Rising Above!

It's been a beautiful warm winter week!  Is that an oxymoron??  Hmmm...well, it's been a beautiful 50 degrees and we are loving all this warmer weather and a nice break from all that cold and snow!  We have taken full advantage and made good use of the sun.

The kids broke out their bikes, Eric trying to master pedals on his new big boy bicycle.  He balances well, but feels safer with his feet closer to the ground.

A few times on his big bike and I know he will be zooming around soon enough.  Ella is flying past all of us and is often waiting for us at the end of street.  I think it's about time Ken and I invested in some bikes, just to keep up with the kids!

Ken splurged this month and invested in a smoker.  He was like a kid with a new toy, put it together immediately and smoked some yummy ribs!

Eric, who has been asking for months to go horseback riding was finally given the chance this week.  We had been waiting for him to be old enough and focused enough to try and he did awesome!  He was so proud of himself, that he listened so well and was able to ride.

He can't wait to go again! 

He did great and will be riding at least once a month now.  His riding time is more to get used to the feel of the horse and to learn to just be comfortable with such a large animal.  He wasn't quite sure about his trail ride with all the hills, but his teacher said he did great leaning forward and backward at just the right times.  A cowboy in the making (although, he is starting out riding English)!

Ella reached a real milestone, testing for her solid yellow belt in her karate class.  She is now officially in the beginner's class, striving now for her orange belt and the advanced class (Purple - Green Belt).  The test was enduring and tested her focus and self control, minus a few pushups she did great!  

I have to say, the hardest part was watching the stranger danger test.  Her instructor (Sensei) sets up two red/black bags and marks one of them as home and the other is a stranger's car.  Her goal is to get away and get home.  A struggle to watch as a parent thinks this could be a real life situation.  However, she did awesome and really rose to the occasion! 

I am so proud of both Ella and Eric, for conquering some tough challenges this week!

Pretty in Pink or Rough and Tumble!

Ella enjoyed another horse show, once again in the Lead Line class.  She was the only English rider at this almost all Western show.  

Ella's instructor, Ms. Jennifer has been working with Ella on cantering and likes to have the kids enter the shows a level lower than their ability to make sure the kids are confident in the ring.  Looks like this might be Ella's last Lead Line class, as Ms. Jennifer has been very pleased with Ella's progress on her cantering and walk/trot.

Luckily, the show was indoors.  However, the arena was still pretty cold with the wind blowing so hard outdoors.  It didn't seem to bother Eric as he enjoyed watching all the horses from the side bars.  He climbed up and was able to pet quite a few horses riding by during warm ups.

Eric has been quite the climber lately.  We found Eric in a few precarious positions as of late.  He's like a cat up a tree (he can climb up, but seems to have trouble making it back down).  He enjoyed  creating his own reading nook, two stories up in his closet.

I heard Eric screaming, "Help Me!!" I ran downstairs to see our boy riding the banister.  Apparently, he couldn't figure out how to make it back down.  I have serious thoughts of building our own jungle gym in the basement, as this cold and snowy weather is really having our boy climbing the walls.

Speaking of climbing the walls, Maria decided to have a girls evening with Ella and her Mom for a performance of Shen Yun.  Shen Yun is a traditional chinese dance performance highlighting chinese culture and history.  This performance fit in perfectly as we had been studying ancient Chinese history the week prior.  

Ella absolutely loved the dancing and costumes.  There was a point during the performance where Ella turned to me, with her eyes so big and just whispered, "WOW."  Definitely, a wonderful moment to see Ella light up and just be so enthralled with it all.

The performance was quite late in the evening and we didn't get home until almost 11pm.  However, Ella watched the whole performance and was clapping enthusiastically, till the very end.  She couldn't stop talking about the different dances and the way the backdrop just came to life (dancers would seem like they were flying through the screen)!  What a wonderful evening for us girls!

We awoke the next morning to find almost a foot of snow outside!  Quite unexpected, as when we arrived home not a flurry was in sight.  We decided to take advantage of the sunshine and let the kids get some energy out, while we shoveled the snow.

This mountain of snow that lines are driveway, is from the culmination of snow we have had this past month.  The kids had a blast, but I had to rescue the kids a few times as the snow was so deep they would sink in and end up stuck waist high.  So fun!

