August Overview {2018}

Just when I think I'm beginning to catch up on my blogging, a bunch of busyness comes up on the home front and blogging gets pushed to the back.  So here I am still working on finishing up August posts....in October. 

I started running again in August.  I haven't been able to get out as much recently, but I was getting out 2-3 times a week back then and it was really nice.  We had some lovely milder weeks where I could go for a quick run during nap time while Chris was working from home.  These lovely flowers were on my usual route.  

This kid.  The girls started school in August and when he saw them wearing backpacks...he had to as well.  I just love the pure joy on his face in that swing picture.  Story of my life with him.  JOY!

 

At our friends house we collected things and walked around with this shopping cart.  I'm not sure that's a good sign....  On the right is our friend's party which involved an epic foosball tournament.  

 

This is the championship- between our buddy Ryan (it was his birthday party) and their foreign exchange student, Stanislaus.  

Ryan won.  But what a match!

Some hiking as a family....

 

The leaves were starting to change color

We found one Where's Waldo? book at the library and the rest is history.  Chris and the kids just pored over them together and had a blast from August until current.  I just love this sweet picture on the right of my bookends reading together.  

 

We had a luau at our place which was very sparsely attended, but was fun all the same.  

Thanks for coming, friends!

Planning parties with this guy is my fav.  He's great to have on your team.  

 

There was another guy there!  Mike, thanks for being there for Chris in his time of need.  haha. 

Double date fun with these two!

And we went to the electric bike shop and tried them out.  Turns out they are super fun, by the way. 

 

Mike and Lizzie planned a fun get-together at their place after they finished their new patio!

 

Fun hanging out with Peter when he stopped by to drop Kayla after taking her with their kids to shoot rockets at the park.  

Game time fun with my girls!

Kolbe's evolution of seeing a bunny at the park, watching it, and then chasing it right into the bushes.  

 

There's always park time fun!

And we started our school year at the end of the month.  This year, the girls are attending a charter school (it's for homeschoolers) once a week.  Kayla (4th) and Elise (2nd) started there this year just on Fridays and they love it.  They each take 6 classes that help supplement and support what we're doing here at home the rest of the week.  So far it's been a good arrangement for all.  I get a break from formal homeschooling to play and do little projects with the littler ones and I also have time for lesson planning and correcting work and they get out and experience something a little different, make some great friends, and get a little of that more formal schooling experience.  

Kayla (4th), Elise (2nd), Ava (1st), Sophie and Kolbe (hanging with Mommy!)

Luau on the Lanai- Housewarming!

After the 10th move, we knew we were going to want a nice bit of fun after all the crazy, so we planned in advance.  Once we knew the move date, we planned a little housewarming luau (adults only!) for 2 weeks later.  This would ensure that we unpacked in a timely fashion and was a well-deserved reward for all the time, energy, and work we put into making yet another move happen.  

Our wonderful friends made sure Chris had a few fun accessories.  

Chris' brother Michael was visiting!

Chris took care of making the outside set-up on the Lanai (deck) amazing.  Tiki torches in the yard. Fire pit on the patio.  Drinks on the deck.  He made Blue Hawaiians and Pau Hana Punch and we had an assortment of sparkling waters (Mange, Coconut, and Passionfruit) plus Kona beer that various friends brought.  

 

Chris smoked pork wrapped in banana leaves (then foil) on the grill for most of the day and when it was party time, the stuff was gone in minutes.  Delicious Kalua pork.  We'll definitely be making that again soon.  He also decided (last minute) to carve a watermelon shark.  He's pretty awesome.  My job was a Hawaiian macaroni salad and unpacking the house and cleaning.   

 

I love that our friends are so so fun.  Matt actually picked up some Kona in his get-up.  He was asked if he had lost a bet and if he was in South Pacific.  Nope.  Just attending a fun themed housewarming par-tay!  Woot!  Matt and Dannielle are seriously just the cutest.  

 

I'm bummed I didn't get photos of all the attendees as everyone wore such fun outfits and everyone is such a wonderful part of our incredible community here in Colorado.  Ashley and Alex were the first to arrive, so it was easy to snag a picture of them.  And on the right, is me and my newest little goddaughter, Jane!

Crystal arrived looking like an authentic Hawaiian.  She whipped up that flower crown herself by the way.  Also pictured are some more sweet, beautiful ladies, Dannielle and Emily (can you believe she's due in like 3 weeks?)

Nic, Matt, Mike, and Chris

{some of the} ladies!

{some of the} gents

         
           

Chris and Matt decided to chest bump with the coconut bras (they are such guys).  It was funny for all to witness (and made a funny noise).  

 

                 Cate and Ryan                                                              Lizzie and Mike

 

Later after the guests departed and it was just Chris and Michael and I left, Chris pulled out some left over sparklers and did a fire dance.  It looked almost like the one we saw at the Luau in Hawaii on our honeymoon.  Allllmost (not at all really).  haha.  But that's why I married this guy.  He's goofy and sweet and lots of fun to do life with.  

        

Thanks for working so hard to provide for us.  Thanks for laboring to buy this house.  Thanks for toiling tirelessly during the move out and in.  And thank you for all the effort you put into making this party successful and loads of fun.  There is no one I would rather move 10 times in less than 9 years with.  :)  Here's to staying in our lovely home for many years to come.