Simply Storfs

Fall Already?

2011-09-29T09:26:00.001-06:00

So much for trying to be on the ball and on top of things-- failing miserably!! My niece who's birthday is today (Happy Birthday Mandy!!!!) Will get her gifts late as I have only had them here and bought for a month now-- finally wrapped and mailed them Not on Monday like I was planning but Tuesday when I remembered. Ooooops!
So we have finally gotten the remodeling bug and it bit big time! We have almost finished our bedroom. Just need to place crown molding, and lamp, hang pictures and I believe it is done!!! Finally after 2 years of trying. Our front yard is a dirt pit until start of October when we will have sprinklers placed, sod and river rock laid, and a new flower garden designed. Hopefully will work out well. I have to prime and paint the bathroom and then I believe the remodeling stint will go away for the year or two!!!!
Gavin is busy with boyscouts-- earning achievements and selling popcorn. Homework everynight that has Mom searching what the stuff means as it has been at least 30 years since I did anything of the sort and it is all different than what and how I learned to do it!
We got a new 2 drawer stove for a really really good price and I can't wait to start using it!!!!

Hoping the family will come visit for the holidays! Hint Hint!!!!!

I am starting with Halloween/Fall decorations and setting up my village in a new spot! Should be cool! Can't wait!

Summer 2011

2011-09-29T09:15:00.000-06:00

So it is already July! Wow time flies when you are busy!
Happy Birthday Dad and Misty!
Gavin is enjoying spending a month with his grandparents in Montana! From the looks of the pictures-- I think he is having a great time. Rob and I have been busy with work and trying to find some time to ourselves.
Love Green Lantern, Thor!!!! The movies ROCK!!

We did go to Elitch Gardens with friends before Gavins vacation-- there I dumped my camera twice in the Lazy river and now it is not working too good!
Gavin did spend a week at cubscout camp and really had a great time!

May 2011

2011-05-24T15:44:00.000-06:00

Wow school is out for Gavin already and now on to a very busy summer! Boys have plans to catch a lot of movies. So far have see Thor (awesome!!), Fast 5, Pirates of Carribean (too long-- but I can enjoy Johnny Depp!). So not sure what we all have planned but hopefully an enjoyable one before we lose him to MT for a month!

February 2011

2011-02-10T06:08:00.000-07:00

So this year is really moving! Right now am working on my son's birthday party. He wants a pirate theme so I have the invites done (Thanks Mom!), cupakes started for school, made chocolate suckers for the party and chocolate pirate markers for cupcakes, ordered a Pirate themed wall, filled gift bags and have been given detailed instructions on how to make the cake! So now I have plans for how that will work-- wish me luck that it turns out the way he wants it!!!

I am still staying on track with my Reading the Bible in 90 days, I have a hard time on the weekends but play catch up during the week. I am finding out interesting things and for sure will have to try this again in the future and actually use the guide that I bought to really focus on the reading. I believe that now that I have gotten out of the family tree section of the bible it will go eaiser-- I am into the Psalms and enjoying it much more!

I read "Eat, Pray, Love" and really enjoyed it, so I bought the movie and am very glad I read the book first or I don't think I would have know what was going on in the movie. But I did enjoy them both!!! I am looking forward to the summer movies-- especially the Thor and Captain America!

So I am trying a little more with blogging-- so check out the upcoming pages!
Have a great rest of the month!

January 2010

2011-01-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

1/11/2011
So I have been on a strange kick lately...
I am presently reading "Eat, Pray, Love" and enjoying it and I have joined an online group to read the Bible in 90 days and so far am on day 9. Finding it hard to get thru the start of the Old Testament, but plugging along. I think my incident has tested me to take a look at myself, my faith and my wants. I have lots of goals for this year and am hoping against hope that I can complete them!
Oh, anyone reading this-- can you tell me how to get more pictures to add-- apparently it won't let me and I don't truly want to delete any. So any ideas or clue ... let me know!

/http://www.momstoolbox.com/blog/2010/11/29/read-the-bible-in-90-days-with-momstoolbox-beginning-january-3/

2010 Year in Review

2010-12-30T06:19:00.000-07:00

What a crazy year! I am only hoping/praying that 2011 is a little less hectic and more rewarding! My goal for the new year is to start a "Read the Bible in 90 days". I want to travel more and have a lot less stress at work. I am very grateful for friends and family and all the support that I had after my surgery, very grateful that the tumor/mass was non-cancerous and that the Doctor and nurses were awesome. Makes me glad for the profession I chose many years ago.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Ok Ok!! I have been bad and not posted in a while but I do have a reason!

2010-10-25T21:39:00.000-06:00

So apparently it has been a month or so since I have posted so bear with me and I will try to provide updates.
Aug 14, I was working and had lots of abd pain and went to ER while I was at work and hoped if it was anything it was appendicitis but after a CT of abd, and a consult to a general surgeon. I had a mass in my upper abdomen attached to my pancreas. So lots of stress and Dr visits with a trauma surgeon, hematologist and such. I was scheduled for surgery on Sept 14th. Spent lots of time trying to get everything that I could think of done before surgery, not so successful if I do happen to say so, but we made it.
Sept 14th, went in for surgery at 1:30 and came out into the ICU at about 7pm. Very long surgery. Thank God for the ICU staff and my surgeon. I was graced with lots of good people and people that I knew to take care of me and make me feel safe.
Sept 16th, apparently that evening after brushing my teeth, I coded and was thankfully brought back. What an evening, very stressful for my husband and son, and the ICU staff and my Dr who were there with me. Thank God!
Well after 5 days in ICU, I was transferred to the surgical floor and spent 5 days there and was finally able to go home.. My mom was here to help take care of Gavin and me for about 3 weeks which I am very greatful for her help. I had lots of wonderful friends and visitors while in the hospital. Thank you everyone!

Living room bloody curtains

Gavin's sculpting

The boys chillin'

Drago from Bakugan costume

Gavin's paper mache self sculpture

Yard decorations

Gavin's ribs

playing with decorations

posing like my Uncle Lynole, lying in cemetery

My beautiful incision

flowers from the boys

pict's out my hospital room

One of the orchids

more flowers

flowers

the other orchids

Pikes Peak

Our yard at night-- do you see the orbs too?

October 25 I am still recuperating at home, with the help of my son who is fantastic with everything! I had help in decorating for halloween -- our favorite holiday! So I believe I am caught up there, Gavin has his costume and I have candy for trick or treaters! Next Dr visit is Nov 9th and I should get the ok to go back to work if I am lucky! I miss my work friends!

End of August

2010-09-01T06:52:00.000-06:00

Woke to find a kitchen bathed in red light and knowing I didn't have lights on at 0500, here is what I found opening the front door.

My sis sent flowers!

My new indoor herb garden with start of fall/halloween decorating.

pictures of decorating being done in living room after new furniture

Happy September!
HA!

New Sleeper sofa for Mom when she visits!

2010-08-29T20:47:00.000-06:00

New furniture for when Mom comes to visit. The one on the left is the sleeper sofa.

Late first day of School Aug 18th, 2010

2010-08-22T13:16:00.000-06:00

The first day of school came and went and I had to drop him off due to having a meeting across town. So here are pictures from first day!

