Surprise September!

What a month September was for the Tilford Family.  Man, it was incredibly busy and equally as amazing.  We had a lot going on as usual.  So, in keeping with our theme of packing it all in, we decided to throw a trip to CA in the mix.  Yay!  September in Tennessee is a favorite of mine and I didn't want to be away but it was totally worth it.  The weather here is just about perfect and the colors are just beginning to change and it is just lovely.  

We started the month with an extended visit from Tristan's buddy, Jayden.  It was a long weekend but they seemed to have a great time.  He is a smart kid and a LOT like Tristan.  I took pictures of a s'mores night but no others...  

Tristan is in a "I think it's cute to look pissy every time my mom tries to take a picture" phase.  It's sweet.  

Early in the month, Grandma and Papa Tilford came for a visit for one week and it was awesome.  We LOVED the time with them.  We managed to do a lot of things with them in the week.  The twins had a baking day with Grandma, we went to the lake and the dam, we went for a drive, Lily baked with Grandma, we spent time outside, watched the kids swim and play a lot, went to jiu jitsu, played games, visited the American Museum of Science and Energy, celebrated Lily's birthday, celebrated Papa's birthday, had a grandparents breakfast at school and did a little porch sittin'.  We love seeing them with the kids.  

I had decided to fly out and see my family in California.  It was important that I visit my mom, sisters (you too, Kate) and nieces, with the hopes of seeing many more if we could manage it.  My mom was dying to see Lily because it had been so long since she had spent time with her but she also wanted to see the other kids.  We had tossed around the idea of sending Lily unaccompanied but the cost is absurd so we quickly decided that I would accompany her.  Well, after we decided that, Lily had some pretty serious behaviors and poor decision-making going on so we decided that really, Tristan was the one who should go.  The problem there was that Tristan had never flown before and was *very* scared to fly alone.  Well, after much deliberation and figuring, I just decided that I'd go and take all five of the kids.  That way, they could each spend time with family and have their own time and bonding.  They all needed family time and Eric needed to finish some projects so he wouldn't have to do homeschool or driving the twins to and from school.  He did have to cover ALL the chores and farrier appointment but he didn't mind a bit.  Gramps was here with him too.  The trip was awesome and much needed.  It was the first time flying for Tristan, Harlan and Nolan and everyone did fantastic.  I filled a backpack with snacks, iPads, books, gum and activities for each kid and we took our empty water bottles to fill at the airport.  All the kids listened well and we had great flights overall.  I didn't worry too much about early check-in because I got to do the family boarding since I had so many kids (normally I don't take advantage of it if I just have one kid with me).  

It was 3:30am.  

We ended up getting to see SO MANY people including: my mom, my sisters (Shasta left Idaho and moved to California in August to be with my sister, Kelsey and brother-in-law, Martin and my mom),  our nieces, Madison, Holland and Nora, my sister-in-law, Katelyn, our nephew, Stephen, his Grandma, Barbara, my Uncle Doug and Aunt Ann, my cousin Terra, Jordan, Bella, Camille, Phoenix, The Fanning Family- Clarisse, Morgan and Emmett  (minus Clem), some of Martins family (which Tristan was happy about because some of Martin's nephews are buddies with Tristan).  We would have liked to see more people but our time was very limited and I'd started wishing I had booked a longer trip.  Plus, taking the twins out of school for the nine days was already a lot and we needed to get back home to reality.  It was beyond difficult to leave though.  

We had THE BEST time and packed a lot in.  Lily got some riding time in with both The Nelson's AND Morgan, got to do a vaulting class, we celebrated Lily's 13th birthday (it was the day we flew out there), celebrated Kelsey's birthday, celebrated Grandmas birthday, went to the river, had a party, Martin rented a bounce house for the kids, we spent time with Antonio "Tony The Pony" Torres, did tie-dye, rode Auntie's exercise bike, rode Auntie Shasta's E-Bike, watched movies, went to the Nelson's house and spent a day with them, listened to music, Martin took the boys fishing and took Nico to work one day and let him use his chainsaw and it was the highlight of Nico's life to date, we did some porch sittin' there too, baked and ate and bonded and so much more.  One of the best parts was that my sister-in-law let the girls have a sleepover for I think four of the nights and it was THE BEST.  We got some really good bonding time in and it made me feel so happy to see the kids being cousins and soaking it all up.  Also, Kelsey set her house up so that everyone had their own sleeping arrangements, it was so cool because she has a camping trailer, a 5th-wheel (that Shasta lives in but shared with Lily) a guest room and a pull-out bed in her office.  We all fit with zero issues.  Nico was too scared to sleep in the trailer so he elected to sleep on their covered back porch on the futon and LOVED it (that was only like three of the nights we were there).  It was awesome to be with my mom again and I love seeing her with all of her grandchildren.  She is still going strong with her battle and as hard as it is to watch her go through what she is going through, it was very important to me that we all spend quality time together.  I was scared to expose her to germs from flying and being in the airport and from the twins being in school but she reassured us it was all fine so we went and loved every second.  It was just what we all needed.  It was heartbreaking saying goodbye to Kate and the girls and my mom and sisters.  There were a lot of tears.  

