Summer's Over...

By the time i published this, summer's been WAY over!!! At Post time, it's the end of September, forgive my delinquency...

Here we go again, the start of 3rd grade and another summer gone...

Last blog caught you up thru March, I think, this brings you to the end of our summer, Aug. 16th... boys start school (17th) and they're so ready! Same class this year, could be a problem, we'll see.

THE SHORT
Dan's still busy and happy making furniture/cabinetry in Aspen and I'm hoping to remain a caregiver for Mr. Wirt with alzheimer's (over a year, now!) and thrilled with what i get to do and still be a mom, but changes in his living situation may put me back into the job search market...finally, Andy and Noah just celebrated their 9th bday in July and are still the best kids EVER! (At posting, i am currently searching for a new job...)

Here goes the fun part -- more details with pictures and video! Enjoy and keep in touch when you can! P.S. There are still some cool people that don't join Facebook, know how to Twitter or have texting capabilities that would still love to hear from you! (i.e. Me) It's funny -- snail mail took a backseat to email and now email has even taken a backseat to those things! Our kids won't know what the post office is for!!

THE LONG

In June, Dan's folks came out and we spent the weekend in Moab, Utah (a couple hours away) and went letterboxing (geo-caching or like treasure hunting -- http://www.letterboxing.org/ ) and the boys found several boxes! The weather was perfect and we hiked around the Arches Nat'l park and went jeeping!

Poor Lizard!

Later, my parents brought my brother's kids, MacKenzie and Jefferson for a week and we all had a great time scootering, climbing, hanging out and just being a family.

July, we had friends from California and Arizona visit Rifle Gap (15 min. away) and we borrowed a pop-up trailer and went camping over the weekend with them! Had a blast seeing the 9 kids get along tremendously and although there were several memorable quotes...MY FAVORITE: Noah asked Silas as we were saying goodbye, "Hey, Silas, have you ever asked Jesus into your heart?" -- not sure where that came from but i'm so thankful for it!! Also thankful that the answer was yes! Laurel and Gregg have three - Silas, Larkin and Gideon. Natalie and Arvid have four - Quaid, Madie, Abby and Isaac. It was awesome! We got to keep Natalie, 2 girls and Isaac for 2 weeks! We biked in Aspen, hiked the caves at Rifle, they went letterboxing and we played at the Gap (lake). Lots of fun campfire meals (some kitchen cheating) and never a dull moment. OH! We took the boys's dirtbike, too! All the kids (and Dad's) rode and other than a minor crash with the youngest Veidmark (Dad was totally in control) no one was injured permanently - haha!

In August, my kids got the best gift ever!! Well, not exactly a gift, but the coolest memories! Somehow, i convinced my dear friend, Melinda, to hold SPANISH RANCH CAMP! I just asked and she said, yes!! Here's the deal (maybe you could help me talk her into doing a business...) She and her husband, teenager and twins live in Mountainair, NM (1 1/2 hrs. from ABQ) on their ranch and she's fluent in spanish and married a man from Spain and i've had my kids in spanish immersion school. Since we've moved, no spanish...Ironically, we're almost the minority in CO and i can't get them in a spanish class!

She took my boys for a week and she only spoke spanish! (altho' i think cheating with english was involved...) Her kids understand, but don't speak it and mine need to keep their memories of it... they had the best time ever!! Horses, cows, dogs, cats, snakes, dirt, swimming, branding-- WOW! I'm surprised I got them back! And spanish to boot!!! Wanna sign up??

Exploring!

Hiking! This isn't her house...haha

Bottle feeding the calves! This is out her front door...

4-wheeling! Also part of her "yard"!!

I'm so thankful her family was willing to try it! It was amazing!!

At Posting time: So far, the boys have enjoyed school and even being in the same class. I've been subbing a little and LOVE it! And i'm interviewing and a little hopeful for a great opportunity. (Although, I really wanted the job making handmade chocolates! hee hee! Seriously, she ships worldwide and what a fun part-time job!) If anyone needs "work from home"/internet type employee, let me know! Dan and I are still committed to my being home with the kids after school so full time hasn't been an option (or desire), which obviously lessens the opportunities, but we believe in a God that has provided for us so far and are thankful for it!

That's it for our update! Love to hear from you! email: ostromfamily@yahoo.com