Air Force Academy

While Amanda's Dad was here we also made a trip to the Air Force Academy. The visitor's center was a little lacking (is there a museum here or something that we missed?) Here are a couple pictures from the visitor's center.







We took the short hike to the Cadet Chapel. It's probably one of the most interesting buildings I've ever seen.





Here's a shot from the inside that my Dad took. I don't really know how to change the setting on my camera and all of my pictures came out really dark.


Emma in the chapel:


It was really interesting - and probably would have been better if the kids weren't all cold and tired :) But I'm glad that we were able to see it.

Garden of the Gods

Amanda's Dad surprised us with an impromptu visit to Colorado Springs in February. His original flight to Maryland got delayed because of a snowstorm. Since he already had the time off - and really wanted to see some grandkids, he got his flight changed to Colorado. It was fun to have him for a few days. We actually visited some of the places here that we had never been to. Our first stop was to the Garden of the Gods.

Here's Emma and Grandpa with the beautiful rocks in the background.


Rachel at the visitor's center


You can't really see the rocks but I couldn't resist this cute one of Emma


The huge rock formations are really impressive up close and in person.




The kids all had to get in this crevice.


And Grandpa had to get in on the fun as well.


Here's Rachel and Grandpa with the "kissing camels" in the background.


And here's why they call it that.


Here are the rest of the photos:

We had a nice time - despite it being a little bit cold. We'll have to go back in the summer and walk around a bit more.

Family Update January 2010

I need to be far better updating our blog on a regular basis! I will forget the fun things that happen and also the boring day to day stuff if I don't write it down. So, here's a little January update. January started off with every one getting back into the swing of things - the kids in school, Dad with new responsibilities at work and Church, and me focusing on getting back to the gym and getting the house organized.

The kids have been doing great at school. Rachel has managed to get straight As so far in middle school and is adjusting really well. When the weather has been nice, the kids have been enjoying jumping on a trampoline that we got for Christmas. I enjoy them getting a little bit of outdoor time! I'm looking forward to the Spring and Summer when they can use it a little bit more. I finally organized all the toys in the house (they've just been in boxes since we moved here) and the kids are having fun rediscovering old things that they had forgotten about. I also moved a bunch of furniture around and now the kids all feel like they have a new room.

David and Josh had crazy hair day at school. They had fun creating their hairstyles but I think they ended up taking them out at school. Something about looking like girls...



Both of them actually really need haircuts so there was a lot to work with.


David went with the "pony hawk".


Josh added these little clips - I think he ended up regretting it :)

I almost gave them a real mohawk - and then I was going to give them a haircut the next day, but decided against it. I didn't want to mess it up too badly!

Anyway, those are some of the things we did this month. I promise more blogging in the future :)

Christmas 2009

Despite the fact that it's taken me over a month to post our Christmas pictures, we had a nice Christmas. We spent Christmas at home and then spent the week after in New Mexico (we didn't really take any pictures there - it was just a nice time visiting with family). We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and morning and the kids were happy with their gifts. It all started the night before with some new Christmas pajamas.



The kids were all happy to get "footie" pajamas that I found in all the sizes.


Here's David going through his stocking while waiting for presents.



Josh, looking at his lifesaver book.

Emma found a lot of treasures in her stocking.

Emma loves pigs and was happy to add one to her collection.


Another webkinz for Josh.


David found his most sought after present first - the long awaited microscope.


Rachel was more than thrilled to get the next Leven Thumps book.

Be sure to check out the rest of the photos in the slide show!

Gardner Village October 2009

When we took our fall break trip to Utah, Grandma, Aunt Sarah, and I took the kids out to Gardner Village. They had some fall activities there and a fun restaurant to eat lunch at.



Here are the kids waiting for the pony rides.



Josh, with his Jack-o-lantern smile.


Rachel, David, & Josh


All 4 of them enjoying a candy stick from the sweet shop.


Emma



Rachel, riding her pony around the donkey wheel. I don't know how exciting it was for them, but them seemed to have fun.

Josh

David


Emma


Next was the petting zoo where Emma firmly rejected petting any animals. We all know she likes to keep her hands clean :)

David

The girls

"Mom, it's getting close to me!"


Josh wasn't afraid.

He was pretty happy.

There were a lot of cute photo ops there.


Emma enjoying her candy stick.


Enjoy the rest of the photos in this slide show.

Thanks so much to Sarah for taking all of the pictures!

Fishing Trip June 2009

So, this fishing excursion took place many months ago, when we were on a trip to Utah. It took me a while to get the pictures and then even longer to post them, but they were too cute not to put on the blog. So, even though it is way over due - the fishing trip.

Grandpa Brent always likes to take the kids to do fun things while we are there. David needed to go fishing for a cub scout requirement and there was this nice trout farm nearby. The kids had a lot of fun catching their first ever fish(es).


Here's Josh with his first catch.


David, wrestling a fish to the ground



Rachel, pulling up her first one.


You can tell she is pretty proud of it.



A cute one of David and Josh


David was really excited to be passing off his fishing beltloop for cub scouts.



He had a lot of fun.


"I got one!"


Thanks to Grandpa Brent (and Uncle Sam) for taking them and to Aunt Sarah for taking all the pictures.