Nico found this on his boogie board when he pulled it out at the airport.  He loved it.  

Auntie Ann

Going fishing! 

Uncle Martin made Auntie Kelsey's cake from scratch and left chocolate frosting off of one corner for Lily.  It was so sweet of him.  

I made a cheesecake whip for dessert one night. 

Nolan gave Auntie Kate a pedicure. 

Playing in the dirt! 

Cousins! 

Cousin LOVE!

Auntie Kelsey let the girls each pick out a chick to take home.  This is Holland's.  I cannot think of what they named each of them.  

Madison and her chick.  

Nora and her chick.  

Pickin' chicks. 

Grandma and Nora. 

Grandma and Nolan. 

Grandma and Holland. 

Grandma and Stephen. 

Grandma and Lily. 

Grandma and Madison. 

Grandma and Tristan. 

Grandma and Nico. 

Grandma and Harlan. 

Grandma and ALL her grandchildren.  

EXHAUSTED.  I ended up moving to the cot for the last three nights because it was easier to let them be.  

Auntie Shasta LOVES her picture taken.  Lol.  She is an incredible crocheter though. She makes the most adorable critters, awesome sponges/scrubbers, hats, scarves, and so much more.  I can't even name all she's made for the kids and others.  She sells them.  

Tony the Pony

Grandma had this cake made for Lily,  It was chocolate-free which was a welcome change because we are all chocoholics but Lily is allergic to something in chocolate.  She LOVED it and it was so sweet and thoughtful.  It was waiting for her the evening we arrived.  

Morgan and Lily and Nicky.  

It's difficult to see but that's Lily doing a handstand on a vaulting post. 

Dirt and face paint. 

Tristan threw Bella in the pool so I made him ride a horse when we got home as payback for Bella.  Us girls gotta stick together! 

Auntie Ann and I rode Hank too.  He was such a pleasure to ride.  He's so big!  I believe he is a percheron cross.  

This is a great picture...  Uncle Doug took all the kids fishing at the little lake a few "blocks" down from the Nelson's house.  This is some of them driving instead of walking. 

The day we went to the river was so much fun.  Grandma was at her treatment and infusion that day so we took off for a bit.  Kate brought up all kinds of food (that ended up lasting us several days and outings).  We took a picnic and made a day of it.  The kids found a rope swing and had a blast there.  I'd like to NOT mention it, but in the interest of full disclosure, I did the rope swing and broke two of my fingers.  Yep.  Somehow when I FELL OFF the swing into the water, the knot at the end of the rope broke the tips of my ring finger and middle finger on my left hand.  I blame Tristan.  Lol.  Anyway, I was in immediate pain and knew I had done something bad and my fingers started to swell.  Thankfully I thought to take my ring off because the swelling was happening fast.  Also, we didn't realize at the time but the freezing cold water that had numbed our bodies was a blessing in disguise for my hand.  I waited till I got home to get x-rays because I had a doctor appointment the morning after I got back from CA.  He sent me right down and they called me before I even made it home and confirmed my suspicions.  They took FOREVER to heal and the middle, top knuckle I still have problems with.  I suppose I am NOT a teenager anymore.  Also, I guess I took more pictures of my fingers than of us having fun...  Oops.  Evidently it was more important.  

The bruising got pretty bad.

Side note - I bought a temporary new wedding ring.  It was an amazon special.  I was wearing my birthstone ring since losing the stone out of my actual wedding ring and I wanted something that looked a little more like my image of a wedding ring.  

While we were away in CA, Gramps went to the auction and bought an old 4-wheeler.  The thing runs like a top and he's very happy.  Now he drives all over the property doing his thing.  The kids love it too. 

Jiu Jitsu...  Almost as soon as we got home, Tristan, Lily and Nico belt tested and advanced to their next rank in jiu jitsu.  They did fantastic.  The twins are on a different belt testing schedule, evidently.  I honestly hadn't noticed until I started updating the blog...  😳

Uncle Martin gifted his old jiu jitsu GI to Tristan while we were in CA and Eric has lost enough weight that he could fit into it.  Of course that meant Tristan wanted to battle but Eric declined for fear we'd be minus one kid.  Hahahaha.  

