Winter Break

We have had a very quiet break so far. No big storms. No snow at all in fact. Yet. Maybe tonight they say. Lots of cancelled plans due to the flu. We haven't gotten it. Yet. I really hope we don't ~ had enough of that last year!

We managed to play at Chuck E. Cheese with Grandpa Mike and Uncle Seth. We also had some nice quiet days with Grandma Tina at her house.

While in Iowa we snuck in a quick visit with Auntie Shari & Grandma Mary!

So, we haven't been terribly busy, but as I watch the kids swimming & laughing together in the hot tub I feel like that's just fine.

Extremely Random And Oh So Funny

I'm referring to Ayla's letter to Santa. I found it in her backpack and totally cracked up. Click the photo to make it bigger & you should be able to read it all. Enjoy!

Another Girls Weekend

Here is a photo of my drool worthy breakfast from Snooze. What you see are seasoned hash browns, honey smoked salmon on bacon-jalapeno spoonbread, topped with a poached egg, cream cheese hollandaise and chives. Mmmmmm, my stomach is growling just thinking of it. Not shown, but also consumed are the best pancakes I've ever eaten. I can't describe them. Look at the website & if you're ever in Colorado look for Snooze!

We were lucky enough to have a couple of other ladies join us for part of the time, but up above is the core group of 37's. We didn't even realize it until we got together, but we were all born in 1974. If we get together between 3 certain months we are all the same age at the same time!

I didn't take many photos, because we walked everywhere & my camera is large & bulky. The other photos I have I won't share. They are of us lounging in bed & relaxing in the rooftop hot tub. Our time was spent walking, window shopping, eating really good food, taking a night-time sleigh ride, half a day at the spa, talking, drinking coffee & did i mention the FOOD? It was awesome. All of it. Looking forward to 40!!

Thankful Times Three

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward

I love this photo.

I love these three.

And I am so thankful that I'm their mother.

Here Comes The Snow

Our first light dusting of snow. Yee haw!

Here's some proof that my son is a 4th grader. He's too cool to dress warm.

Kaia on the other hand couldn't wait to put her snow pants on. I caught her stripped down to her underwear putting on her outerwear!

Little Helpers

I love this photo. Two of our three brown eyed helpers.

The other brown eyed girl was banished to her bedroom. For what you might ask? Being sassy, what else? 7 1/2 is the sassy age. 9 1/2 is the distracted age. 3 is the adorable, annoying, hilarious, naughty & sweet age.

We are trying to teach them to help. We're starting to make progress. I've noticed they immediately clear the table after supper now. They all like to help outside. Stacking wood is fun somehow. We're still working on the morning routine, but making progress. It's all good.

This And That In October

Why oh why must we stand here and smile? We need to get candy!!

OK, fine. Here's a smile. Kind of. Can we go now?

While the kids carved pumpkins I decided to bake some of my pie pumpkins. I cut this one open and found a ready made jack-o-lantern!

On one of my babysitting days the baby woke up while I was making supper and started fussing. When I had time I went to relieve Micah and found him doing his homework AND holding the baby. Maybe we should have had a 4th child!

Baby Mania

Poor Mama Mel

Six girls lined up and ready to hold her baby. Mel will be glad when Ina's baby is born as it will take a bit of attention off of her. Kaia is already saying, "Pretty soon I will hold the baby in Ina's belly." Pretty soon as in about 4 months! Assuming the new parents will even be comfortable with Kaia holding their precious bundle!

Mama's Little Helper

We get so much work done around here.

Don't you wish you had one of these to "help" you pack! Daddy just can't understand why the house looks so bad when we stay home all day working! Any ideas to help me enlighten him? Feel free to share.

Mismatch And Crazy Hair Day

She outdid herself again this year!

I had fun making her hair crazy. It's hard to convey just how crazy it was with a photo. She was actually a little nervous about getting on the bus this year. Her brother? Two different colored socks just isn't photo worthy!

Soccer 2011

I think this was Ayla's favorite part of soccer, sitting on the sidelines. I'm not entirely sure she'll want to do it again next year.

Kaia with the best seat, on grandpa's shoulders.

Next year will be his last year with community ed. soccer. After that is the travelling team which means more practices and travelling. It really bugs me how early kids are hyper-focusing on a sport these days. Parents complain about how busy they are, but they seem to forget that they do have a choice in the matter. So far we've made the very unpopular decision to keep our kids mostly unscheduled ~ just not sure how long we'll keep that up........Anyway, didn't mean to turn this into a rant, but while we're on topic how do you feel about kids and sports?

Special Visitors

Your visitors are indeed special when you are sad to see them leave after a week and a half in your home!

Pat, pat, pat. Don't ya love the bump?

Todd's new ride.

Our Baby Is Three!

Snapshots of her day of all days. It's so fun the first time a child is aware of and excited about their birthday.

Trying to hold up 3 fingers.

Auntie Julie said she couldn't come & then showed up to all the kids' delight.

Holding "her" baby, with Mama Mel keeping close watch.

Getting help blowing out the candles.

Present time was very exciting for all the girls.

She loved the clothes as much as the toys. Yep, she's a girl all right!

A Fourth Grader, Second Grader And The One Stuck At Home

Micah: 9 1/2, starting 4th grade

Ayla: 7 1/2, starting 2nd grade

A new year begins.

Kaia: almost 3 and not thrilled to be left behind

The Kitty Who Was Loved Too Much

You are looking at a match made in heaven.

This kitty is quite needy. Kaia is quite fierce in her need to show love. The other kitty? Not quite so needy. If ever Kaia confuses the two (they are both gray) she soon has scratches to show for her mistake.

Final Sumer Post

We made it to the zoo!

Micah started reading cookbooks to pass the time. Now I rarely need to make dessert or pancakes. Here he is before his Saturday morning soccer game preparing breakfast for the whole family!

Next up on this blog;

Some photos and posts from my new camera and new photo program posted on my new computer!! It's a gorgeous day, but I am sitting inside determined to make some progress on learning how to use my new stuff. I just might be able to make this blog interesting again.

Part Three

Eating watermelon with a bowl for spittin' seeds into close by.

Wearing a swim suit all day.

Grilling most every night. This night my mom manned the grill and I got a massage. Doesn't get much better than that.

The kids lived under or near the willow tree these past few months. One of their favorite past-times was making whips out of the branches & then pretending to sell them!

Summing Up Our Summer Part Two

Free concerts at the Heritage Center.

Laying a beloved pet to rest.

Reading, reading and more reading.

Swimming with Lexie. I'm amazed at how much use we got out of this little pool. I think it's time to start budgeting for a bigger one!