When it Rains It Pours

It's been one of those weeks around here.  We have been super fortunate to not be affected by flooding down here in Larkspur, but our rental flooded on Thursday and Tyler and I spent about 8 hours getting water and all the carpet out of the basement.  Tyler was a stud and remained calm the whole time even when I was useless lifting wet carpet out of the basement.  Aurora was hit really hard with almost 12 inches (a years worth) of rain in 3 hours and the water wouldn't stop coming.

Driving to the rental...many of the streets were impassable

And then this morning we woke up to our chickens all missing and our assumption that a bear got that.  I mean what else would do this....

There were lots of feathers but no blood so we were hoping some of them had escaped and would find there way home and 3 did!  Welcome back Charmaine, Destiny, and Peep-peep.  We are pretty sad that 2 of our chickens were bear dinner and really nervous he is coming back since once bears find food they will come back over and over.

Tyler rebuilt a nesting box and for now that's all we can do.  I'm guessing we are going to have to get a shed for a chicken coop or electric fencing but fingers are crossed he doesn't come back.

We were able to make it a great day even though we've had lots of stresses....spent some time at our Autumn festival here in Larkspur

And then tonight we had dinner, games, and s'mores at Grandma and Grandpa Decker's.

In all honesty though we do feel very thankful that we have not lost everything like so many people here have and also are very thankful that it didn't happen 3 days later when Tyler and the kids were supposed to be up in one of the hardest hit parts of the mountains.

What a week....time for some sunshine!  

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year....According To Tyler

Tyler and I got to watch the Broncos stomp the Ravens on Thursday while Grandma Decker watched the the littlest Bronco fans.

Of course the whole family had to get decked out.

End of August and Beginning of September

We ended August busy but full, and started September with a visit from my family.

What's been keeping us so busy you might ask?

Well visits to the zoo of course....this may have been my last trip with only one walker.  Ryder wanted nothing to do with the stroller or carrier and cried when I took him out for pictures because he just wanted to crawl around.

Ryder is practicing drinking from a cup....

Outings with our mom's group...

Snuggles with dad...

Popsicles in the pool...

My parents came for a short visit over labor day and it was nice to have them around!  We hung around with the kids, my mom and I took our usual visit to Ikea, and went to Palmer Lake for some ice cream.

Pool, Chickens, Sickness, and Babies

The title kind of sums up what's been happening around here this week.

Mostly we've all (except Tyler) been recovering from a cold. Rilyn had it first and then Ryder and I both got it, but I think we are all on the mend and hoping Tyler doesn't get it next!
Ryder was pretty miserable for a couple days and spent quite a bit of time sleeping and snuggling on me.  I was very grateful to have Grandma Decker around to take Rilyn for a day and night so I could spend some time getting myself and Ryder better and then Tyler was super dad/husband and took amazing care of me and the kids for the last two days so I can heal.

It's finally getting warm again here (it's really been feeling more like fall) and so we are taking advantage of the last few weeks of summer.  Fall definitely comes sooner up here (we are at a little more than 6700 ft) and the night air has that chill to it already.

So, anyways the chickens and kids had some backyard pool time.

come here chicky!

Rilyn's going through a baby phase again.  She is becoming attached to one doll in particular and not only do you have to give it a drink before bed but you also have to kiss it goodnight.

Measuring her baby like they did to Ryder at the doctors last week.

Usually her dolls are all naked but today I got her to put some clothes on them all for a short few seconds.

And just some random pictures of my studly man

The kids are already in to wrestling...this should be interesting...

Chokecherry Pickin

We discovered that our property is covered in chokecherries and I couldn't be more excited!  My grandma has always picked chokecherries and made delicious goodies with them and I've always wanted to spend some time with her learning her tricks and now that we have our own chokecherries I'm determined to spend some time with her next summer learning - so be ready grandma!

Until then Yvonne said she would help me do something with these beauties...

Rilyn is very excited about the cherries and finds them everywhere we go now.

Of course she only lasts about 5 seconds worth of picking and then she starts....

chasing chickens

finding mushrooms

or just being her silly self

But so far we have a bucket full and we are going to keep picking until we have a freezer full!

Also Rilyn has a message for her Great Grandma Hermie....