Feather Boa

What feather boa? I didn't see a feather boa. I'm just here chewin' on my bone. Yup... that's all.

Sweet Baby Tyler

Today, Grandma Carol, Grandpa Pete, Aunt Julie, the kids and I went over to Ryan & Michelle's for lunch. Marilyn & Steve were there, too. It was the first time the kids & I got to meet Tyler in person. I thought his pictures were cute, but he was even cuter in person!!! I got to hold him for all of 15 seconds before Mattea was negotiating how her & the boys were going to get their chance to hold him. They each took their turns and I finally got Tyler back... but, not for long. Mattea wanted to hold him again. We stood around Tyler like the paparazzi -- taking pictures, oohing & aahing and admiring him. He didn't cry the entire time we were there. He was just an angel and was so easygoing even when we kept passing him around all afternoon. We enjoyed a fabulous lunch, Skyped with Jeff for a while and then played Foosball and air hockey. We had such a great time. We got a few more snuggles with Tyler and then it was time to go. Ryan & Michelle were such gracious hosts and were so generous with Tyler. We can't wait to see them all again!!!

Family Roller Skating!

My plan for Saturday morning was to take Mattea to Skate City to teach her how to roller skate. Alex decided he'd like to learn as well. Josh already knows how to skate and he was ecstatic to go, so it turned into a family affair. Jeff wasn't thrilled about the idea, but went along with us. I was surprised when he told me he was actually going to roller skate! I thought for sure, he'd be the official photographer/videographer instead of putting on those lovely roller skates (tan w/ orange wheels - just like when we were kids!). Mattea was excited to skate, but was hesitant to do it on her own. She clung to my hands and didn't really like it when I only held one of her hands. Within an hour, she was skating along the wall by herself and even ventured away from the wall a bit. When I moved to help her, she adamantly told me she could do it herself. Little Miss Independent! Alex got his skates on and immediately got frustrated. Jeff says he is just like me. He wants to be a pro right away and if he's not, he gets mad. Yeah, I can see that. But, he was a total trooper. He practiced a bit on the carpet and then hit the skating floor. Once he got comfortable with it, he was dancing along to the music. He's got some great moves! Josh tried to hang with us while we helped Mattea & Alex learn to skate, but I knew he was pretty bored. So, I made up a game. I told him to go skate and every time he came by, he had to tell me how many times he had lapped me and give me a high five. It worked like a charm. By the time he got to 20, he was done with that game. Jeff & I traded off hanging out with Mattea. He got a little nervous about skating with Mattea hanging on to him for fear that she'd take him down with her if she fell! But, that never happened. I was impressed that Jeff didn't fall! He was pretty smooth on those roller skates! :) We all had a really fun time!

Mattea at Ballet Class

Jeff was lucky enough to attend Mattea's ballet/tap class at her preschool last week. She is very focused on holding her hands perfectly and following the teacher's instructions. She loves to practice her moves at home.

Make a Smilebox greeting

Sure is windy today!!!

Apparently, I have been bragging WAY too much lately about the wonderful weather in Colorado. It is extremely windy today. Our grill made its way all the way across our patio and was dangling off the edge of our retaining wall. One of our patio chairs is in our window well and you can see from the picture that our canopy was trying to hop the fence into our neighbor's yard!!!

Happy Birthday to me!!!

My wonderful boys made me breakfast in bed today! They came into my room singing "Happy Birthday" and delivered it on a tray. Seriously... how sweet is that? My breakfast consisted of Frosted Flakes w/ milk (no spoon, but I had a knife & fork!), toast (w/ no butter!), a glass of milk (w/ a straw!) and a banana (which Mattea snagged!). It was wonderful to spend a few special minutes with my kids in bed. Even though I was still rumpled from sleep and not looking my best (I hadn't even looked in the mirror yet!), I made Jeff take a picture of me and the chitlins snuggling in bed. Before Mattea left to get dressed, she sang "Happy Birthday" to me in her sweet little voice. (Of course, I made her sing it again, so I could record it!) These are the kinds of memories I will keep in my heart forever.


P.S. Yes, I realize this video is sideways, but I have NO CLUE how to rotate it! So, turn your head sideways and ENJOY!!!

January Bike Ride

It was a beautiful 70 degree day (in January!!!), so we decided to ride our bikes to Mattea's preschool to pick her up. It felt so good to get out there and enjoy the fresh air. Unfortunately, there were several hills on our route, but the boys plowed right through them like they were nothin'. The ride home was much easier since it was mostly downhill. Mattea enjoyed the ride and wanted me to go faster and faster! We stopped at the park on our way home so the kids could play. The boys climbed around on the tunnels while Mattea and I went on the swings and took pictures. Mattea posed on every large rock at the park! We had a great time. Today is another gorgeous day, but we are supposed to get some snow tomorrow. Oh well! The snow fort is melted, so I guess it's time!