Funnel Cloud Sighting in Aurora, CO

What an interesting day! We were having a wonderfully, relaxing Sunday eating lunch on the patio when the sky turned dark, it started to rain and soon the tornado sirens went off. Jeff sent us downstairs and he went outside to investigate. He reported back that he had spotted a funnel cloud near our neighborhood. The kids were a bit freaked out, but it was a good chance for us to teach them what to do if something like this happens again. The danger has passed and we are all fine. Check out the video! (Sorry it is sideways... still can't figure out how to rotate videos!)

Last Day of School

Well, I forced the kids (mostly Alex) into taking a quick picture on the porch for their last day of school. We had breakfast at McDonald's before school and the boys wore old t-shirts to have their friends sign. They get out already at 10:30am this morning. Oh, to be a kid again.

Funny things kids say...

Mattea's teacher told me that the lunch time conversation revolved around religion today. Hello... these are 4-year olds!!! Anyway, the teacher told the kids they could each ask her one question. Mattea asked her "Does God speak Spanish?". I found this quite hilarious and forgot to ask the teacher how she answered the question. I think one of the benefits of being a preschool teacher would be all the funny things you hear everyday.

The kids and I were playing outside this afternoon and one of the neighbor girls went home. Her father had previously installed security cameras on their house to keep an eye on their teenage daughter... apparently, she liked to sneak out of the house at night! Gotta love technology! Anyway, Alex came up to me and said "I think she is setting up the video cameras to tape Josh and I because we're so attractive." LOL! Oh, that one really cracked me up. I mean, yes, I agree my boys are attractive, but hearing that out of Alex's mouth was just too much!

Colorado Rockies game

Jeff, Alex, Josh and I were lucky enough to score tickets to last night's Colorado Rockies game. We had 2nd row seats near the 3rd baseline/left field. The boys were anxious to catch a foul ball, but that didn't happen. We had a great time even though the Rockies got whooped! Mattea had her own fun having the babysitter all to herself! Apparently, she got anything and everything she asked for! ; )

April is... GONE!

I can't believe it's already May!!! April was full of crazy weather, playing in the snow, playing outside, blowing bubbles, Easter, making crafts for Aunt Julie's birthday, chopping 12" of hair for Locks of Love, Take Your Child to Work Day and some home improvements. It was interesting to experience a blizzard one day and watch the snow literally melt away within 2 days. The kids & I made the most of the cold weather... I buried Josh in the snow up to his chin (that was much more fun than shoveling!!!) and Mattea laid claim to the huge pile of snow I created while shoveling. Alex chose that afternoon to stay in his PJ's. :) A few days later, we were outside playing and Mattea was blowing bubbles. We found out that Cody loves to chase bubbles! It was hilarious to watch him chase the bubbles and pop them with his mouth. Easter was pretty low-key. We missed spending time with family. The Easter bunny found us and brought us great treats! I made a bad decision and had scheduled dentist appointments 2 days after Easter. What a mean Mom!! The dentist appointment didn't go so well, so lots of the Easter treats ended up in the trash... shhhhh! don't tell the kids... I don't think they even realized it! :) Aunt Julie's birthday was April 30th. She always spoils us rotten, so we wanted to make sure her day was extra special! Josh painted a wonderful picture on a canvas with his paint set. Mattea meticulously placed colored beads on a heart-shaped peg board, we added ribbon and then ironed it all to make sure it would stay together. It was fun doing crafts with the kiddos. Alex didn't make a craft, so he got Julie a "Queen for the Day" coffee mug! I had been growing my hair out for some time with the intent of donating it to Locks of Love. I had considered it before, but had never actually gone through with it. I am so glad I did it. I get lots of compliments on my new short 'do and the timing is perfect with summer just around the corner. Plus, it's just hair. Jeff was brave enough to take all 3 kids with him to work for Take Your Child to Work Day. By the time I arrived at lunch time, Jeff was ready to go solo again at work, if you know what I mean!!! The kids had a good time and Jeff enjoyed showing them around his office. Apparently, they can't walk a day in their Daddy's shoes because all 3 of them fell asleep on the way home after lunch!!! (Mattea was so tired, she even fell asleep with a sucker in her mouth!) Our home improvements for the month included some new art, lamps & a mirror for the basement (which my wonderful husband painted back in March). We painted our bedroom a beautiful shade of blue, but have yet to finish "accessorizing", so we still have our old comforter (which doesn't match) and the furniture I had in my bedroom growing up!!! Baby steps... Lastly, we painted the living room and had new carpet installed. It looks fabulous, I must say!

