I don't even know where to start. I am very behind on blogging. I have been anxious about the fact that I haven't blogged in four months, yep four months. I truly don't think anyone, besides Grammy or Nana actually read this and they get their updates from me almost daily. I do hope that one day the kids will be able to look back at this block and read it. I would like it to be a time capsule of sorts. When large chunks of time, like 4 months go by without me documenting our life I fear that we will have just lost those memories. I know that this isn't really true, and at the end of the day this blog really only documents one person's perspective of these memories. But for some reason blogging, documenting our lives in some way, helps me feel like it isn't all going so fast. So what have we been up to over the past four months? All the things! School has started (7th Grade for Milo, 5th Grade for Liesel, and 3rd Grade for Maddox), baseball and softball seasons have come and gone, the boys are well into the hockey season, I survived birthday season, Milo is a teenager (13), Liesel is a preteen (11), and Maddox is 9! I think I will have to do what I always do when I fall so far behind, let the pictures do the talking.
Liesel had an incredible Showing Season this summer. In the local shows she had multiple high points in both English and Western, she traveled to a regional show in South Dakato and found success in the AQHA shows. She and Casey have grown so much this year. They, and Scott, have worked so hard. Here she is on Casey with her good buddy Margot and her horse George.
So Poised.
Somehow Scott and I found ourselves with a night out with just Maddox. I love that our kids have siblings. Let me clarify, having siblings will be great from them. They will become adults who know what to compromise, debate, and value other people. Right now, it feels like they spend most of their time arguing with each other. But, when they do get along, treat each other with respect and kindness, laugh with each other it is music to my ears. This all to say that finding time to be with just one of them is wonderful. You get to hear them more clearly and be reminded of what a great human they are.
Before the summer official ended, we were able to find some time to catch up with the Broughams. The separation, maturity and height, between Maddox and Conrad is quickly decreasing.
Look at the smile.
Playing at the barn. Check out proud dad on the fence.
Another year of school starts.
This is Liesel's last year at Van Arsdale Elementary before she moves on to middle school, gulp. Her teacher started the year of pregnant and just last week had her baby. Liesel will have a permanent sub to finish out Elementary School with. Her name is Ms. Lowen and she is the oldest sister to one of Milo's buddies, Hudson. Though, I wouldn't have written this for her last year before middle school. I am sure she will do great, the girl has grit.
Maddox is in 3rd grade and is killing it with his multiplication facts. He is working on his reading fluency, and I have seen so much growth in his reading. He is a hard worker, a good support for his classmates, and overall loves school.
First day of School Pictures with Liesel and her best gal pals, Margot and Norah
Milo is in his second year of middle school, 7th grade. It has definitely been harder for him than 6th grade. He has to be self-directed and he doesn't "love" his teachers as much as he did in 6th grade. The good news is he scored big on the electives. He is in FACS (home economics) and Engineering. These are his two favorite classes. Even though he always response with "Hard" when asked how is 7th grade, he is doing great.
Middle schooler attitude
In addition to horse back riding, Liesel started softball this year. Her team is new to the sport so there was definitely room for improvement, but she grew so much over the season. It was so fun to watch her play a team sport. We are excited for the spring season.
Brothers who play hard together rest together.
Breakfast time with these cuties. This school year schedules changed quite a bit. Liesel and Maddox go to school from 7:45-2:30 and Milo goes from 9:00-4:00. I am so grateful for my career change. Working for myself gives me the freedom to drop off and pick up the kids most days, sometimes I have to recruit Nana's help. I have no idea how I would have managed this schedule while working for someone else.
Those are some cute kids.
Maddox and his baseball buddy, Bay working on building a table.
Number 10 playing fall ball. Maddox had a great fall ball season. He got to play a lot of first base, got some strike outs while pitching, hit some big hits, and worked on his outfielding. He moved from the AAA team to the AA team, and we are hopeful it will be the sweet spot of competitive ball while also making room for family time this summer.
Leighton and Sloan came to one of Maddox's game to root him on. It is always fun to catch up with these girls.
Crazy Hair Day at Van Arsdale.
