background

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

At least I posted something.

In a desperate attempt to not let this blog drop and to continue to track our lives in some sort of way I will be pulling this blog together as a brain/photo dump.   

We are on the other side of the 2024 holiday season.  Christmas traditions where upheld.  We celebrated with the Smith Family, our Aschermann Family, we skated with the Broughams, we played with friends, and we got to go up to Glenwood to ski and visit with the Thompson clan.  

With January came Hockey Tournaments.  Milo's team took home the championship banner from Utah.  Maddox's team had a character-building tournament in Arvada and is getting ready for Fargo. 

Liesel has had her end of the year awards for AQHA and for Colorado Stock Horse Association.  She had a great year of growth, and I couldn't be prouder of her. 

Milo's Bantam A Team

The real superstars behind the team ;)

Milo with the trophy

For Christmas Milo made Liesel a belt buckle holder. 

Liesel made the boys stands for the hockey gear for Christmas.

Grammy and Grandpa came to watch Maddox play some hockey

Thanksgiving Family Picture.

We made it to see Wicked and brough along Margot with us. 

Liesel with her new buckle.  Making good use of her Christmas present from Milo

Liesel and Leighton

Girls night at the Theater

Decorating cookies

Snuggle time. Boys, look at me and smile. At least they smiled.

Elliot and Liesel Skating

It won't be long before Milo will be bigger than Dad

Girl's skate too.

Brotherly love

All three.  A rare occurrence.

Mom and Dad

Conrad and Maddox

Good Times

The moms

Maddox and the newest Smith addition, Miles.  I cannot believe Barrette is a mom

Liesel and Miles

Christmas Eve!

Being silly with Uncle Butt

Playing with the new 3D printer

Hanging with the Trips!

Cousins!

It was a great Glenwood Visit

Hitting the slopes

Ascherman Consulting Christmas Photo 2024

Stop growing up!

Snuggles with Winston

3D Printer creations

Liesel got  braces.

The ice rink is up and running

and being put to good use

even late into the night

 

Monday, November 11, 2024

Another Trip around the Sun

Another Birthday Season has come and gone:

October 29 - Liesel

I have been known to say that you are my hardest. What I should probably say is you are my most challenging.  You have challenged me to be a better mom and person. You have always been independent, strong, and opinionated.  Since you were little, you have strived for independence. You walked at 10 months, and you started dressing yourself when you 6 months.  I am so grateful I have a daughter with spunk and strength.  Though all these strengths are still in you fiercely, I also see a maturity forming.  You are learning that big emotions aren't scary and sometimes when these big emotions take over it is temporary.  You and I, together, have learned that sometimes in relationships we mess up and apologizing and talking it out makes the relationship even stronger.  I see you working so hard, whether at school or in riding, and learning how to push through with tenacity and strength. I am incredibly proud of you, and I am so grateful you are the way you are.  Thank you, my daughter, for being "challenging"!

October 30 - Milo

You are officially an awkward teenager, stuck somewhere between being a little kid and a young man. I have no idea what your dad and I did to deserve such a great kid.  True, you have your hormone induced moments, but you work hard, make good decision, and think of others.  You still tell us you love us when we drop you off, even if your friends are there. The quintessential teenager traits have kicked in and you have started to prefer your friend's company over your family's and often find us unbearably annoying, but at the end of the day we all know your number one is family.  It is in the core of you.  Out of all of us you are the most upset if someone misses Sunday Dinner, you text your Nana every night and every morning, and you can't help but overshare with your mom. You are our family's connector.  

November 4 - Maddox

I have started to describe you as "Shinny".  I have no other way to say it.  People who meet you fall in love with you.  EVERY coach you have ever had tells me about your natural leadership skills, your hard work, and your good attitude. I get random text messages from parents and teachers raving about your sweet personality. This shininess has always been within you.  Even in Kindergarten you received the "Classroom Mom" certificate.  Your teacher said you have the incredible ability to make sure everyone is included and on task without coming off bossy. When you were little, I would say that Maddox is raising himself and doing a better job than Scott and I could.  There is some truth in this.  You have always known how to connect with people and raise everyone up.  

November 7 - Scott

You started a new job this week.  I know that you'll do great at it because that is what you do. Even though I give you a hard time, your "break" from has been a gift to the whole family.  The kids have absolutely loved having you around and present.  I have enjoyed the extra hands around the house. And I know that you have enjoyed the much-deserved time off.  I don't remember who you were talking to, but I remember overhearing you tell someone that your favorite part about being home over the last 8 months is really getting to know your kids.  We all love you so much and are thrilled for your new Chapter.





Ended the Fall Tournament with a Win!


Playing Cards

The Family's newfound love...Escape rooms

Liesel got to participate in 4H best in show and show all animals.  This included pigs, goats, sheet, chickens, rabbits, alpacas and cows.





First Day of 4th Grade for this kid


First Day of Middle School. Watch out 6th Grade. 

First Day of Eighth Grade. 



Barrett's Baby Shower. 


Silly Boy

Liesel and Margot

Scott and I got a weekend away to Vail.  It was great!



Hockey Snuggles

Jog-a-thon.  Go Maddox and Norah!

Player of the Game

twinsies

Maddox Hockey Team was runner up in their first tournanment.

Car shenanigans

Hey there

Liesel's 12th Birthday

Farm Kids

Out to Mt. Fuji

Handsome 14 year old

Summit and Maddox on Halloween

Twining again!

Milo's team won runner up in there first tournanment

Nebby snuggles

Pooped

Aschermann Consulting out at Coors field

Maddox's Birthday Party

Milo had a movie night out for his birthday party

Elliot and "Uncle Josh"

Now that's a good photo!