First Avalanche Game!

And D-man got a real puck from the game! Gotta love free tickets from the neighbors to the pre-season with killer seats! Perfect game for kids. 

Tow Mater (my commuting highlight)

I've now been commuting all of three weeks to my new job. And, I have to say, I'm definitely not loving it. Fortunately, this is the worst part about my new job - I love the team, the company, the culture. I'm really looking forward to getting more and more absorbed in my role and contributing.

Most of the 25ish miles I commute is on the interstate or freeway. However, when traffic slows down near the office, I get off the interstate and take the back roads. I'm not sure it is faster, but it is at least satisfying to be actually moving. And near my office, I pass ponds with water fowl, farms, and Tow Mater! This has become a highlight of my nightly conversations with the boys.

I recently read that instead of grilling your kids about their day, start out the conversation with things about your own day. This will then give them examples of sharing daily experiences and open them up to sharing things about their day. So, I've been trying this out and it is actually working really well.  Of course, coming up with topics from my day that would be interesting to a 6 and 3 year old is the challenge. And, hence, this is how Tow Mater has become the highlight of my commute.  We talk all about him - Does he have eyes? Does he have a tow cable? etc. etc. Next I need to see if he has teeth.

My 3yo burst into the house today and and the first thing out of his mouth was, "Does Tow Mater have a cable?" It's nice to know they are just as interested in hearing about my daily experiences (well, sort of) as I am about theirs.  Now the hard part.......coming up with things to talk about that are as exciting as Tow Mater.  At least, I have something to smile about on my commute.

Friday Night Lights

D-man running with the ball!

This fall, D-man decided that he wanted to play flag football. He doesn't ask to do much so when he shows interest in something, we try to make it work. So, our fall Friday nights now kick off with a 5:30 flag football game (followed by Friday night take out of course).

Right now, he isn't loving it. They only had 2 practices (of which he attended 5 minutes total). So, he was quite apprehensive about the first game because he hadn't practiced, he didn't know the rules, or what he was supposed to do. He didn't love it this week either (he got knocked in the head at the end of the game and ended up crying).

I've given him the speech about finishing something you start, being there for your team, etc. Even if he doesn't love it, he will finish the season out because I think it is important that he understands that not everything you do in life is fun. Sometimes you have to stick it out because others are depending on you. Sometimes you have to see things through because you just never know, it may get better. And if it doesn't, you've certainly learned something about yourself.

Selfishly, I'm ok with him not liking flag football. While I love football, I have no desire to have my son play it. Recent studies about football and brain injury are enough to make a mother prefer the sports of diving, swimming, and golf that her son enjoys. But, for now, we'll be spending our fall Friday nights watching D-man run, catch, and chase what seems to be the ever elusive flags of the opposing teams.

in the huddle getting the play

 

 

taking in the game

Wrapping Up in Denver

Mom and Dad were here last weekend for a couple of days as they wrapped up their month long trip to the northwest. And what a trip it was. I'm so happy that my parents are actually doing what they wanted to do during retirement - traveling! After visiting several friends and relatives along the way, we were the final stop before arriving back in Pender.

As usual, the visit was too short, but great fun. The boys enjoyed sleeping in the motor home and having Nana and Pop at the first flag football game of the season. We also enjoyed watching Nebraska football, going to the Rockies game, and going out to breakfast on Sunday morning. On Sunday night, we grilled fresh salmon and halibut that Dad brought back from his Alaskan trip. Mom and I even got a way for a couple hours of shopping, and Dad and I hit the NWU happy hour before the Rockies game together.

Every time they leave, it makes me sad that we don't live closer to them. But, I am so happy for the close relationship we have and am thankful to have such a wonderful family. I know how truly fortunate I am.

Notice we are wearing purple for the Colorado Rockies!

a beautiful night

eh - pictures with kids is a challenge.....

Last Minute Labor Day in Laramie

I love college towns. I love that atmosphere, the people, and all that comes with being a college town. When I told Marshall that I really wanted to go somewhere for Labor Day weekend, I wasn't expecting to visit two college towns. But, that is exactly what happened. Last minute plans are often the best - no big expectations - just being together as a family for a new experience.

We left Friday after work (my work sent us home early which was very nice). We booked a last minute hotel on Hotwire (for $60) in Fort Collins for Friday night. We ended up at the Hilton next to the CSU campus. We got Runza (I've always wanted to go to this Colorado Runza) and then the kids hit the pool. For as much as we travel, we rarely stay in hotels so this was a treat for the kids.

We got up on Saturday and grabbed a snack and coffee at the Starbucks in the lobby and took off for Laramie via historic downtown Fort Collins. I had always wanted to see their cute downtown, but didn't realize that the Tour de Fat was going on Saturday in downtown Fort Collins. It took us an hour to get out of town, but we got to see a lot of Fort Collins and the boys enjoyed keeping their eyes out for the crazy bikes.

After picking up Matthew and the climbing gear, we headed to Vedauwoo outside of Laramie to do some climbing. Under the expert guidance of Uncle Matt, D-man (and Marshall) were able to climb the rock formations. Of course, we didn't think about telling D-man how to get down, so Matt had to go get him. T-man enjoyed exploring the rocks and climbing around where we had camped out.

D-man climbing under the watchful eye of Uncle Matt

beautiful Vedauwoo

our little rock climber

climbing the rocks

That night, we got a sitter for T-man and we headed to the Wyoming/Southern Wyoming football game. It was the first night game at War Memorial Stadium in quite a few years. It was a beautiful night and Wyoming enjoyed their first victory of the season.  I took D-man home at half time, but he thoroughly enjoyed the cannon, the game, and seeing the marching band. It's funny that with Nebraska, Colorado and WSU allegiances, his first college game was at Wyoming.

D-man's first Division I football game - Go Cowboys!

Yo bro!

On Sunday, we enjoyed going out to a local diner for breakfast, checking out the rail yard (it scared me to death when the train went under us), and exploring downtown. The boys and I headed home Sunday afternoon so Marshall could enjoy some alone time with his bro. The boys were great and even though D-man was not feeling well, this last minute Labor Day in Laramie was just perfect.

Uncle Matt giving the signal to blow the whistle (they did)

Yup - the train goes RIGHT under ya!

My first week at Return Path was great!