I'm 40!

I know it is a big one, the 4-0.  I am so lucky to have wonderful people in my life who kept asking, "What do you want to do for your birthday".  I had no idea what I wanted to do, no deep desires to be celebrated.  Though I believe this may have come off as me being a party pooper or dreading the fact that I am turning 40.  I have decided it was quite the opposite.  I truly have gotten to a point that I feel "fed" every day, by my friends, my family, work, and home life.  The gift 2021 gave me was an intention for balance.  I always wanted balance in my life, but I never had a plan or lifestyle that accommodated balance.  I am about 2 months into actually working for myself.  So far so good.  At the risk of jinxing myself, I will say, that I am honestly SO happy I made the move.  Martin/Martin was a phenomenal place to grow and hone my engineering skills. But working for myself has given me the opportunity to remain busy, but in a very balanced way.  Busy running the kids around before and after school, busy being able to help at PTA, busy finding time for me, busy playing with my friends, and busy with work.  I am the happiest I have been in a long time and am excited for the rest of my 40s.

May birthday celebration started by being spoiled by these lovely ladies.  

It included dinner with wonderful friends.

And....it included a night at an 80's cover band.

How'd I get so damn lucky!

My little cowgirl

Built this tractor all on his own....and little help from Uncle Matthew

Stock show fun. John was celebrated at the Cowboy Church during the National Western Stock show for his years of volunteering.  Scott had some big shoes to fill but tried his best and volunteered this year in the name of John. 

The new CSU Animal Health building, which Uncle Matthew worked on, had its grand opening.  The kids got to play in the mock surgery room.  It is such a cool building and an amazing addition to the NWC campus.

Milo and I got some quality time together at his Hockey Tournament in Arizona. 

He got to skate on the Coytes professional ice and watch the Avalanche play the Coytes from a suite.  One on one time with your kids is the best! 

These two little nuggets are the best of friends. 

Liesel and Casey!

Maddox has started to ride as well.  He rides a lease horse named Alley.  

Everyone should have this kind of love in their life.

Dad and Liesel at her horse show.  He is so good with her, and I can't emphasize enough how close these two have gotten. Liesel is becoming a stronger and stronger rider and her bond with Casey continues to grow. 

Sometimes I look and Maddox and can only see a little Robert Thompson. 

Dinner celebration for Nana.  Nana's birthday is on February 23rd.  The day before is Papa's Birthday.  This year his birthday fell on 02/22/22 on a Tuesday.  We always think of him, but on Tuesday we thought of him even more.  We miss him tremendously.  We still shed tears for our loss, but we also find laughter in our memories of him.  

Milo got to skate for the opening of the Avalanche game.  It was an experience he will never forget. 

It's a new year! Dear 2021, F you! Here's to 2022!

I have never been happier to see a new year. 2021 was a rough one. As the other team racks up the points on the score board during a hockey game, I tell the kids "This is what we call a character builder."  Maybe that is what 2021 was, a character builder.  I don't know if any "character" was built, but I do know that relationships were strengthened, and lessons were learned.  Instead of being furious with 2021, I will take the lessons and strong relationships it gave me into this new year.

So how do I tee up 2022 to be successful?  I can't think of any resolutions.  Though I like to joke that I this is because I am perfect, it's not that.  The truth is that my current mind set is not very progressive.  I do know that I want to spend time with friends and family, I want to feel healthy and happy, try to find some balance in life, and I am beyond excited to start my own business.  Aschermann Consulting is officially looking for work.  

Here's to saying goodbye to 2021, not forgetting those it took from us, and welcoming the adventures 2022.

During 2020 this was my temporary office.  In 2021 it was my part time office.  Now it is my permanent office.  

We made it up to Grammy and Grandpa's house for an early Thanksgiving celebration.  It was so great to spend some time with Grammy, Grandpa, Jen, Robert, and of course Riley.  

A highlight of 2021, this guy turned 40!

Liesel got to ride her lease horse, B, to our house. 

His efforts to keep up with his big brother and sister often leaves me forgetful of how little he still is.

I can't remember if I already posted this picture of "sports day" at Van Arsdale, but I decided, since it is so cute, better to post it twice than not at all.

Sparkle day at Van Arsdale

Who's that little elf?

Grinch Day at School.  His heart grew twice its size.

In an effort to embarrass our kids Scott and I picked them up from school dressed as Elfs.  Maddox loved it.  As we predicted Milo was mortified.  What I didn't foresee was how embarrassed Liesel would be.  This all brough Scott and I so much joy.

love these ladies and our traditions.

Wow!  We really populated. 

The kids with their favorite, Miss Jan!

Merry Christmas!

Finally, a family picture

Cousins

silly cousins

This one is for the ladies.

Yep, my 11-year-old niece is almost as tall as I am, and definitely beautiful. 

The holiday season has us like...

The gift that made us cry!

I think it is safe to say that 2021 was Liesel's Christmas.  Here she is so excited for her new saddle.  Stay tune for more pictures of her "big" gift.

Yep, she got what every 9-year-old dreams of.  She got a horse.  

Day 1 with her new horse she was stepped on.  Good news, is that it wasn't broken.

We got to go up to Glenwood after Christmas and enjoy the snow.  Liesel wasn't able to get a ski boot on so she couldn't join us, but she had some quality one-on-one time with Grammy.  The boys and I had so much fun.