This is the only picture I got from this year's Jog-a-thon at Van Arsdale. I have been on the PTSA board, in charge of fundraising for 5 years. This is my last year. I have enjoyed being so involved in the kids' school. It has given me a great experience, tiring, but great.
You have to find laborers where you can ;) Maddox loves "marking up" my discarded prints. We may have a future consulting engineer on our hands.
Halloween. Liesel has worn this cow onesie no less than once a week since Halloween.
Milo was CU's new coach, Coach Prime.
Maddox went trick or treating with his buddy Riley. They both randomly showed up as Happy Gilmore. Great minds think alike. Scott and I were both prepared to go trick or treating with Maddox this year. We knew Liesel and Milo would go off with their friends, but we thought we had one more year with Maddox, but we were wrong. It was our first year to sit in the warm house, hand out candy, and wait for the kids to come home.
These two really are as close as brothers can be. They still share a room and Maddox main goal in life is to keep up with his older brother. He does a pretty good job of it too.
Liesel and Milo got to take some friends to Slick City for their birthdays. I had full intentions of letting Maddox do the same thing, but between birthdays, Halloween, and hockey schedules it just never happened. Sometime being the third can be the pits, but for the most part it is pretty ok. I am positive Maddox gets away with way more and has privileges his brother and sister never did at his age. In any case, Maddox, if you are reading this as a young adult, I apologize that you never got a 9th birthday party. :)
Milo is officially a teenager. I didn't get a picture of him with his birthday dessert. He requested a chocolate pie, which I attempted and failed. I will say one of the highlights of my year so far has been our breakfasts together. Like I mentioned before Liesel and Maddox go to school earlier than Milo, and about once a month Milo and I go to Jack's/Steamers and he always orders the biscuits and gravy. We talk about hockey, school, friends, and whatever else may be on our minds. I know this will be a core memory for me and I sure hope it will be for him as well.
Liesel is a 11, a preteen not only in age, but in attitude as well. There are some big feelings in this little girl. Big frustrations and Big Love. I wouldn't change her a bit. She stretches my patience, but in the process makes me a better mom, and ultimately a better person. Thanks for teaching me some big life lessons little girl.
My baby is 9! Maddox reminds me so much of my brother at this age. He is silly, usually filthy, and one physical little boy. It is so fun to watch how easily he has carved out his own path, separate from his big sister and brother. He is the most natural leader I have known. Whether it is on the ice, on the baseball field, in school, or while playing, people look up to him.
Scott, you are 42. I met you when you were 19! You still have the work ethic, family values, and good looks that originally attracted me to you. You have also acquired patience, listening skills, and more gray hair. To be honest I think that age has made you even more attractive, you lucky S.O.B.
This may be the best picture we took as a family all year. Even with the paper roll Maddox put on his nose. There is a very strong chance I won't get around to getting a Holiday card out this year. So here it is, from our family to yours, Happy Holidays!
During Maddox's birthday weekend he and Scott went to New Mexico with his baseball team for a tournament. Liesl and I were in Vail with Milo and his hockey team for a tournament. One of the mom's made some magic happen and got Maddox a birthday cake.
Summit, Jackson, and Madox
Scott and I went to Riley Mckibbon and Evan Clark's wedding in Eagle. It wasn't easy to fit it in between horseshows, hockey, baseball, and work, but we were glad we did. It is always fun to get dressed up and go out with your significant other.
A fun afternoon with Connor and Miranda.
All dressed up and ready for Thanksgiving Dinner.
This is my view on weekend mornings.
Milo's hockey team won the Vail tournament. This is special group of boys and families. They have gone 22-1 so far.
Grammy and Grandpa came to watch some hockey in Vail.
Liesel and I rooting on Milo and his team.
Snuggle time with Dad.
Maddox is officially playing real hockey. He is a squirt this year which means full ice, offsides, lots of practices, games, and tournaments.
Milo's coach this year has encouraged the boys to look sharp coming to the games. We got him his first suit this year and he sure does clean up nice.
Maddox and Riley watching some Bantam Hockey
In addition to the Vail Tournament, Milo's Team won the Rocky Mountain Regional Silver Stick Tournament. We will now go to Canada in January to play in the International Silver Stick Tournament
Cousin Love.
