A year late

These were all taken last year in a friend's garage studio. I used some of them to make our virtual holiday card last season but forgot, until now, to post any of the others.

Proud

The boys and I were driving in the car together and I was telling them all the things I am thankful for and the things I am proud of them for being able to do.  Adler very sweetly said, "mommy, you shouldn't just be proud of us, you should be proud of yourself!".  I asked what I should be proud of and he said, "you are a fun mommy and you always cook for us and shop for us and you play fun games with us."  They say being a mom is a thankless job, but I would disagree.

Uncle John's

We went to California back in May and while the trip included super fun destinations such as Disneyland and Seaworld, to me anyway, the best part of the trip was a stop at Uncle John's house. I've tried to describe the place before but I can't really do it justice - it's just a unique and wonderful place.

Uncle John is Kari's dad's older brother and it was neat to see the two sets of brothers from different generations together.

Story Book Club

Kari does the vast majority of school drop-off and pickup but I happened to take Adler to his Story Book class a couple times recently. Once was on Halloween I got to see him meticulously share every tool and detail of his Bob the Builder costume with his class. I also took him the morning of our first real snow of the year. He was disappointed that I'd already shoveled the snow off of the walkway so he tromped thought the snow on the grass just to prove that his boots were working.

Meth/Math, whats the difference?

Brian had a rap station on the TV a few weeks ago.  The song that came on was about drinking wine/smoking pot (or whatever the cool term for this is these days).  I was half joking, half seriously talking to the boys and said something like, "Please be careful when you drink alcohol and don't do drugs and DEFINITELY don't do meth! (Brian and I have been watching Breaking Bad and meth is sadly on my mind too often)."  Landon's face got pretty serious and a little sad and before long he looked at me with his sweet innocent eyes and said, "but mommy, I really love math!"

Real Shoes

I came home from work yesterday to a bit of a surprise (well, actually Kari had already told me but LT wanted it to be a surprise so I pretended not to know). Not only had LT gotten new shoes with laces but he'd even learned to tie them! He's not exactly proficient yet but he's pretty good for leaning in one day.

Durango

Back in August we went to Durango for a family reunion (mostly Kari's dad's side of the family). There are several (second?) cousins that are around the same age as our boys and they all really seemed to enjoy playing together.  

We did all kinds of fun activities including a farm tour and dinner where the kids got to pick currant berries and jump off rocks. We went rafting and hiking and even stopped at the Coney Island Hot Dog Stand on drive there for a little junk food lunch.  

A lunch conversation from long ago

Z's mom recently sent me this little video of LT and Z sometime in 2008 (I think).

Congress Park

We had exceptionally nice weather last weekend in Denver and we took advantage by going to the park with Zack and his mom.

School Halloween

Both the boys school fully embrace Halloween!  Adler had a little class party followed by trick or treating throughout the school (for non candy items).  Landon's school has a parade (by costume themes) complete with a deejay.  Later on in the day, each class hosts a Halloween party with all the parents, fun games, food and activities.  Whew, we were exhausted before trick or treating around the neighborhood even started.  Here are a few pictures I took from the day.

 Bob the builder building stuff in his classroom.

 A few pictures (or attempts) of Adler's class all dressed up.  

Landon's class after the parade. 

Pumpkin Patching

 Adler's class met one Saturday at Berry Patch Farms for a little fall festival.  

 Of course it included choosing a pumpkin!

 Landon was able to join us because it was Saturday!

 And daddy too!  They had beautiful xylophone musicians playing, a pinata (without enough candy for all the kids...), food trucks, hay rides etc.

And once again I was lucky enough to be able to go back to Sunflower Farm with Landon's class.  Adler chose not to go this time, but I am going to insist he comes next year, it is just so magical!  Unfortunately I only took this one picture of Landon playing teatherball with his buddies.