Trip to DURANGO for the POLAR EXPRESS

Our ride on the Polar Express...

I FORGOT MY CAMERA FOR THE RIDE AND HAD TO STEAL THIS ONE OFF ANGIE'S BLOG, THANK YOU ANGIE!

 

After weeks of anticipation... trying REALLY hard to keep it a secret from the kids... we took a trip to Durango Colorado to go on the POLAR EXPRESS with the Morrill and Nalder families.  The kids were wild and crazy and loved every minute of it! 

We had a great time wearing out the kids swimming both nights.

This year all the kids got their Christmas PJ's early and looked darling wearing them for the train ride and hanging out after.

   

The ride home was long and pretty scary at times but we got home safe and sound.  And now need to get ready to leave on Thursday for another adventure.  How can you not love WINTER.

MY HAPPY BOY

A GOOD PLACE TO PLAY & A GOOD PLACE FOR A NAP

I left Evan in his room for a few minutes and when I came back he was under his crib.  He thought is was pretty fun... every time I talked to him he would laugh.  It was great entertainment for him.  These days he finds the most random things to play with.  You would think he would love his toys that blink or make noise, oh no, he love things like a box or being under his crib.  Silly boy!

At the time Evan was playing under his crib I found Avery in the front room like this.  For the past two days she has made herself a little bed in front of the fireplace to get warm and a short time later I find her asleep.  I am excited she is getting a nap, most days she refuses to take one.

THANKSGIVING 2008

After six years we finally had Thanksgiving with the Elmore side of the family!  Our trips to Utah always go fast, but this one was WAY to quick.... good thing we will be back for our niece Stefanie's wedding in a few weeks!!!  YEAH STEF!

One of my favorite things of being a parent is watching my kids go through all the little milestones.  Kayla lost her front tooth the night of Thanksgiving.  She will soon enter into the FLK (funny looking kid) stage,  when her tooth starts to grow in.  And if she has genes from me in that department it might be one BIG tooth, but nevertheless she will always be a sweetie and that is what matters, right? heee heee

Now that I know my time is limited in Colorado, I have found myself really taking in all the things I will miss here.  On the drive back from Utah there was a gorgeous sunset with the scenery of fresh snow, pine trees, and mountains.  I took a million pictures but they really never give the moment justice.

NO bEaRs.... Go CoUgArS

Saturday morning I went hiking with a group of ladies on a trail by my house.  Thank you Angie for organizing it.  It felt great to get up early and enjoy the fresh air, without worry about dressing, feeding, and taking care the kiddos.  The trail we hiked, I later found out, was the same trail Spencer almost ran into a bear mountain biking months ago.  I know many of you have heard the story, since then I have been a little nervous to run in that area.   But no worries we saw NO BEARS and most likely never will.  Maybe Spencer made it up.... ha ha just kidding Spence I know it happened.  

Later that day we took Evan to his first football game, BYU vs Air Force.  A friend in our ward had gotten us tickets, along with a ton of other people in our ward.  It was great to be surrounded by so many friends.  I  didn't really care who won since we have ties to both teams but we decided to cheer for BYU and happily they won.

******SEEING TWILIGHT STARS ******

Yesterday Laurie and I went to my favorite mall in Denver the PARK MEADOWS MALL to do a little shopping... well kinda a lot of shopping.  And it just happened to be a very special day there, three of the STARS from the movie TWILIGHT were signing autographs at  Hot Topic .  It was the actors that play LAURENT, JACOB, and VICTORIA (Okay, I admit I knew they would be there.)  But we found out once there that you had to buy a t-shirt, which they stated selling at 7am and only had limited amounts, in order to be in line to get their autographs.  (Bummer)  But after they were done signing they did answered questions on a stage in a main area of the mall.  Laurie and I were brought back to our teenage years being surrounded by hundreds of screaming girls wearing Twilights t-shirts.  

      

I love the Food Court, it feels like a HUGE lodge.  Can you believe they already have Christmas stuff up!  Though it did look beautiful and made me want to spend more money than I should.  

 

Here we are in front of Hot Topic.  You should have seen all the security,  it was crazy!

 

Who's this you ask?  Ha ha ha...  since we couldn't see EDWARD we had to settle for this. 

 

Here are the STARS... after about five minutes we went back to shopping.  But it made a great reason to go to Denver.  

****VICTORIA****LAURENT*****JACOB*******

I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN...

On Friday night I told Kayla and Avery to get their PJ's on so they could go over to the Morrills house where a babysitter was going to watch them.  When I was ready to leave our house I found Avery on the floor asleep, it was on 5:30, which she NEVER does.  Then that night the babysitter said Avery didn't play with the other kids, she just laid down most the time and then fell asleep.  At this point I REALLY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN.... Avery came into our room in the middle of the night REALLY SICK.  

By Sunday we needed to get out of the house so we went on a little drive and took a few pictures.  I love finding new places to explore, just to be outside is soooo nice after being cooped up inside for a couple days.

Yah, it was a Sunday that none of us were feeling great and didn't care much to get ready.

Just to let you know I fell into the stream trying to have Spencer take this picture.  It was pretty funny.  But I didn't want to share any of the great pictures of my leg soaking wet.

CONGRATS SPENCER!!!!

