Runza Road Trip

Tonya and I headed on a road trip to Loveland for a Runza lunch. It was just what we needed - to get away and a little slice of home. 

Thanksgiving Wrap Up

This Thanksgiving weekend can most easily be summed up as family, food, fun, and football (both flag and college) - and some museums :) 

Water park fun 

View from Mill City Museum 

Nice enough for hoops outside! 

Hot cocoa 

Museum fun 

Kicking off the holidays 

Thankful

It goes without saying that we have a lot to be thankful for. The fact that the Karlen family is all together this Thanksgiving holiday is but one of them. Happy Thanksgiving from MInneapolis! 

Sisters! 

Ready for the feast 

Thankful indeed

So true! How else do we put up with each other? 

Football after the turkey 

MOA Birthday

The boys enjoyed spending a day at Nickelodeon at the MOA to celebrate their cousin's birthday.  It was a great way to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday. 

All the kids on the"big rigs" 

Minnesota Family

A good first couple of days in Minnesota. It's chilly, but the boys walked by the lake yesterday and walked to breakfast today. It's been a laid back couple of days just spending time together. 

Playing Sorry! 

Twins! 

Soccer in the yard 

Breakfast at Hot Plate 

 

Gold Crown Tourney Champs

The Monarch Gold Crown team won the tip off tourney with a 5-0 record. The team is really gelling and it was fun to see them play so well together. D-man was only able to play the first game today and was pretty bummed to miss the championship game. 

He was at least excited to learn there was a trophy and t-shirts. And each of the coaches sent nice notes about his play in the first four games being instrumental to this championship.

Enjoying victory in the MN Airport 

Proud Parents

We're so proud of T-man right now. He's doing a Lego class after school and he the oldest by far, but he really enjoys it and is so comfortable in his own skin there. 

He's also been going to Math Olympiads before school on Tuesdays. He was originally uncertain about going as he was worried about how he would do. It's been nice to see him have some success and enjoying it! We've used it as an opportunity to talk about not letting fear get in the way of trying new things. 

With all the aliens he built 

Monarch Basketball Begins

D-man's team had their first games of the season on Sunday. Fortunately, it was only in Boulder so we didn't have to go far and the team went 2-1 to claim 3rd place! Their first victory was against the team from Boulder that ended their season last year (made D-man very happy). A good start to the season - Way to go #6! 

Colorado History via Monarch 4th Graders

We enjoyed T-man's 4th grade concert last week where we learned a great deal about Colorado history. They each had speaking parts and there was dancing, rapping, and sign language along with the music. T-man was quite animated and it was very fun to watch. 

Afterwards, T-man and I headed to Sweet Cow. One of his favorite songs came on the radio while we were driving and the best moment for me was parking the car and singing along with him. He really has a great voice so I'm hopeful he will continue performing..... 

https://youtu.be/WFpbelQZYqE

https://youtu.be/-v3qSsGxRWo

When the curtain opens! 

The performer 

Sweet Cow for our sweet boy 

Super Moon

Hurried home from work and took the boys and their friends up to the bike path to catch the super moon. The car lights were a little distracting, but we saw it come up. Crazy that we were all out in short sleeves (and the boys all in shorts) and it is November 14th. 

Making its appearance 

Trying to see the moon on his brother's shoulders 

Birthday Boy

A blue sky, no clouds, and 70 degree temps were the perfect ingredients for a family hike to celebrate Marshall's birthday. After bidding farewell to the Smiley's, we headed up to Boulder County Open Space. It has been a long time since the four of us have spent the day together without other things on the agenda. 

We stopped by Costco to pick up some nice ribeye steaks and a pumpkin pie for the birthday dinner. It was a delicious meal celebrating a wonderful man, father, and husband. Happy birthday Marshall (celebrating today as he flies out tomorrow morning for Chicago)!! 

Starting out 

The Peavy men 

We made it to toad stool rock (upper left) 

The view out to the plains 

Birthday boy bourbon 

Boogie Machine

To celebrate our friend's birthday, several ladies went to a local music venue on Friday night. We all felt great because we were the youngest ones there! We had some food and drink and got our groove on to the 70's music. The venue definitely caters to the suburban crowd - music started at 7:30 and we were done by 11! 

Costumes and all. 

Adorably Awkward

Middle school dance time. And yes, we forced D-man to go. He said he didn't say a word to anyone but his friend. My neighbor said it was "adorably awkward" - just like a dance for 6-8 graders held at 3:30 in the afternoon should be. 

I Needed This

Today was a tough day, but this sweet message from a former team member meant a lot. When you spend so much time at work - it is nice to know you are making a difference for people. 

I'm Still with Her

I don't really want to write anything, and yet I feel I have to write something about how I'm feeling today.

First of all, I'm sad. I'm sad that hate could win. I'm sad that so many people could vote for a man so unqualified and so evil and that openly preaches hate. I'm sad that my kids are scared (our youngest ended up in our bed last night which never happens) and don't want to go to school today. 

I'm scared. I'm  scared for the future and the type of world our children will grow up in. I'm scared for any group that is a minority - including women. I'm scared for how our leader will react in tense situations.

I'm embarrassed. I'm embarrassed that the world now sees us as a completely closed minded nation. I'm embarrassed of people I know that voted for Trump. I don't know if I can ever mend that divide - but I will try because I don't want hate to continue to win.

I'm angry. I'm angry that one of the most qualified people to ever run for President of the United States (and happens to be a woman), was defeated by a completely unqualified, narcissistic, morally-void man. This is the glass ceiling at its finest and it angers me. I'm angry at woman that voted for Trump. Really, how could you?

And yet, we have to go on. We have to be strong for our kids. We have to keeping fighting for what is right. We have to be kind and promote love and tolerance (including people that voted for Donald Trump). It won't be easy, but we don't give up. And, I'll probably still cry a little.

Victorious Ending to Pirate Football

A decisive victory 42-6 to wrap up the 2016 Pirate football season. This was the 5th championship for the team and the last Louisville Pirate football team (they are now Monarch Coyotes). It was a fun game under the lights that was bookended by a team lunch and am after  game celebration. A couple of neighbors came to watch the game which was very nice. Say what you will about football, but D-man loves it and we have met some wonderful families (and playing safety meant not much contact the last 4 years which helps). 

Drake being announced at the game 

The fans 

The boys

The trophies!