Spring blizzard

Okay, I am sure all of you in the Midwest enjoying the 65-70 degree temps today are thinking back about the many times I bragged about the wonderful weather in Colorado while you were having snow and negative temps and now you are sending a big "HA HA HA... look who's snowed in now?" It's okay. I can take it. :)

If you didn't realize it, we're getting dumped on out here. We're expecting 10-20" in Aurora, but we'll see how much we actually get. Jeff is supposed to be flying into Chicago tomorrow morning, so we are hoping his flight isn't cancelled.

Here's a few pics of our beautiful spring day. I honestly think the big fat snowflakes are beautiful (as long as I'm looking at them from inside!!!) Of course, it's expected to be nearly 60 degrees on Sunday, so we'll see how long this white stuff lasts!

Enjoy the warm weather!!!

Our Iowa Visit

The kids and I had a great time in the Midwest last month during our visit. Life got so crazy once we got back that I haven't had a chance to blog about our visit. Highlights of our vacation (that I can remember right now... if I leave something out that you were a part of, I apologize. I have a terrible memory!)...

* Meeting sweet baby Tyler Zachary Skahill and spending time with the Dolan's and Skahill's - I posted some pics of our visit in an earlier post.

* Spending time with Aunt Julie, Grandpa Pete & Grandma Carol in Dubuque - eating taco pizza from Happy Joe's, playing at the park and having a great time!

* Meeting sweet baby Carly Jean Bachman and spending time with the Bachman's - blowing bubbles, snuggling Carly, playing on the Bachman's backyard playset and getting pedicures!

* Spending time with Aunt Julie, Uncle Kevin & TJ - hanging out in the hot tub, playing video games, playing with Susie the lifesize doll (whom Mattea insisted on putting in PJ's and sleeping with EVERY night!) and eating Whitey's ice cream.

* Spending time with Denise, Jake, Evan & Sarah - visiting Denise at "her" scrapbook store, watching the kids play Wii & Xbox 360 & chatting with my BFF.

* Spending time at Grandma Judie & Grandpa Bob's house - a reminiscent visit to Loras College, coloring, playing with toys, playing in the huge backyard, reading books and making mac 'n cheese.

* Celebrating Joshie's birthday - Joshie's awesome birthday date with Super Aunt Julie, a super fun time at the Grand Harbor Water Park (with Greg, Jake & Nate; Tim, Katie, Jake & Justin; Aunt Julie, Uncle Kevin & TJ) and a pizza party at Happy Joe's (should have ordered medium pizzas, not larges!!!).

* Sleepovers - Alex got to reconnect with Zack F (and meet his new little brother, Cade) and Joshie got to spend time with Spencer and Mason. It's so nice that these friendships have lasted even though we moved away.

I'm sure there was much more that we did that I can't remember right now, but all I know is that we had a great time! Thanks to everyone who made time or traveled to spend time with us. We truly appreciate it.

When we left to head back to Colorado, I fully expected to break the trip up, but the boys had a different plan. They were motivated to get back home, so we plowed through and all of the kids were just awesome travelers. We made it back in one day!!! When we got back on Saturday night, Jeff had just finished painting the basement! YAY Jeff!!! The dogs were excited to see us and Cody had learned several new tricks. It was nice to sleep in on Sunday and have the rest of the day to unpack, do laundry and relax.