Thanks Grandma

Christmas 09

To get ready for Christmas we, with our neighbors,went to a National Forest and cut down our own tree. The tree, Charlie, unfortunately, though tall, was too weak to support lights. Mike chopped it in half and set up in the landing upstairs for the girls. The presents that they were able to open Christmas Eve were under that tree. Also the elves brought their new Christmas PJ's and left them under the tree. We loved having two trees so much we have declared it a new Holiday tradition.

We were also able to go to the library and meet the REAL Santa Claus. Not just a helper Santa. The girls adored him (and Mommy thought he was pretty special, as well).

The girls favorite Christmas tradition (along with the daily advent activities) is the wrapped Christmas books under the tree. For the month of December there are 25 wrapped Christmas books under the tree. Each night the girls take turns picking one to be read. There is such an excitement with the mystery of the book. I love the stories we pick. In the middle of a crazy Christmas holiday it truly brings the real Christmas spirit in our home.

On Christmas Eve we had 40 friends over. The children acted out the Nativity again. I love Christmas. The Christmas Eve nativity is truly my favorite tradition. I am so grateful that our girls are still at the perfect age where the play is the highlight of Christmas Eve. I love that our little ones understand that Christmas is truly about more than a man in a red suit but a baby in a manger and the man He would become.

school performances

R's kindergarten class had the cutest school performance of the first Thanksgiving. R was a pilgrim woman. Her line was "Mercy me!". After MUCH practice - she delivered it perfectly.

E joined the school drama club with the neighborhood girls. They did a series of three short plays. In "The Christmas Carol" E was the ghost of Christmas future, in "The night before the night before Christmas" she was the mother, and finally she was Holly the Elf, in "Olive the Other Reindeer". She put so much time in memorizing her lines and entrances. She did great. We were so proud of her courage.

Photo Session

My friend, Gina Robinson http://robinsonphoto.blogspot.com/, took photos of our family recently. I loved how they turned out. She was so good with the girls. She even got them to look at her at the same time - and smile. She made it such an easy experience. Here is a sample.

If only life came with a pause button ...

Good Job, Mike!

It is not a huge secret that one of the reasons I fell in love with my husband was for his mind. On our first date he took me to see the re-release of "Star Wars" (at that time he was an MIT student and that was the epitome of romantic. Admittedly, at first, I thought it was odd). In the middle of the movie Luke or Obi or Hans Solo or R2D2 said a word - parsec -and used it incorrectly. Mike turned to me and earnestly said "that is a measurement of space not time". That was the moment I was hooked. I knew that I wanted that man to be the father of my freakishly intelligent children someday.

Well this past week, 5 years after graduating from law school, he passed his third bar exam - the patent bar (he previously took the Massachusetts and Colorado). For the past little bit, he would work all day and then stay at his office and study into the night. But he did it! We are so proud of him.

two witches and a little tinker fairy

Kate is absolutely obsessed with all things Tinkerbell. She even carries their little action figures with her at most times. I think the two big girls make smashing witches. I also thought it was sweet that they wanted to be the same thing. I just love holidays with these little ones.

Holidays are always a neighborhood event. There is never a question as to whether the neighbors will celebrate a holiday together. The only question is, who will host? The neighborhood has a tradition of getting together before Halloween for a huge potluck dinner. They say it is to ensure the kids eat something healthy. But the truth is, I think the adults enjoy it as much. I truly am so grateful for this group of neighbors that have become extended family to us. I cannot imagine Colorado without them. Since we tend to have a pattern of moving every three years (which except for the incredibly sad Boston move, I have always enjoyed) I am sure the realization that we truly have the most kind and supportive (and social) neighbors will factor into our decision when we get antsy again.

Here is the group below. How absolutely fun is this to grow up with? We feel so lucky.

Blizzard of Oct' 09

Everywhere we lived we have always been quoted the Mark Twain saying "If you don't like the weather - wait a minute." He was, of course, referring to New England. But I have to say that in all the places I have lived I have never seen the weather change as dramatically as Denver. From Tuesday night straight through Thursday we got about 2 and a half feet of snow. It was amazing to watch the constant snowfall over two days. (It actually made me homesick for our Nor'easters.) It was absolutely beautiful in Colorado. But, here is what is so unique to Denver, by Saturday the weather was close to 50.

School was canceled for three days. I almost feel guilty in saying this but I love when school is cancelled for snow. The girls and I have such a great time. The girls love playing outside until they are near icicles and are unable to feel their extremities.

The neighborhood kids are one big moving party, from morning to night. They seem move in a herd, spending most the day outside but then floating in and out of each other's homes

I love this group of girls.

Park City over Fall Break

Grandma and Grandpa gave us their time share over Fall break. I love Park City in the fall. The condo and setting could not be more beautiful.

R and Uncle Stephen. I think he was the girls' favorite part of the trip.

Me and SOME of my girls. R was playing photographer.

The beautiful resort that where we stayed. It had everything. We loved it. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa.

Rayn came up for a night. The girls adore her. I sadly realized that the last time Raegan and I took a picture together was over 11 years ago.

Our friends from Colorado, the Smiths, joined us for some of the time we were in Park City. They are such a great family that the girls were thrilled to have their friends with them for a few days. I was thrilled to have their mom with me. Here is the group at the Olympic Museum.

I was able to see a bunch of former YM, both from Colorado and home. Unfortuntately some pictures were lost. But I al going to try hard to find them.

I do have one of Megan and Kara at BYU.

Grandma and E. Unfortunately, we did not get any pictures of Grandpa.

Uncle Stephen and the girls.

K and her best friend. A sweet little missionary at temple square mentioned temple marriage. K told her that she was going to marry this little guy above.

Grandma came up for part of it, too.

Kids Running America

E and R joined their school running club this fall. Over an 8 week period they ran an accumulated 25.2 miles. Kids Running America coordinated with the Denver Marathon for the children to run the last mile of their marathon. It was a great event.

The "Winterthur Warriors"

Neighborhood friends at the capitol.

Best friends.

Friends in the ward.

camping with friends (with 4-wheels)