Just over one week ago, Mason said adios to his appendix.  He hadn’t been feeling very good for a couple of days and because all of our kids were passing around the stomach flu, we were sure he had fallen victim to the same nasty bug.  When everyone seemed to be getting back to normal and he was only declining, we decided to take him to the doctor.  The only major pain (he he) was that it happened to be a Sunday night.  Doesn’t that always happen?  Anyway, Scott took him to the ER/Urgent Care at our local hospital and within an hour they were pretty sure he had appendicitis.  He had all the symptoms plus an elevated white blood cell count so they sent him for a CT Scan and that confirmed it; he was headed for surgery.  At some point between the scan and surgery, his appendix ruptured, making a huge mess and spreading infection into his little body.  He spent about four days in the hospital, including Christmas, hooked up to IV antibiotics and oxygen.  Mason finally made it home last Thursday to recuperate in his own bed.  We were all relieved and have a new appreciation for our own pillows:)  We have been so blessed by family and friends for the help with kids, calls, prayers and visits. We are grateful that Mason is at home, getting well and enjoying his Christmas presents.  Of course, we would have loved to have a quiet Christmas at home but thankful that Mason is okay!  Pictures to follow.  I promise.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.

 

Christmas Eve 2013

If you know me, you know that I love being creative. I don’t have a ton of time to craft or sew but when I do I am most definitely a happy woman:)  In a perfect world, I would schedule time every week to sew.  Last night I was quickly checking out Pinterest and saw a pin for a super cute kid’s bike bucket. You know, kinda like a basket but made out of fabric. I immediately started figuring out how I could make one for my bike only bigger.  Here’s what I came up with. It is most definitely a work in progress but I think it is pretty cute and it will be a totally rad place to put the mail and light groceries when it am out riding around town.  

Now I just need a snow bike…

 

Happy riding….in 5 months or so….

Happy Sunday! We are getting more snow and looking forward to our white Christmas. I haven’t replaced my computer yet so IPad posts will have to do. 

Love and Peace, Jennifer 

To all my loyal readers (he he), I am still here.  My only excuse for the humongous gap in blog posts is that my old not-so- trusty computer died.  Really died, like not turning on ever again, not working.  Trust me, I would have loved to update you all on our super-duper Thanksgiving week, or on the exciting engagement of my little brother, or my surprise birthday lunch with family and friends.  Our life has been busy.  Obviously, my computer didn’t get that memo.  I am also so excited to start posting some pictures with my new camera.  That’s right, I got a beautiful new camera and it is killing me, not having a spot to store and edit my pictures.   For now you will have to enjoy a few from our family photo shoot in November.  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and are looking forward to the craziness of Christmas!

A huge thanks and photo credits go out to John Blum at www.summitcountyphotographer.com for his ability to manage 15 people for a photo shoot outside in the winter in Frisco.

 

….that I haven’t posted any pictures of Halloween.

I know.  I have seriously been slacking.  This year, when it came to costume making,  I gave my sewing machine a break and broke out the old glue gun.  We all had fun coming up with costumes this year.  We had three minions, a 50’s girl, Santa Claus and a super scary clown.  Once again, Frisco was crazy crowded with all sorts of candy eating goblins running around.   We had a blast handing out candy and greeting all the adorable trick-or-treaters.

Two yellow minions and their crazy purple minion baby

A very serious Santa Claus. Paige always picks the most unusual Halloween costume:)

Alice and some school friends enjoying the 5th grade dance party

Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pics of Sam in his costume.  He had a blast this year collecting mountains of candy with his friends.  Because trick or treating is mainly on one closed off road, I feel pretty comfortable letting him go off with a couple of friends.  He comes back every little bit to say hi and warm up:)

I hope you all had a fun Halloween!!!

Almost a week ago, the Sam Man turned twelve.  We went out for lunch and to a movie and then celebrated with a little family party for him at home in the evening.  He was soooo thrilled with his three new books, a lego set, watch and longboard.  He is growing up so fast and we are enjoying watching him become a big kid.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Man!

Hey there, are you in need of 2014 calendar?    Henan Kids International is selling 2014 calendars to raise money for the orphanages in the Henan Province.  This is a great way to support the kids still living in orphanages in China and get a super cool calendar full of Henan cuties, including our sweet, adorable Mason.

At least $10 from every calendar goes DIRECTLY to specific projects in orphanages in Henan.  They have NO overhead, NO admin fees, and it does NOT go into orphanage directors’ pockets– they submit a request, we wire money, they send back receipts and pictures.

Click HERE  to order your calendar.  Don’t wait too long, only a few days left to get one!!!!

We have been busy getting ready for Halloween.  Costumes are being made and candy has been bought (and possibly eaten).  Last weekend we got our pumpkins and had fun decorating and carving them.

