An Amusing Sunday

You know us - we don't want to pay full price if we can help it. So, we had to head to Elich's to use up the free tickets that the kids earned during the summer reading program. With the Bronco's playing that day at Invesco Field, we got to see the parachutes as well as the fly over.  It was another beautiful Colorado day and since it was the end of October, we hardly waited in line.

T-man was able to enjoy the kiddie rides (he had a GREAT time) and Marshall and D-man got to enjoy some big kid rides. I even got to ride the roller coaster with D-man (I avoided all spinning type rides). The day was even made better by having lunch downtown with friends that were in from Texas. We got to meet their daughter for the first time. What a treat!

Go Buffaloes

Ok - well, I never say "Go Buffaloes", but this is one of T-man's phrases these days (along with Go Big Red!). We had a beautiful day at the CU/Texas Tech game a couple of weeks ago. We met up with the Snow family and enjoyed throwing the football around and trying to cheer the Buffaloes to victory. Apparently, it will take more than cheering this year.

D-man stated he had a good time until the Buffs lost in the last couple of minutes. Alas, no day can be perfect. :)

The Faithful Wife

As many of you know, I love my Huskers. I love to watch the games and talk smack at the office with my CU loving coworkers. I love that my 6yo now refers to the Huskers as "our team." Of course, my husband comes before the Huskers. And when you love someone, you do things for them.

Right now we are headed to the Buff game. And as the faithful wife, I dressed the boys in black and gold (note: these are not CU clothes, just black and gold clothes).

And I'm wearing a black shirt to blend in, but don't be fooled, it says Huskers. Although I am a faithful wife, I haven't forgotten my roots. GO BIG RED!

Other Fall Festivities

 Last weekend, we planned to go to Elitch Gardens amusement park (we've got free tickets from the library program). We got everything packed and hopped in the car. I thought it had been sprinkling a bit. But, when we actually went outside, it was clearly not sprinkling. It was raining. I was not terribly excited to be hanging out at the amusement park in the rain. So, since we were already in the car and ready to go, we had to go with Plan B. The problem was that there was no Plan B.

Out came the coupon book and we ended up at Funtastic Fun - an indoor amusement park. Even though the venue was a bit young for D-man, the kids had a good time and we came early enough that we basically had the entire building to ourselves. Marshall and I enjoyed some skee ball and checking our fantasy football scores.

We wrapped up the outing with lunch at Subway and a trip to the Halloween shop to find costumes. Although it wasn't the day we had planned, we enjoyed the family time and getting out and about.

the boys enjoyed the ball pit

the ferris wheel!

scooters

I also ditched the book fair last Thursday night (Marshall was so nice to cover for me) so I could watch the Huskers play. We ordered pizza and T-man and I watched football and hung out. Go Big Red!

Fall Fun

This weekend we ventured over to the University of Denver to attend the Homecoming Family Fun.The boys and I rode the light rail and met a girlfriend of mine and her two girls. The event was very casual and we were able to catch up and enjoy some girl time (I really need to schedule more of that!). The kids enjoyed face painting, balloon animals, pumpkin painting, a jumpy castle, and lots of treats! 

After the event, we strolled around campus a bit and the kids got to run around and explore. Walking around campus also made me realize that we really need to take better advantage of its proximity. D-man is now requesting we attend a rubgy, lacrosse, hockey, and soccer game. While T-man wants to go back and watch swimming. We could be busy......

face painting!

balloon animals!

 a beautiful day

GO BIG RED!

The minivan is decked out for the big Nebraska/Texas game.

Mona Lisa

Here's the picture of the Mona Lisa my 3yo brought home today. I just love when little kids mention things they don't understand. Too cute.

The Peavy Pantry

As many of you know, we have a huge shelving area in our basement that was left by the previous owners. Portions of the shelving were actually designed to hold canned goods (yes, you might say that this was meant to be our house). Needless to say, we have adequately stocked the shelving with canned goods and many other food items. If a pandemic flu ever comes to Denver, we are definitely prepared.

Unfortunately, the kids have been home sick the last two days. I stayed home the majority of the day on Monday and Marshall stayed home on Tuesday. When I got home this afternoon, D-man was very eager to show me something. Since he had so much free time on his hands today, he decided to organize the beverages in the pantry. This was part of his re-organization project...............

Beer moved from the pantry to the refrigerator

 So, apparently, Marshall and I need to host happy hour or a party so we can have some folks drink all the cold beer in the fridge (and this wasn't all of it). But, the good thing is, not only is the beer in order, the soda and juice are now well organized in the Peavy Pantry. Now if I could just get someone to tackle the rest of my basement.........

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!

1st Day of School Part II

This week, my little guy started back to his Montessori school.  Now that I am working for a company based in Broomfield and Marshall is working downtown, the school is geographically undesirable. However, we love the school and are excited for him to move up to the Primary classroom and have the same teacher that our eldest had.  We've been trying to ease him into going to back to school. Of course, when I dropped him off today he was sulking and when I picked him up today, the first thing he yelled, "I've been missing you!" It melts and breaks my heart at the same time.

the backpack full of school supplies

Day at the Water Park

On Saturday, we took the boys to Pirate's Cove for a day of fun in the sun. We had 2-for-1 coupons and got there early. This was great because we got some chairs for relaxing and beat some of the crowds. The place isn't very big, but perfect for kids that are ages 6 and 3. D-man was just tall enough (49 inches) so he was able to get a wrist band for the big water slides. I don't know who had more fun on the slides, D-man or Marshall!

We packed a picnic lunch and then grabbed some Baskin Robbins on the way home. A great, affordable family day outing.

Tanner was really enjoying the zero entry and running in the water

Enjoying the Lazy River

The slides that Drake was big enough to go on

Summer is not over yet......

Well, although school has started for my eldest, I am making sure that these last few days before I start my job are full of fun. And by fun, I mean fun for the kids AND me. Wednesday night was a kid free happy hour downtown to see a friend in from Texas. Six of us were able to get together, and we enjoyed some drinks, food, and plenty of laughs. There is nothing like good friends.

Today, my youngest and I went to the zoo with a girlfriend of mine from Eagle and her twins (that are the same age as my youngest). We enjoyed catching up and exploring the zoo with the kiddos. It was pretty hot, and T-man was a GREAT boy!

on the train at the zoo

A favorite of the day - the giraffes!

After my eldest got home and finished his homework, I had to drag the kids to the pool (I'm not exactly sure why they didn't want to go given that it was over 90 degrees today). Since we won't have these opportunities much longer (weather, school, my new job, etc.), I really wanted to get out to the pool. Of course, when the boys got there, we all had a great time! Marshall joined us and there was actually a pool party with music and free food. Jackpot! So, the boys got to enjoy the pool and food and I was free from doing dishes by hand (because the NEW dishwasher is still broken).

like father

like son

Enjoying an evening at the pool

And then (I just had to post this because it was completely random), they had belly dancers as entertainment at the pool party (ok, it became less random when we found out that you can take a class in belly dancing on Saturday mornings at the athletic club). Drake was curious as to why they didn't have any clothes on......