He did it! She did it too!

Kellan did it! He finished his timeline! He had to write a paragraph for each year of his life with a photo to go with it. My kid did it. A huge feat for one who has a hard time finding meaning in his work, let alone homework. I even shed a tear when he chose to write about Grandpa Steve when he was 3. He remembered so much for just being 3...incredible! He really is a great kid.

Oh yes, and she did it too!
Stacey had a beautiful little girl on November 22. Kendall Saryn was 7.2, 19 in. and quite beautiful for a newborn. I'm so proud of Stacey and Trent and just can't wait to love up my little niece! I need to snuggle that little gloworm!

Photos to come when it isn't so late at night!

Next post is hopefully going to be me sharing a huge climbing come back! I'm so sick of this rehab stuff. I want back out, back out on real rock- no more plastic!!!

A perfect girls night

I hosted the most wonderful night last night. Rob and the kids went to his parents and I had ten of my most favorite women at my house for good food, good drinks and great company! It was so fun to sit on our clean deck and chat away. It felt wonderful. I'm hoping to make this a regular thing. It was so amazing to sit and have good, uninterrupted conversation on a beautiful night without a care in the world. Life is good!

Guess that's just the way it is...

We were at the REI playarea today. A girl looked at Kellan and said, How old are you?"
Kellan answered, "I'm 7."
The girl looked at her friend, looked back at Kellan and said, "No really, how old are you, because I'm 7."
Kellan said, "Well I'm 7 too." Raya of course chimed in, "I'm 5. He's 7 and I'm 5."
The girl sized up Kellan and commented, "If you're 7, then you're pretty tiny."
Kellan replied, "Well, I guess that's just the way it is."

I'm so proud of him! I didn't say anything to him, he didn't tell me about so it is left at the play area. He dealt with that so well! He was able to shrug off her comment and honestly didn't care or give two thought about it. He is one super cool kid.

Short in stature, huge in coolness!

The Sisterhood

I was out on Saturday night with an amazing group of women. I love deep conversations, a comfortable atmosphere and leaving feeling so inspired just to have been around these people. I realize how much I miss hanging with my girlfriends! Not just any girlfriends, the ones who you can completely be yourself with, share anything, be open, candid and vulnerable without a worry in the world. The ones who support you, ones you feel confident and energized around.
At dinner on Saturday night I was asked who I like as far as other women at the kids' school. I thought that this question was kind of weird, one that would create an incredible gossip session. I decided to turn it around though, and my friend meant it to mean, "who do I have and feel true connections with at the school." It made me think about people in a broader scope. I answered with only three names, the ones I connect with as "sisters" not just "mom talk" friends and acquaintances (this kind of talk bores me to pieces and feels so surface to be honest.) But then I started thinking about all the other women I really like and enjoy in my life. Just by doing this exercise made me feel so much more connected and realized that surrounding myself with friends I have incredible and endearing relationships with is something I want to do more of.
Soooo, mushy Lisa is now planning a "celebrate the incredible women in my life party." A party for my "sisters." Not just a girls night, but a night to celebrate my friendships with women who are so important to me. I can't wait!
Just wish that I can bring in my dear friends who live far away to celebrate too!

OMG!

So the kids were talking about Halloween costumes in the car today.

Kellan: I want to be a Clone Trooper. Mom, now I guess you will just have to buy me a gun, because it is part of the costume you know.

Raya: I want to be Princess Lea when she gets caught by Jabba the Hut.
(holy shit I'm thinking, what the hell is my daughter thinking!)

Kellan: Oh no way Raya, you cannot wear that costume, no no no!! It is definitely NOT appropriate!
(Yea!!! Who knew that Kellan of all people would come to the rescue in a situation like this, what an amazing surprise!)

Raya: Why not?

Kellan: She wears a little piece of fabric with no sides! You would be in SO much trouble wearing something like THAT to school!

Raya: Well Sarah wants to dress up in whatever I wear...

Guns and slave outfits?!?!?!?! Oh my...

My Solo trip to So Cal

I was so fortunate! I used my free ticket (presented to me at the Tattered Cover when I brought my class there!) to go to San Diego and L.A. for a quick four day trip during the DNC (Auraria Campus had the week off b/c it is so close to the Pepsi Center, thank you Obama!) What a blast. I spent so much time with Tracy, Danny and little Alexis!

I also went to LA to visit Louie and Kim. We boogie boarded. It was so good to see them!

I fit so much in! Lots of beach time and a solo sea kayak excursion in La Jolla where some sea lions, leopard sharks and fish joined me. So cool!

I can't wait to go back. June perhaps!?

The camera pooped out while we were on a really fun trip...

No camera- no fun to blog! But I will try! The camera is officially no more- until we get a new one, only words will have to suffice.

Ok, so we went camping with get this- 39 other people to Lake Granby (up by the west entrance to Rocky Mtn National Park for those of you unfamiliar with the area.) It is an annual deal that just keeps growing so yes, this time we had a record of 39 people. 20 kids all under 9 years old and 19 "big grown up kids." By nightfall both nights, all of the kids had headlamps, running around the gigantic campsite having the time of their lives. It really was impressive that so many people in one place could all get along and have such a great time!

We all rented a boat, the kids tubed, we swam, we all kayaked a bunch (kids as well!) played on the shore, ate smores, went on mini climbing/scrambling adventures and threw rocks from as high as we could into the water (in which I was coached by a 9 year old who doesn't play baseball, but did indeed help improve my arm. Prior to the small throwing competition, he informed a comrade of his while I overheard that, "all parents are evil." Well I immediately made my subtle grand entrance and then he rephrased and said, "some parents, she's pretty cool." This kid was pretty darn cool himself. He literally made me the best smore I ever had by melting the chocolate ON a smore stick while roasting the marshmallow on a stick with his other hand.)

I really wish I had photos, dinner and breakfast looked like a camp mess hall. It was really cool!

With so many families, the parking area looked like a van fest and mixed in the hodgepodge of "mommy mobiles" was our little Subie (there was actually another Subaru Outback there, but the family with the other one gave someone else some of their gear to take back for them, so that doesn't quite count.) I was so proud! Our little Subie held the Kayak on top of the car, and in the back, behind the kids' seats were two coolers, a bin of various water and kayak gear, tent, sleeping bags, thermarests, bin of food, toys, clothing, including winter gear for all four of us, fishing gear, pillows and towels. Truly amazing! I will admit, the vans were appealing when everyone else could kind of throw their stuff in while we created the perfect puzzle set up, but we did it, because I just really am not ready for a "mommy mobile" of my own, unless they come out with a new Volkwagon Eurovan weekender, because they are really cool and don't have the "I drive kids around all day car" feel. They have the "we are on the go and need a super cool vessel to get us there" feel. No pun intended for those of you with the mom mobile, I just can't do it- yet. But they are way more functional I'll admit!

Anyway it was a great time and looking forward to next year! Maybe I'll have photos for that one.

My next camping trip planned is going to be a climbing one! Only two weeks until I am cleared to climb again and I can hardly wait!