He was lucky to get the teacher he wanted but was not happy that his friends are all in different classes or went to other schools. Before I know it the year will be over and he will be out for summer again.
Off goes my 2nd grader! Have a great year Gavin!

Hike and rain storm

2010-08-04T20:56:00.000-06:00

Pictures from our hike out near Calhan, beautiful rocks!

Apparently Gavin learned to be Lewis from Lewis and Clark, here he is pointing out the trail!

Today's excitement!

2010-08-02T15:01:00.000-06:00

Today was a busy day as we have been trying to get the house back in order. While Gavin was on vacation, the plan was to paint his room but the time ran out and so now we had to redecorate it! Here are picts from the poster placement today! Enjoy!

Thank you Uncle Keven for my cool
Christmas taxidermy!

2010 Colorado Ren fair!

2010-07-22T06:47:00.000-06:00

A Tauren that we observed as we entered the front gate

A wedding processional

A woodland fairy

Our Ren costumes!

A very cool creature with wings, who we watched play with a little knave who stabbed him and he collapsed and lay there for a while on the ground. It was too cute!

My NEW costume! I have been wanting a Ren costume for as long as we have been married and attended our first Ren fair. Now I have one and my oh my! Here we are poising with the Pirate wench!

We had a great day with friends. Not overly hot, had a few rain showers and I was so exhausted from working all night before and was up until we left the fair at 6pm. But it was great!

Summer Vacation

2010-06-28T18:14:00.000-06:00

Summer vacation is hmmmmmmm, non-existant for me this year but I did manage to sneak away for a quickie trip to Montana for Gavin to spend the summer with his grandparents. So here are a few pictures from my/our quick trip.

Fog the morning I left to go home

Destruction in Billings from the Tornado that we caught on Sunday- Father's day

Flowers on the side of the road

More tornado damage in Billings

More flowers on the roadside

Gavin playing in the park in Choteau

Antler Stack

Deer in a field off Lover's Lane

This is all that is left from where we grew up as children, I took Gavin here to show him.

Fields of flowers

Gavin sleeping on the way up

Wyoming clouds

This is the hail damage that we sat in north of Billings during the tornado

Gavin at Choteau park before going down the slide!

Start of summer adventures

2010-06-09T20:39:00.002-06:00

So the other day, Gavin and I went for a drive and saw a sign for a "waterfall". So thought we would take a look-- well I was surprised to find it was a mausoleum-- oops! But here are some pictures I took before I realized that we might be trespassing, as I didn't ask permission really!

Cloudy view of Cheyenne Mt

So tonight after pulling weeds I thought I would take some picts of the sky, looked really cool! So hope you enjoy!

June Already?

2010-06-08T06:32:00.000-06:00

Ok, ok! I thought I had the jump on things and then it has all snowballed and I am again into a new month and can't recall where the last one went.
So I missed my sis's anniversary-- Sorry Sis! (presently you are lucky I can't find a pict of you and your darling hubby).
So I have been overly busy with work, meetings and such pretty much every week on top of my regularly scheduled shifts.
Rob has been great about helping with the house and even has his "office/man-cave" just about done.

Gavin at the start posing with mountain lion

Panning for cool rocks

Bigfoot

At the top posing with a ram

Look at the snow

Gavin freezing in his shorts it was only 30 degrees at the top and almost 90 when we were back in the Springs

More snow

As you can tell Gavin is getting either bored or angry/tired!

Aspens

My tired little bug!

We did on a rare chance all have the day off together and we took a trip to the Peak which was beautiful. Gavin panned for rocks and then the boys came home and bought a rock polisher and have been trying to shine rocks for a week plus now.

May (where did April go?)

2010-05-03T17:40:00.000-06:00

Ok so here it is the start of May, we have had snow, tornado's, wind, rain, thunder and lightning. The almost whole gamut of weather. Hello-- it is May!

So besides work and more work and school and more work, we have been keeping terribly busy -- so if you ever need you can always call and someone will answer or get back to you before the year is over!

Fog driving home one morning

Grape Hyacynths

Snow one morning coming home

Tulip

Iris's

More dark colored tulips

Soon to be no longer purple office

More purple office

Air Force Hockey Team

Air Force Boxing Team

Learning hockey

Gavin a goaley

Green lantern green office

Gavin chillin' at the zoo

"Help me!"

Take your crew to the zoo day

New Bobcats with painted faces

Cub scout pack 49

Gavin and his Bobcat and Tiger Badges, with face painting from ceremony

Pikes Peak

Spring Carnival at School

2010-04-10T07:51:00.000-06:00

As a member of PTO, we planned a spring carnival for the school. So as a member I was baking cakes for the cake walk. First one turned out beautifully, second one oozed and over and tried to catch the oven on fire and the third one fell horribly!!! So I cheated-- but here are my cakes, and one of our friends sent a cake-- which was beautiful and I had a hard time not keeping it at home and enjoying it ourselves!

But a good time was had at the carnival, great turnout and here are picts of our games and Gavin enjoyed putting his teachers in jail!

Silent auction-- we won 2 baskest the dragon and relaxation baskets

Duck pond

Ms Sanchez and Ms Jones (Gavin's teacher) in jail after Gavin arrested them.

Ms Sanchez in jail

Arrest warrent

Ms Esquibel -kindergarten teacher- in jail after Gavin put her there

Coach working concessions

Gavin in jail after being put there by his kindergarten teacher!

Principal, vice principal, secretary and son

Pig Races

Art Center Field trip and decorating Easter eggs

2010-04-06T16:45:00.000-06:00

Here are some pictures from America the Beautiful park where the kids went after their field trip to the Art Museum.

Gavin and Logan dying of thirst after playing for an hour and there were no active water fountains at the park.

Gavin's art work

Lunch time

Gavin and Grandma dying Easter eggs-- Gavin's cool multi-coloring of eggs.

Easter 2010

2010-04-05T13:53:00.005-06:00

Easter 2010, came really early this year and I really wasn't too prepared for it, but I feel more and more unprepared for most holidays this year. The weather was warm, I had worked the night before and Gavin and Rob went to the gun range while I slept and Gavin left a message for the Easter bunny to wait to come after he left the house. With the weather being nice, the Easter bunny hid the eggs outside and Gavin had fun searching for them when he got home.

My spring daffodils

What is left of chocolate peep! Hlep me!!!

The loot!!!

Spring Break outings

2010-03-24T07:57:00.004-06:00

This week happens to be Gavin's Spring Break and so on Monday we visited the Aquarium in Denver and it really looks nice now days! Tuesday we went to Dino Resource center in Woodland Park. We went to a friends birthday dinner last night and coming home we were greeted with our Spring Snow storm. So today Wednesday-- Dad is home and we are still under a winter storm watch so not sure what we will do today. Enjoy our spring break-- pictures are a combo of Gavin's undertakings and mine!

Ok here is a start-- I am really late and missing a few picts but here is a start!

