All things May

I have been so stinkin' busy lately.  So, please forgive me for what might turn out to be a random piece of blurbs.

During the first week of May we celebrated Gladys being cancer free for 8 years.  This is such a celebration each year.  It really is a big deal and we really show it.  It is also a very emotional day for her, so Amber, the kids, and I always try to bring some comic relief into it.  I think she ended up with 2 cakes, lots of laughs, and lots of hugs.

On May 9th, I got to go on a "date" with Amber.  That was pretty cool.  We went to Farley's where a live band was playing.  We found ourselves picking out stuff online for the wedding such as plates, and silverware while we listened to the band.  It was fun.  I love it when we get to just hang out, without any real agendas or responsibilities.  So, here are a few pictures from that night.

Just messing around

Just Us

             

Dorky Smiles

Of course, I can't leave out Mother's Day!!!!  I got to take my mom to the movies.  She got to pick the movie and we all enjoyed it.  Even Scotty, tagged along.  It was quite enjoyable.

During the middle of May, I ended up in Albuquerque with my boss.  She had me accompany her to an ADDCP meeting.  This a meeting of an organization of Executive Directors of programs like ours across the state.  They do a lot of politically related stuff and then a lot of work on the Developmental Disability Movement and different things.  It was really pretty interesting to see them and kinda understand what they do.  This was a two day meeting.  We got to stay at the Route 66 Hotel and Casino.  So, after the meeting on the first day, we had dinner at Outback, and then hit the Casino and watched the Basket Ball game at an Irish Bar there.  (More about Basket ball in a little bit).  So, I was glad I got to go on this little trip.  I think that there are big things lining up for me in the future of this organization so I am being like a sponge and soaking it all up.

On May 15th and 16th, I got to spend some time with my family that I don't get to spend a lot of time with.  My Aunt Kathy and Uncle Tom were down.  So, this meant I got to see Mimi, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Tom, Lisa, Rod, Court, Andrew, & Nali, Kaitlin, Hector, and Harleigh, Taunya, Ken, Aubrey, Riley.....the whole gang.  It was an exciting weekend because Aubrey had just won the state championship for Softball and was graduating.  But, not only was she graduating, so was Kaitlin!  So, it was a fun time.  I didn't get a lot of pictures taken but here are a few!

  Pictured above is:  Aunt Kathy and Kaitlin; Lisa and Harleigh (Kaitlin's baby); Ken and Taunya; Andrew and Courtney; and Uncle Tom holding Annaliese "Nali" (Courtney's baby) for the first time.  

We had a great time hanging out at the hotel; eating lunch at Margarita's; eating at Big D's Diner; and then eventually having a Bon fire out at Taunya's to celebrate the graduations. It was really great to get to hang out with my family. They r always so much fun. I wish they were just a tad bit closer!

On May 18th, I woke to Amber bringing me some garden roses.  It was a great beginning to my day.  

Super Sweet!

During that same weekend, the kids were all home.  Here are just some random pictures that we took while hanging out one afternoon.  

I am pretty sure they were cheering
Liah, Kili, Zeta

Nakomus, just resting

I love this picture of Amber and Kyli

A little dark but still sweet
Zeta, Nakomus, Liah, Kyli

Kyli and Brennen getting ready for take off

I had the great privilege to take Brennen to his first scary movie in a theater.  He wanted to see the new Poltergeist movie.   Amber got to go with us.  During the movie Brennen and Amber kept making jokes (I am positive it was to relieve the tension - which is the thing I love best about a scary movie!) After the movie , we all played in the arcade at the theater.  And I am so very proud to announce that I am STILL the reigning CHAMPION of AIR HOCKEY!    

On May 26th I got to go to Albuquerque again. This time I went to train at the Regional Conference for THERAP.  That was pretty awesome. I got to teach about 4 classes a day for 3 days. We hung out and watched more basket ball (which eventually will get it's own post). I got to go with some of my favorite people from work so you know we had a great time!  

Are you tired of reading yet?  Well, this next blurb brings us to the 29th, so we are almost through.  Hang in just a tad longer.  

After returning from Albuquerque, we celebrated Gladys's Birthday.  Amber made Mama a homemade cake.  It was so yummy.  Here she is serving it to all of these hungry kiddos.  There was a house full.  Even her sister's came to celebrate with her.  

                                                 

This was one of my favorite pictures from the day.  Nakomus's brother Zyler was messing with her.  See the lizard on her head?  That expression just cracks me up!

                                               

So, in conclusion I was not lying when I said, May is one of my busiest months.  It was plum crazy!

                                                              

So, I leave you with one of my selfies from the end of May.