Even though these snow days have been keeping us indoors more, Ella is still getting her exercise 2-3 times a week in Karate class.  Ella's first time at grappling/wrestling and she seemed to really enjoy it!

My little princess, can be quite the tiger!  Sensei was pretty impressed by her as Ella walked off the mat and stated, "that was pretty good, wasn't it!"

Ella's softer side shined through today as Eric was feeling a bit under the weather and running a slight fever.  She took good care of her little brother, reading to him and playing so well with him.

Our kids are growing up so fast and we are so excited to see their personalities unfold and develop.  Ella loves pink, lace, dancing and flowers and yet she can hang with the boys and be just as rough and tough.  Eric who is always out for an adventure and full of the tough stuff, doesn't mind being babied every now and again.  I'm a little biased, but aren't they wonderful!

Cold Days of February!

The groundhog declared six more weeks of winter and I dare say he was right!  We have been bombarded with snow in the last couple weeks, with more in the forecast.  We had three straight days of snow and topped out, about 21 inches. 

The kids braved the weather and still enjoyed some fun time outside.  However, it didn't last long as the kids were often times found stuck in the drifts and had fallen over.

We've had a short break in the snow this week, as we start to see some of the snow clearing.  However, we're not holding our breath as more snow is predicted.

We have a new visitor at our house, meet "Snickers."  He's a Cavalier from Lucky Star Cavalier Rescue, that we are currently fostering.  He is 5 years old and just typical Cavalier (sweet, mellow, and just a love bug).  He's looking for a home, so if you know of anyone who might be interested in this cute boy let us know.  Lucky Star is a national organization, so he can travel as needed for the right home.

Happy Valentine's Day!!  The kids and I had a great day, celebrating with small gifts and cards for the kids and of course learning about St. Valentine (all 3 of them).  The kids made Valentine's for Daddy and we made Rosemary Scones for the evenings desert too.

Daddy joined us later and made us a wonderful traditional Cheese and Chocolate fondue.  The kids really love fondue and request it often for special occasions.  It's amazing to think, that not long ago neither of the kids would touch it as they savored every bite on Valentine's Day.

Ella received a hard earned Valentine at Karate class the following day, as her Sensei requested she join the Jr. Class (Wolf Cubs) one last time to promote her to White Belt/Orange Stripe and graduate her to the next level.  It was a wonderful surprise for Ella and she was delighted to show off her new belt to everyone!

Ella and Kenneth (Friend from the Jr. Class)

She will now be officially joining the Beginner's Class and will be testing for her solid yellow belt next month.  We are so proud of her and can really tell she's come a long way in just a short amount of time.

A White Christmas!

We had a very busy Christmas week, taking advantage of some warmer weather.  The weather was perfect, so everyone grabbed their skates and headed to the nearby outdoor ice rink.  The rink was choppy, as we weren't the only ones who decided to head outdoors for some holiday skating and the warmer weather definitely had it's affect on the ice.  However, the kids had a blast.

This was Eric's first time on ice skates and he showed some great balance, even on ice skates.  He wasn't afraid to get right on the ice and follow his big sister and Daddy.  

He has great determination and resilience; for every time he fell down, he would get right back up and try again.  

We also took advantage of our free tickets to the Wildlife Experience's Winter Wonder Lights.  Although they haven't changed the lights out the last few years, the kids still enjoy walking through the display and spotting all the different animals and Christmas decorations. 

Christmas Eve dinner, Eric and Ken made a wonderful cheese fondue!

We've made this a tradition at our house for Christmas Eve, along with reading  "The Night Before Christmas" and "The Christmas Story".

We spent quite a bit of time tracking Santa this year, via the NORAD Santa Tracker.  We all had fun tracking Santa and seeing all the places and how quick Santa was making his way around the world.

Christmas morning, Eric spotted his own "Lightening McQueen" (new red bike w/pedals).  He rode his bike around the house the rest of the day, with a few breaks to open his other gifts.

Along with Ella's much anticipated Horse Art Studio (Learn to Draw Horses), Ella was more than excited to receive her very own sewing machine! 

