Osmera Family: September

Wow, I am really not on the ball at all with publishing regular posts. FaceBook has killed the blogger in me... What can I say! (Not that I ever was really on top of posting regularly. Guess I just want to justify it.)

Seriously... All is really well in Pagosa Town. We are settling into our new house now, finally. This move has been especially challenging for me. Those of you who know... Probably say I should be used to moving. Not so. We lived in our last house for 5 years, longer than I have ever lived anywhere! Additionally that was where I birthed my two beautiful children, where I learned to be a wife, and where I tackled life challenges that were truly benchmarks for me. I guess you could say I grew up in that house.

So leaving it has been sentimental and nostalgic, but also bittersweet in a way, since this is a step in a new and exciting direction for us. We moved into a small two story victorian/farmhouse style house. It is actually on the Historic Registry since it was built in 1906! Yes, it is over 100 years old! And the spiders have been standing strong against our encroachment! So it has had it's challenges to say the least, but I truly believe you can make any place your home with a few special touches and the laughter of children. They love it so that is really all that matters. Sophia has the master (how did that happen?) so her room is just magical! And Caleb is in a cozy little nook of a room, perfect for him. Todd and I are still trying to figure out where to put all of our stuff, due to the lack of closet space and slanted ceilings, but thanks to portable adjustable shelving, we are definitely managing!

Outside is a whole different story from what we are used to, as we have moved to the South Side! I swear we live on the busiest corner in town. Diesel trucks, school busses, work trucks, dog walkers, police cars, mariachi music, hoots and hollers, non-stop high school kids, and probably whatever else you could imagine! I have to admit, albeit the difference from before, I kind of like it. It's actually sort of cozy. At least it's alive down here! And there is so much noise that you don't even hear the dogs barking! (Unlike the crazy neighbors... Oops, I mean pit-bulls, that lived next door at the last house.) No, we are all getting used to it rapidly, and we even have friends drop by regularly now, usually one to two per day. We definitely feel more involved and not so isolated. And like I said, working toward the bigger picture of actually, really, seriously, no more joking around, I swear, moving!

Here are some pics from this summer... Enjoy.

Grand Canyon hike with the girls this May (have I really not posted since then?). We did a 4 day 3 night loop hike down the Hermit Trail and up the Boucher Trail. It was wonderful, truly one of my absolute favorite places on earth.

Jeanine showing off her war wounds after just day one...

Mornings in the Canyon...

Collard lizard, these things are all over down there, and pretty big too. Tail to nose about two feet!

This was my second time on this hike... Last time was with Todd over Thanksgiving in 2005. Can't wait to get the kiddos there.

This picture is crazy. Jeanine and Ashley are gazing across at the Hermit Trail as we decended down into the Canyon. You can just make out the tine zig zag line of a trail. I made the pic bigger so you can try to see the trail... That was the first day. We started from the ridge up on the right and ended up down at the river on the left. 13 miles straight down if I remember correctly. That about did my legs in. I swear, with really steep trails it is so much easier going down than coming up!

This was hilarious! Posted at the top of the trail.

June pics...

Such a little poser. You can see his forehead scar from his first ER visit when Sophia dumped him (by accident I hope) out of his stroller one day when I was at work. Poor little guy... Didn't know what hit him... Or what he hit (a bunch of rocks)!

Eating Gabe's harmonica and wearing my favorite shirt!

Seriously... This is a nest of thousands of little Daddy Longlegs. Blahhhhh!

July... Todd took these of the full moon from our last house. Beautiful!

4th of July...

I certainly don't remember it being like this on the Space Shuttle ride...

Misc July...

Sophia and Nana, each with their best poses...

Caleb practicing his walking. He is sooooo close. It will be a true celebration for all of us when he finally takes that first step.

We were inspired at work this day, what can I say. Gotta keep it light.

Or not...

Todd's 20th reunion, Torrington, WY. Three days of celebrating, golfing, and picnicking... I wish I could have gone with him. I'm contemplating going to mine next year, but need more convincing still...

Gotta love those WY grasslands...

I think this is the house Todd grew up in in Torrington. Todd correct me if I'm wrong. Too cool.

Todd camped while he was in Torrington. He awoke one night with the local volunteer Fire Department doing propane fire training in the middle of the night! Imagine waking up to that in the middle of your dreams!

Sophia's first swimming lessions. She did awesome. No fear at all, and she listened to every word the instructor said. It was so fun to watch. She learned to float on her back, blow bubbles, and even jump off the side!

August... Caleb, a true Nebraskan!

Gran's visit! We miss you Gran, come back soon!

Hiking to Piedra Hot Springs one day that I was at work. They had a blast...

Ache it was steep!

The hot springs...

Dennis, this pic is for you... This is an old historic church next to our post office. You can actually see the original hitching posts on the left! Pretty cool.

September... Sophia is decided she LOVES to climb trees. Here she is in one of our Aspen trees. So pretty!

Sophia standing at attention to show off her first skid mark!

Sophia's 4th B-Day... Such a beautiful and magical day. She loved and really cherished every moment. Nothing hectic about it, just a ton of fun... Here is her cake. Strawberry, strawberry, and more strawberries! It was delicious!

Eggs and toast before all the sugar starts!

So methodical with opening all her presents. I truly believe it's not just about the gift for her, but the whole process. She is so sweet about it.

A beautiful wooden "fall" faire from Papa.

New rain gear from Nana and Grandpa...

Now she has her very own robe. I swear she does not want to take this off. The other night she insisted on sleeping in it, and awoke a couple of hours later dripping with sweat. She still didn't want to take it off. Oh well, can't always get what you want. Sometimes Mama knows best!