Monday, December 31, 2012

Previously Unpublished

The boys dressed for Christmas Eve Services.

Our Christmas Card Photo

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Christmas 2012

We had Christmas with the kids last Sunday after church. When everyone got there there was a sign on the front door - no entry go through garage. This did not set well with Kaiden. He kept asking me why no entry - why do we have to go through the garage?
When we got into the house there were strings everywhere including across the front door.  Christmas stockings were hidden at the end of each string.  
Everyone had to follow their string, winding it up as they went until they found their stocking.
The best pictures of this process are on Tito's camera as I was helping Kaiden with his string.  But for some reason I cannot download the pics.  The strings went under furniture, under pillows, around and around door knobs, down the stairs and even outside.  Kaiden was thrilled that his went under a rug, down the stairs and around his motorcycle before he found his in the bathtub.
After opening the stockings (which look a lot like bags this year),which Kaiden was more than happy to help with, we had brunch and then opened presents.
Kaiden played Santa and passed out the gifts (the pics are on Tito's camera).  He was also more than glad to help opening the packages.  When he gave me my present from his family he told me "I can't tell you what is in it until after you open it."  

As they were leaving he told me again, "I don't like no entry go through garage".  I told him the string was in the way and we couldn't get in.  He said he could, which he was probably right.  While everyone else was stooping and crawling and stepping over and under strings, he just whizzed right through.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Gratitude #37

I am grateful that there are still people who say Merry Christmas without fear of offending someone.  It is the celebration of the birth of our Savior and we should remember that every chance we can.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Graitude #36

All my sewing is completed, all my baking done, all my packages wrapped. 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Kids say the Darndest Things


This banner is hanging at church for advent.  When Kaiden saw it he asked me why the tree was in the bathtub.  Good question.

Tito has one of those soft squeeze hand exercise balls that is shaped like a brain.  It has been misplaced for a few days.  Yesterday Kaiden found it under the bed and informed me he found Tito's brain.  I wish it was that easy to find mine some days.

Last Sunday our lesson at church was about John the Baptist.  During the children's sermon, our pastor told the kids about him eating locusts and wanted to know if they had eaten anything strange.  Kaiden told me you would have to put chili on them.  To truly appreciate that comment you would have to know Tito puts chili on everything.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Seven Months

Trevin is 7 months old today. He is such an easy going baby and I love all his funny faces...



especially his smile.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Gratitude #35

I am grateful all my cards and packages are in the mail and not still sitting on my desk!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Gratitude #34

I am grateful for all the laughter in my life over the past few days - with co-workers, with friends, with family.  

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Little Drummer Boy

He was having a great time drumming on the cookie tin and singing along!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire

The girls wanted to try chestnuts when we were in Georgetown.  They are trying to decide if they liked them or not.  The verdict was they tasted like dirty sweet potatoes.  Nathan, Tito and I had already decided years ago we thought they tasted like dirty socks smelled.  Lucky Dave didn't have to try them - he's allergic to nuts. Kaiden asked for water as soon as he tasted them.

We like the song though!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Gratitude #33

I am grateful for the fun day our family shared at Georgetown Christmas Festival on Saturday.  We had such a good time.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Gratitude #32

I am grateful for the wonderful women at my church and the fun we had today at our annual Christmas brunch and ornament exchange.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Gratitude #31

I am so grateful for the time spent with these two and the chance to experience a baby sleeping in my arms again.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Sweet Potatoes

 He wasn't too sure of the first few bites of solid food, 
but after he got into it, he decided sweet potatoes aren't that bad!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Baby Trevin

Kaiden insists Trevin's name is Baby Trevin.  He will correct you.  One day Tito asked him if he was going to call him Baby Trevin when he was older like Kaiden is now.  Kaiden said "No, then he will be Little Boy Trevin".  Tito and I wondered if he will then be Big Boy Trevin, Teenager Trevin and so on .  

Friday, November 23, 2012

Gratitude #30

I am grateful that all my Christmas shopping is done and I do not have to deal with the crowds at the stores from now until Christmas.  I do not like to shop in the best of situations and the stores from now until Christmas are far from the best of situations.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Gratitude #29

I am grateful for all the abundance we are enjoying today and the time spent with family on this Thanksgiving.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Snowballs

When we got together to take family pictures there was still snow on the ground.  We made snowballs and told Kaiden if he would pose for one more group of pictures he could throw the snowballs.
Well,  we didn't wait until the pictures were done.  One was caught,
and thrown back, while one missed Nathan, but was caught in the corner of the picture,
one came really close and everyone but Trevin ducked.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Gratitude #28

I am grateful for our friend Gary who took our family pictures and for all the help behind the scenes to get the kid's attention and make them smile.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Gratitude #27

A couple of  weeks ago we got together to have a family picture taken.  I invited the boys' Godparents to come.  I am grateful for these wonderful people who made a commitment to the boys.  I am grateful that Nathan and Stacy made such good decisions.
Janice and John with Kaiden
Jen and Justin with Trevin

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Six Months

Trevin is six months old today.  The time really has flown!

