The kids and I embarked on the perfect challenge this year - Destination Imagination at Coyote Hills.
Somehow, through my never say no nature, I became a team co-manager for Blake's team (2nd and 3rd graders), The Sea Turtles. They were a fun and challenging team to work with, and I enjoyed my time and position. My team ended up winning 8th place in our division, but captured the DaVinci Award for extreme creativity in the elementary division as well.
Jake's team, The Imaginators, were awarded 7th place in our division, but I think they deserved much better than the scores they received. They exhibited teamwork and cooperation from the first practice, and were a great group of kids.
We had an amazing time, and both boys are ready to compete again next winter. And for the record, I can't wait either!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Sunday, July 10, 2011
The loss of a pet
I am not sure what to say as it seems like words cannot explain the sadness and grief that our family is experiencing today. Twelve and a half years ago we brought Maggie home from the Humane Society of Colorado. She was one of three puppies that someone dropped off with them, and I was instantly in love. Growing up, my family had two different rat terriers at different times. Maggie was listed as a rat terrier, but we later found out that she was a jack russell terrier mix. She was white with beautiful silver and black fur spots and a brown patch on her face. We often affectionately called her "personality challenged" throughout her life because she was fiercely protective of us and our kids, and was OK not being friendly to really anyone else, maybe with the exception of my Mom and Grandma. She eventually warmed up to most women and family/friends that were around us frequently. My mom always believed that she was an excellent judge of a person's character, and had no time for those who were around with less than the best intentions.
She moved back to Arizona with us in 2001, but never liked the heat (me either!). She was over excited to come back to Colorado a few years later, and often would just lay under the maple tree in our backyard while the kids played. She was not a bunny chaser, didn't love or hate walks, adored eating chicken of any kind, and loved us with her whole heart. She was an amazing, loving dog until the end. In her last few years, she suffered from arthritis and muscular degeneration that caused her pain in using the stairs. Her quality of life was quickly deteriorating. Her eyesight and hearing were not good. Yesterday was her day to stop the pain forever. Our house is different today. The kids have changed somehow. Our other dogs are looking for something frantically (or someone). We are talking about memories and good times more. We are appreciating the other two more than you know. We are hugging lots and crying some. This day is not the same as any other Sunday. It's our new normal.
I am so thankful that I got to tell her what a great dog she was. I told her that she was loved every day of her life and will never be forgotten. I know that is true. With the act of love, we often forget that the loss can be devastating when it comes. I just pray that each day for me begins a little less sad and a little more grateful for those twelve and a half years. She was our first child (before our children) and her place in our lives can never be duplicated. Rest in happiness and pain-free peace Maggie! May dog heaven be filled with all the treats you love :)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
A new day...
Today, as I am up at 4:00 a.m., I am so thankful that today is a new day. A fresh start. A new beginning.
Our family has had it's share of tribulations this school year which leaves me uncertain of the direction we are moving today. My faith has been shaken, and my spirit has been broken, but today is a new day!
A day filled with people and things that I love. A day filled with promise. A day absent of yesterday's stress and worry. Just a new day.
And it's all ours :)
Our family has had it's share of tribulations this school year which leaves me uncertain of the direction we are moving today. My faith has been shaken, and my spirit has been broken, but today is a new day!
A day filled with people and things that I love. A day filled with promise. A day absent of yesterday's stress and worry. Just a new day.
And it's all ours :)
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Seasonal Post
I absolutely hate that my blogging has become a seasonal thing. This has been a year of so many changes and transitions, and I really wish that I had documented more. Anyway.....
Updates on all of us:
Erik has been working every possible minute on our new backyard and fence. Honestly, I really miss him! Our yard is starting to look pretty great, and it is fairly large, so a much bigger project than we knew we were taking on. I could almost take day to day pictures now and you would see how busy he has been (even weekdays). I love that he can do anything, but I will be so glad for a family vacation too. He is hoping to finish our deck this weekend, so there will hopefully be more days of relaxing out back once we have somewhere to sit :)
Jake is going into third grade this August. It is hard to believe that he is that old! He is an amazing first child. He is my energizer bunny who NEVER gets tired. He is on swim team, a baseball team, and a soccer team. He is a great student with such a zest for learning and a math talent. He can be such a great big brother, and yet still loves to come snuggle and talk with me every day.