 

We are all looking forward to trick or treating in Frisco.  It is always a great night that we all enjoy.  The snow is already blowing around up here in the mountains and ski resorts are opening.  We are gearing up for a great winter season at home and in the stores.  Have a great week!

I know….it’s suppose to be Sunday Funday but we are having such a fun weekend that it didn’t apply to just Sunday.

Yesterday, we headed down the hill to the Denver Nature and Science Museum.  We were super stoked for the Mythbuster’s Experience.  It did not disappoint and I will talk more about that later.

On our way home, we drove over Loveland Pass.  The sun was just setting and the views were beyond compare.  It was a bit windy and cold so I didn’t get a lot of pictures.

Have a great day!!!!!

 

Scott’s parents are here visiting for a week and we are packing in a ton of fun.  The kids are also enjoying playing games, working puzzles and just hanging out with grandma and papa!

 

When we moved into this house, I had most of the main living areas painted.  I also had the master bedroom (using that term very loosely) painted mainly because it needed a good coat of paint, badly.  After seeing the estimate to have all the berooms painted, I scaled back the job.  I knew that I could paint the kids rooms and basement.  It took me a bit longer to get it done than I thought it would but now I have two rooms down and only one to go.

Sam wanted silver metallic and neon green walls.  We compromised with a bright green desk, one neon accent wall and cement gray on the rest.  He was thrilled when it was all done.

Instead of metallic walls, we added a sheet metal headboard and accents to give it an industrial feel.

I found this desk at the thrift store and it is perfect for Sam.  I cleaned it up a bit and put a coat of chalkboard paint on the top.  It has lots of space for all his stuff and a big enough desktop for homework.  Why do kids have so much “stuff”?

 

Sam has a pretty big closet so we didn’t need space for a dresser in his room.  That way we could add this fun chair into the mix.

Next came the girls basement bedroom. Two words that described their room, dreary and gloomy.  It was also big so it worked for both of them.  They have had their paint picked out for a long time.  2 year to be exact.  We were planning on redecorating their room in Colorado Springs but once we decided to move, painting a bedroom bright green and blue seemed like a bad idea.  Finally, they got their cool big girl room.  We started out with their beds bunked but realized that they both needed some of their own space so I unbunked them and separated the room into two distinct spaces.

Alice’s side of the room.  She got a new linens and kept her antique dresser.

 

Paige’s side of the room.  She is using the built-in dresser in the closet.  This gives her more rooms for some of the toys and dolls she still loves.   She also got a new bedspread that is totally her personality.  No more matching quilts….

In an effort to give them each some of their own space but still keep them together, I ran some sheer curtains across the middle of the room on a wire divider.  They both love this idea and couldn’t wait for me to hang it all up.  The funny part is that every time I go into the room, the curtain is pushed all the way back to the wall.  I guess they really do love each other. A little bit anyway:)  They enjoy playing in the common space but also the tiny bit of privacy the curtains give them.

 

 

This sign was the inspiration for their room.  I am also having some black and white candid shots of them blown up and framed.  I think it will be the perfect finishing touch for this shared room.

Now on to Mason’s room.  Oh boy. Dare I even take him to the paint store:)

Have a great week!

Jennifer

Today was National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day.  Kinda like Take a Kid to Work Day but way more fun and geared toward being on a mountain.  Well...duh.  Along with IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association), we (Wilderness Sports) decided to host an event in Summit County.  Of course, as you may or may not know, it snowed here yesterday.  And it is pretty cold.  Like puffy, base layers and wool hats, cold.  We didn’t let a pesky little thing like snow keep us down.  Like any true mountain resident, you throw on an extra layer and get out there. That is exactly what we did:)  Unfortunately, the trails and bike park were a tad bit wet and muddy but the kids were able to get out for a short ride and skills lesson.

 

After “taking our kids mountain biking” we headed across the park to watch the cyclocross  race.  We had a blast hanging out with some friends and heckling the riders.  We had a great spot to spectate and the kids made good use of their cow bells.

It was a great day and we didn’t turn into popsicles and that is always a good thing:)

Sam had his last cross-country meet this morning in Aspen and it was just as cold and snowy there as it was here.  He didn’t feel like he had a super great race but he made up for it by ordering a BLT and chocolate malt for lunch.  I know, definitely NOT plant-based but, hey, more power to him; he had 30 bucks burning a hole in his pocket and mom and dad weren’t around to give him the disapproving eye.  Overall, he ran a great season and we couldn’t be more proud of him.  At his last race he finished 4th out of all the middle school boys.  We aren’t really surprised by his running skills but we are really happy with how he has adjusted to school, sports and homework.  Way to go, Sam!!!!!!

Have a great weekend!

Jennifer