Post St. Patricks Day

2010-03-18T06:08:00.006-06:00

So, now here I am getting excited about all of our little want-to-do projects, but finding the time to get them done will be the issue. Rob was home early yesterday and we were able to clean out Grandma's spare room and make some headway there. Started to look at the lawn, deadheaded the roses and cut back the dead yarrow. Wishing I had my camera with me-- I spotted some blue jays in a neighbors tree, coming home from school. But no such luck. Trying to remember if I posted pictures from the AFA (Air Force Academy) cheer teams at the school, if I did -- sorry if not here they are. I also have picts from AFA basketball team and cool picts of the Peak (Pikes Peak) covered in snow.

Learning a cheer

Gavin's favorite dance team girl

Learning the guys part of a cheer

The Bird

Cheer team moves
Dribbling

Shooting

Look at how tall the guys were! Men's basketball team

The Peak!

Posted for you Misty so you get lonely and come back to Colorado!

March Madness

2010-03-16T06:24:00.004-06:00

So apparently March is almost over-- I have yet had time to blog, and well what can I say!

I have been busy with a lot of am meetings at work which take up quite a bit of my time. I agreed to be a cubscout leader for Gavin's school, so every Monday afternoon, I work for about an hour.

So now-- I have gotten an itch on top of everything else to remodel! My first task is scraping the popcorn off the bedroom ceiling, half way done, but not sure where to put everything out of the way to finish-- so

trying to decide on colors

Scraping of the popcorn

Scraped area

So with that project under way, I am a little busy-- but can't wait to be able to paint and see real results! Just posting pictures of the boys!

Happy St Patrick's day one and All!

7th Birthday Party at IT'Z

2010-02-22T06:18:00.008-07:00

We celebrated Gavin's 7th birthday at IT'Z again. He loves it and so do the big kids! He had a lego theme, it snowed all day and here are the pictures from the party.

I asked Gavin "what was the best part of your day?"

"IT'Z",

" what was the best part of that?"

"All of it!"

So there you have it! Now you can enjoy some pictures from the party! Pardon the random order-- just enjoy!

Gavin and Sabrina on an roller coaster ride.

Gavin in a wind booth grabbing for extra coins to go on his card.
Gavin and Elijah in a car race.
The Crew

Logan, Gavin, Elijah, Julian and Sabrina
After the cake

Blowing out the candles

"Mom the candles are sparking, are they gonna blow up?"

Mom's magical candles! Sparklers!!!

Lighting the candles

Elijah, Gavin, Mom, Logan, Silas, and upside down Sabrina

The crew eating

They decorated!

Gavin and his best friend Logan

Gavin getting birthday wishes from his buddy Darrell

His birthday cake

Third Week of February

2010-02-19T15:56:00.006-07:00

We as a family have had a very busy third week of February. So to start we have pictures of Gavin spending time with the Air Force academy Water Polo team.

Gavin learning about water polo from one of the cadets.

Gavin (in camo) trying to score in water polo.

Gavin in his water polo head gear.

Gavin learning skills for water polo (he is in #3 hat)

Gavin putting on his polo hat.

This is a candle made by a staff member for a circle ceremony that I had the chance to participate in during 3 days of learning to "Re-Ignite the Spirit of Care". It was very inspirational and mentally draining. But I learned alot about me and my co-workers.

Beatuiful picture on the wall at our conference center. The black horse didn't really turn out well in the picture-- he came across more grey then black.

So for the past 3 days I have had the chance to drive thru the Garden of the Gods and today, Friday 2/19/10, it had snowed and here are pictures from my drive.

Mule deer just chillin' at the side of the road.

Just watching me watch her.

Peek-a-boo

Figure my Dad will enjoy these pictures the most.

Birthday cards in making

2010-02-02T19:34:00.003-07:00

Gavin's Martin Luther King "I have a dream..." art. Hope Mandy enjoys it!
Home made Lego cards

Red and Blue Lego cards

I need to thank Spottedcanary.com and Created by Jennifer blog for ideas for the lego cards. Thanks for the ideas! I just wish I had more card making equipment and I think they would have turned out a little nicer but.... not shabby for a first -timer! Gavin likes them so I guess that is all that matters!

Birthday planning time

2010-02-02T06:40:00.003-07:00

So today Phil saw his shadow and 6 more weeks of winter. Hmmmmmmm! Have we really had a winter here. I am thinking no, but I do know of other places who have had lots of snow and cold.

So Gavin has his birthday this month and wants a Lego theme. So being a busy mom, I am first working on it now-- shame, shame! So I search on-line hoping to find Lego invitations, not so much luck in that endeavor. So I believe I have found a few blogs that show invitations that I will try to go out and create today. Wish me luck!

I should also decorate for Valentines Day as it will be here first, but I just don't know where all my time goes. Had great intentions yesterday, but was so exhausted, I took a nap while the phone rang off the hook. Then couldn't sleep last night and am exhausted today. Shame on me!

Let's see what I get done today-- as Gavin afterschool has Chess club and Air Force. Wish me luck! OH! Almost forgot that today is my volunteer day at school-- so I may not get much done! Ooops!

January coming to an end

2010-01-24T12:15:00.004-07:00

So as January 2010 is coming to a close, I swear it was just the first of the month, and I am still having a hard time writing 2010. So just a few updates and apparently I have too many irons in the fire again or as usual so having a small issue in keeping up!
Here are some pictures of Gavin with his crossbow, he has been practicing so Thanks Uncle Keven! He will soon be prepared! Just waiting on the deer!!

Gavin's award ceremony at school where he won an award

Ok, ok I know what a few of you will say-- but I am finally feeling settled after all this time, I am getting around to really decorating, So here are a few beach type things that I have received and now am decorating the bathroom to have a beach like feel.

My Florida present has the seat of honor in the bathroom.

And if that doesn't freak you out-- it will stare at you on the toilet.

So on to the toilet issue, for a month now we have been having issues with the toilet and Saturday, Rob and a friend of his installed a new nice toilet, so now the bathroom really needs to be re-decorated!

Just what you all wanted to see a clean toilet ! HaHa!!

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-05T14:48:00.003-07:00

Well we are back from Florida and all I can say was it was heavenly and cold! But I enjoyed myself and had a great time. Now back to the bump and grind!

I got addicted to Clean House and now have done Gavin's room -- getting rid of old toys and making room for the new Christmas ones. We have thrown out 2 garbage bags and will hopefully give away 3 boxes of stuff.

So bear with me as I attempt to work on my New Years Resolutions!

Hopefully everyone will have a wonderful and enriching 2010!

More missing teeth!

2009-12-15T20:51:00.004-07:00

My dear little one is now missing 3 teeth for Christmas but man are they growing in fast. He is practicing whistling but only occasionally giving us showers. Hard to tell but 2 on top and one on the bottom.

Right now he is very excited that Christmas happens tomorrow for us as we are traveling for the holidays and he hopes that Santa will have gotten his note and be aware that we are not here. So tomorrow we are opening our presents and never know if Santa will make it here in time.

So probably not much posting from here on out til the New Year of 2010!!!

Happy Holidays!!!! From the Storfs

Lost Teet and Christmas Tree

2009-12-06T14:48:00.004-07:00

Since we will be traveling for the holidays, we have decided to go minimally on decorations this year and so Gavin is decorating his tree.

