Birthday Boy Trevor!!

Today was Trevor's 11th birthday!  Time flies.  This kid is getting ready to start middle school.  We went out to breakfast at IHOP where Trev enjoyed some strawberry bannana pancakes.

We spent most of the day hanging around the house, amd in the late afternnon had his party.

We enjoyed a yummy ice cream cake, and opened presents.  Thanks to some generous family he is very close to buying a Kindle Fire.  We got him a Metal Detector, which he loves.

After the party, we headed out for some fun.  Quickly our plans changed due to pouring rain.  We went to ITZ's instead of Hinkle Family fun center.  It was fun! 

I think he had a great day!  We sure do love this boy!

   

Missing Max

As I mentioned before, the weather on the 4th was pretty yucky.  As late afternoon approached, (while the weather was still good) I took the bird cage out back (like we often do), so the birds could get some fresh air & sunshine.  After awhile my sister & I took the kids out front to get some pictures of all the kids together.  While we were out front the weather turned bad.  There was a HUGE gust of wind, and my sister said she saw some newspaper flying over the top of the house.  We went inside, and I looked out the back window.  I saw the bird cage had been blown across the yard and was all broken apart.  It was heartbreaking.  We started a search, and even with all the wind were able to locate the birds not far from our house.  We did our best to catch them.  Finally Pat caught Mario.  Once he was safe inside we set out to get Max, at one point he was on Pat's finger, then a big gust of wind came again and scared him off.  As evening approached everyone was helping to catch Max.  We would find him, then loose him again.  We brought Mario & his cage out front to see if he could talk to Max so we could find him.  It did work, but our attempts at catching him did not work.  We lost track of him as the sun was setting. 

Mario  outside

looking around the neighborhood


It's been a few days now, and no sign of Max.  I've been bringing Mario out, leaving bird seed, and still nothing.
It's been really sad. I really, really liked Max.  He was a great little bird with such a fun personality.

Last night, the kids & I went to the pet store to see if maybe we should get another bird.  After looking at them I felt sick to my stomach.  I texted pat, and he called me where I broke down crying on the phone.  I'm just not ready to replcae him.  Mario has been more of a difficult bird all along.  Wanting nothing to do with us really.  Now that Max is gone, he seems completly different.  I think he misses his buddy.  He is talking to us.  Letting us pet him, and even cathing rides on our heads.  I plan on working with him for a week or two, then getting him a new friend.

4th of July

This year my sister & her family came to visit from Tucson.  It made the week even more fun!

We started the day with the annual painting of the driveway.  If you come to see us on the 4th of July, we'll put you to work.  This year Patrick decided to go with the Captain America logo.  It turned out great!  Click on pictures to enlarge.

We decided to just stay home & do our own fireworks (thanks to our friend Sean who bought the kids a huge box of fireworks).  It was a good thing too, cause the weather was kinda yucky.  It got super windy, cool, and eventually rainy. We would start & stop fireworks as the rain got heavier.

The kids tye-dyed shirts the night before, and the kids all looked so cute with their shirts and fun accessories.   My sister made this fun, yummy cake for dessert.

Jemez Mtns.

I'm getting behind on blogging... The other day we went on an evening hike up in the Jemez Mountains.  It was nice to get out of the desert for awhile.

I am loved

A few mornings ago while I was in the shower the kids loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen and made me this yummy french toast breakfast.

A few minutes ago Griffin served me breakfast in bed.  I didn't take a picture, but it was scrambled eggs, a bannana, chocolate chip cookie, and hot chocolate.  I don't know what's going on, but I like it.  They have been keeping the kitchen clean and doing loads of laundry.  I feel loved!