A Lady Bug Picnic

I can't believe our little Bella is already a year old! WOW! I began this blog when I was still pregnant with her! She is growing into such a little lady...(my apologies for not updating this blog in FOREVER!!!). She is walking all over and learning new words every day. She loves spending time with her big brothers and is even learning to head bang to their music! She chases the dog all over the house (much to his chagrin)... and is forever unloading our cabinets containing tupperware and hand towels! She LOVES giving hugs and kisses and waving "hello" and "goodbye". It was just so easy for all of us to get into the spirit of a LadyBug Picnic for her first birthday party!

Sitting so pretty for her LadyBug photoshoot!

She is looking up at all the helium balloons floating above her!!

Mom made the ladybug cake, and Auntie Eileen made Bella her very first Barbie cake!

"Ahhhhh, Yes.....cake and candy apples. It is a good day!"

Red and black balloons with helium tank........$32.98....

Lady Bug table accessories....$12.74

Being loved more than you'll ever know.....PRICELESS!

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet "BellaBug!"

Parades and Pools - Summer at last!!

Wow - it seems like the only time it is nice out is when I am working! Strange summer here in CO....I have not really had the opportunity to lounge by the pool or soak up the sun. We managed to get our youth group to Six Flags in Denver on Thurs. and it was all of 59 degrees!...(Until we left and the sun came out!!) Well..today....a SATURDAY... is wonderfully summery and hot! Jesse and his bud Wyatt were in the Silt Hey Day Parade, and then we all trekked off to the Rifle pool to cool off. This was Bella's first "Big" pool experience, and I must say...I am proud. She is a water baby! I have Olathe Sweet Corn simmering on the stove for our BBQ at the lake tommorrow, homeade pasta salad marininating in the fridge, and a date with the shower to get ready to see the blues band at 7 PM tonite in SILT COLORADO! Happy August to all!!

Jesse and Wyatt - The ultimate "Floatsters!!"

Isabella Grace ...Happy to see her friend, Emma Grace !!!

"Ain't no stinkin' JAWS gonna get me in this pool with my big bros protecting me!!!!"

"So THIS is the treat they call "Ice Cream"........"Oh, yeah....I'm gettin it..... this is the real deal. Um Hum.... Yep.....................Don't bother me, I'm eating!"

Life....It'll sure take over!

WOW, June 14th since my last blog. Thank you to my friends and family who reminded me to update it! I guess the summer took over a bit...the boys took a two week trip (with the camera, thus thwarting by blogging efforts for a while!) Bella and I managed to sneak in a small trip to Kentucky. Yes, Bella got her "wings". She did well... thank goodness that Nana and Papa also were with us to lend a hand! Bella enjoyed trying to pull the persons hair in the seat in front of her! And we found out that the droning of the airplane engine does NOT put her to sleep! But she was a good passenger, enjoying the view from the window and flirting with anyone fortunate enough to pass her by! Kentucky was....(surprisingly :-) beautiful. With temps only around 75 or so, and a lot of rain, it was a nice change from the dry, hot weather we are used to here in Colorado. As for the rest of our summer......well, we were able to catch a Charlie Daniels concert! That was great fun. At 72 years young he still can put on a fine show. James, Cole and I also were blessed to see Casting Crowns, a wonderful Christian band, right here in Rifle CO! Bella went to her first parade, also! But time seems to slip away, and we have not even had a chance to use one of her 4 bathing suits and lounge at the pool! Maybe next week. Since school starts the middle of August, we are in a rush to fit in more summertime moments! It seems like it takes only a blink of an eye and the snow begins to fall! I hope all have at least enjoyed some watermelon, corn on the cob, sun, fun, the smell of Coppertone on your skin or any other summertime treat that makes us feel like kids again. Lord knows, at 40, with 2 teens, a middle schooler and an almost one year old, ready to walk and tear up the house... I NEED IT!

Our sidewalk chalk Masterpiece, with grammatical correction! (I before E, except after C........)

Jesse, reading "Pat the Bunny" to Isabella. Thank You, cousin Lydia! I really like this book!!

Isabella with her Papa! (and MY GOODNESS, is Papa one of her most favorite people!!) swinging on the porch in KY, learning how to wave "HI" to the passing cars!

Ah, yes. Inducted in the the

"Norman Women Hall of Fame!"