SiFu having a mat chat with the little dragons.  

SiFu is helping Harlan perfect his push-up form.  

Tristan is a purple belt! He's excited. 

Toward the end of the month, we celebrated Ivy's 4th birthday!  It was a lot of fun to watch her own her day.  Lol.  The food was delicious, as always and we had a great time together.  I must say, Scott and Sierra are raising such sweet and loving girls.  They are so special to us and we adore and love hem both beyond measure.  We feel incredibly blessed to be so involved in their life.  

And then there's these two...  Ebony and Ivory.  Lol.  I love their bond.  

This is her school picture.  I could eat her up.  

Extras...   Eric had his first ever colonoscopy at the end of the month.  It went fantastic and he's clear for 10 years.  I think Nolan got ahold of my phone and snapped some pictures because there's some of our plants in here that I didn't take and he thinks he's a budding photographer.  

Kelsey made me this mug as a gift.  I love it.  

Buttercup thinks she's a puppy and tries to come into the house when we have the screens up.  

This was prior to.  He was so NOT looking forward to this day.  He was fully knocked out for it and when he wakes up from anesthetic he is hysterical.  

The twins helped the lady load up our Walmart pick up order.  

Eric started a BIG project for a customer.  She ordered two custom dog crates.  I'll post more in a future post but they turned out AMAZING.  

I am not sure what this is but I think he lost a tooth.  It looks like his glasses are too big but I think it's the angle.  

June needed a bath and we just happen to have the deep sink in the garage so it worked out.  We bathed Hank too but I couldn't take pictures because he had to be held in there the whole time.  

Sadie is our classroom buddy.  

In August, we bought Papa's truck!  Eric flew up to Iowa and drove it home.  We LOVE having it.  

Kate sent us home with a sweet goodie bag of local soap and vinegar.  Balsamic vinegar is one of our staples and this one is delicious.  

Tristan had his consult with the oral surgeon to have his four wisdom teeth out.  He was scared to death.  

Hank found a cat food bag and tried to lick all the crumbs.  

Nico and Tristan were battling with the beyblades.  

This is actually from when we were in CA.  Apparently, Hank was missing us.  

Autumn...  I started decorating for autumn since I knew we were expecting visitors early in the month of October and I wanted to have it done for their arrival.  I made a few new things.  

Missy...  Missy isn't as quick as she once was and got herself kicked in the face by a horse.  We're having to watch her more closely because she keeps getting injured.  

I took this video of Harlan and just love it.  He's such a sweetie (most of the time)...   Of course, as I type this he has thrown at least four fits over glow sticks, me re-starting a movie and him getting put into my room for a break.  It's special.  They've been back in school for three days now so I am sure he's already getting sick.  Yay.  

What an awesome month September was!  I loved getting to visit our family and some of our friends in CA, I loved celebrating each birthday, loved seeing all of the cousins together, loved it all.  I especially loved coming home and being reunited with my hubby after eight days away.  I also loved the weather and getting ready for fall.  

Happiest of birthdays to:  

-Grandma Webb, my Mom!  We love you beyond measure.  We loved celebrating with you and are so thankful for our time together and can't wait to see you again!  

-Uncle Tony!  One of the coolest dudes we have the pleasure of calling family.  We love you! 

-Papa Tilford!  We love you and we were so honored to be able to spend your special day with you.  

-Morgan W.  What a beautiful young lady you are becoming.  We miss you so much! 

-Mr. Clem...  Such a chill dude.  Thanks for making the time to come visit our family and bringing yours to us.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time together.  

-Uncle Jason...  Happy birthday!  We hope to see you and your awesome family soon!  Lots of love!  

-Auntie Kelsey!!!  We love you to the moon and back and so much more.  You are an awesome Auntie and sister.  We can't wait to see you again! 

-Martha...  I know she doesn't read the blog but we just love Martha and miss her so very much and have to acknowledge her day.  

-David T!!!  We love you and are so proud of the man you are rapidly growing up to be.  

-Ivy...  Ivy, Ivy, Ivy...  I could not love you more you little, squishy love bug.  I love the fact that we get to see you so much and spend time together like we do.  You are so special to us.  

And, of course....  Happy birthday to our 13 year old daughter, Lily!!!  I am not sure how it's even possible I am able to get through typing that out because it's pretty unbelievable that you're already 13.  We love you so much and thank God he picked us for one another.  Our life would be incomplete without you. 

 

Happy Anniversary to Kelsey and Martin!  We are so proud of your commitment to one another and the life you've created together.  Cheers to many more!  

I am trying to figure out which has more birthdays and anniversaries within our family/friend circle; June or September.

Taker care everyone and stay in touch!!!