Mommy received a sewing machine too, so looks like we'll be learning how to sew together!  Maria's already registered for a couple sewing classes.

The kids had a wonderful morning openings gifts and were excited to share their new toys with each other.  Ella took some time to show Eric how to assemble and work his new musical marble track.

Christmas Day went rather quickly, as the kids continued to play all morning as we prepared for dinner at Maria's parents house.  The holiday's are always more fun when spent with family!

It is always a joy to see the kids playing together!  It was so cute, as both boys received matching coats from Mimi.  Cousin Seth kept asking Eric to put his coat on, so they would look like twins.  So Cute!!

We decided to break out the ski's the day after Christmas, as the kids and Ken had been waiting for the right time to head up.  Ken had the week off, so decided now was as good a time as any.  

Ella and Ken did great!  Ken definitely noticed that Ella had much better stamina this year.  They hit at least 4 green runs and 2 blue, before calling it quits for the day. 

We decided to ski Winter Park this year, so Eric could also try skiing for the first time.  Although he had a rough start; being left at ski school for the first time, he quickly warmed up and loved every minute!  

The highlight for Eric, was getting to ride behind a snowmobile!  Once again, his determination shined through and he amazed us by lasting the entire lesson (9-3pm).  He crashed on the way home, but the kids had a great time and can't wait to get back on the slopes.

A wonderful Christmas for all of us!!  We hope everyone had a most blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Christmas Shines!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!! The busiest time of year; not only shopping for that perfect gift, but with all the birthday's, activities and performances.  Ella's choir schedule definitely keeps us on the move all month long.  

We always enjoy watching her and she really enjoys performing!  Ella decided to sing a tune from her Choir performance for us, while we were decorating the tree.  Eric is the rockin' backup singer!

"Christmas Shines" was definitely one of her favorite songs this season.  

The kids loved helping to decorate the tree and the house!  Ella always looks forward to placing the light on top of the tree.

Our small group at Church had a Christmas party for all the families and Santa was so wonderful to show up to read "The Night Before Christmas" and deliver books to all the kids.

It was so nice for the kids to be able to take their time and talk with Santa and not feel rushed off by all those standing in line (like at the mall).    

Speaking of Santa, here's Ella's computer art rendition of Santa.  I think she did an awesome job, maybe with a future in Graphic Design! :)

Ella's rendition of "Santa"

Aunt Teresa was gracious enough to offer to watch the kids for a couple hours, while Maria went Christmas shopping.  They spent the morning at the Wildlife Experience with their Cousin Seth, who is on Christmas break.  They enjoyed a 4D movie about the life of a sea turtle and had fun dressing up as animals.

Ella the "Lion" & Seth the "Bee"

Ken's birthday was a nice break for both of us.  We spent the evening before at Red Robin with the kids, for Daddy's annual birthday dessert. The kids and I made Ken's birthday cake the following day, but kept most of the day pretty low key (Ken still had to work).  Ken opened a couple presents, as the kids were excited to see Daddy open them. Mimi was really nice and came to watch the kids that evening for Ken's formal birthday dinner at The Melting Pot.  We decided to have cake before we left, so the kids could watch Ken blow out his candles.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Unfortunately; snow started falling pretty heavy and the weatherman was calling for up to 12", so we decided to forgo the Melting Pot (40 minutes away).  We were glad we did, as the roads were really icy. We stuck close to home, but still enjoyed a nice dinner together at Saltgrass Steak House. Winter has officially arrived, just in time.

The 12" of snow we received last night, means we will definitely be having a white Christmas.  

Ella's 6!

Ella's birthday was a three day event!  Her birthday fell on a Thursday, which made it a bit more difficult to bring family and friends together.  So we had a quiet morning at home as we waited for Ken to wrap up work.

Ella received the Draw, Write, Now series of books for her birthday and was absolutely thrilled!  

She has not stopped drawing and writing, for the last week (Never mind, that we started our school break that week).  It's so nice to see her really excited to write.

Ken wrapped up by lunch time, so we took the kids on the much anticipated Light Rail Train ride downtown.  It was much longer than I remembered, but the kids had a blast and were excited to finally ride the train they always see passing by on the interstate.

