Friday, February 25, 2011

Outdoor Fun


Seems like we don't get outside as much as we used to. My midline is showing that. This picture was taken bouldering with our friends, Lucas (5) and Axel (2). You can see that a little outdoor time makes everyone happy! I will take note of that - tomorrow we have a hike planned :)

Monday, February 21, 2011

Valentine's Party 2011

Happy Valentine's Day!
We hosted a party for our friends and it doubled as a birthday party for Laura. Here are some highlights...
The kids decorated their own bags and then delivered Valentine's to each other. It is great that all of them get along so well and, usually, it is kumbayah.
Here Layton is decorating his with "boy" stickers...transformers.
Kestrel, Cailey Jo, layton and Carly working hard on their bags.
Carly, Anne Marie (love the tiara) and Ryan.
Acadiana, Kestrel and Cailey Jo.
Trying to get the whole table working. They all had a great time!
This is the crew of moms. They help me out and support me while Luke is away. I couldn't do a lot that I do without them...
From left to right: Jen (mom of Brice, Acadiana and Cailey Jo), Jennifer (mom to Carly), Laura (mom to Anne Marie) and Colleen (mom to Ryan).

Update on 2011

It is never a good thing to be home with a sick kiddo. However, the quiet resting time is allowing me to finally update this blog...finally!
2011 has brought a new, easier, schedule for me and Kestrel is attending the same preschool as Layton. She is absolutely thriving and you know your kid is gonna be all right when they become immersed in their classroom before getting their goodbye kiss. Her teachers, Miss Megan and Miss Chary (a former student of mine) are terrific! We love UTC Children's Center for what they have taught Layton (thanks to Abby and Katie) and are proving to be just as great for early preschool. The waitlist was worth it :)
Luke is in Lawrenceville building hours and really enjoying flight instructing. The distance between us and him is manageable, though not enjoyed. We will be happy to have our dad back with us full-time (or as full-time as a commercial pilot can be). He has found he likes teaching and I am sure he is really good at it. Most of these pictures are from times we all get to be together...
A huge snowstorm hit the SouthEast and Luke had three days with us as he waited for his airport to de-ice.

The total snowfall was about 8 inches when it was all said and done...

We stayed inside and were quietly reflecting the snow...
But I was just sooo excited about it that I had to get my skis out and give them a whirl...
The great thing about our neighborhood is that it is like a little "Mayberry". We all know each other, our kids all play together and parents enjoy each other's company. On this snow day, we had a lovely breakfast with the Collins and the Eslingers and then joined the others for a full day of sledding, skiing, snow kayaking and riding kayaks behind trucks. The Lancasters were kind enough to serve as "basecamp" and I am surprised if their electricity bill didn't significantly rise for all the dryer use between runs.
Below is the Waterhaven snow skateboard champion, Phillip!!! Remember, for a lot of these kids...this is the most snow they have ever seen (so you riders out West...cut us some slack)



I took the kids to spend the weekend in Lawrenceville and we checked out the Fernbank museum of Natural History. It is an awesome building with great architecture. The museum is good, but the lack of talk regarding evolution was a bit weird...it was like all exhibits were mutually exclusive from one another. Regardless, it was a great family day!



I just love those head-in-the-hole things...so funny!
On the way home, Kestrel passed out and Layton was cuckoo-for-cocoa puffs to have all of us together for a few days.

And this picture Luke took while home for a day...yes, this is my usual sleeping situation. Total bed domination by the one (almost 2) year old...Both kids start out in their beds, but usually end up in mine.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Lands End Hill Climb 2005

I was looking on youtube.com this morning and found an old video from the 2005 Lands End Hill Climb in Grand Junction, CO, the year that Scott Leonard (and myself co-driving) almost broke a class record, until.... Check out the white VW Golf and the end of the video. Good times.