Labor Day & Growing Up

 Coming home from Swiss Days was a big crash. That was a physically and emotionally exhausting weekend and I just came home feeling raw. I just can't believe what Kindal carries. We will probably do it next year. But we're grateful it's a year away. 

I made it home late Sunday and was so glad that Michael had Monday off. We had a good Labor Day with the boys and that night we had tickets to Red Rocks to see Gregory Alan Isakov. I love his music. He's kind of a mystery man though. My favorite part of concerts is getting to know the artist more and hearing their stories but he didn't share much at all. The night still was magical though, because Red Rocks just always will be. I feel extra in love with Michael at concerts :) We drove down with the Gregorys and I just love spending time with them. I would love to go to Red Rocks at least once a year -- it feels like if you live by such a magical place you really need to prioritize getting there, even though it takes some effort.

We took down our crib this week. I keep thinking about it. I love these growing boys so much and I just cannot believe there are no more babies or toddlers around here. We were so defined by that for so long. 

It's the last week of summer which means... Camden passed the swim test! I am so proud of that cute boy. He was so nervous to jump off the diving board for the first time, but he just took the time he needed and finally did it. Watching him work it out made me so happy.

We rescued some more squirrels this week with our neighbors. My boys just love helping them and they're so cute. I don't think they'll all make it this time but we tried.

This weekend we went to a new-to-us natural area and listened to a city volunteer talk about the evolution of wildlife in the area. Our boys are usually the only kiddos at these things and I just love them. They're such good sports and so fun to hang out with. Our Stake end-of-summer party was really fun, but my very favorite thing was at the end when it was time to leave. I walked around the different centers at the party (dunking booth, nine-square, face-painting, snow cones, etc.) to round up my boys. In the end I found all four of them in a little field away from the party, playing football with the four of them. They had almost endless friends and activities to choose from and I found all four of them with just each other and one ball. I just laughed because they'd looked forward to the party so much and when I saw how they spent their time there I didn't really see how it was different from our backyard. Which really just made me happy.

Snacky lunches at the pool. We loved pool days this summer so much.

Our diving board boy!
I'm so proud of how hard Camden has worked on swimming this summer.

Red Rocks night

His set really was captivating.

Bennett is loving his Let's Play Music program.
He's such a self-motivated hard worker. Bless him.

Goodbye, sweet crib. 
You held my heart for years.
I'll always perfectly remember unswaddling my babies and seeing them take their first morning stretch.
Or cute little standing toddlers waiting for me happily after their nap.
Life stages are incredible things.

We had a Lego night for YWs.
This pile of things somehow made it from someone else's Lego box home in my Lego box.
I texted my friend to ask him if it was his boys' things.
He said, "No, would love for you to keep them."
And I said, "Thank you, I have been wishing for more piles of things."
My life feels defined by piles of things. I swear I combat this constantly.

"Mom, take a picture of me up here!"
I love him so much.

A cute little scene from preschool.
He has grown to love it and I'm so proud of him.

Throwing that atlatl.
Harder than it looks.
Unless you're Michael.

The biggest be we ever did see.

My boys LOVED this bee. And a few other people from our nature talk stopped to admire it with us.
Later, someone emailed the coordinator from the city to send them some of the really nice photos of the bee that they took on their nice camera.
They asked if the pictures could be emailed out to the group because some of the boys there (our boys) really loved the bee.
And this is why I just love Fort Collins.

Another neighborhood squirrel rescue.
These guys lost their mom somehow and started to try to get down out of their nest once they were hungry enough. Some were successful and some weren't :( And we coaxed the rest down the tree to get some puppy formula and rest.

End of summer stake picnic.
My soul just brightens up when I get to see Diane.