Sunday, November 18, 2007

Starlighting Tradition

Last night we went to our annual starlighting event. It is the coolest thing ever. Earlier in the day Todd joined the Castle Rock band at the library bandstand for an hour long concert. Then we took a town trolley over to the festivities. There are lots of booths sponsored by many churches including our own. They pass our free cookies, hot cider and provide carolling. One church even has a live nativity with real animals. As it gets darker the crowds gather to the city and county building and there is a short presentation before Santa comes and lights up the star on top of the Castle Rock. Then there are fireworks!! It is such fun! This year Brandon brought a friend and we met up with some other friends of our too. The weather was perfect the whole evening - just jacket weather. We have been there other years when it was frigid.

Speaking of traditions Todd and I went on Thursday night to a High School play of Fiddler on the Roof. One of the young men from our ward played Tevye (sp). It was awesome! Brandon also enjoys watching the kids for some extra cash.

STARLIGHTING!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Walk Like an Egyptian











Christen had her Egypt day at school on Friday. The first graders have had a fun unit on Egypt and thy put on a program for the parents and decorate the classroom like musuems. It was very cute. She enjoed bringing in a few items that I had from my study abroad in college and shared pictures of me and then on a different trip grandma c also at the pyramids and on a camel.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Brandon's last Blazer days










A few days ago Brandon received his Second Class and First Class Boy Scout awards. He is right on track to get his Eagle early - we will se if we can keep it up. His leaders have been so incredible this past year!!





You will also notice my new specs. I am getting old! They do help though for distances and Brandon is pleased that he is not the only one in the house with glasses. I can now understand some of his pain and complaints but it is not too bad. The lady at the glasses place said that these that I picked out look grandma - ish!! She tried to get me to get some others that to me looked much more grandma -ish -- so anyhow I like these!!

A simple memory

I was just thinking of a cute thing that my kids do when we are snuggling. Especially Trevor and Christen like to hold on to my leg or foot if we are laying opposite on the couch or bed. It is a silly little thing but cute. Christen had the stomach flu on Tuesday (see last post) and she wanted to hug my leg - which was great because I wasnt too close to her!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Penguin What???

Last week on Tuesday I was at the cannery canning jam. I have enjoyed doing things like that while the kids are at school now. The best thing about going to the cannery is bringing home free stuff! It doesnt always happen but it sometimes does. So, as we were all leaving the head guy said that there was a bunch of ice cream and frozen treats to take. I was in heaven! Especially when I saw an incredible chocholate mousse cake (which is best when kept frozen and snuck into when no one is watching - especially during stressful moments during the day). Anyhow, one of the other things they had was a big tub of icecream from Baskin Robbins called Penguin Swirl. I thought that sounded different - but fun for the kids. I loaded it up with my chocolate mousse cake and some other wonderful known Dryers flavors and went on home.

A few days later on Saturday Trevor's group of cub scouts had an activity and I invited the leaders to bring the boys over to our house for ice cream since there was plenty for the taking. I wasnt about to share my chocolate mousse cake but I figured that I might be able to let go of some penguin swirl. All was good and I got the cones, scooper and ice cream out and then opened several tubs of icecream - one being the penguin swirl. I wondered to myself -- is it because of all of the pengiun movies that have been out lately - Surf's Up, Happy Feet etc etc that someone would come up with such a title? I opened the lids and I should not have been surprized but before me was pitch BLACK ice cream! Never in my life had I seen such a thing. I imagined millions of gallons of this stuff rejected by Baskin Robbins and sent to thousands of canneries all over the country. As I scooped deeper I saw scant traces of a frosting like white concoction swirled around what turned out to be a black licorice sea. The boys were thrilled at the thought of diving into such a mixture! I carefully told then to lean over the table as to not get the stuff on their uniforms. My hands were stained with black as I started scooping and the two den moms wisely chose peppermint for themselves laughing with me all the while. Before we knew it the cones were devoured and I was a hero. The boys left happily satisfied by the new flavor.

That night we has waffles for dinner -a family favorite. I was proud of the fact that I had added some of my ground wheat flour to the mix to make a hearty, healthy meal for my family (ok- dont laugh). We started to dig in and I noticed that Trevor was trying to sneak some of his waffle over to a famished looking Brandon. I said, "Trevor what are you doing? You need to eat your own food!! Why...???" He looked at me blankly and promptly expelled black sludge from his mouth onto his plate and said, "Thats why!"!!!! He ran to the bathroom with us helping --- and I was amazed that we thought that we'd seen it all before this experience.

In true Trevor form he said later that he had thown up earlier in the trash can but hadnt mentioned it to us yet. The next day as I was preparing another meal I found the remnants and promptly explained to my 9 1/2 year old the importance of letting us know when those types of things happen so we can take care of it in a quick and orderly fashion. He was assigned to spray and lysol the trash can and stay home that day to re coop. The only thing else to say is that when foods like that go in they must come out one way or the other and for poor Trevor it was both for awhile. so my advice to you is that if you ever see Penguin Swirl -- RUN Away!! -- and go for the Cabin Fever Chocolate Frozen Mousse!!!

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Happy Halloween!!




Here are a few pictures of the kids celebrating Halloween. We went to Elitches one day and then did the traditional trick or treating. We also had a Cub Scout pack meeting Halloween party which was fun.

Happy 80th Birthday Mom!







Last weekend Todd and I met up with my siblings to celebrate our Mother's 80th birthday!! We actually left our kids home with friends (who we greatly appreciate!) Todd and I have only been away on a plane one other time and it was great to be together. We mainly just visited and caught up. We enjoyed staying with my brother Ralph's in their beautiful home. We went on a tour of Welfare square and the Humanitarian center for the church. That was incredible to see all that is accomplished there! We ate VERY well - Thanks Teresa - and played a rowdy fun game of bunko with a Halloween twist as well as honored mom with cake, icecream, memories, and a wonderful dvd slide presentation on moms life. How blessed I am to be part of such a great family!!

Cave of the Winds


I recently went with Christen on her first grade field trip to the Cave of the Winds. It has really cool Limestone formations and stalagtites and stalagmites. The class was very excited to ride the bus because they usually dont get that chance. It was a very fun trip.

Perfect Day at the Zoo











While the kids were on fall break we took a day to use our zoo pass and went to the Denver Zoo with some great friends of ours. It was the perfect fall day!! Long sleeve weather, not too hot not windy - suuny and beautiful --just right!!It was a great day to be alive and enjoy the outdoors. I love those days when it is just fun to be with family and friends and enjoy nature without any weather worries!!

Our Music


The Great Sand Dunes

The Great Sand Dunes
Here we are at the visitors center. Todd and Christen actually climbed pretty far up the dunes. We had fun playing in Medano Creek after we climbed.

Dancing Christen

Dancing Christen
Christen just had a recital with her group and did a great job!

temple fountain

temple fountain
One more of the temple visit. Every kid loves the fountain!

Mt Rushmore

Mt Rushmore

Families are Forever

Families are Forever
for Brooke and Family