Blake is going into first grade this fall. Such a big boy, yet still so little. I am conscious about letting him be little more than I was with Jake. He is playing baseball this summer and swimming. Both boys are very much looking forward to golf camp again with Great Grandpa Bryant. They just love him, and golf. He is an amazing student who now can read anything and loves school. He has so many friends, and all I ever hear is how much other kids love him. We do too!
Kate is our beautiful spitfire. She is now three and a half, but going on thirteen :) She is all girl - loves dress up, dolls, makeup, hair styling, and shopping. Kate is smart and tall, and you never know what she is going to say. I love that she is careful about everything and takes things slowly. Like Mother, like daughter.
I am going back to teaching full time this year. I was moved to third grade, and am praying that this is the right place for me. I absolutely love my school and my co-workers, so I am willing to trust the judgement of my principal. I am really lucky to retain my position this year in an economy that left others not quite as fortunate. Away from work, I am really enjoying decorating our new house. I mean, you all know what a paintaholic I am, and am pretty thrilled that I am in this blank slate. I am sure that Erik sees my projects on the inside as tedious as his work on the outside :) We also are enjoying many afternoons at the pool this summer, and I am running as a hobby. So between all those things, a pretty busy life!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The last 10 years......
One of my very best friends just wrote about all she had to be thankful for over the last 10 years, and I think that is a wonderful way to start a new decade. I have so many blessings, a few stumbles, and of course, I am much wiser than I was at 25 years old.
Erik and I didn't get married in the last decade, but we sure started our life together through the last ten years. We have moved (a lot!), had three bright and amazing kids, have three dogs that we adore, and have relocated to Colorado (again). We started out the decade here, moved back to Arizona in 2001, and then settled here in 2005 - for once and for all hopefully! We have had a rich existence, full of wonderful friends and neighbors. Erik started with GE in 2001, and is still there, so we have a stable job to be thankful for! I started the decade as a Cherry Creek teacher, and was lucky enough to end the decade back in Cherry Creek (there really is no better place to teach!). I am also thankful daily that I was lucky enough to be home full time with my children from 2002 until 2008. Those wonderful, formative years were a treasure to me.
This decade brought Jake, Blake, and Kate to our lives - there really is no greater gift. Even though I am pushed to my limits some days, I would never trade my life for anyone else's! Nothing in life can prepare you to be a mother, and I certainly can't describe how it has changed me. My empathy for others, my level of compassion for the plight of others, and the above mentioned wisdom would be a start to what I am truly thankful for. When I really step back and think about who in my life is most important and influential, it all comes back to a level of love for my children. All of my close friends and family members are the ones who care for and are guiding my children in a way that I would and hopefully do. All of our big decisions are first seen through the lens of how it will ultimately affect our kids. Being a parent is such a blessing, and I am so thankful that this decade (and many more) will be spent watching them grow! On the other end of the spectrum, I am truly thankful that Erik and I both have grandparents still living and loving us and the kids. We are fortunate that our parents are all still alive and healthy, and that our siblings have all been in fairly good health and are still around to give us a hard time once in a while. :)
I left my twenties during this decade. I have never been one to mourn an age. I saw my thirties as years of potential. I was pregnant with Blake on my 30th birthday, and couldn't have been more excited to be right where I was. As I look back, I love my 30s! I can see where the lessons of my twenties are guiding decisions and paths that I am taking, but my thirties are a decade of coming into my own. I have enough life experience to be taken seriously now. I have enough years to know about how to leave the toxic behind and continue with the positive. But most of all, I have the education and experience to really become all I can be. I am a much better teacher, parent, friend, wife, etc... with this combination. I don't have to accept drama, except from an appropriate place, like my three year old. I don't any longer have to conform to other's expectations, but have a firm grasp on my own. I can right the wrongs of my teenage years and twenties, and be proud of just who I am and who I have turned out to be. I can be a good example for my children, and a present Mom.