What a poser!

I think he likes my coke bears as much as I do-- except he keeps trying to run off with them.

Bear family

Oh! Can you find Gavin?
12/5/09 am Mom comes home from a work and Gavin hands me his second tooth! "See Mom it fell out on its own!" What a cutie I had to take a picture of his toothless grin! We will probably have both of the teeth in by Christmas the way they are growing. So I guess it might not be "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!"

goofy grin

"Mom, I am really not awake yet!"

Our back patio

2009-12-02T12:16:00.003-07:00

Rob hired a guy to pour a patio/dog run/sidwalk for us and he as been hard at work against the weather to finish it but here are pictures of the almost finished project!! I am getting excited to be able to use it and such!!!!

Steps

Patio (home of my future hot tub!)

Thanksgiving 2009 and first lost tooth

2009-12-01T07:26:00.004-07:00

Rob and Gavin set the table and decorated it. It looks very nice!
Our Family for Thanksgiving

Gavin and his best buddy!!

Our stroll for Christmas lights

11/30 Gavin's first lost tooth. He was at school in PE and was hit in the mouth with a kids head and it knocked his tooth out!

Yes the tooth fairy did find the house last night-- we left her a note about why there was no tooth in the cup!

November happenings

2009-11-23T06:51:00.002-07:00

Backyard deck gone-- waiting for gas and phone companies to finish their jobs and then we will be the owners of a new patio. Just waiting!
Gavin's 1st grade Thanksgiving concert!

Gavin and his turkey hat!

For our anniversary, Gavin took us to Build-a-Bear and Rob and I got stuffed animals-- me the moose and Rob the wolf and Gavin ended up getting 2 outfits for his animals. We had a great night!

Air Force Baseball visits school

2009-11-04T05:53:00.005-07:00

Every second Tuesday, the Air Force Academy visits the school and shows the kids how to play certain sports and yesterday was baseball and Gavin enjoyed it more than the rest! He was overjoyed and hyped! They learned to throw, hit and actually play the game. Here are pictures:

Introductions of the Cadets

Warming up the arms
Cadets warming up their arms

Gavin swears he was hit in the "junk" with this catch!

Practicing their throws

Up at bat and he swings and he hits the pitcher
Batting in the game

Playing somewhere between shortstop and 3rd base
The group!

Crazy pose

50th day of school and dress up from the 50's. Here is my reluctant greaser upset that mom made him dress up. "I don't like the 50's Mom".
Gavin liked this picture of the full moon because it looked like a heart so I thought I would share it with you. I was experiment with different buttons on the camera! Enjoy!!!

OH!!

Guess who's due in 2 months???

?
?

SANTA!!!!!! Bet I had you fooled!

End of October

2009-11-01T16:49:00.007-07:00

The end of October has been exciting with snow and cold and fun!!! Not to mention Halloween!!!!

We finally used our Sportsman's Warehouse card and bought this cool camo jacket. Thanks Uncle Keven!

Time for yard work but it looks like that Gavin is having much more fun laying/jumping in my pile of leaves.

Throwing piles of leaves at Mom.

Here is my knight in shining armor.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

I had to work so the boys had to do their own trick or treating. They went up and down the block and a few other streets and when I called Gavin later in the evening to find out how it was he said "Mom our street gave up on Halloween, they only had 3 houses for treats". What a disappointment for a little kid. So they went a few blocks and then came home and passed out candy at the house while some friends came over.

Sir Gavin in the graveyard

Our carved pumpkins

Cerebrus, mask, creepy clown and monster

Creepy chef Gavin coming after you

"I want your intestines now!"

"TRICK OR TREAT"

October Morning Sky

2009-10-27T11:57:00.003-06:00

Woke this am to a beautiful orange colored skies and I just wanted to share!

Picture out the back door

Morning sky out the front of the house

My front yard lit by the morning sky

Now some excitement from yesterday that blocked the street and made for some busy access in front of the house.

Not sure if you can see the bubbling water coming out of a huge hole in the street!

Fall 2009

2009-10-26T12:54:00.005-06:00

Here is the Lacrosse team from the AFA coming to school to show the kids how to play lacrosse.

Gavin learning to throw the lacrosse ball.

The whole crew

Front yard decorations for Halloween 2009

Pumpkin we carved for Grandma Carol-- Gavin picked it out and he knew she would enjoy dead Elvis!

Snake Eyes

Snake Eyes on the gondola ride at Boo at the Zoo.

Gavin and Rob went as I was working and Sunday was suppose to be snowing so they went while it was still nice.

Gavin at the entrance of the slime factorySnake Eyes with his candy stash!

Gavin with Star Wars troopers

Gavin making spiders

Minty spiders, made with the help from Grandma Carol

Snow on the trees 10/26/2009

S Snow on our halloween cemetary

Yard decorations for Halloween '09

2009-10-12T18:49:00.003-06:00

Gavin bundled to toss out body parts in our little graveyard.
More bone tossing
Careful placement of bones

Gavin and his favorite tombstone it pops out at ya!

Our initial start of our Halloween yard. Check back later for other additions.

Fun and adventures in October

2009-10-10T11:36:00.005-06:00

So every two weeks a group from the Air Force Academy comes to spend an hour with the kids after school and shows them about the sport they do, this time was gynmastics. The guys team is showing how to do back flips in the next few pictures.

Next there was a handstand contest between the guys and girls and the guys won!

Loosening up. Shake those hips!
Gavin is the kid in the middle being helped to make a bridge.
Look at them splits!
Crab walkin'
Tumbling
The whole group!
Our first snow!
Gavin checking out the flakes.
Gavin's new Maxus Dragonoid. Uncle Keven-- you better look out! This one is headed to destroy your bakugans and you as per your nephew! Watch OUT!

Track and Field day

2009-10-01T15:56:00.003-06:00

It was cold and windy but the sun was out and so was the fun!

On your mark, Get set!

Go 80 yard dash!!!

This is what they call NASCAR event! Pushing a tire around the basketball court! A few took a tumble with the tire and got scars to prove it!

Frisbee Throw-- wind helped sometimes!

3 legged race

Hula Hoopin'

Sack races

Done!!!

Didn't get results but it was back to class to write about what they did and then lunch with parents outside. What fun!

Fall Festivities

2009-09-29T19:51:00.003-06:00

I Love Fall!!!! Pretty much everything about it!!! From the harvesting, to smell of wood smoke in the air, to the crunch of the leaves underfoot and last but not least HALLOWEEN!!!!!

So Gavin and I went to Old Colorado City's Scarecrow Festival one Sunday and were sadly disappointed that there were only 2 that stood out. One we took a picture of for Grandma Carol and her love of cows and the other was just plain cool! Best one there!

Gavin sampled the bubblegum ice cream here

If you click on this-- it is a really cool wolf!

Here are pictures of my set-up for my Halloween village this year

Western theme
Cemetery view-- need to cover the back to hide wires yet!

This is the partial scene from above the entertainment center I tried a new placement so we will see how this works this year.

Enjoy!!!

September things

2009-09-23T11:32:00.003-06:00

Snow on the peak-- yeah!!! 9/22/09
More Peak snow! From a different area of town.

