Thanksgiving, etc.

Ok, I have been neglecting the blog for a couple of weeks. It's been a little busy. For starters, we made the long haul to TX for Thanksgiving. Whew...that drive just doesn't get shorter! We had a wonderful week. Got to see lots of family and friends. First on Sunday we went to my nephew, Byron's, 5th birthday party. The kids had a great time. Kate and Brooke are so cute together. They came over to Mom's a couple of times and the cousins really had fun together. On Monday, we enjoyed a visit and lunch with John's younger brother, Timothy, who is such a sweetheart. Then our close family friends Jason and Alaina Parker arrived at Mom and Dad's on Tues. They are always lots of fun. Thanksgiving day there was quite a crowd including my Papa who is handling his cancer treatment really well. My best friend Suzanne and her boyfriend also came which was awesome! I had not seen her in over a year! Casey showed up on Friday and we enjoyed our short time with him. We left Saturday morning. During the week, Connor and Bryce both did some hunting. There was quite a bit of drama because Bryce shot a deer on his first try. But thank heavens Connor finally got one before we left! It was the first time to shoot a deer for each of them.

The drive home seemed to last forever but we survived. It has been a busy week with kids activities and hockey pictures. For some reason I thought it would be great to do pictures for the entire hockey league. I'll be glad when I am finished...two more teams on Monday and I am done!

Now we are considering driving back to TX for Christmas. Crazy?? Yes, I think so. But it just would not be Christmas without family! Maybe I'll get a chance to see some family that I did not get to see Thanksgiving. (Jennifer- I SO want to meet Hannah!)

Enjoy the photos and I will try to blog again before Christmas.

Happy Holidays!!

Time with Mom/Grandma

We were fortunate to have my mom visit for 10 days. It was great! I think all 3 kids slept in "Grandma's Room" every night. They are so spoiled! We really enjoyed our time together. John went to Utah for a buffalo hunt(yes, he got one and it is BIG!) so we had plenty of girl time. We even had a babysitter one night and went out to a nice dinner with our dear friend/"sister", Kristin. Of course, after dinner we couldn't possibly go home early having a sitter and all, so we headed to Jake's Dive Bar. We sang karoake and danced until 1:00am! I had to drag my mom out of there...she is quite the party animal! It was a lot of fun. I took her to airport yesterday and it was not hard to see her leave this time... but only because we are heading to her house Saturday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Future NHL player (Go Avalanche!!)

I just have to brag a little on Bryce. He is doing awesome in hockey this season! I am constantly receiving compliments from coaches, players and parents. He is such a fast skater and he is exhibiting great puck handling and shooting skills. What makes me most proud though, is how humble he is. He really does not let it go to his head. He is also very caring and supportive of his team mates. He's such a good kid!

The other day he asked if the Avalanche players got paid. When I told him yes, he said that's what he's going to do when he gets older. I said go for it!!...and make sure your mom and dad get box seats!

Halloween

Last week seemed so busy for us. Since when did Halloween become a week long event?? Along with our regular weekly activities, I voluteered to help with set up for the school carnival as well as the class room parties. On Wednesday I went to my friend Niki's annual Bithch Witchy party. It was a happy hour gathering for ladies only... witch hats a must! Thursday was the carnival which was very well put together but SO crowded. Not a fun place to keep up with my three kiddos. We did don costumes for the event. I was a witch, Connor was a girl, Bryce was Darth Vader and kate a ballerina. Friday the boys had class parties. I helped with Bryce's. I took my photo studio set up and took pictures of each child in costume. They made halloween frames and took their pics home. It turned out really cute. Halloween night we went trick or teating with our friends Scott, Kristin and Hunter. Connor was done being a girl and went as a biker. Hunter was a ninja, Bryce stuck with Darth Vader and Kate was Mariposa. Kristin and I decided to go as McCain/Palin. It was Fun. We got lots of entertaining reactions... especially in this town full of Democrats!

Jack-O-Lanterns

The kids did not have school on Friday , so Kristin and I told them we would carve pumpkins together. First we had some some shopping to do. Buying pumpkins was the last item on the list so of course we bribed (maybe threatened) the kids by saying if they did not behave, there would be no pumpkins! The shopping turned out to take quite a bit longer than expected and we didn't get back to the house until 5:30. By this time Kristin and I were in need of a drink! The kids behaved fairly well, although Kate did have one melt down. We finally carved pupkins, which turned out great. Everyone helped clean their own pumpkin. Bryce wanted Darth Vader, so I found a pattern online, John drew it and helped with the carving. Connor did his own Frankenstein design, and I helped Kate with a cat. Hunter chose a Cyclpos design which turned out really cool, but was a lot of work for Kristin! We then cooked dinner and roasted pumpkin seeds. All in all a fun time!

Happy Birthday to my Hubby!!

A little snow...

Well we had our first measurable snow fall last night and this morning. The kids were so excited and started pulling out sleds and snowboards. I had to remind them that you can't do a whole lot with an inch of snow! They had fun anyway. Sadly it will be gone by the end of the week because it is suppose to be back in the 50's. It will be here to stay before we know it. We have been so fortunate to have fabulous fall weather. I am looking forward to winter!

