Happy New Year

As 2009 comes to an end, let us be the first to wish you a Happy New Year! We are looking forward to what 2010 has to offer and being able to share our news once again through our blog to keep you updated on all of our life's happenings!

Planning on ringing in the new year with a trip to the slopes as they just got some fresh powder the past couple of days. Check back soon to see if we made it or not!

May your families enjoy a wonderful last day to 2009 and a great beginning to 2010!

New technology

Wow! This is pretty cool. I am blogging from my phone. Who knew life could be so connected. I am sure my grandparents would be amazed at how far the telephone has come!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Morning Surprise!

Yesterday, my mom and I were running a few errands, when I asked her to make me cinnamon rolls. She said, "Sure, I'll make them for Christmas morning." I said, "No, for tomorrow morning! I would like them delivered for breakfast!" Of course her reply was "Sure, Jen." Which of course meant, "Keep dreaming! I won't be delivering cinnamon rolls for breakfast tomorrow!" I told her this could be dry run for Christmas morning, since the kids want her to come over bright and early so they can open their presents. It's a big joke now since she doesn't like to get out of bed until 8:00 or 9:00 now that she is retired...)

Well...much to my surprise the doorbell was ringing at 6:45 this morning. The biggest surprise of all was that I was still sleeping! For those of you that know me well, I have difficulty sleeping in. I am known to get up each day between the 4:00 and 5:00 hour.

It was a little freaking to be awoken by multiple ringings...but it was worth jumping out of bed for! They were yummy!

Thanks Mom!

The Christmas Carol

Last night we treated the kids to a family date! With the kids and I getting out of school for winter break, Craig and I thought it would be fun to celebrate by taking them to the movie The Christmas Carol. We both were amazed with how far cartoons have come since we were kids. They certainly were not in 3D, and the realism is just incredible. There were times when I looked at Scrooge's face and thought I was looking at real skin. Wow! How far technology has come...I wonder where it will be when we have grandkids?!

A New Sport

This year Caleb's p.e. teacher asked him to play basketball afterschool. He has really taken a liking to this new sport. Well, actually, there isn't any sport this kid doesn't seem to enjoy!



Way to go, Caleb!

The Madrigal Dinner

Last weekend Emaleigh participated 4th and 5th grade choir program. This year she was nominated to play the harp. It was a special opportunity for her, as our music teacher was able to borrow 4 child sized harps from another school in our district. Emaleigh was so excited to have this opportunity. At one point she even got calluses on her fingers from practicing so much! It all paid off and the evening was a great success. The singers we fantastic and the music was delightful.

Emaleigh and her music teacher, Mrs. Durham


The choir in action

Look Out Warren Miller

This weekend the kids got a new sled...a snowboard sled. Maybe someday Warren Miller will be shooting them riding the slopes!


Not!!!


You Go Girl!

The Annual Trek

This year Grandpa Mann joined us for the annual trek to find the perfect tree. We had a wonderful time and we are so glad he joined us for the fun!

Yes you can eat it...just as long as it's not yellow


Could this be it?


A mini lesson for the upcoming ski season from a former ski instructor


Ahh...the perfect tree


The long trek back to the car


The end result

Aaahhh...Thanksgiving Vacation

It's here! The best time of November. The time when I get to take 5 days and just enjoy my kids. The time when we gather around the kitchen table with Nana to make crafts for the upcoming holiday season. The time when we stay in our jammies and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and then the movie Miracle on 34th Street. The time when we head to Grandma and Grandpa's and eat lots of yummy turkey and green jello. The time when we sort through our Christmas decorations and decide which ones will get to grace our house with their presence. The time of year when we give thanks for all of the wonderful blessings we have been given. May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and be blessed beyond measure.

A Thought

Heard this at church yesterday...

To take everything and hand it over to God may not be easy, but once you do, the world has one less candidate for misery. ~Paul Scherer

I, for one, feel like being a little less miserable!

Catching Up

Several of you have been complaining that I have not updated the blog for a while. Apparently, life has been taking over and I just have not had time to breathe. My job this year is a little overwhelming, and I have been taking a ton of classes to update my license and get a minor raise. Anyway with the recent snowstorm, I decided to catch you up on a few things that have occurred since the beginning of October. Hopefully I won't wait as long until the next posting! Until then...happy reading!

A Family Trip

On Saturday, we decided to head up to the mountains to dispose of some leftover remnants from Craig's hunting trip in mid October. He didn't have enough time to completely clean the elk up, so we had a few legs left over and our local trash company doesn't except bones. Can't imagine why!?! Anyway, in our adventures we decided to get a head start on finding the perfect tree for Christmas. Unfortunately we didn't bring the proper attire and the snow ended up being a little too deep to trek too far into the forest. We ended up taking a nice drive and enjoying some great family time together.


A beautiful girl along with a beautiful view!


What a looker!

Another Year Older

How is it possible this child of ours could be growing up so quickly. Eleven. Who said she was allowed to turn eleven. We aren't old enough to have an eleven year old. Enough already. We are done. We have officially declared this to be the last birthday our family will be celebrating. That is until Caleb turns nine!