Isabella is the newest member of

the most powerful, amazing (and

often times feared) band of sprited women on the planet.

And, Yes, my wonderful Aunts...I promise I will learn to "ROAR" for you!

Love,

Isabella

"Uncle Carmel.....Great Bones!!!!"

Jesse, I said you could take home a souvenier....not cousin Maggie!!!

Well, I guess it's not a reunion until you can get the big, sweaty group photo of all the cousins! I didn't think it was OK to show devil horns in the bible belt...........hmmmmmm.

Jesse's big 10th....an on the road birthday, fit for my "king for a day!"

Happy 10th to our sweet Jesse Bear!! We love you!

Rock Lobster!

What a great weekend! The boys were invited to play at Lobster Fest in Carbondale on Saturday. A local guitar shop owner, Steve, saw them and invited them to entertain the masses. He even told the crowd that they never heard a band rock Sopris Park like these boys would! While the music traditionally is more mellow, we were excited to have the opportunity deliver some hard core metal by new and fresh talent. The boys were phenomenal and got a great response from quite a few of their new fans!

Even Isabella enjoyed the concert..........well.....somewhat........

Better than the B-52's!!

"I am afraid of this squishy grass under my soft blue blankie...why is no one helping me?? This big, cruel world is too much! HELP!"

"Phew! Thanks Papa! I knew you would save me!"


Isabella is growing up so fast. She is now almost crawling, pulling herself up and eating anything and everything in site! I forgot how tiring it is to keep up with a mobile child! But she is soooo sweet and happy! She has two teeth. I tried to get a picture, but that is near impossible with a squriming almost 9 month old! All in all we are super busy of course! Papa has been taking the boys golfing. (poor Papa- it is the cross he must bear!) We enrolled Jesse in a 3 day golf clinic (Tiger needs to retire someday, might as well keep in with the animal theme and replace him with the Bear!") And unfortunately I do not see an end to the endless eating that will put Jay and I in the poor house, between a houseful of teens, and a dainty daughter who is an eating machine!

PIZZA!!!!!!

.......and spider toys.........

.......and a spoon out of my toy box with dog hair on it.........

........and shiny blue mirrors.......... I will eat ANYTHING!!!!!!

"Peek-a Boo, Mommy!"

"Here I come, Mom....I'm gonna getcha!"

"YA'LL COME BACK NOW, YA HEAR???!!!!!!!!"

(Editor's note....a major battle with Kodak Easy Share made this blog entry take up over an hour of mommy's time to finish. While that might not seem alot for some, it definately is a big chunk for a full time worker of a mommy of four. But is it worth it? MOST DEFINATEY! This blog is our way of sharing our love with family and friends, near and far, to say..."We Miss You and we LOVE YOU!" Thank you all, for enjoying pictures of my family! They really are special!

Goodbye, KSE...Hello Rain!

WOW! That is all I can say. My Baby Bear Jesse graduated 4th grade. This is always the bitterweet graduation (4th grade) in our family.... Kathryn Senor Elementary School has been the most wonderful school my boys have attended. I cannot explain to you how wonderful this school is! I was able to attend the annual "Rendevous" festival. This is where everything they learned throughout the year is acted out. Teepees are set up, complete with Native American tribe members who come to bring us song, tradition and words of encouragement...as well as great dancing! Storytellers and mountain men, horse painting and pottery, coal mining artifacts and Indian fry bread...and even a planetarium! And so much more! "KSE" is a school that cleary ebraces the love of learning....EVERY child leaves feeling loved.. and with a wonderful start to a wonderful life, filled with great adventures. I am so glad I have one more child who can go on to enjoy 5 years at this wonderful school. KSE has been a part of our lives for so long. It was hard to see Jesse leave, but know he got the BEST start for his new adventures! See Ya Soon, KSE! Cheers to the best teachers, principal and staff....Ever!!!!

Graduation behind us...the band played for "Operation Vacation"..... (Operation Vacation is a grassroots, nonprofit organization based in Glenwood Springs whose purpose is to reunite deserving soldiers with their families on free vacations in the Roaring Fork Valley and Grand County in Colorado and Dallas and Austin in Texas.) .....in the Glenwood Springs mall parking lot...They had a 4 o'clock slot....just in time for the monsoon of the season! After 2 songs they had to jump off the flatbed truck that was the stage, and into dry shelter while the equipment was protected from the rain...Once the storm passed and a slew of able body persons created a tarp tent over the stage, they were able to perform...and What A RESPONSE! The crowd loved them! It was great!