My Boys

It's that time of the year... report cards and teacher conferences. I can't help but feel a little anxious when I have to go visit with teachers. Connor's in particular! Now, Bryce has always been a good boy at school. He is a whiz at math, but we have had to work hard at reading and spelling. This year he has made a huge leap in his reading level and had an excellent report card. I have never had a phone call or note home regarding Bryce's behavior. He is a great student.

Now Connor on the other hand is very smart and creative. He has never stuggled academically. Behavior is an entirely different story. Through the years we have all kinds of phone calls and notes. Nothing terrible just lots of distracting behavior and some attitude issues. So, I was amazed to go to the school Monday evening and receive compliments and praise for Connor from several teachers and the principal! He has really matured this year and is doing so well. His teacher told me he was a JOY to have in class! His report card was close to perfect. I am so relieved and so proud! Yes, Mom. I was sure to let him know it :)

Needless to say, I am one happy Mom and very proud of my boys!!

our rental property

We went over to our rental property on Sunday to do some cleaning and touch up paint. It is so pretty over there and the view of Mt. Quandary is fabulous. SO I had to snap a few pics of the kids. They always enjoy going over there because there is a lot of space to run around.

Since we have taken over mangement of the property I have been getting tons of inquiries. Hopefully we will get it booked up for the busy season. I am not looking forward to dealing with all of the renters but we sure need the mula :) If anybody knows someone who needs a place to stay in Breckenridge send them my way!!

Birthday Boy

Bryce celebrated his 8th birthday Oct 9th! Hard to believe he is so grown up. I asked him what he would like for his birthday breakfast and he requested French toast served to him in bed! Being a school morning breakfast in bed did not happen, but he did get his French toast. Then he was off to spend his birthday at school. I made cupcakes and took them to his class, which they all enjoyed. We had a party at our house on Friday evening. WAY more boys than I need running around on a regular basis!! But they had lots of fun playing flag football and wallball outside, then painting t-shirts and hitting the pinata. Hotdogs, cake, and presents and I was glad it was over!

We had planned to go to Elitch Gardens(Six Flags) in Denver on Saturday. But it was cold and rainy so much to the kids dismay we had a change of plans. We hung out at Scott, Kristin and Hunter's instead. Had good food and good wine...way better than fighting crowds in the rain! Driving home over the mountain that night there was a nice snow storm. We were all excited to see the white stuff!! Of course it was only on the mountains, but it won't be long. We are ready for winter and skiing. We all got our ski passes Saturday, too.

YIPPEE!!

Girlfriends & Family

I finally watched the Sex & the City movie. I loved it! I laughed, cried, got nostalgic...it was great! It also made me sad. There were so many moments that brought back memories of days gone by. I so miss my girlfriends in TX! John just laughed, imagining me and the girls doing some of the same things in the movie. It is so important to treasure our friends and the moments we spend with them. Suz, Jeanna, Shanie and Mom if you are reading this...I miss you. And to Kristin, Mary and new friendships.... I am so thankful to have you near by.

Even though I LOVE where I live, it is not easy to be so far away from those we love. This weekend was especially hard. My cousin,Tim, got married. I think everyone in my family was able to be there including my wonderful Papa who is fighting cancer. I hated not being able to go. My family is so special to me and so much fun to be around. All of these cousins, aunts, uncle, granparents who rarely see each other get together and it seems like no time has passed. So if any of you read this know that I love you, I wish I could have been there, and please COME SEE ME!!!

So I will now end my "pity party", put on a happy face, and tend to my wonderful children!

From the mouth of Miss Priss

I think this will have to be a regular blog topic. You just never know what Kate will say. Lately she has become the fashion police.

A couple of quotes:

"Mom, you look like a dork in that shirt."

"What's Daddy wearing?? I don't like his style!" (he had on hunting attire)

And a couple of her new favorite phrases:

When Mommy and Auntie Mary were not finishing our chat quick enough she clapped her hands together and said, "Wrap it up, Mary!"

She also enjoys telling us to "Get over it!"

I think she is 3 going on 13!

My first blog

Ok, after spending so much time stalking the blogs of my beautiful cousins I am finally starting my own. (thank you Jennifer, Autumn, and Kylie!) So bear with me as I learn...

As most of you know I am a mom of 3 busy kids; Connor(10) Bryce(8 on Oct 9) and Kate (3)

Here are some things that keep us busy and you can expect to read in my blog; Guitar lessons, choir, cub scouts, hockey, Green Team(environmental stuff), and ballet. And in just a couple of months SKIING!!!! We can't wait for the snow, although the present weather in fabulous! Also, we have taken over management of our rental property and are trying to pick up more properties. So I have been responding to lots of inquiries trying to get them booked! Check out our website: www.summitescapesco.com. On another note I am expanding my photography business. I am partnering with a friend who is also a photographer. We will call it Double Vision. Along with our portrait and scenic photography we will be doing real estate photography. John is busy with several projects as well. Maybe one of our endeavors will finally produce some income!

So, in closing, I welcome you to our blog and look forward to your comments about our crazy life!