fun day, but also sad because it was our last day together.  We planned to tube the San Juan river in Pagosa Springs with "Pagosa Outside".  This ended up being EPIC!  We had so much fun going over the rapids in our tubes and making our way down the river.  It took us nearly 3 hours to tube the small section of the river!  It was completely worth all the memories.  

Until next year!  Good bye for now SWEMB BIRT!

Swemb Birt Day 6

 We left Ouray and headed to Cortez, Colorado so that we could wake up early and hike Mesa Verde National Park.  This would be our fourth national park of the trip.  Mesa Verde was interesting and held a lot of history.  We spent the first part of the morning listening to a 45 minute lecture about the ruins at Balcony house and then we hiked Cliff Palace, which was much cooler.

The boys were excited to leave Mesa Verde because we were headed to Pagosa Springs!  We had plans of getting dinner and going straight to the river to play in the hot springs.