Friday, November 9, 2012

A Walk in the Park

I'm behind in posting pictures.  This is from the end of September when we took Rocco for a walk.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Gratitude #26

Twenty years ago, Tito and I were married.  I am grateful for life we have made together, through better and worse, through sickness and health.  I am grateful that sometimes we are given a second chance and am looking forward to the next 20 years.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Gratitude #25

I am very grateful I live in a country where we have the privilege and duty to vote for our leaders.  I am also very grateful that the ads have stopped!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Lessons

On one of the last warm days we had, Tito and I took Kaiden to the park.  They both got on the swings and Kaiden was showing Tito how to swing high.  He told him you had to pump, that is the only way.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween

 This Halloween we have Spiderman
 eating cherry pie
 and a skunk
rolling around on the floor.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Gratitude # 24

Marilyn, Kathy and I went to high school together and we all turned 60 this year.  We planned our week long birthday celebration all year.  Kathy flew in from Washington state and we drove to Marilyn's home above Fort Collins.  We had a wonderful time for the 2 days we were together before I received news of my brother's death.  We stayed up late playing games, laughing, remembering, talking about our children, our grandchildren, the good times, the bad times.  Spending time with long-time friends is so comfortable, such a blessing and I am so grateful we had 2 days.  
 On the 2nd day we went into Fort Collins and walked around.  On our way back we saw these moose and quite a few deer.
 Mom and baby were running off, so they are pretty blurry.

We saw many deer, but this one was right beside the road and didn't run off when we stopped.

It was sad that I didn't get to stay the week, but am glad I did get to share 2 days with my long-time friends.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Gratitude #23

I am grateful to Tito and Dave for saving my laptop.  It froze up and I was afraid I had lost all the pictures.  Tito got it up and running again, but somehow the update to my anti-virus software caused my num lock to freeze and I could only type numbers no matter what key I hit.  Dave found the fix for that.  Thank you.   I have made a back up copy of my pictures.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Five Months

Trevin is 5 months old today.  He is noticing things around him, grabbing for everything,
rolls over, grabs his feet, is trying to get up on his knees, lifts his head when he is on his back,
sits happily in the swing and keeps his eyes on big brother.  

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Gratitude #22

I am grateful for Janice and Jean and their wonderful hugs when I needed them most.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Gratitude #21

I am grateful for Marilyn and Kathy who were with me when I got the news my brother had died.  Thank you for the comfort, for the distraction and for understanding I needed to go home.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Memories

 My brother, Melvin, and me with my first Christmas tree.
 With his horse, Goldie.
 On our farm in Fort Lupton
 On our way home from picking him up from basic training in San Diego
 A picnic at my house with his grandson on his lap and a great nephew on mine
 All five of us
 Teasing me as always
One of my favorite pictures - walking with my big brother.

My brother, Melvin, who I adored, who teased me until I cried when I was little, who would hold things far above my head and make me beg to get them back, who would let me stand on the floor board of his motor scooter and take me for wonderful rides (until Mom found out), who always had a twinkle in his eye, a smile, a hug passed away on Wednesday.  I will miss you.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Gratitude #20

Last week I picked Kaiden up from Sunday School and brought him home with me for a few hours.  We picked some of the last cucumbers and zucchini from the garden.  He helped me make pickles and bread.  He very carefully helped measure the spices and add them to the bread.  He also watched the measuring cup while I poured the vinegar for the pickles until it got to the amount we needed.  I am very grateful for having such a good helper and for how proud he was to take some pickles and bread home to MaMa and DaDa.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Gratitude #19

There is light at the end of the tunnel.  My budgets at work are very close to being ready to be sent to accounting for audit and then on to owners for approval.  Far from complete, but much closer to not working  10-12 hour days, 7 days a week.  And next week - vacation.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Sunday School

Sunday School started a week ago with their version of summer Olympics
Everyone received a medal and Kaiden chose to wear his over his arm.

He doesn't look it, but he had a great time and when I picked him up he told me all about what he did and about his teachers and of course his friends.