Oddly enough, ten years ago, we were just about to move in to our first new Richmond house on January 20, 2000. It is less than a mile from here, and our new house today is a Richmond too. We moved into our new house on 1/1/2010. It is just where we want to be. It is beautiful, and not too much or too little :) We learned in the last decade that our kids going to a great school is paramount for us. We are there. We spent a lot of time looking for the best option, and thought we had it, but know now for sure what we were missing. Almost as if the puzzle found it's missing piece. Everybody is so much happier, and the kids are settled finally. Like I said, it is just where we want to be. Only took us eleven years to find!
The last decade has taught us about quality. We are choosing to surround ourselves with quality people, people who make our existence better and brighter. We are focusing on the quality of life this year. More ski trips, more family time, more vacations, more walks after dinner, more celebrations, more reading together, more singing and dancing, more joys, more of us! Less shopping, computer, worries, drama, time in the car, frustrations, negativity, emptiness, material possessions, perfection, the list could go on and on....
If you read this, thanks for the role you have played in my life to this point. As a mom, teacher, friend, wife, child, I have only just begun! I absolutely can't wait for the next decade bringing proms, high school, driving, and my forties.
Erik and I didn't get married in the last decade, but we sure started our life together through the last ten years. We have moved (a lot!), had three bright and amazing kids, have three dogs that we adore, and have relocated to Colorado (again). We started out the decade here, moved back to Arizona in 2001, and then settled here in 2005 - for once and for all hopefully! We have had a rich existence, full of wonderful friends and neighbors. Erik started with GE in 2001, and is still there, so we have a stable job to be thankful for! I started the decade as a Cherry Creek teacher, and was lucky enough to end the decade back in Cherry Creek (there really is no better place to teach!). I am also thankful daily that I was lucky enough to be home full time with my children from 2002 until 2008. Those wonderful, formative years were a treasure to me.
This decade brought Jake, Blake, and Kate to our lives - there really is no greater gift. Even though I am pushed to my limits some days, I would never trade my life for anyone else's! Nothing in life can prepare you to be a mother, and I certainly can't describe how it has changed me. My empathy for others, my level of compassion for the plight of others, and the above mentioned wisdom would be a start to what I am truly thankful for. When I really step back and think about who in my life is most important and influential, it all comes back to a level of love for my children. All of my close friends and family members are the ones who care for and are guiding my children in a way that I would and hopefully do. All of our big decisions are first seen through the lens of how it will ultimately affect our kids. Being a parent is such a blessing, and I am so thankful that this decade (and many more) will be spent watching them grow! On the other end of the spectrum, I am truly thankful that Erik and I both have grandparents still living and loving us and the kids. We are fortunate that our parents are all still alive and healthy, and that our siblings have all been in fairly good health and are still around to give us a hard time once in a while. :)
I left my twenties during this decade. I have never been one to mourn an age. I saw my thirties as years of potential. I was pregnant with Blake on my 30th birthday, and couldn't have been more excited to be right where I was. As I look back, I love my 30s! I can see where the lessons of my twenties are guiding decisions and paths that I am taking, but my thirties are a decade of coming into my own. I have enough life experience to be taken seriously now. I have enough years to know about how to leave the toxic behind and continue with the positive. But most of all, I have the education and experience to really become all I can be. I am a much better teacher, parent, friend, wife, etc... with this combination. I don't have to accept drama, except from an appropriate place, like my three year old. I don't any longer have to conform to other's expectations, but have a firm grasp on my own. I can right the wrongs of my teenage years and twenties, and be proud of just who I am and who I have turned out to be. I can be a good example for my children, and a present Mom.
Oddly enough, ten years ago, we were just about to move in to our first new Richmond house on January 20, 2000. It is less than a mile from here, and our new house today is a Richmond too. We moved into our new house on 1/1/2010. It is just where we want to be. It is beautiful, and not too much or too little :) We learned in the last decade that our kids going to a great school is paramount for us. We are there. We spent a lot of time looking for the best option, and thought we had it, but know now for sure what we were missing. Almost as if the puzzle found it's missing piece. Everybody is so much happier, and the kids are settled finally. Like I said, it is just where we want to be. Only took us eleven years to find!