Happy Halloween

Each year, our cousins, Samantha and Kirra come up for dinner and trick or treating. This year we were hoping Uncle Scott could make it so Caleb and Kirra dressed up as Darth Vadar and Yoda, while Emaleigh and Samantha were Queen Susan (from Chronicles of Narnia) and Princess Jasmine. Aunt Beth made it to help us gather up some candy and for the first time ever, I decided I needed to venture out to see what all they hype was about. I usually stay home to hand out candy, but with the weather being relatively decent, I decided to tag along. It was quite a hoot to see the kids so excited about ringing strangers doorbells for free candy. Caleb even took his chances an spun the wheel to try to double his candy at one house. He also had the chance to lose all his candy or win a free pet. Of course he won the free pet. What kind of pet you ask? A darling goldfish names Halloween. He lasted about 2 weeks, and then decided he needed to go to the graveyard!


The gang all decked out!


Aunt Beth aka Yoda


The New Addition

Caleb's Track Day

We have yet to find a sport that Caleb does not enjoy. So when track day comes along, he is overjoyed! A whole day of running around outside in his jersey shorts and top would probably be one of his most favorite things in life. This year he participated in the long jump and the high jump. He placed 2nd in the high jump with a jump of 3 feet 2 inches. After numerous jumps with the kids in his class, it came down to just his friend Benji and him. They each jumped 3 times before Caleb's little bootie hit the bar first. It was great!

The other event he excelled in was the 75 meter relay race. He was a fill-in for someone who was sick. His team ended up taking 1st place!

He also received a 4th place ribbon for the individual 75 meter dash.

Way to go Caleb! We are so proud of you.

Dad came out to see the events, but it looks like he got a little distracted!


Such concentration!


Lift that bootie!


Bringing it home!
(note: if you click on this picture you will really be able to see on his face!)

Emaleigh's Last Track Day

Yesterday was Emaleigh's last time to compete in track day events at Scott Elementary. This has been a long time favorite day for her. The first time she competed in 2nd grade she was sad because she didn't earn a ribbon. But every year since then, she has worked very hard to earn at least one. This year, her goal was to earn a third place white ribbon, because she had every other color from previous years. And, of course, she did just that. She also earned a first place and a fourth place. Way to go Ema. We are so very proud of you!

Coming in first place in the 200 meter relay

Giving it her all at the triple jump

Thank You

I just love this word. It is probably the most honorable word I can think of. It should be the first thing we say when we wake up and the last thing we should say when we go to sleep.

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to live another day.

Thank you, Craig, for being my husband, best friend, lover, companion and father of our children .

Thank you, Emaleigh, for being such a great kid! I will never understand how I came to be your mother, but I will be eternally thankful for all of the joy you bring me.

Thank you, Caleb, for being so caring. God was so gracious when He gave me you. I will thank Him always for the laughter you bring me.

Thank you, Mom, for sharing your love of Christ with me.

Thank you, Dad, for believing in me and loving me the way you do.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for giving me the most wonderful man to share my life with, and of course for making dinner on Sunday's!

Thank you to all of our brothers and sisters who make us feel like we are a part of something so much bigger. The relationships we have with each of you is priceless.

Thank you to all of our friends who make us smile and thank you for sharing your lives with us. We are better people because of it.

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to appreciate all You have given me to enjoy while I am here on Earth.

What A Kid!

This year Emaleigh graduated from the Children's Sunday school program and moved to Route 56. It's a combination of 5th and 6th graders. They no longer meet in the main church building, but across the street in a smaller building with middle and high school students. Her classroom is decked out with great street signs, an old route 66 gas pump and even an old car they can hang out in. It's very inviting!

Sometimes we just can't help but think how crazy it is that our baby is really growing up and we are having to learn to let go. We realize she is really only on loan to us for a short time, but it is going much faster than we anticipated. God has great plans for her though, and her first assignment proved to be one that showed just this.

She had to find a verse in the bible that was meaningful to her and learn it for the week. Her teacher is making a slide show for Sunday so we had to send a photo of her with her verse somewhere in the house. She decided she wanted it next to her bed so she could fall asleep and wake up to it.

While it took her a little time to search a variety of her books for just the right verse, she finally settled on this one:



"I know I can't see God, Mommy, but He is there!" What an insight for such a little girl. I just love how she is able to teach me as I grow up in my journey with Him, as well.

I can only imagine how God must feel when His children have these enlightenmnent's. Whether we're young or old, it must make Him overjoyed.

A Saturday Morning

What a wonderful morning. The clouds are hovering. The temperature is in the low 50's. The kids are playing together in the basement. I'm lounging in my jammies and enjoying the solitude of a Saturday morning. No place to be. Just this place. The place where you are most relaxed and not stressed about all the things that have to get done.

The First Day

So we are well into another school year. While the first day of school was two weeks ago, its never to late to post a great photo!



