Halloween

 Halloween is loosing its steam.  My boys are growing up and they care less and less about the traditions we have celebrated as a family over the years.  It is a part of growing up and it is hard for me.  I want my kids to enjoy spending time with me, but I think, more and more, this means I have to meet them where they are not where I am.  We went to the ward trunk or treat and had some fun.  Nolen dressed up as a box and Edward dressed up as an army guy.  Stephen handed out candy on Halloween and I walked part of the neighborhood with Nolen and Pearl.  It was a great night.  I will miss these days.  People tell you that as your kids get older you will feel deep sadness but it is hard to comprehend when you are in the thick of raising your kids.  I knew the time would go quick but I wasn't prepared for how sad I would feel as they grow up and move on.

 

Show Low Golf Trip

 Stephen and I were supposed to hike the Grand Canyon this weekend.  Well the north rim burned down and this essentially closed the entire Grand Canyon until May 2026.  On top of that, the government is completely shutdown.  No surprise since this happened last time President Trump was elected into office.  We were a little more prepared this time.  I have been saving for years and I knew the second he was elected, there was a huge chance this would happen.  Well it did.  AND IT IS STRESSFUL, to say the least.  

Well instead of hiking, we are golfing.  That is fine.  I love spending time with Stephen and I enjoy golfing.  We met up with Chelsea and Brent again in Show Low for a fun weekend of hanging out and paying golf.  We got there Thursday evening and went to the brewery next to our cabin.  It had delicious food and a fun atmosphere.   We went back to our cabin and played some games before calling it a night. 

 We woke up early for breakfast and a hike around the lake nearby.  Stephen and I had to bushwhack our way around the lake a bit, but we made it all the way around.  It was a fun little run.  We had a late tee time and I didn't realize it got dark early in Show Low.  We golfed about 9 holes before it was freezing and it started to rain.  So we called it quits and went back to our cabin.  On the way home, I stopped at a bar for Chel and Brent to grab a drink, but they got kicked out because they carried in their drinks from the car.  It was hilarious.  So we went back to the brewery near our cabin and had dinner.  We had planned to play games when we got to the cabin, but Chel and Brent passed out at 7 PM.  HA!  It was really a fun filled weekend and I am glad we got to spend it with friends.  

 

I did not sleep well Friday night because Chel brought some non-alcoholic drinks that kept me up all night and frankly made my brain buzz for WEEKS afterward.  This is just an example of why I don't drink anything but water most of the time  My health has been all out of wack for the last year and I have to be careful what I choose to put in my body.  

No more Braces! and Mom's birthday

 Nolen got his braces off today!!!  He is so happy!  His teeth look amazing!!  I am so happy with how they turned out.  

 To celebrate my Mom's birthday, we went to get ice cream with  the family.  I miss her every single day.

 

Airsoft in Wisconsin

 This fall break, Edward drove with my friend Andrea up to Wisconsin to shoot air soft with friends.  He LOVED it!  The left Thursday to make the 24 hour drive.  Edward has loved getting into these tournaments with his friends.  He works hard to save up his money, from working at Flix's brew house, to buy new gear for each air soft trip.  His friend Ben went with him on the trip and they shared a tent.  I didn't hear much about exactly what they did, but Edward said he had a blast and can't wait to go again in March.  

Balloon Fiesta

 I wasn't really planning to attend Balloon Fiesta this year; however, Chelsea and her beau, Brent, came to Albuquerque and wanted to see the balloons.  Since this is may be one of the last times we are living here, it was a good time to see the balloons one more time.   Chelsea and I went early Friday morning to maybe catch a ride in a balloon, but that didn't happen.  We met up with Craig and Blair and their two friends, Matt and Brittany.  We wondered the whole place for hours and watched hundreds of balloons launch.  It really was the perfect morning for the balloons.  

 Friday night, I dragged Stephen and Nolen with me to Balloon Fiesta.  We had a really good parking spot due to Nolen's jiu jitsu gym giving us a parking pass.  So we easily walked in and stood in line to get dinner.  After finally getting food, we found a nice spot to watch the balloons light up.  We stayed through the fireworks show and loved it.   This was a good year for 2025 Balloon Fiesta. AND I am so glad Chelsea came to enjoy it with me.