Vacation to Mesa Verde & Four Corners

Beautiful drive from Cedaredge south to Telluride and onto Mesa Verde.

 Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

 Descending into a pithouse dwelling.

 Square Tower House   

Cliff Palace -
Coltin drew a portion of this ruin in art class back in September. The school voted it as 2nd best of all 4th grade drawings. So he was excited to see it in person. 

Corbin

Alayna

Everitt

Coltin

Very windy, but fun to see and do. Kids later enjoyed negotiating and making purchases with the local natives at their shops.

Christmas Celebration x2

We got to celebrate Christmas a little different this year. An early celebration at home, just the 6 of us. No real tree this year cause we weren't gonna be around much. (We are headed to a reunion in Tuscon after Christmas.) Justin got creative this year and made the kids a pvc pipe ropin' dummy. They loved it! He did a great job. Then, with a fully loaded van we headed to Cedaredge on Christmas Eve. Celebrated with Laura's family and Mom and Dad, our first holiday all together in their new home! Cousins had fun being together opening presents, playing inside and out in the snow and with the horses. 
It was a Merry Christmas!! We are blessed and so thankful we can celebrate our Savior's birth.

A play house that you can color! Kept the kids busy, and Dee Dee too! ;)

Kids in order youngest to oldest. (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, & 10)

Double Digits!! Already??

Can't believe Coltin is 10!! I remember what a wonderful baby he was, with his bright blue eyes, he was always ready to please. As he has grown over the last few months I am getting a glimps of pre-teen! I guess it was bound to happen, a bit of defiance. He is still a wonderful son, so talented in athletics and eager to learn. He has made us proud achieving a 3.5 first quarter and 4.0 this second. He has set a goal to keep that 4.0 and remain on the Principal's Honor Roll. It is great to see him challenged at school. He also started wearing a 6.5 shoe (basically my size) that has thrilled him.


We love having Coltin as part of our family! Even if he is growing too fast for me.

 We had an explosive party for Coltin and his friends!!

 Well not really but it was fun making this volcano cake for him.

School Holiday Programs

It was great fun to see the kids perform with their classes. Alayna got to decorate her own Christmas tree for a fun song. They also did the "reindeer pokey", along with an assortment of other fun traditional Christmas songs. Coltin's 4th  grade class performed in "The Big Chill" all appearing very excited for lots of snow.
Everitt's 2nd grade class performed a version of "The Nutcracker Suite". I just enjoy the music from this and how enthusiastic the kids are.


The video are not very good, but it is what I got!

Corbin helped at home singing and decorating for me!

November- other happenings...

 Coltin had to make a 3-D map of the state of Colorado out of salt dough. He has been really enjoying learning about our state.

My almost 10 year old!! 

 Laura and kiddos came to visit and made me a cake for my birthday!

 I just love quite time and when the bigger kids read to the younger ones.

Nov. 26 -We took the kids to roping in Denver. 

Corbin was so excited it was his first time to compete. 

No prizes were won, maybe next time they will practice more! 

 Nov. 29 - Pack meeting. 

Everitt's den did a skit. 

Coltin was awarded his Bear Badge along with 1 gold arrow and 4 silver arrow points. 

We are so proud of him.