Now.....Please, God.....Can you make them stop growing? It is too fast! Seems like yesterday they were so tiny....

Jesse and his geode---cracking open a treasure!

Panning for gold! (with good buddy Wyatt in the tie dye)

"Animal", the mountain man. Showing us how to create fire, the mountain way!

The Indian Chief, also showing Jesse how to create fire.

Painting horses

Thank you, Mrs. Rickert. We will miss you!

"Mom....why are you crying????"

GoodBye for now, KSE

Those lightening bolts don't look too close!

Rocking out right before the downpour

Hanging the the "Burbara" (suburban) for shelter!

Blue tarps and a flatbed truck! Now THAT'S a stage!

Like the post office...not rain or sleet or snow...will stop them from delivering "MELT YOUR FACE METAL!!!

"Mashas Day" and Bella's first trip to the park

A great "Masha's (Mother's) Day.....The boys and I, along with Nana and Papa's help, landscaped the front of our lawn...( Haul them rocks, boys!!!). Hard work made our dinner at Tequila's restaurant that much more tasty. "Uno Mas Chardonnay, mi Amigo!!!...Carne Asada!!!!!" Ahhhhh, yes...good food, good drink....good kids! It was a great time! The warm weather has brought about a renewed interest in local parks. Jesse and Cole joined Bella and myself on her first trip to a wonderful park- chock full of swings and slides. All three of my boys grew up playing at this park, and it was w0nderful to return and remember the "good ol' days" of twirly slides and bouncy horses. Thank you, Isabella, for reminding us that twirly slides and bouncy horses never get old! You refresh us daily, and to that I am thankful. Mother's day....a day to think about the best gifts in my life.....James, Cole, Jesse and Isabella. Wow....I am BLESSED!

Catching some rays a la carte!

Happy Mother's Day, NanaMommyNanny!!

Thank you, honey, for taking me to my Favorite Mommy's Day restaurant!!

"Oh my goodness...I am in a big yellow tube...this is SOOOOO COOOL!!!"

"I feel the need for speed! Push this swing higher mom!!!"

"Mom! Tell my brother to leave me alone! It is MY camera time! He had his time....I am the cute one now! It is MY spotlight! I am the queen! Stop getting in my shoot! It is all about me, don't they get that?? I simply cannot work under these conditions...where is my manager?"

All Good!!!!....in the end!

May 3rd should have been our depature to Playa Del Carmen in Mexico....15 years to plan a honeymoon and we get shut down by the ...."H1N1 ("Don't say Swine or U.S. pork sales will drop") flu" ....which put the kabash on our plans. But that is OK..The boys (James, Cole, Dylan and Bo Bad Ass) won first place high school garage band at the Jas Aspen Battle of the Bands!!! Way to melt faces boys! The upcoming show at Snowmass is to be announced...they get to open for some hopefully big name groups! After, Jay and I took Jesse to Denver...Bass Pro Shops and Dave and Busters! All is good....Jay and I look forward to replanning our trip (Thank you. Jo..for our wonderful Arbonne basket!.....[our good friend from church packed us a wonderful Mexico Romance Basket to ease the pain! Wonderful skincare, spa items, music CD's, food, flip flops...you name it!!] so that we can h0neymoon in Mexico in Silt, CO!!!) In the end, there is no place like home (when you got sweet kiddos like ours!)

Arch Angel - Rockin the house!



Already 0n a Tee Shirt!

Looking ever so cool after the win!

Kings 0f Burgers AND metal!!!!!!!!

Better than Wal Mart!!!!!!!

Hmmmmm. Won't comment 0n the comment.........

Didja ever see the movie "Big Fish?"...well.. he lives at Bass Pro Shops!

EXTREME CLOSE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhhhh. the "Shark Bite" cocktail.....".Oh, the shark has pretty teeth dearAnd he shows ’em, pearly whites Just a jack knife has macheath dear And he keeps it way out of sight......."

Good Stuff!!!!...Mexico Who??? Let's Dance!

And Yes we did ....all they way from our Lobsters and mussels and clams to our coconut bread pudding and some sort of chocolate thing that was THE BOMB! Food, fun, music ...the whole shebang...right here in our own backyard!!!!!