Gavin with clouds on the way home from school-- we had a really awesome rainstorm a few hours after this!

More cool clouds and Gavin's head

Gavin's art work from school!

Gavin learning to play tennis with the AFA cadets afterschool.

Group picture

Our outdoor visitor and hopeful friend-- yuck!

Another picture of our spider!

Gavin at ITZ -- having fun!

Happy Birthday!

2009-09-08T09:07:00.005-06:00

So here is an old picture-- scanned from my scanner and old negatives

Can't quite decide if I am 39 years old or young-- some days are easier to decide than others.

But for now I am going to enjoy my day and see what it has planned. Mom and Dad called and I am kind of glad it was not at 5am-- even though I was awake then.

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and wishes on this day!

More recent from this summer when I was trying to be a Montana Freewoman ! hahahaha

Actually protecting myself from killer mosquitos'!

Our Little Friend

2009-09-01T17:23:00.003-06:00

We have a little friend that visits us as we head to school in the am and every morning I forget my camera-- so on this one morning it was sitting in our tree and peeping at me!

Yep -- you guess it!!

A Black Squirrel

House updates

2009-09-01T17:10:00.004-06:00

So----- We ended up selling some junk at the yard sale, opened a room slightly-- but now have a bunch of boxes of stuff from the Attic/man cave crowding the front room. HAHA! So today we had insulation run in the attic and it looked like mice running through the tubing-- see the picts!

Goliath's soon to be dog run/cage

Next we will have quotes for patio done as this is presently what my back yard looks like and I am waiting for Grandma to fall through the boards one of these days on the deck!

Our Sea of Weeds that are as tall as the dog!

The rickety and wobbly porch!

So wish us luck with our endeavors-- and I hope it turns out how I envision it!

First Day of school

2009-08-20T07:17:00.003-06:00

First Day of School

Gavin's cool pirate shirt
Here is my first grader! We received a letter a week before school to let us know how poorly his school did last year and did we want to move him to another better academic school. Gavin didn't want to go to another school as his friends wouldn't be there. So we decided to let him return. Well we attended the open house on Monday and met the principal and she was over the top so to say. She put her hand up and told the kids that it meant to "zip your lips". Both Rob and I looked at each other with the "oh no she didn't" look. So we met his teacher and I was just not impressed. Yet we let Gavin go.

Gavin was upset because it was cool and cloudy on the first day of school.

So on an end note-- Gavin liked his first day, his girlfriend is in his class, his buddies are in the classrooms around him and he is now friends with another little boy named Gavin. So far so good!

Gavin's adventures in cooking

2009-07-22T19:59:00.003-06:00

Gavin has been very creative since we have been back from vacation. He woke up one day and said "Mom, I have been thinking about a great creation! Can I make it?"

Gavin's creating his creation.

One bite size Snickers (could use a Milky Way)

One toothpick

two marachino cherries

Gavin hard at work!

So I gave him the go ahead and he went on with his plan so here is the first adventure!

Well today he wanted to make dessert and he wrote out his recipe with help with spelling and enclosed is the recipe, dessert and enjoying it!

recipe

"cappochino creation"

Everyone enjoying the sweet goodness!

Vacation

2009-07-09T07:39:00.011-06:00

June 21st- Misty and Mandy arrived from Florida.
June 22nd-- We loaded up and headed out for Augusta at 0400. After our normal pit stops we arrived around 830 pm and from then on it was non-stop.
We went to many, many, many dinosaur museums! Camped/fished at the lake for the 4th of July weekend and were not only sunburnt but eaten alive by mosquito's. Took a quick trip to North Dakota to visit my grandparents. It all ended way too soon-- but home now and back to the same old, same old!

The kiddo's outside a diner in Casper. They love the dino's and alligators.

kiddo's finally asleep
Finally made it to Augusta to spend time with Grandparents!
Home sweet home!
Gavin on the slide outside the school.
Trying to get eaten by the T Rex in Bynum
Posing with a seismosaurus in Bynum
Pre-rodeo parade. Kiddo's picking up the goodies
Picking strawberries with Grandpa
Great-grandparents and Grandma
Posing with great-grandparents
Done putting out a fire in Bismark Zoo
Huge Bear at Bismark Zoo
Dancing with a dinosaur at Dickinson
Gavin and his favorite display at Dickinson dinosaur museum-- potential human brain years from now.
Dino display in Dickinson
Kiddo's posing with Uncle Lynole- ok my uncle Lynole!
Posing with Great-grandparents-- sorry Misty-- didn't see your eyes closed!
Gavin and Grandpa Jim in Great Falls-- gavin eating his mint patty
My Auntie Jo!
Our favorite dino on the way to North Dakota
Dinosaur display in Glendive I believe
family picture minus Keven who was taking the photo
Kids and Grandparents and Uncle Keven
Kids with Grandparents

My Guitar Hero's

2009-06-21T21:11:00.000-06:00

June-- where is the month going............

2009-06-07T19:33:00.003-06:00

So Gavin is out of school for the summer, I am working weekends and playing during the week. Want to take a vacation, want to get yard work done, want to...
Doesn't it seem that the want list always gets bigger and bigger without really knowing it.
Work has been work, lets just say... very stressful and not much fun anymore. I am thinking that a vacation will help. I hope so!
Haven't taken any new picts and the only video I have made was of Gavin singing in the shower and I promised him I wouldn't publish it!

Uncle Mike's Visit

2009-05-27T08:05:00.003-06:00

Uncle Mike came as a surprise visit to Grandma and he came with some friends on motorcycles. Well Gavin quickly became a fascinated with the one with flames as you can tell by the pictures. Sadly, I did not have much interaction as I was either sleeping or at work this whole time.

Gavin's favorite bike

Rick Jr. taking Gavin for a ride

Gavin's Kindergarten Continuation Ceremony

2009-05-27T07:29:00.005-06:00

So School is out for the summer and I really can't recall that he went for that long. Amazing how time seems to fly by so fast. But this means that summer vacation is getting closer! Yeah, I know I can't wait and I believe that Gavin has been packing off and on since Christmas.
So here are pictures from his Continuation Ceremony :

Gavin's class

Mr Viola and Ms Esquibel

Bernardino (front), Gavin, Angel (in back)

Faith

Gavin and his teachers

The three Amigo's-- Javier, Gavin and David

Happy Late Mother's Day

2009-05-12T06:33:00.005-06:00

First and foremost-- Happy Late Mother's day to all the Special women in my life!
So... Mother's day for me consisted of a Tea Party at Gavin's class Friday where we had tea and cookies and the kids escorted their mom's to their table. All were very excited about their gift for us as we were not allowed to look at it! Then after our tea the kids shared their gift with us by reading a poem attached to a pretty picture of their hand as a flower. Gavin told me "Careful Mom, you might cry." I was fine til he said that!

Gavin and I at his tea party for the Mom's

My present and poem

So Mother's day for me included coming home after working all Saturday night to find the boys making belgium waffles for breakfast. Afterwards, I got to sleep in! Yeah!!! Then we spent the day together and played and watched movies and grilled cheeseburgers. Then early to bed!!!
I had a great day!
Oh these are my mother's day gift!