We had a quick lunch at a cafe downtown, then hopped the train back.  The kids were real troopers, as the train ride was much longer than we anticipated (45 minutes each way).  They really enjoyed it and can't wait to do it again.

Friday, Mimi and Pa had a small party at their house for Ella.  We made cupcakes for the occasion and Ella opened gifts from everyone.  She received a pair of Pink Minnetonka Fringed boots and has worn them almost every day since.  The Taylor's (Maria's Sister  & family), gave Ella a pottery wheel.  Immediately, she wanted to break it open (even though it was past her bedtime).  We managed to have her wait until morning, 7am in the morning.  She jumped out of bed insisting she had to get at least one pot done, before she could do anything else that day.  We obliged and she has been spinning out pots for the last week! 

 I'm thinking she's going to have to run out of clay eventually. :)  If that wasn't enough, her birthday party was to be held at Monart, her old art school.

Ella's official brithday party was the following Saturday with friends from her piano class, church, and of  course Cousin Seth and Eric.  Ella really wanted a horse party and although; she would of loved to share her love of riding with her friends, we had to take into consideration the unpredictable Colorado weather in December.  So, we decided to combine her love of art and horses and had her party at the Monart Art Studio, where Ella has taken drawing and clay classes.  Her past teachers were more than happy to accommodate a horse themed party.

Ken did a great job making the barn out of fondant and Rice Krispie treats, he even made sure to include the silo.  We used graham crackers for the dirt and found some horses, riders, and jumps at Dover Saddlery.  We were in a pinch for a fence, but Ken and the kids came through hot gluing some flat toothpicks together.  Ken can be really crafty too!

I made sure to include some healthy treats of bananas and pretzels, before the cake.  The kids seemed to like that, as they were starving after they finished their project.

We were able to arrange for the kids to do a clay horse sculpture (The owners were more than happy to accommodate).  I had lots of fun seeing the kids in action, as usually we don't get to watch them make their pieces.  I learned quite a lot!

 Ella had a great time, as did all her friends (some who had never touched clay before).  She exclaimed that she could stay and do it all day!  I really think she would.  She just seemed so comfortable and sure of herself in class.   A budding artist, I have no doubt!

Eric really enjoyed getting his hands dirty.  He really wanted to work by himself, "I want to do it!" Something about our son wielding a 12 inch stick (supposed to be used for a sculpting stick), just made us nervous.  We would let him try to do as instructed and then step in when needed!  He did a great job for his first clay class!

The project took up the majority of our time, but we definitely saved just enough time for cake and presents.  The kids allowed me to grab one quick picture of the guests (minus one, who had to leave early).  They were all anxious for cake!

Two quick blows and the candles were out!
She really liked her cake and I think really just enjoyed having all her friends and family help celebrate.

Happy 6th Birthday, Ella!!

We can't wait to see what the new year holds for her and are so blessed to have the privilege to experience it all with her !

Giving Thanks!

A little late on our Thanksgiving post, just realizing the holiday flew right by me! We had our annual Turkey dinner at Mimi and Pa's house.  A bit untraditional this year, was that half the table had gone vegetarian and almost vegan (no eggs, dairy, or meat).  Regardless, Ella helped me bake a pumpkin pie for everyone else.

Bunny and Ella helping with the Pie.

Ella and Eric made these adorable Indian headbands, before heading over to Mimi and Pa's house.  Ella was so sweet to think of her Cousin Seth, as she remembered that he brought her a Pilgrim hat last year and wanted to make sure Seth had an Indian hat this year.  She brought him an orange (Seth's favorite color) hat and all the "feathers" for him to decorate his very own headpiece.  However, the kids ended up getting side tracked with an impromptu performance of music and dancing (a frequent occurrence).

This was a rare year, as everyone was able to make it this year to turkey dinner.  Angela and Lauren had the day off and The Taylor's (Maria's Sister) arrived back in time from a reunion dinner in Loveland with my brother-in-law's family.  

A healthy spread!

The kids always know how to have a good time and so enjoy their time together.  

 We are so thankful to have part of our extended family within arms reach.  We couldn't be more thankful this year for all that God has provided, we are truly blessed!