Previously Unpublished

The boys dressed for Christmas Eve Services.

Our Christmas Card Photo

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.

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.

Graitude #36

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

Santa Baby

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.

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.

Gratitude #35

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

Gratitude #34

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

Little Drummer Boy

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

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!

Gratitude #33

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

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.

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.

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!

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 .  

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.

Gratitude #29

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

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.

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.

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

Six Months

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

Halloween

 This Halloween we have Spiderman

 eating cherry pie

 and a skunk

rolling around on the floor.

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.

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.

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.  

Gratitude #22

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.