Today Spencer was accepted into the GRADUATE ENDODONTICS PROGRAM at both Oregon and Ohio.  Oregon called first and I couldn't have been more EXCITED!!!  I have always wanted to live in Oregon and I thought this would be our chance.  Then a few hours later Ohio State called and I knew my dream of living in Oregon was gone  (Angie S. I am so sad), but my LOVE for OHIO goes deep and it will feel like going home moving back to Ohio for TWO years.  

We will be moving the end of June... oh, the thought of packing up all our stuff and driving the LONG drive back to Ohio sounds painful.  I don't even want to think about how much I will MISS our friends here in the Springs, namely the Morrills.  But I will try not to think about that stuff yet since we have awhile.  

Since Spencer has graduated from Dental School last year we have been trying to figure out what our next step would be.  We love living here in Colorado Springs and who knows we might come back after he graduates, but we have just felt like there is more for us to do before we settle.  I guess now we have our answer, two more years of school.  Since we have been in school for pretty much our whole marriage another two years sound fine, plus the bonus of two more seasons of Ohio State football.  GO BUCKEYES!

HALLOWEEN HIGHLIGHTS

It has been a very FUN and BUSY week (as I am sure for all of you).  I was kinda sad to take down the Halloween decorations today but excited to move on to Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Kayla had Thursday and Friday off school this week, it felt like we celebrated Halloween for three days straight.  Here are a few of the pic's.

Ready to TRICK-OR-TREAT!!!

Kayla the VAMPIRE QUEEN

Avery the SNOW PRINCESS

SCARY MOM with Evan the HOT DOG

TRUNK-OR-TREAT

FAMILY PICTURE

i am still alive

Just for those of you wondering Spencer didn't kill me:)  When he got home he was shocked for sure but ended up not making too big a deal about it.  I even heard him later that night telling Dave (Ohio Buddy) on the phone that I had chopped my hair but that it looked good.  Guys are funny because either they make a big deal for you to not cut your hair or they don't notice that you changed anything at all.  So I guess I can be happy that he noticed and that he didn't care much after that.

My Husband is going to KILL me!

Anyone that has talked to me about my hair in the past year knows this haircut has been long coming.  I have had my appointment scheduled for the past two weeks and in that time discussed with Spencer how I should and shouldn't cut it. (A little background) Spencer started dating me while I was in beauty school and has seen my hair every color and length.  He never cared what I have done with it until now.  On Sunday he said, "Well as long as you don't cut it into a short a-line bob.... Or I will be mad at you."  Yes he said he would be MAD at me.  Spencer has been out of town for two nights and today he comes home and doesn't know I have already cut my hair.  So wish me luck... and hopefully he will like it anyway!  I have to say that it feels soooo great to have shorter hair even if my husband ends up hating it.

Manitou Springs

We enjoyed the great weather today by walking around Manitou Springs.  It is a fun little tourist town at the base of the canyon that goes up to Pike Peak.  (The 14,110 foot mountain that can be seen pretty much anywhere in Colorado Springs)  I LOVE fall and don't what in to end.  All the leaves look so beautiful!  We found a perfect spot to take pictures... I got a little carried away.  I was excited to get a family picture.  I think it is only the third one of us all together since Evan has been born.

SCHOOL MEMORIES...

TrYiNG to be DOmEsTic

It has been a big week for me... I learned two new skills.  First, Laurie and I used our mad tree climbing skills and picked a bunch of crabapples and learned how to make crabapple jelly.  Then I learned how to make bread (without Spencer's help).  Well he actually found the recipe and made it first.  Then yesterday I did it myself!  I have always wanted to be one of those great Moms (and wife) who has homemade bread waiting for the family when they come home.  So you can imagine how happy I am now that I have this new skill.  I know, I know, for all those that make bread, that it is not that hard.  But needless to say I was still scared to even try.  Anywhoooo, for those that want to try this fantastic Amish White Bread recipe, here you go!  It is a great website!

Evan

Evan is six months today... six months have already gone by.  It is amazing how much babies change their first year.  Last week Evan got his first two teeth, it has made him a little grumpy.  I feel like everyday I wake-up and he looks a little different.  I can't express the love I have for this baby boy!  It is such a blessing to be a mother.

Happy 29th Birthday Karla!

I met Karla in 7th grade French class... around 16 years ago.  Wow, that really makes me feel kinda old.  It has been over 5 years since we have lived by each other and yet we have maintained a friendship that couldn't be closer.  Thanks for being the friend that you are Karla, I love you and hope you have a fabulous 29th birthday.

Happy Birthday Avery!

Last Saturday we had a princess party for Avery.

Kayla & Avery got to wear the dresses they have been working so hard to earn.  I saw them at Marshall's and knew they would love them for Halloween but decided they had to fill a reward chart in order to have them... it has been a great positive motivator in our home.

I had all the little princesses get their picture by the castle and then had them take it home in a frame.  I was excited because they turned out pretty cute.

I have to thank Laurie for all her help with the party.  I learned this year with doing home parties you really need quite a few adults to help.

Avery got a ton of great toys... thank you Grandma's & Grandpa's for sending such fun things too!

Today was Avery's actual birthday so we had to at least have cake and ice cream... thank you yet again Laurie and Brent for always letting us hang out at your home.  I really don't know what we will do when we don't live four houses down.

HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY AVERY! WE LOVE YOU!