The last decade has taught us about quality. We are choosing to surround ourselves with quality people, people who make our existence better and brighter. We are focusing on the quality of life this year. More ski trips, more family time, more vacations, more walks after dinner, more celebrations, more reading together, more singing and dancing, more joys, more of us! Less shopping, computer, worries, drama, time in the car, frustrations, negativity, emptiness, material possessions, perfection, the list could go on and on....
If you read this, thanks for the role you have played in my life to this point. As a mom, teacher, friend, wife, child, I have only just begun! I absolutely can't wait for the next decade bringing proms, high school, driving, and my forties.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Autumn update
SO, since our last post, we have sold the house in Highlands Ranch!! After 7 long months, someone finally loved it and especially loved Kate's room, so we sold it. What a relief :) It was a quick move (after all that time) and we landed here in a new apartment in beautiful southeast Aurora for 2 months. It has 3 bedrooms, so it could be worse, but still we are amping up our house search.
The kids are loving school, and we are loving it even more. Both boys have fabulous teachers who are smart and challenging for them. They are both having a great year, and we couldn't be more delighted in our choice this year. Kate is adjusting to her new school and I think she likes it overall. Her teacher is great too, and I really miss her in the mornings.
My school year has been fabulous and overwhelming at the same time. It is amazing how many things have changed in 7 years, yet, I have a wonderful team that guides me along and are super helpful and kind to the newbie. It is almost as if my 7 years teaching before Jake were lost in my skill set - kind of sad. So, as much as things have changed, my love for my profession (the kids) and being the best teacher I can be has not changed at all. I really can't wait to see how all of my students change and grow this year right before my eyes.
The boys are both playing soccer this year again, and Jake is really coming into himself as a player. The skills that he has been missing (while he has always had the speed and aggressive tendicies) are seeming to make more sense this year, and he is really a superstar. He is the leading scorer on the team, and is a good passer and teammate too. I LOVE watching him play, especially when he gets so excited about his successes. Blake is on his first real year of soccer (not Cubbies). I don't think he really enjoys it yet, other than the social aspect, and the snacks and treats. I've always thought that he was more of a baseball boy anyway! Kate is beginning gymnastics and dance soon. Can't wait to get into the realm of recitals and meets too. I wonder if any of them are going to love tennis?
I can't believe that this is the year we have been waiting so long for - all 3 kids can ski! At Copper, kids have to be 3 to start lessons, so since Kate is there in 2 weeks, it is her turn. I can't believe my baby is old enough to ski :) It will be a great day in the Smith house when we all can go up to the mountains together and enjoy the winter!
Speaking of that, Kate turns 3 on the 10th. Where has the time gone? She is the fanciest, cutest, smartest, most verbal two year old I know. She adores her brothers, but also tells them when it is time for them to behave. She is concerned about and aware of her shoe choice and whether she matches or not (now that is Mommy's girl!). But other than that, she is a clone of her Dad and Aunt Steph.
Enough for now....
The kids are loving school, and we are loving it even more. Both boys have fabulous teachers who are smart and challenging for them. They are both having a great year, and we couldn't be more delighted in our choice this year. Kate is adjusting to her new school and I think she likes it overall. Her teacher is great too, and I really miss her in the mornings.
My school year has been fabulous and overwhelming at the same time. It is amazing how many things have changed in 7 years, yet, I have a wonderful team that guides me along and are super helpful and kind to the newbie. It is almost as if my 7 years teaching before Jake were lost in my skill set - kind of sad. So, as much as things have changed, my love for my profession (the kids) and being the best teacher I can be has not changed at all. I really can't wait to see how all of my students change and grow this year right before my eyes.