Kindergarten Track Day 5/6/2009

2009-05-07T07:29:00.005-06:00

Gavin's kindergarten class had a track hour and had4-5 different events to compete in, below are pictures from the day!

Angel, Javier and Gavin waiting to start

Relay race
Hannah, Gavin, Javier, Elijah, Mr Viola and Faith

Gavin, David, Elijah getting ready

Get Set.... Go..........

Three legged race

Gavin and Brittany

The boys paired up for the race

Hula hoop-- Gavin did well-- thanks to the Wii!

Tennis ball throw

Standing long jump

All class relay race! Had to put on T-shirt and run around a cone and then come back and take off the shirt. Go Gavin!

Go Ms Esquibel!

More wild and crazy pictures of Us!

2009-04-29T08:23:00.005-06:00

Gavin at the zoo

Gavin posing at the door

Gavin on the mountaineer ride

Rain, Snow and Sun-- but I don't think you can see the small snowflakes

Gavin's new shirt from his aunt

PRE-SUN

After the sun shines on it!

Our Crazy weather and other things

2009-04-29T06:49:00.003-06:00

Here is a picture of Gavin building a robot at the Eye dr's.

Gavin and Kelsey (our next door neighbor) at her birthday

Picture of the Peak

These next two were taken from work with my phone and it looked like the clouds were tidal waves in front of the mountains and they proceded to keep curving up to the sky until they traveled across the sky and you could then see the mountains. It was almost bizarre the way they lifted and looked. Hope you can see them like I did!

Bug and I messing around

2009-04-20T16:58:00.003-06:00

Picture of Gavin's art work from school!

Gavin reading on computer

Gavin

Pictures of Gavin and Mom messing around for the camera.

April Showers bring .....

2009-04-13T05:43:00.010-06:00

I am hoping for lots of May flowers. We will see! We have had more snow in April then we have had all winter. It may not stick around but yet it is still snowing. So I have not been very good about keeping up to date but I guess once a month is better than nothing!

Decorating Easter Eggs
Gavin and Grandma Betty were decorating eggs for Easter! Camo Eggs were eggs of choice this year. Some pictures were taken by Grandma.

Here are some pictures of Gavin being Gavin! Enjoying the warm afternoon sun!

Happy Easter! I drove home from work to thick fluffy wet flakes and by the time I woke to start Easter dinner it was already melting. We had an enjoyable Easter early dinner with friends and then spent the afternoon playing Rock Band and other video games!

Da Boyz
Rob, Gavin and Nathan (I was just informed-- no one knows who Nathan is so I must call him Uncle Nate!)

The Band
Joanna-drums, Darrel-guitar, Nathan (Uncle Nate)- singing, Rob- bass, Gavin- Back-up and Moral support

Spring Break adventure

2009-04-01T07:24:00.003-06:00

Gavin's spring break adventure!
We went to the zoo for Dinosaur days and were -- lets say disappointed. We saw a total of 1 dinosaur and the digging for bones was hmmmmmmmm. But we had a great time otherwise at the zoo. Here our pictures of our adventure.

De-antlered Moose

Gavin saw the peacock and said "I really would love to see it's eyes" and our our way back from snow leopards we saw this one flared up.

Snow Leopard sleeping

Baby mule deer eating the tender buds and trying to hide

Digging for Dino bones

In like a lamb and out like a lion!

2009-04-01T07:07:00.003-06:00

It does seem like the old addage fits. March has definately been that way. 60 degree weather to start the month and our first blizzard (ok maybe second of the whole season). Finally we are expecting more snow and precip at least.

Views of Pikes Peak

Our winter weather -- or the start of our Blizzard!

Apparently I almost forgot it is April's fools day-- but no foolin' here! Plan for more snow today!

Spring is here!!! and so are the Leprechauns

2009-03-17T16:34:00.005-06:00

Full moon from front door!

Just the other day walking to school-- Gavin and I spied my daffodils had bloomed and then we spotted a robin red-breast.

Today is ST Patrick's day and as I am being reminded-- "Yes Gavin has Irish in him, I am Irish and Cherokee". So Gavin wore his green and came home in the cutest Leprechaun mask. That sneaky leprechaun turned Gavin's milk green this am and apparently pulled some pranks at the school. We will have to see what he does for dinner!

Spring/Snow/Gavin's B-D presents! (just a little late on the last one)

2009-03-09T15:08:00.007-06:00

So Spring is here and I was trying to get into the spirit! So check out my decor (my pansy's died and the wasps set up home in there).

So March 1st we celebrated Grandma's 80th birthday at the Melting Pot a Fondue place here in the springs and here is a picture of her celebrating:

So, I was missing the snow and the Peak looked lovely today with the snow so here are a few Peak pictures with snow:

No! No! I really wasn't driving, I was parked at lights!

So I believe I need to just post pictures of Gavin's birthday presents! He may not be to photogenic at the early morning pictures-- "mom, the light is too bright!"

March

2009-03-04T09:45:00.002-07:00

March has really come in like a lamb, but boy do we need the rain/snow! It is so dry here and windy with real high fire danger. Not that I don't love the 70 degree temps and beautiful nights but....... Summer will end up being hell without the precip.

So we celebrated Betty's (Grandma) birthday at the Melting pot, a fondue place. It was wonderful and sinful all rolled into one. I loved the cheese part, Gavin the chocolate part as we let him pick the type of chocolate for dessert. She turned 80 and had always wanted to go there so Rob (who doesn't do fondue) went.

I got a new playtoy!!! Right now am loving it!!! I got an Ipod. Very fun and exciting and I love the fact that I can take my music with me in a little tiny case!!!!!

Besides that I am looking for a new vehicle. My little Dodge neon is not holding a family anymore and a 90 pound dog-- makes it even smaller.
So I am out car shopping-- ok ok minivan/SUV shopping! Wish me luck! Hopefully will have it before I take vacation in June-- get ready peeps I want to go to the Rodeo!!!!

So this is my start of March blogging-- might not post much but.... will keep you posted on our little part of the world!

Sick

2009-02-26T07:16:00.002-07:00

This year has already been a year for illness! Tuesday, Gavin c/o of sudden ear ache and we tried the home remedies Tylenol, warm packs and they seemed to help for a little bit. He didn't seem to miserable so I figured I take him to see his Dr after school on Wednesday but by that night he was so miserable he couldn't sleep and he was crying in pain. So off to the ER at 10:30pm, after a long wait and a dose of Motrin, Gavin was sound asleep the Dr saw us and gave us a script for antibiotic. Ear infection! So after a very restless/crying/miserable night, Gavin stayed home from school. Started antibiotics and we are feeling a little better today but home from school again and will miss his first music concert tonght! Boo!
But I think he will be back in school friday. Hopefully we will work on our birthday thank you's today.

Gavin's party games

2009-02-23T20:35:00.002-07:00

So if you haven't figured it out-- It'z is a lot like Chucky Cheese with games for all ages. So here are the kids and adults having fun!

Gavin's Birthday Party

2009-02-23T13:36:00.004-07:00

Gavin's Birthday party at It'z, was a lot of fun for kids and grown-up kids alike!

