The Band

A few pics to share about James and Cole with their new band members, Bo and Dylan. The name of their band is "Arch Angel". It seems like yesterday when the noise around the house was their Thomas The Train toys or banging on pots and pans. All parents will say it....."They grow up so fast!" I can't believe my evenings are filled with the sounds of metal coming thru into my kitchen from the garage! (It is a good thing all 4 boys are talented, or it could be brutal!). They have been practicing like crazy for a local Battle of the Bands on Jan. 23rd. Just thought I would share a few pics! Wish them luck!

Dylan, Cole, James and Bo

Their Arch Angel Logo

My Wonderful Children!

Just some pics.... Proud Mommy Pics!

The Bear and his beautiful green eyes!

What a Peach!!!!

Jamming the in garage with our friend's son Robbie

AFLAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update on Jay...The titanium rod is holding up! He is doing much better, even working a bit today. We are happy to have him home after a 7 day visit to Valley View Hospital. Thank goodness for the duck, he's got our back thru all this!

They had to get in there somehow!

(notice the cut above the four ankle staples, that is where the bone tried to poke out!!)

The 4o year old diet. MMMMMMMM Good!!

Thank you, Aunt Wanda and Uncle Tim! Super Yummy Chicago Pizza's! We all felt better after those!

Just ONE MORE RUN!

It was last week....I watched the weather....Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 was going to be a beautiful day.......36 degrees and sunny! With all the snow we just had, taking a day off work was the ONLY way to go! Off to the slopes we all went, Mom, Dad and the kids! And it was a BEAUTIFUL day! Truly... "The Best Day Ever!". The snow was perfect...no ice,.....just wonderful, Colorado snow that makes you wish it were winter all year. And boy did we ski! I was "Suzy Chapstick", Jay was my little "Jean-Claude Killy" and the boys - all 3 - Shaun White shadows! We had friends in the lodge, the sun shined, the snow glistened ----- truly, "The Best Day Ever!"

UNTIL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Oh yes, once again Jay enjoyed a toboggan ride down.......My fault...maybe.....I of course suckered him into taking "Just One More Run!"...Yes, the fateful words that have sidelined more than one skier in skiing history. ALAS, his season is over. Maybe if he didn't show off by spinning in circles on his skis, or maybe if he didn't set his bindings to "Never Release Even If My Legs Fall Off".............or maybe it was just "one of those things".......We mourn over the loss of many more tasty snow days this year that he cannot fully enjoy. (Rest assured me and the boys will, though!!!! :-)....... But poor Jay, spent his New Years in Room 428 at Valley View Hospital awaiting his transformation into The Six Million Dollar Man. (Yes, he needs rebuilding!). So for 2009 we will trade his skis in for Bingo Blotters, as that might be the last safe hobby left for my dear hubby! But that is OK......Leaving the hospital tonight, the boys and I came home to the most wonderful sunset! Maybe God's way of saying "No worries, You'll have MANY more 'Best Day Evers!!!'"

The Duplesys wish for all for the new year????? BE SAFE!!!

HAPPY 2009!!!!!!

Havin Fun with Cole in the lodge

The Bear did his FIRST run up top off the Segundo Lift! Way to Shred Bear!!!!!!!!!

The "Best Day Ever"....UNTIL.......

Yep.....That'll Leave a mark.

"Honey, can you tell the nurse I need more Demerol..... I can't feel anything!"

Happy New Year from Room 428!!

Thanks, Dad! I know you have MANY more Best Day Evers in store for all of us!

Merry Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Merry Christmas Eve!

Snow, sledding, skiing and snowboarding, pajamas and slippers, no work all play, snuggling on the couch, smelling a pine tree in my living room, eating wonderful food, a fantastic husband, wonderful sons and a new beautiful daughter....... It must be Christmas!!!!

She makes it REALLY hard for mom to want to leave for work!!

"Must you really, Mom???" ..... I just love classic "naked baby"photo!!

Now THAT'S what I call a wonderful Christmas gift!!

"Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!!"

"I've fallen, and I can't get up!"

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:8-12

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TWO TEENS, A BEAR AND A BABY

Well, it is official, Cole is a teenager! Dec. 8th was his Big 13th! We had a great celebration with his wonderful friends and our family...We noshed on appetizers and washed them down with "fake" champagne..(or at least the kids did!!). I am so proud of him, he is turning into a wonderful young man...but then all my boys are! In addition to Cole's birthday, Jay and I enjoyed a holiday party at the Hotel Colorado. The Hotel is rumored to be haunted and we, the brave ghost hunters, decided to spend the night! The hotel is quaint, very old, but beautiful. But I would have to admit, there was a strange feel to it! We shared an adjoining room with friends..their room was very cold, ours like a furnace! The fan would go on and off and we heard the sound of a baby cry (who knows....pr0bably from another room..) at any rate, we left bright and early the next morning! No lolly gagging around ...we were outta there! But it was a fun night!

We ended the week by "slaying" our Christmas tree! (Cole's term!) What a nice one, too! For a mere $10.00 you can get a pass to hunt down the perfect pine for your living room! I just love the smell of fresh trees!

And I am typing this waiting for my suburban full of boys to return from the mountain after their first day skiing/snowboarding! We have had limited snow, but enough for the mountain to open! Next week I go. But today I decided to stay home with BellaGrace to finish last minute decorations, do some laundry....and snuggle!

Ahhh, to be 13 again!

A Heavy metal cake for a heavy metal dude!

A boy and his dad!

It's all about the shoes!! Hotel Colorado Christmas party!

15 years and going strong! The princess and her Knight!!

You KNOW I'm cute!!!

"It's about time those two old farts got out of MY bed!!" Bella in the morning...do NOT disrupt her beauty sleep!

The Bear, excited to put the saw to use!

The MacDaddy of all Christmas trees!