Caleb has Mrs. Warnecke this year. He really wanted her, as his sister had her for 3rd grade, too! He is overjoyed and is really enjoying this year. Especially when she gets her ipod out and finds just the right song to jam to while she is teaching. For a boy to get out of his chair and wiggle around while learning...nothing beats that!


Emaleigh has Mr. Peterson. She was so hoping for a male teacher this year. She had a 50/50 chance, so the odds were pretty good. She is really enjoying the freedoms he gives his students and is looking forward to the many opportunities she can work towards. A mock trial in the spring at our city courthouse, a one on one shadow experience with a local employer in a field she is interested in, and just being able to challenge herself in new ways!

It looks like we're off to a great start...

For the Love of Music

Don't you just love a good song? Well Ema and I have added a new gadget to our blog tonight. It's a music player that you can turn on by hitting the play button. The songs we've decided to add speak to our hearts about enjoying each other as a family. The songs on our list are ones that remind us of each other when we hear them. Hopefully they will strike a cord in your own life, and help you to appreciate all of the wonderful things that exist around you each and everyday! Be sure to check back from time to time, as we will be adding songs periodically.

We hope you enjoy!

Thank You Strizich Family

So I know it's hard to believe, but up until this past spring, we never made a homemade tostada. It is all thanks to one of our infamous date nights with the Strizich's that we were introduced to this new yummy meal. Thank you our friends who love to share Friday evenings with our children and provide them with opportunities that they would have missed out on were it not for you!

Life's Craziness

It is obvious we have started back into the swing of things now that school is back in session. I can always tell because there is usually a two week period where the blog doesn't get updated. In fact, there isn't any time to ever consider the blog, since I am so busy getting everything ready for my family to start a new year, as well as my own classroom. Last night was our turning point though! All of our open houses have been attended and now routines are being established.

While the last weeks of August are always crazy, I so enjoy getting back into our school year routine. This year I will be starting my year off working W/T/F. I am enjoying getting to know my new class. They are such sweet kids and like all children just want to learn and have fun doing it! This year we are starting with 23. It is a little louder than last year as we only had 17. What a difference 7 kids in the classroom makes. I hope one day our government realizes the true importance of smaller class sizes. Not just so teachers can meet the individual needs of all students, but simply because my ears cannot handle 23 chit chatters at once!!

Rest assured, now that we are back into the swing of things I look forward to regular postings again!

Until next time....

Our Last Day

Today is our last day of summer vacation. While, I was back at work last week, the kids don't officially start until tomorrow.

Last night was our last 'Sunday Dinner' without having to get home to get ready for school. We enjoyed a relaxing evening at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Grandma is recovering nicely from her recent shoulder surgery. Aunt Katie made cupcakes and curled Grandma's hair, while Grandpa, Uncle Eli and Craig put together a cedar playhouse for all the kids. I mingled between the two helping with dinner and holding screws and wooden planks, as needed. The kids bounced on the trampoline, gathered green "haycorns," (or unripe acorns as the rest of the world refers to them!) climbed the slide to the fort on the play set, and just had a great time waiting for the playhouse to be finished. What a great end to our last days of summer!

Today I think we will just hang out and enjoy being together one last day before the hustle and bustle of school schedules, after school activities and homework sets in.

I can't believe it is the last day of summer vacation.

Family Ties

This weekend my cousin Nancy and her family came in for a visit from Chicago. They were able to spend some time with Auntie Pam and our Grandma, as well as our family. Unfortunately the batteries for our camera died every time we went to get some great shots. Here are just a couple of what we were able to get of the kids.

It was amazing that they'd never met, but bonded instantly. We hiked Helen Hunt Falls, as well at the trailhead that leads to Seven Falls. We had a gourmet pancake breakfast made by none other that our infamous Sunday morning pancake maker. We spent an afternoon at the Cheyenne Mtn. Zoo, which included a horseback ride and snowcones! And of course lots of great conversation. Our time together was short, but filled with many great memories. We were sad to see them leave, but we know we will catch right back up when we see them next time!


THE GIRLS~Katie, Emaleigh and Lindsey with a little hint of Caleb!


THE BOYS~Caleb and Sam

Dinner in the Park

As we continued on home we stopped at the City Market in Buena Vista, CO for Caleb to use the bathroom. We decided to grab some chicken and fruit and we headed to the park to eat some dinner. The kids were overjoyed because they got to play at the playground and get some of their energy out before getting back into the car. What a relaxing ending to a great day!





After a short drive, we came upon the rock that resemble a frog along the road between Florissant and Divide, CO. I could only get the back side of the frog, as the traffic was too heavy for me to cross the highway to get the front side.

Independence Pass

After our hike in Glenwood we ventured over Independence Pass. This is a beautiful drive from Glenwood through Aspen and back around to Buena Vista. We stopped along the way to hike through the the old mining town of Independence, CO and of course at the summit of the Pass. Truly God's beauty in all its splendor.

Hanging Lake

For such a long time, we have heard about this great hike near Glenwood Springs. We finally made the trip and it was absolutely amazing. The hike was a bit steep and rocky, but worth every ounce of effort.