Gavin's birthday cake!!!

2009-02-23T06:43:00.003-07:00

Gavin's 6th birthday cake-- Army theme!

Absolutely much nicer and more detailed than anything mom could ever make!

see all the detail

Gavin did a great job picking out his own cake! He had a half and half one: one half chocolate with fudge and other vanilla with raspberry. Very yummy!

Happy Birthday Gavin!

2009-02-23T02:22:00.005-07:00

Who would believe that 6 years ago today, while the Grammys were playing on TV and Eminem was finishing performing "Lose Yourself". So at 9:55 you came into this world a beautiful bundle of joy!

Enjoy the pictures!

We Love you very much!!!

February....where has it gone?

2009-02-17T14:00:00.002-07:00

I swore that I was going to do this better or at least more but... I wish I knew where the month went. I knew it was just Valentines and now in a week is Gavin's 6th birthday. I don't know how he got to be so old!
So Gavin had a great valentine's day at school. Lots of cute cards and even some girlie ones.
His birthday is next week and on Sunday we are planning on taking him to Itz with his friends from school. He is doing the army theme this year. So he supposedly has a cute cake by his standards as go. Mommy is working all weekend and has no time this week to make the cake.
Bad Mommy!
So will post pictures as soon as I find time ahahahahahaha!!!!!

Evening Sky

2009-01-28T08:12:00.003-07:00

During our rash of 60 degree days, these are pictures of the evening sky! The pink color was absolutely beautiful as it cast it pink hues over the inside of the dining room and kitchen.

Very amazing and beautiful!

We are PROUD parents!!!!

2009-01-27T19:54:00.004-07:00

We attended a kindergarten assembly and Gavin received 2 awards, one for finishing his winter packet and the other for Outstanding Thinking Skills. They took Winter semester tests and he has exceeded the Spring scores. So we are just a little proud of him!

For those of you squeemish peep-- please ignore the below picture!!!!

Gavin and I attended a home and garden show and we got to see what survived in crawl spaces. They had a tarantula that Gavin got to hold and since his daddy was gone to Vegas, we had to take a picture to show him what we did!

Gavin's picts

2009-01-23T03:32:00.003-07:00

Gavin on a swing at a park near our house, we went to Starbucks and got coffee, vanilla steamer and snacks and froze our butts off in the wind!
Trying to take a picture of Pikes Peak from my work leaving one morning. It was a beautiful pink color but my zoom doesn't go far.

Gavin trying to climb a tree at a park like the other kids were doing.

Cool man shades!

The "I don't want my picture taken look", it was this one or ones of him blowing spit bubbles or sticking his tongue out so I opted for this.

New here? Hmmmmmmmm.................

2009-01-20T06:30:00.003-07:00

Not much is new here, we have been having warm temps in the 60's and enjoying the outside as much as possible. Gavin has been reading more, and I hope liking it better!

He just learned to play WAR and has been having a great time playing that.

He now wants a sugar glider, trantula and hot tub with alternating rainbow lights; all of this thanks to checking out home and garden shows.

So our big new is that Gavin is doing so well in school right now that they are talking about a different first grade. He has surpassed his already set spring semester standards. I am very proud of him!

This first part of the year will be pretty busy for us as:

Gavin turns 6 in Feb and wants Bionicle birthday party,

Grandma Betty turns 80 in March- and we are planning on taking her to the Melting Pot (fondue place) for her birthday and

Rob turns the big 40 and wants nothing done-- hahaha we shall see-- but at least I have some time to think about it!

So I believe that is all for us-- not much here!

Happy Birthday To YOU!!!

2009-01-10T01:50:00.005-07:00

Ok, I was hoping to be really good and blog at least daily this year but.... I guess that resolution goes out the window early!

So I guess I will start now by wishing my brother Keven a Happy Birthday.

And then tomorrow-- I will be pre-emptive and wish my brother-in-law DJ a Happy Birthday!

We (Gavin and I) just want to give a shout out to Daddy (Rob) and let him know we miss him and hope he is having fun in Vegas!

Gavin and I have plans for date by catching a movie (Bedtime Stories) and then going to the home and garden show. See if we can do anything new to the house that is relatively cheap!

Hope Everyone has a great weekend and great 2009!

Happy New Year!!!

2008-12-31T23:23:00.001-07:00

Happy New Year Everyone as it is just about to be time to ring in the new year our time! Happy New Year to all of you who have already rang in the new year!!!

Our Christmas Holiday

2008-12-30T06:44:00.006-07:00

Our Christmas holiday started out with Rob's work party at Fargo's pizza.

Apparently the guys are all excited about the power cords they got as a gag gift!

The Stierstorfer family

The Christmas tree at Fargo's

Chris, James and his wife/girlfriend-- I can't remember as I have only met her once and Mikey's head!Gavin and Mom-- doesn't he look thrilled to have his picture taken!

Vanessa, Jason and Mikey again-- just don't look too close to the picture~but boys will be boys~!

Christmas Day 2008

I worked Christmas Eve and rushed home to beat the boys up and apparently they were still waking up slowly by the time I got home, so it was time to unwind and open presents. Santa apparently is one smart man as Gavin got his hearts desire a:

D-REX

This dinosaur follows commands, attacks, guards, burps and farts on command. He even answers simple questions and takes naps. Pretty cool!

Grandma Betty getting ready to open presents on Christmas Day.

Gavin's loot (ok except for the red pots behind him-- they are mine!)

Gavin playing with his D-Rex and bakugan's in his particularly full room!

Christmas Day night was spent with friends. Uncle Nate, Grandma Betty, Gavin and Rob probably playing Gavin's video game. Rob made Christmas dinner so I could take a nap before the nightly activities and we enjoyed one of our non-traditional meals of steak and crab legs. Finall figured out how to use a steamer that has been in the house for years and wow it was very easy to make the crab that way!

Guitar Hero Band

Daryl, Nate, Joanna and Rob

Sing Nate!

Mikey and his girlfriend Bev trying out Guitar Hero!

Nate and Joanna enjoying a breather and Apple Cider!

Christmas night was a lot of fun with a chili feed late in the evening and our friends hanging out enjoying video games. May we have many more this coming new year!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-27T06:56:00.002-07:00

Hope everyone had a great day and Santa was especially good to everyone!
I know we were all good here!
Christmas Eve -- I was at work and the boys at home and the Christmas Day I hurried home to open presents with a very excited 5 year old! Afterwards, I slept a bit and Rob made dinner.
We enjoyed steak and crab legs. One of our friends, Nate, spent the day with us and after dinner the boys played some new video games and later some more of our friends arrived and we rocked out to Guitar Hero/Rock Band and had some chili. Boy was I tired when Gavin and I laid down around midnight! What a fun day!
There were some great presents!
I am presently (ok well very soon) am going to play with one of my favorites! I recieved a negative converter! It is awesome!! I am converting all of my trillions of old negatives to computer! I am having a great time remembering things!!!
I will post Christmas pictures soon!!! After I am done playing!!!

