Holden and Colvin

Cart and I carpooled with our babies since our husbands were working and couldn't go. We left about 8 and drove all night. It's the only way to go when your going that far with that many littles.  It has been raining a lot.   Wild flowers and knee high grama grass has the mountains of New Mexico look'n like  Montana prairie land.    Timber had 3 tubs of pollywogs or tadpoles that were a high light for the little girls.  She also had 2 bird baths on the porch that housed each of the little girls favorites. Well 2... Zaleah may or may not have eaten her "friend". Some turned into the tiniest frogs I've ever seen.  We were driving on Axels actual birthday.  Timber had a cake and gift for him.  it was really thoughtful considering we were here for Holden.  The day of it was raining again.  Just before we drove up it stopped.  It was a miracle they were able to get permission to do it outside anyway.  The weather was a second blessing. The water was one thing I remember of my baptism. I wanted to stay in and feel it's warmth. Not so for Holden.  The stock tank was nippy to say the least. He was so cute getting into the cold water.   Both Ace and Buster had to do it twice.  But they got'r done.  Holden Awn Mcphaul was baptized by his father Ace in the hills of New Mexico. Pretty special.   Dinner at the Greens was yummy if a little spicy on some dishes.  No one can cook Brisket like Timber. Later we tried to go swimming in the stock tank.  It was Freezing but most got in for a few min at least.  It was so green we were able to make a fire near the tank to warm up. The boys were mighty stick hunters (who could carry the biggest one.)  A dance party naturally followed.  I haven't danced with my sisters in a while and it brought back memories of us as kids.  After everyone left someone dared me to skinny dip.  I said I will if Denim did. She did.  OH shoot now we all have to.  In the dark Syringa, McCarty, Denim and I went skinny dipping in the cold A$# stock tank. It was close to 5 1/2 feet tall.  So getting in was a challenge... Out was nearly impossible. Thankfully it was dark cuz exiting was not graceful or flattering.  I haven't had so much fun in a long time.

Caravan to Arizona.  We all had to jump in the pool first thing even at 9 pm. Denali also had popcorn going in the first 10 min and didn't stop all weekend. Sometime around midnight as we were girl talk (destressing) on the patio couch--- Dad came streaking out of the house and jumped in the pool.  As our designated driver in NM I think he felt left out.   Colvin Lee was baptized by his father Greg Lee Proctor on the 27th of Aug.  It was very sweet.  He had Angels on both sides for sure.  McCarty gave a talk about how we need to give credit where credit is due when acknowledging a prompting.  We had the gym most of the day to eat and play. McCarty taught everyone the tortilla game, (you hold water in your mouth, then play Rock-Paper-Scissors.  The winner gets to hit the loser in the face with a tortilla.) Baler won over his mom and the astonishment on his face when he realized he got to hit her with a tortilla was priceless . He was going to make it count too. We all lost it. He was really put out that he won without getting to use his tortilla.  Eat, sleep, swim.  That was the cycle all week. One lunch we were all inside. Someone looked over and Zaleah was in the pool naked no floaties holding on to pool noodles in the deep end. AHHH. We went on a night hike to a dry waterfall. The hot night air, huge saguaro cactus outlines on the horizon and city lights below. Pretty cool.  Since dad got to go skinny dipping and Mom and Timber missed out  in the Stock Tank we had to do it again. 15 + girls midnight dip. We made up a synchronized swim routine.  Stress reliever! Memory maker! I love my family. 

August

Emily's end of summer birthday bash at Mikes house.  He rented 3 blow up water slides and his pool was up.  Fresh blackberries are on at a property he manages. I made myself sick on them. We went  later to pick apricots and more berries.  Summer isn't complete without a few tramp campouts and mud pies. 

Congratulations to Uncle Greg Proctor for finishing his Masters Degree at Penn State in Business Administration.  We got to watch it on Zoom and cheered even though he couldn't hear us.  I wanted to dye my hair blond. I've never tried that color.  I know why now. Did 2 boxes and it just got orange-ier and orange-ier.  Not the "that's almost a cute dirty blond" that the pictures caught.  No it was bad. Preston was so sweet and ran to town at 10 to get a box of brown to help mellow it out.  It was a "weird redhead" hue.  The kids all got to participate in the highlight fun.  On our school supply shopping day we used up their pizza pie and orange leaf coupons from last school year. We called it part of Axels birthday as well.  We did cake and gifts the Saturday before so he could have all day.  "I have to do school work on my birthday. What a present." Ugg I can't believe school is starting already. Katana is going to middle school. Lockers, changing classes... and "mom can you teach me to shave my legs."  Ugg I can't believe she is growing up. Mace started school with a black eye. Zara split her head open.  Thankfully we had superglue.  It comes so fast I never feel 100% prepared.  * Mace actually started school with Mrs. Davis. Shes a new teacher first year super nice good fit.  Things were up in the air for WES the first week. New staff/ no staff/ covid still really!.