Christmas Nativity Play

We have been going to a new church this past year and the boys are really enjoying being there and learning all about Jesus.  I was a little worried because it is a pretty big church, but it seems like a very good fit for our family.  Every year this church puts on a living Nativity Play and the boys wanted to be a part of the choir (along with their cousins).  Next year Tucker said he would like to be a Shepherd or a sheep!

Summer 2013 -- Grand Adveture -- Illinois Paradise

My cousin invited us to stay the night at his house before we headed for home.  They own some property and it is absolutely gorgeous!!  We swam in their little pond, had a fish fry, then did some fishing, and enjoyed a campfire.  AMAZING!  John and Cindy are so hospitable and we wish would could have spent more time with them.

Swimming in their little pond.

Trey was hesitant to go out to the dock, but I finally got him out there.

Everyone enjoying the water...it was nice and warm!

We got out the boat and did a little fishing.

The first one Tucker caught.

My handsome little man.

Tucker was in fishing heaven!

Trey's first catch.

Summer 2013 -- Grand Adventure -- Farm Life

In the Summer of 2013 we went on a Grand Adventure (for some reason as I am typing this it sounds like the beginning of a How I Met Your Mother episode, complete with Bob Saget narrating in it in my mind...maybe because this trip was legendary....).  Kim and the kids are such a big part of our family, we wanted them to experience our other home.  So me, the boys, Kim and the kids, and my mom and day caravanned to Wisconsin.

 

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE farm life.  It is always such an amazing experience and I am so fortunate my boys (and Kim and the kids) are able to partake in it too.   These memories will stick with the kids forever and I know they will always look back at their time there with fondness.

This house and the people in it have my heart always.

The barn, although smelly is a part of my heart too.

We spent our days and night outside, really only going inside to use the bathroom (well only us girls, the boys just went and found a tree...) and not once did the kids ask to turn on the tv or say they were bored.

We explored the farm land on the Ranger.

Bondfire nights.

Tractor driving

Shucking home grown peas.

Beautiful sunsets.

Endless games of football, soccer, riding bikes, or just playing in general.

Searching for farm animals (these two are similar it is crazy..I'm proud Tucker is such a good role model for Q.)

A barn full of milking cows!

Everyone getting a lesson about fresh milk and getting to try warm fresh cow's milk

And getting to milk a cow by hand!!

Ty was not too sure about getting that close to a big old cow, so I helped!

But most of all, it was so nice to just sit and enjoy each other's company.

Zoo Day

In true Colorado fashion, 5 days after the huge snow storm, all evidence of snow was gone and we had a free day, so we ended up at the zoo.  It was a little chilly, but walking around kept us warm enough to enjoy.  We got to explore the new elephant exhibit and even watch an elephant training session.  It was a pretty great day at the zoo.

Ty being brave and feeding the giraffe

The kids watching the elephant training session

The big boys in the 'Madagascar' plane

The boys with their cousins...love these cuties!

Ice Skating!

For Bella's birthday she wanted to go ice skating!  The boys had never been before and for me it's been over 10 years since I had been on the ice...luckily for me it's like riding a bicycle and I did fine once back on the ice.  The boys actually did pretty good!  Trey was nicknamed crazy legs because his legs just did funny things out on that ice, he had 2 huge bruises on the inside of his knees from the awkward way he skated using the bucket's assistance.  Tucker got frustrated because he didn't pick it up automatically and ended up falling quite a bit, but by the end of the session, he was working it out on his own (because he would just rather get frustrated and fall than take advice from anyone).  Ty actually really liked it, he did good on his own just pushing the bucket around, but it was much better if I just did all the work for him, so I spent much of the skating hunched over pushing him around in circles!  This is definitely something we want to go do again.

Easter 2013...at a glance

The one where he turned EIGHT!!

My first born turned 8 years old on Saturday!  He started the day taking 2nd place at a wrestling tournament and after that we headed to Casa Bonita....a pretty incredible restaurant.  Then we did a little shopping and then headed back home to eat pizza and cake.  The finally he got to open some presents!  His first day as an 8 year old was a pretty good one!

The birthday boy!

Cute cousins...too bad you can't see the waterfall in the background

Excited for some cake

It was such a long day that 2 of the 6 kids slept through dinner, cake, and presents!

Pizza time!

My boy picked out cheese cake again this year

Blowing out 8 candles!

Some awesome new goalie gloves!!