The boys are both playing soccer this year again, and Jake is really coming into himself as a player. The skills that he has been missing (while he has always had the speed and aggressive tendicies) are seeming to make more sense this year, and he is really a superstar. He is the leading scorer on the team, and is a good passer and teammate too. I LOVE watching him play, especially when he gets so excited about his successes. Blake is on his first real year of soccer (not Cubbies). I don't think he really enjoys it yet, other than the social aspect, and the snacks and treats. I've always thought that he was more of a baseball boy anyway! Kate is beginning gymnastics and dance soon. Can't wait to get into the realm of recitals and meets too. I wonder if any of them are going to love tennis?
I can't believe that this is the year we have been waiting so long for - all 3 kids can ski! At Copper, kids have to be 3 to start lessons, so since Kate is there in 2 weeks, it is her turn. I can't believe my baby is old enough to ski :) It will be a great day in the Smith house when we all can go up to the mountains together and enjoy the winter!
Speaking of that, Kate turns 3 on the 10th. Where has the time gone? She is the fanciest, cutest, smartest, most verbal two year old I know. She adores her brothers, but also tells them when it is time for them to behave. She is concerned about and aware of her shoe choice and whether she matches or not (now that is Mommy's girl!). But other than that, she is a clone of her Dad and Aunt Steph.
Enough for now....
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Summer fun
Just to catch you all up......
Summer has almost come to an end, and it has been busy and good. The boys started school 3 weeks ago at Coyote Hills, and we couldn't be more thrilled. Before that, we went to Arizona and the boys played in a week of golf camp and a tournament, while Kate and I enjoyed a relaxing week at the cabin. Jake won his division trophy, and Blake won the boys sportsmanship trophy. They all took swimming lessons, and we enjoyed VBS. All three kids helped me get my classroom ready for the start of school, and then we all realized that the lazy days of summer were gone for another year! Here are the last of the pictures to document our summer:
Summer has almost come to an end, and it has been busy and good. The boys started school 3 weeks ago at Coyote Hills, and we couldn't be more thrilled. Before that, we went to Arizona and the boys played in a week of golf camp and a tournament, while Kate and I enjoyed a relaxing week at the cabin. Jake won his division trophy, and Blake won the boys sportsmanship trophy. They all took swimming lessons, and we enjoyed VBS. All three kids helped me get my classroom ready for the start of school, and then we all realized that the lazy days of summer were gone for another year! Here are the last of the pictures to document our summer:
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Cherry Creek Arts Festival 2009
We so enjoy going to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in the summer. Usually it is pretty hot, but this year, not so much. The kids love the kids area, and creating their own projects, and we love looking at all the different kinds of art, and people that you see at the festival. One of the highlights of our summer...
The family
The finished spin art projects
Jake hard at work
Blake hard at work
The family
The finished spin art projects
Jake hard at work
Blake hard at work
Kate's swimming lessons 2009
Monkey walking
Wow-off the diving board with apparently no fear!
swimming with miss Hillary
I love that all three have taken swim lessons here with the wonderful instructors, in the pools that daddy swam so many hours, and so many competitions! We love Willow Creek :)
Wow-off the diving board with apparently no fear!
swimming with miss Hillary
I love that all three have taken swim lessons here with the wonderful instructors, in the pools that daddy swam so many hours, and so many competitions! We love Willow Creek :)
Blake - swimming lessons 2009
Backfloating against his will :)
Blake's favorite kick board across the lanes
Jumping off the diving board. "You better catch me!!" (can you hear the fear in his voice??)
Doing his bobs
We LOVE Willow Creek swim lessons!
Blake's favorite kick board across the lanes
Jumping off the diving board. "You better catch me!!" (can you hear the fear in his voice??)
Doing his bobs
We LOVE Willow Creek swim lessons!
Jake - swim lessons 2009
treading water
learning to dive properly
swimming laps.....
...with the help of the kickboard after a few!
learning to dive properly
swimming laps.....
...with the help of the kickboard after a few!
Fourth of July 2009
Watching the wonderful (short) Highlands Ranch parade :)
Kate - sorry I don't know how to turn my pictures!!
the boys
Kate - sorry I don't know how to turn my pictures!!
the boys
Family Reunion 2009
The younger generation all lined up - look for Kate "the baby" between the bars :)
Mmmm....costco cake
Kate and "the nice lady" Andrea playing ball
The next generation cousins on the stairs (blake and Kate at the bottom)
Everyone had a fun few days playing golf (between rain storms), hiking, rafting, dinners, fireworks, and much more.
