Thankful

These are the people I'm thankful for, of course.

(I got everyone polished and ready, which isn't an easy task, and as we were driving to meet Sean for these photos, realized I had forgotten to bring his coordinating shirt. We were already barely going to get the good light, so we just rolled with it)

(Geez, it's hard to get kids to look at a person-less tripod)

(After running back and forth between the family and the tripod over a whole lot of rocks and not knowing if I ended up in a good spot, I realized that there's a reason people pay other people to take their photos)

Canoeing in the Fall

Sean's uncle's family came for a little visit and we spent a little time canoeing at Palmer Lake, framed by lovely mountains and glowing foliage.


















(this and the next two photos by Sean)

Grey's fifth birthday

Grey's actually birthday was great, he got to eat at Hu Hot, received presents like new Magformers, Zelda toys, and a Broncos shirt.


He even got his requested but poorly executed triforce cake.


Singing time!


Then, a couple weeks later, he had his birthday party! His Zelda-themed party!


Better triforce cakes.


We played games like Korok Hunt and this blindfolded Arrow Practice.


We made a maze they had to climb through like a shrine in Zelda: Breath of the Wild.


They even got to make their own Majora's Mask.


Nice, dude.


The unplanned favorite game was pulling each other on the detached tire swing. Whee!


Grey loved his party, with 13 of his friends (and we wished we could have invited more!... but that was definitely enough five-year-olds) though it was nice to be on his own for a few minutes every once and a while. Happy birthday, baby Grey!

soccer

The boys all tried soccer this year. The verdict: they all loved it.


Grey's not bad when he can stand in front of the ball, get a big swing, and kick the ball. It's doing it while moving that's the trick.


This is what Kindergarten soccer always look like. Just a mass of little bodies toeing the ball.


Liam and Dash were on the same team and had a weeknight practice as well as a Saturday game each week.


They really loved being able to run all over the place as they played. Sean and I know next to nothing about the game so they learned a lot from their experience.


They both enjoy being goalie and made lots of saves. But they also like being on the field and chasing the ball.


Actually, for most of the season, neither of our kids' teams scored any goals. The trend was thankfully broken in the last couple of games. The boys all took it in stride- as long as there was a good treat at the end of the game, they had a good time. And we're glad to have our Saturdays back again!

Briarfest 2017

Time for the annual Briarfest!


Ready to play games.


Ready to earn prizes.


Ready to tie his laces.


Ready to be cute.


Chatting on the phone with a Colorado sunset backdrop.


Obviously, latex gloves were a must.


Dance party while we wait for our food to be ready.


Shine your light on us.


Carnival rides!


Carnival ride watching!


Finishing off with cotton candy.


Until next year. (Oh yeah, my parents were there too!)

raincoats and umbrellas