Weekend Wrap Up

Finally some nice weather! We were lucky enough to have our first non-family visitors stay with us in our new home. We enjoyed showing them our downtown and enjoyed lunch and ice cream. We had one baseball game and one practice and the younger kids enjoyed time in the backyard digging in the sand and running in the sprinkler.

It was so nice we were able to enjoy pre-dinner drinks and dinner on the back patio. Nadja was able to join us as well and it was a really fun night. The only picture I have from their visit is the one below - an indication of how much fun we had.

We topped off today with a bike ride downtown from our house. The path along the creek is amazing and dumps you right into downtown. We biked down to watch T-man's final reading buddy performance.

He did a great job in the skit. We were lucky to have the same buddy again this session and are planning to participate again in the fall. So nice to have a program that makes reading exciting for T-man. His buddy said he can tell how far he has come this year. Great to hear!

Take Your Kid to Work Day

Pancake breakfast. Interviewing his Mom. Predicting his future in 20 years (a pilot with a wife and 2 kids - boys) and participating in the egg drop competition. Topped off with a sushi lunch date where our conversation about our old house, our old neighborhood and our new house was really nice.

What really made my day was when I picked him up from the after school program (I had taken him back to school for his 3rd grade music performance) his teacher told me that D-man said it was the best day ever and he told her all about the day. Makes me happy that spending the day with Mom is still cool. Fortunate to have a company that puts on such a great event.

Ni-Ni

It's almost midnight. I just got done working. Checking on the boys before I go to bed like I always do. And I see this - T-man sleeping with his Ni-Ni. Warms my heart and brings a smile to my face.

Belated Easter Post

This is what happens when pictures are stored on the camera and not my phone - the posts are delayed by weeks! In any case, a few pictures of us celebrating Easter. Dying eggs on Saturday night after a day on the slopes in Breckenridge. Followed by a hunt for Easter eggs on Sunday morning - hidden in new places in the new home.

It was a beautiful spring day and we enjoyed a smoked Easter ham out on the patio with friends. Lots to be thankful for and celebrate.

Mobile on 2 Wheels

T-man is mobile on 2 wheels! Last weekend, Marshall and I took him to the bike path behind our house and he just took off. He had practiced a couple of weekends before, but didn't quite get it. With Marshall's careful guidance (following advice from Granddad), he did it! Here's a video of one of his first solo rides.

Soon after this, we couldn't keep up. He just kept riding up and down the bike path and turning around.  He was so proud and really started to get the starting, stopping, going through the grass, the dirt, etc.

I'm so glad that we were both there to witness this. We now have vivid memories of both boys learning to ride their bikes. We are so proud of T-man. Once he has some success with something, you can really see the joy in his eyes. Truly one of the gifts of parenting.

I can't wait for the summer and what it will bring for this family with all of us on bikes now and tons of paths around town. Now, if it would just stop snowing!

Vacation is Good for the Soul

We arrived late last night in Truckee and successfully surprised Claudia (and Bob) this morning with Matthew's attendance at this weekend's festivities. A great morning followed by a little day trip to the beach. I think this is what we all needed. Relaxation with family.

The Budding Artist

Tonight was all about T-man. We braved the snow and headed to downtown Boulder to check out the Boulder Valley School Art Show at the Canyon Gallery. T-man's art work was on display! We were so excited to hear he had been chosen by his art teacher and when we told T-man, the look on his face was priceless.

He spotted his piece at the gallery and it was so wonderful to see him so excited and proud. When I explained that people had been coming to see the art display for a month, he grasped the magnitude of it (and then promptly asked why there weren't more people there!). For months, he has been saying he wants to be an artist when he grows up. If it keeps up like this, he may well be on his way.

We wrapped up the night with a dinner of T-man's choosing (Red Robin) and a snowy drive home through a winter wonderland in April. It is truly special to celebrate moments like these with your children and realize what unique gifts they each bring to this world.

Hello Spring?

Several inches of snow to scoop when we arrived home today. Luckily, T-man was ready to help with the challenge.

Opening Day!

Saturday was opening day for the boys' baseball season. All the teams gathered in the morning for the event, got their uniforms, and had their teams announced (while they ran out and gave high fives to the Rockies mascot, Dinger).

We then attended a game for each of the boys on a nice spring day. Marshall and I each helped coach T-man's game. Pretty special that while coaching 3rd base, T-man lifted his batting helmet face guard so he could give me a kiss when he was on 3rd base. Each boy got some hits and actually touched the ball in the field (D-man had a great catch to make the last out of his game). Making it even better, both boys are on teams with friends from school.

We wrapped up the night going out for Mexican in downtown Louisville with our neighbors and then walking over to Sweet Cow for ice cream. A great day to be outside and kick off the season. Let's play ball!

College Friday!

College Friday is a day promoting higher education and kids are encouraged to wear college gear. T-man is all decked out in Husker and Coug gear. Thanks to his grandparents, he's all set. Go big red! Go Cougs!

Monarch Explorers Learn About Monarchs

Today I chaperoned D-man's field trip to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. We named out group the "Explorers" and were able to take in 3 exhibits as well attend the 3D IMAX movie "Flight of the Butterflies" which chronicled the story of tracking the monarch butterflies migration. Reminded me of the tree in our backyard in Pender that once a year was full of monarch butterflies.

It was a touching show and fun to see 3rd graders reaching out to try and touch the butterflies. Reminded me to take a deep breath and enjoy the innocence of these kids.

Always great to spend some special time with one of the kids. Lucky to have a flexible job that allows me moments like these.

Celebrating Another Decade

10 years ago, we were in London to help celebrate our friend's 30th birthday. This weekend, we were in Las Vegas to help Mitch bring in the next decade.

While we would have loved another night, we kicked off the festivities with everyone and a very nice meal at Sage at the Aria hotel followed by some table games for some and video poker (me included).

On Saturday, Traci and Mitch hosted brunch on the terrace looking over the Wynn Country Club. It was a gorgeous venue and beautiful weather. I think we have found a new spot to get away from Vegas while in Vegas. Some gambling at the Wynn was followed by a trek over to Ceasar's Palace to buy tickets to a show. We enjoyed, walking the strip, grabbing our $1 beer and then grabbing some noodles at the Venetian. It was a great little "Julia and Marshall" adventure.

After quickly meeting up with the group, we headed back to Caesar's and caught the 10:00 show. I'm so glad we decided to see a show!

Sunday morning took us to the pool and then an afternoon stroll down the strip to the MGM where we played some $10 blackjack (I won $130!).

It sounds like the boys had a great weekend with Maggie. How lucky we are to have her in our lives still.

Pool time!

We finally made it to Las Vegas after a plane delay due to a drunk assaulting the flight attendant, long taxi lines, and a long hotel check in.

Picture Day

Yes, I combed their hair.