Mmmm....costco cake
Kate and "the nice lady" Andrea playing ball
The next generation cousins on the stairs (blake and Kate at the bottom)
Everyone had a fun few days playing golf (between rain storms), hiking, rafting, dinners, fireworks, and much more.
Summer Catch Up :)
It's been a long time since a real post, and I have so much to catch up on....
Jake has lost a few teeth!
The boys enjoyed a week of "Camp E.D.G.E.(Experience and Discover God Everywhere) Vacation Bible School.
I got the three to smile at the same time :)
Jake has lost a few teeth!
The boys enjoyed a week of "Camp E.D.G.E.(Experience and Discover God Everywhere) Vacation Bible School.
I got the three to smile at the same time :)
Monday, June 08, 2009
June news
So, in this age of facebook and having everything instantly, I have become a very tardy blogger. The kids are growing much faster than I like them to, the dogs drive us crazy (good thing we adore them), and our house still isn't sold :( I hate that nobody has loved our house yet, but also anticipate that we have a lot of work once it sells. No, I don't know where we are going yet, but that is part of the fun of moving.
Jake is officially a second grader. He is into everything boyish and is an avid reader as well.
Blake is officially a kindergarten boy (his favorite phrase!). Blake was made for summer, as he loves lazy days, and nothing much on the schedule. He pretty much loves anything his brother does, and would spend a whole day playing on the Wii, if I permitted that.
Kate is 2 1/2. She is in to anything "fancy", yet also loves to play with her brothers and her dogs. She has the curliest of the curly hair in our family, is somewhat tall, and has a sweet tooth :)
Amidst all of the upheaval in our lives right now, I can honestly say how thankful we are right where we are. The fall will bring new schools, new jobs, a lot of new...., but for now we can just enjoy the summer days in anticipation of what is coming.
I will be adding pictures soon.... or just check facebook :)
Lisa
Jake is officially a second grader. He is into everything boyish and is an avid reader as well.
Blake is officially a kindergarten boy (his favorite phrase!). Blake was made for summer, as he loves lazy days, and nothing much on the schedule. He pretty much loves anything his brother does, and would spend a whole day playing on the Wii, if I permitted that.
Kate is 2 1/2. She is in to anything "fancy", yet also loves to play with her brothers and her dogs. She has the curliest of the curly hair in our family, is somewhat tall, and has a sweet tooth :)
Amidst all of the upheaval in our lives right now, I can honestly say how thankful we are right where we are. The fall will bring new schools, new jobs, a lot of new...., but for now we can just enjoy the summer days in anticipation of what is coming.
I will be adding pictures soon.... or just check facebook :)
Lisa
Saturday, February 21, 2009
A few cool things...
So this week:
1. Our house went on the market! Some good feelings, some bad this time, but all in all a positive change. We don't exactly know where we are going yet, but somewhere good (is what I keep telling myself!)
2. President Obama spoke at MY High School on Wednesday. What a thrill! It was fun to see the building all decked out (on TV of course), and for people to appreciate that it is a great place, despite not being the newest school in the Phoenix area.
3. We celebrated Blake's 1/2 birthday! Poor Blake has a summer birthday, and therefore has never taken treats to school to share with friends. That all stopped this week. We took doughnuts (his choice), and all the 4 year olds sang Happy Birthday as if it were the real day. He couldn't be more thrilled!
4. I was lucky enough to get an hours reduction at work. Most people were very sad at this turn of events, but I am more excited. Every hour less that I am working is one more that I get to spend with my kids and Erik, so a good change!
5. The boys got registered for Zoo camp again this summer. Really, one of the big highlights of our summer usually, other than our travels with Grandma!
6. I had time to blog about our week!
All in all a great week :)
1. Our house went on the market! Some good feelings, some bad this time, but all in all a positive change. We don't exactly know where we are going yet, but somewhere good (is what I keep telling myself!)