A child's imagination

2008-12-16T06:21:00.002-07:00

Here is Gavin's Christmas tree that he decorated himself with the Star Wars M&M characters and his Raiders ornaments and Mom's Coke bears.
The lighted tree-- early in the morning

Now on to the imagination! The above and below pictures and idea got started after watching a dinosaur video about spiders and building nests (like the trapdoor spider). So with some left over boxes he created his "burrow" and used he white packing paper as sensitive weblines to feel prey movin near the burrow.

Here is a picture of the spider coming after his prey-- surprisingly he does fit through the opening with much wiggling as Mom had to cut it to fit.

So he only has a week of school left before he is home for Christmas break, so I am sure we will have many many more imaginative days of play!

Christmas Tree and outdoor decorations

2008-12-11T11:37:00.003-07:00

So we spent the last two days rearranging the downstairs family room and in the meantime-- decorated the upstairs Christmas tree and I believe we are done with outdoor decorations. So here are the pictures:

Front yard with the candycane border and new blow-up snowman family!

So our Viking themed tree is no longer. With the fake tree and the automatic white lights, we don't have to string it with the alternating purple and gold bulbs. So we have our Hallmark ornaments and purple and gold decorations with a train to run around the bottom.

Luckily, I got Gavin's tree up downstairs and he decorated it with M&M Star Wars ornaments and surrounded by Mom's Coke bears.

I did get my Christmas cards labeled and need to mail them, and I have 2 batches of cookies completed for holiday baking!!!

But I think all the shopping is done except for the adult's stockings.

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!!

Enjoy !

Zoo Holiday lights

2008-12-07T20:54:00.005-07:00

Gavin and a ferret and Mrs Claus at the top of the Gondola ride.

I just loved the bowtie on th Giraffe's neck!

Ok just ewwwww!

The Grinch coming out of hiding.

Flamingo and pond of lights.

The men and bear!

Gavin would pose with every lighted object except Santa!

Squirrel

Warming by the fire.

Skunk spraying a bear.

Mountain lions

Porcupine

Lights

Star path

More lights!

We had a great time! No snow but chilly and cold with the wind. I encourage everyone that gets the chance to go! We made bags for the mountains lions that we colored and sprayed with mint. We colored cards for animals, made pinecone bird feeders out of honey and birdseed. Happy Holidays!!!

Our Start of Christmas lights

2008-12-01T17:50:00.003-07:00

Here's to a very happy December!
This is our tree and front window lights.

When we went to check out the lights to see how they looked, we saw the moon and 2 planets looking absolutely beautiful! So we traversed down the street to check out the other houses decorations and just a ways down a house had lights to music so we stopped to admire it! How beautiful! Crisp chill in the air! What a wonderful night!

First Snow

2008-11-28T10:23:00.005-07:00

First snow of the holiday season, though at this time you can't tell, so Gavin is outside trying to catch snowflakes in his hand.

So snow on Thanksgiving!

So after calling families, eating Thanksgiving lunch, chilling at home. We all went to see the movie "Twilight". It was good, I really enjoyed reading series. So we came home and chilled and found it snowing!!!!!!!

Friday

Gavin playing in the first snow, and his home-made snow angel!

After pelting Mom and the house with numerous snow balls we finally got Dad to come out and play!

So we are sending our wishes of snow to our family in Florida!!! Best of luck getting snow!!!!

What a Month!!!

2008-11-24T12:27:00.002-07:00

Don't quite know where to start but:
First a two very good friends of mine lost their special friend. That is absolutely tragic, so close to the holiday season. So it makes me want to remind all of you that you are special and I love you very much! Time is so short that we should be greatful for every little thing!

Next my eye! I thought I scratched it, then I thought I had pink eye and confirmed by MD. Then still didn't get better so went to eye dr and no it is not pink eye and definately not contagious!! But hourly eye drops are killing me. Luckily my eye doesn't hurt anymore!

Thanksgiving is only 3 days away-- where did the month go? I don't think I even got 2 decorations up. But that means-- I can decorate for Christmas in 4 days!!!
I was just realizing that I haven't started a Christmas letter or cards and I usually save that for Thanksgiving evening to start them. I really wanted to send a picture card this year. But we apparently can't appear anywhere as a family for pictures. Went to a wedding and never got a picture of the three of us at all! Don't even think that we got a family picture Trick-or-Treating when we dressed up as a family!

Last but not least. I just realize that I hate hackers! I play an online game with friends and family and I played a little last night and woke today to find out that my character and guild had been robbed of all my stuff: gear, money. I know pretty petty of me-- but still what a bunch of jerks-- ruining someone else's gaming fun! I am pretty angry and hope the the game masters will be able to help with it.

Hope you all have a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving and it is spent with loved ones!

See what did I tell you....

2008-11-12T19:13:00.003-07:00

Apparently Blogspot and I are not working together very well, if you can't tell from my last post.
Let's see-- news-
Gavin was excited to vote and was very happy that his guy he voted for won.
Let's hope he can do a good job and that is all I am going to say about that.

At work lately, I have been getting to spend a lot of quality time at home and getting called off a lot as there are a large number of staff and need for large number of nurses is very small. To say it nicely.

This weekend is our Anniversary-- I am suppose to work Saturday-- but may easily get the day off to celebrate-- we shall see if not we will celebrate on Sunday. Guess I will leave plans up to Rob!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I just wanted to say that I am very thankful for my family, friends, my health and the health of my family. I have been trying out the thought of using a gratitude journal-- since I haven't been so good at keeping up a diary or even a scrapbook so who knows.

Happy Thanksgiving season one and all!!!

PS I can't wait to start playing Christmas music!!!!

Halloween Night at Elitch Gardens Denver

2008-11-03T18:21:00.004-07:00

Halloween night spent at Elitch Gardens in Denver.

Rob and Gavin disappearing in the fog.

Ghost in the cemetery

Rob and Gavin disappearing in the fog

and then they are gone.

Gavin's rides and other creatures haunting the night. Sorry took so long-- but page gave me grief editing and cutting/pasting it. So I gave up for a while and finally-- well here it is!

Halloween

2008-11-01T08:26:00.002-06:00

We did a little OK a lot of something different for Halloween this year. So the boys removed the decorations from the yard while I slept after work. When I woke, we dressed in our costumes and went up to Denver with some friends and enjoyed Dave and Busters ( a restaurant with video/racing games) and then went to a Fright Fest at Elitch Gardens. We rode rides, got scared and saw cool costumes. Had a fun and safe Halloween without all the candy. So who know-- maybe a family tradition????

Check out the websites while I get the pictures ready to post!
http://www.elitchgardens.com/

http://www.daveandbusters.com/

Pumpkin Pride

2008-10-27T21:14:00.005-06:00

Pumpkin carving is a big deal in our house. So this year-- we decided to carve a few hopefully indestructable ones. So I left that to Rob and Gavin to take care of.

So we have on top a scary clown, a regular pumpkin face (left), trick or treating monster (center) and two faced mask to the right.

So here is Gavin's pumpkin that he picked from his day at the pumpkin patch.

His pumpkin has a lot to be desired so he got a little sick!!!!

My pumpkin ( real one)-- Gavin pick the pattern to go with out family costumes.

Hope you enjoy our carvings!