New chapter, new blog

Since this blog was originally intended to document our adoption journey, we've decided to start a new family blog for a new chapter in life. Check it out at GrowingHedges.blogspot.com.

Trick or Treat

On Halloween night we took the kids trick or treating. They had a lot of fun and loved getting candy.

Hannah the Lion:

Joel the Horse:

Noah the Cowboy:

Out trick or treating:

Heritage Halloween

On Friday evening we went to the Ranching Heritage Center for Heritage Halloween. They gave out candy and had some activities for the kids. Joel did the cake walk and the won his first time.

Show Me Your Muscles!!

Our Kids

Here are a couple of cute pictures of the kids from a couple weeks ago.

Camping

We went on our first camping trip as a family of five over the weekend. We camped near Bonita Lake, north of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Jason had off Friday afternoon so we thought it was the perfect time to go. Due to some unforeseen circumstances we got a late start and it took longer to get there than we thought, therefore at almost sundown we finally found a campsite and rushed like crazy to get the tent and campsite set up before dark. The trip had its ups and downs, but overall we had a great time and are glad we went. The kids enjoyed hiking (short walks) and playing in the dirt. It is amazing how dirty these kids can get. Here are some pics:

Here they are during a hike up into the forest:

Jason and Joel took a hike up a mountain:

Noah and Hannah trying to sneak a marshmallow:

I had the marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars and everyone wanted some:

Joel roasting some marshmallows:

Playing in the dirt:

Our campsite:

Swimming

We have gone swimming about twice a week this summer and we have had lots of fun. The pool we normally go to has zero entry, a sprinkler area for the kids, a playground, and is never very crowded. We went Saturday afternoon and there were only maybe 3-5 other families there. The kids have really progressed with the water. The first few times they would latch on tight and only wanted to stay in the very shallow water. Now they like to hang out in the water that is about chest deep for them. A week or two ago we managed to take a few pictures out at the pool.