2. President Obama spoke at MY High School on Wednesday. What a thrill! It was fun to see the building all decked out (on TV of course), and for people to appreciate that it is a great place, despite not being the newest school in the Phoenix area.
3. We celebrated Blake's 1/2 birthday! Poor Blake has a summer birthday, and therefore has never taken treats to school to share with friends. That all stopped this week. We took doughnuts (his choice), and all the 4 year olds sang Happy Birthday as if it were the real day. He couldn't be more thrilled!
4. I was lucky enough to get an hours reduction at work. Most people were very sad at this turn of events, but I am more excited. Every hour less that I am working is one more that I get to spend with my kids and Erik, so a good change!
5. The boys got registered for Zoo camp again this summer. Really, one of the big highlights of our summer usually, other than our travels with Grandma!
6. I had time to blog about our week!
All in all a great week :)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving / Birthday!
Hope you all out there had a great Thanksgiving. We certainly did. We were lucky enough to get to celebrate Jake's birthday yesterday also, and we are having the party today for 7 of the coolest boys we know :) I will have to post pictures of the party later, but for now, Thaksgiving and our fun birthday day...
Us on Thanksgiving
Great birthday gift!
Arriving at the Denver Aquarium - Jake in the diver suit
Two best buds at the aquarium
Blake petting the stingrays - Kate trying to reach :)
Uncle Tony and Jake playing basketball at Chuck E Cheese
Kate enjoying the helicopter ride
Tony and the boys. Yep, 500 tickets buys you a matchbox car to share - Thanks to Uncle Tony's basketball skills! Uncle Tony, Aunt Casie, and Grandpa make Chuck E Cheese that much more fun. Thanks for coming!
Us on Thanksgiving
Great birthday gift!
Arriving at the Denver Aquarium - Jake in the diver suit
Two best buds at the aquarium
Blake petting the stingrays - Kate trying to reach :)
Uncle Tony and Jake playing basketball at Chuck E Cheese
Kate enjoying the helicopter ride
Tony and the boys. Yep, 500 tickets buys you a matchbox car to share - Thanks to Uncle Tony's basketball skills! Uncle Tony, Aunt Casie, and Grandpa make Chuck E Cheese that much more fun. Thanks for coming!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
End of soccer!!
So the end of another year of soccer has come. It was such a fun season! They are in U8, so they now have a full field game,goalies, and officials! Jake is really doing great, and the half that he played goalie, no goals were scored on his side :)He is a much better forward(with his endless energy), and scored a few times this season. This season, since they all have so many soccer trophies, the coaches got them all "strikers" sweatshirts. I don't think I have washed it yet because he can't stop wearing it!Really cool!
After the last game, pizza, and sweatshirts, how else could the season end but with a pick up game of street football with coach Rick?
I also realized that we hadn't put up any pictures of Cooper yet. He is our newest family member. We rescued him in August, and he has become Bailey's best friend:) He is a cool dog, and we have so much fun playing catch with him. He and Bailey wear each other out every day, and that is a big bonus for us! So, now with 3 dogs and 3 kids, I will say we are officially full :)
After the last game, pizza, and sweatshirts, how else could the season end but with a pick up game of street football with coach Rick?
I also realized that we hadn't put up any pictures of Cooper yet. He is our newest family member. We rescued him in August, and he has become Bailey's best friend:) He is a cool dog, and we have so much fun playing catch with him. He and Bailey wear each other out every day, and that is a big bonus for us! So, now with 3 dogs and 3 kids, I will say we are officially full :)
Happy Halloween
We had a great time trick or treating last night. I can't believe that Kate is big enough to walk the whole time and carry her treat sack. This year Jake was Luke Skywalker (he really looked like a young Mark Hamill!), Blake was Lightning McQueen, and Kate was a purple butterfly.
Lightning McQueen and the butterfly
Luke Skywalker
Just to show this cool house in the neighborhood!And the fact that Kate walked and carried her pumpkin :)
Blake at his Preschool Parade
Lightning McQueen and the butterfly
Luke Skywalker
Just to show this cool house in the neighborhood!And the fact that Kate walked and carried her pumpkin :)
Blake at his Preschool Parade
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