Albuquerque - day seven ...

this was the first day of swim lessons! unfortunately our timing wasn't so good - we came in the middle of sessions - so the kids were only going to be able to do the first week of lessons! and then, a day got canceled due to smoke from a fire and we had to miss friday as we had left! but, they enjoyed those three days none-the-less!!!

Zoey in the shade!

Liam on the edge, waiting for his turn

can you tell he's loving it!

uh, yah, he was a little upset when the teacher said
that class was over ...

did I say a little upset?
I meant very upset ...

ok - he was devastated!
(but we did finally calm him down when we
told him he'd be eating lunch and then daddy
would take him back in the water!)

she's enjoying that!

that's my "california girl"
(anyone get it?)

get it yet? "daisy dukes, bikini on top" - lol

oh good - chicken nuggets today - one of his faves!
and look at sleeping Zoey, so sweet!

oh my!

quotes of the week ...

I was up early this morning (8-18) with Zoey. we were sitting on the couch cuddling when I saw little Liam's head peak around the wall from the stairs - and he asks: "what time is it?". I answered, "six, forty-five" ... to which he replied, "I hate six, forty-five". it was just funny to me!!!

aw, yes, Jericho has learned a new skill: arm farts! lovely, yes? but this "quote" is about his answer to Annicka when she whined, "how come girls can't do that" (and she meant it as having the ability to do it, not like girls should be proper - lol) ... so, Jericho answers: "because they're not sweaty and they're not cheesy". laugh-out-loud!

I'm not quite sure what to think of what Annicka just asked me: "hey mama, if we have a tail bone - how come we don't have a tail?" ... uh, I have no idea??? what the heck!!!

here's another one that made me really laugh - mostly on the inside, cause we were in public. so, we're at the commissary - stocking up on some groceries for school lunches and such. the trip went amazingly well, just a few whines for sugary foods - but, really, for having all four of them with me, it was great! so, we're in the checkout line and I'm just about to start loading my groceries onto the belt -I'll interject here and let you know that at the commissary you must tip the bagger, and when the kids are with me they like to give the money- when Jericho asks: "can I give the dollar to the human?" ... I think I probably shook my head a little and had this look of both curiosity and embarrassment. after all, I think the people behind us heard him! it just sounded so, funny ... and all I could say was "the human? ... it's a person Jericho, don't call him 'the human'".

Albuquerque - day six ...

finally got some pics of the kids in the pool,
which has been their daily joy!!!
(in fact, their several times daily joy)

and even Liam goes in there now too!!!

he is loving it!!!

look at that cuteness - oh my!

not these darn things again ...
I'm gonna get them OUT!

my hubby's sister (aka: "auntie") did a big bbq
for all of us this night ... we got to see lots of family and
had lots of visiting and LOTS of delicious food!
and someone brought this little thing:

seriously ... Annicka was in love and so was I!
I had to hold it, risking the onset of an asthma attack -
I took the little puppy and snuggled it and
kissed it and (secretly) wished I could have it!
and, probably thanks to the singular I was taking,
I was perfectly fine!!!

Albuquerque - day five ...

so, there were a couple days that I didn't take many photos (and maybe even none) ... this is one of those days!

Zoey with her auntie - who I caught by surprise, but
somehow managed not to take any other photos
(so, sorry "auntie" - and hope you don't mind my sharing this one)

it cracked me up this day when Liam joined the dog looking out the
window when he heard the car in the driveway! by the time
I got my camera the dog had moved, but I still took a pic to remember!

Albuquerque - day four ...

Annicka taught herself a new trick - wow!!!

cousin Katie and her mom, Jessie, bought this adorable
little bathing suit for miss Zoey ...

look at her modeling - lol!

time for food!!!

Albuquerque - day three ...

here's Liam, all ready and waiting to head out to the aquarium!

and here we are at the aquarium ... it's become
a ritual whenever we're in Albuquerque - the kids
really enjoy it!!!

we did a pic of the three girls and Jericho here
a few years back - so I wanted an updated
version ... but we're missing Katie here :c

it was awesome to have Liam old enough to notice
all the fish and get excited - so fun!

here's a couple pics of all the cousins -
(well, except Dominic - he's off at school now)
Zoey, Willow, Liam, Annicka, Jericho, & Katelyn

no offense - but his was one ugly fish!

I love this room - where one entire wall is glass - so awesome!

I tried getting a pic of each of my kids by the BIG tank -
they didn't turn out too great, but still, fun to have!

poking out her tongue - stinker!

Grandma and her sidekick!

after the aquarium, we went over to Nana's house ...

Zoey is blowing kisses!
(update - she now actually can kiss!!! she loves making the sound)

my attempts to get all the kids with Nana ...

and we're done already!
I have no idea what was up with Jericho's insistence
to do a "walk like and egyptian" pose - lol!

grandma's windchimes

looking for pretty rocks ...

and finally I got to see the place the kids have talked about
for two or three years now ... they love going here with
grandma to find rocks - they call it "peach hill"!

I only made it up the first hill, it began pouring rain ...
more like pelting rain, it was very painful!
Willow and I decided to stay put, we didn't feel confidant
to go up the next side. so, as we stood there trying
to not get soaked (but we did) I took this pic!
let's just say that we all needed showers after that -
our hair was full of dirt, it was the most painful
rain I've ever experienced!!! but, still, I'm glad I went!