Utah Ho!

This week has all been about preparation for our trip - Dan and I spent most of our week trying to get things ready, food eaten, clothes washed, car packed.  The kids had school and Evie had preschool, so I tried to get errands run while she was at preschool.  And by Friday when we were ready to pick up the kids, we were also ready to go.  We grabbed the kids and headed out to Utah.  We made it in late at night with the kids asleep - they did a good job of being good at watching movies and not causing trouble.  And we all made it safely there. 

This was our Thankful table cloth - the kids all got to color pictures of things they were thankful for - My kids drew pictures of our family!  They are SO AWESOME!

Grandma and Grandpa Jones brought back some fun things for the kids from Thailand - and here are the girls showing them off! 

Saturday, we did our early Thanksgiving - we spent the morning cooking and the kids played - the cousins all get along so well together!  Then the whole crazy party got together for a delicious meal!  Candace's parents and one of her brothers were also in town and we had fun seeing them again.

Sunday we went to Paul and Candace's ward for Eliza's baby blessing - I didn't get to hear any of it - James and I were out in the hallway while he threw a massive tantrum - but it was so nice to be there.  I also really enjoyed getting to go to Sunday School and Relief Society. 

While we were packing - I went into a massive panic realizing that on this huge weekend, we had no working camera - I had one camera with dead batteries and no charger or cable and another camera that had recently stopped working.  So on our way out we stopped at Costco - we've been having fun playing and taking lots of pictures - but I didn't bring my computer on this trip, so I'll add the pictures when we get home!  It's been a wonderful trip so far and we are looking forward to spending some time with family this week!

Busy... as Usual!

We've had a fun week - lots of the normal - preschool for Evie, school for the older kids, work for Dan, napping for James, piano lessons, church, choir, all that fun stuff.  I had some fun Relief Society stuff this week.  Nicole and I went to a little 'Spa Night' type thing on Thursday and made sugar scrubs and bath salts and ate chocolate :)  Then on Saturday, we went to Peoria ward's super Saturday and had fun making hair bows and magnets.

Saturday afternoon, Dan and I took the kids to the Zoo - i actually managed to get them to try a new area (something other than bird world and the hippo statue, but after a fun trip through tropical discovery - we ended up back there anyway - the kids love it!  I promise that Dan is holding James in this picture! 

I know i got more pictures and better pictures than this, but I'm having a hard time finding them.... The girls took their cameras to the zoo and had a blast taking lots of pictures of everything they saw.  

Today after church, we headed down to Frank and Tina's for Frankie's birthday - the kids had a blast playing with their cousins and James had a blast stealing my cake.... When we got home - the kids (and maybe the adults too) were a bit tired....

Fall Leaves and Lots of Parties

We've had a busy and eventful week - well, really weekend - the rest of the week was mostly just the normal amount of busy.  But starting Friday, things really got crazy - Friday night, Eileen had her slumber party - she had 5 friends come and we made little pizzas and they watched a movie before we 'sent them to bed' 2 had to go home before the slumber part - but the rest of them didn't sleep until very late!  But they had fun and no one wanted to go home after.  Saturday morning, Dan took Anna and went to clean the church building and got back in time to help me set of for our Primary Teacher Instruction meeting.  The slumber party girls were getting picked up right as people were showing up for our meeting.  Attendance was low, but the spirit was very strong and the meeting was wonderful!  

During the meeting, Dan took the kids outside to rake leaves - and they made a nest.  A giant leaf nest.  They had a blast and were covered in leaves for the rest of the day.

And I had some fun getting some fun fall pictures - Evie is so funny - this picture was kinda accidental, but the lighting really looks nice.

This is Anna in the nest - hard to believe - but they had a bunch of sweaters and coats on the bottom of the nest.....  

This is Aaron pretending to be a bird leaving the nest.

After, we went to Dwayne and Nicole's house for Riley's birthday - the kids had a blast watching Despicable Me and then beating up a minion pinata.  

We finally finished our night of insanity with the ward Chili Cook off and Talent Show.  Dan brought his balloon animal making skills and was the hit of the party - he spent the first 45 minutes making balloon animals and hats, then the kids tried coming back for seconds!

For the talent portion of the contest, Eileen played Book of Momon Stories on the piano - from memory.  She was so cute!!!!  She got distracted by James part way through and lost her place - but she still did a great job! 

After that, even a Sunday full of meetings and crazy kids wasn't so bad - James did better in Sacrament this week - he sat quietly in my lap for almost half the meeting.  After church, he was a super duper helper - he is getting so good at following instructions and communicating his needs.  He loves books and finding pictures of things he recognizes in books - he gets very excited over balls, cats, bears, dogs, horses, birds and water - and the picture only has to vaguely look like one of those things for him to get excited about it.  In this picture, he's reading one of his favorite books - the one with a ball on the front (it's a pictures of Earth)

Free Time! NOT!

We've had a fun but busy week - it was fall break for the kids - Monday, Eileen's friend from school came over for a play date and we all went to the zoo - it was chilly, but the kids had a lot of fun - we even got to see some lions and African wild dogs getting fed.  James didn't want to sit in the stroller though - so he was a bit tough to reign it.  He's getting more independent - which can be nice, but it can also be a pain.... :) 

Monday night we carved pumpkins for Halloween - the kids drew faces and Dan did most of the carving - Evie insisted that he carve a butt on the back of her pumpkin....  

For Tues - Friday they went to Camp Tina and had fun raking her leaves and hanging out there.  I had high hopes of getting a ton of things done, then I had all these things come up that had to get done and computer problems that prevented me from getting almost anything done that I had planned.  Dan took me out to lunch on Tuesday and we went to a small Hawaiian place - it was packed so when we had a table with 4 seats and a nice little old couple behind us needed a place to sit, we offered the other half of our table.  They were nice and friendly, but Dan nearly ran out of the place screaming when he found out that the couple's day job was as clowns.  

The kids begged aunt Tina to be able to rake her leaves and play in them and even promised to bag them for her - she finally relented and let them :) 

Dan and I wanted to see the kids for Halloween so we headed down Thursday evening to Trick or Treat with them - then went home.  I got more pictures, including James as a cute little pirate... but they seem to have vanished :(  

Friday Dan took the day off so we could get some stuff done around the house before the kids got back.  We moved Evie in with the girls, moved James in with Aaron and turned the other bedroom into a school room with their desks and bookshselves.  Then we went to the temple before grabbing some dinner and picking up the kids.  

Saturday was Eileen's birthday - Daddy made her a cake and she got to place the candles and try to light them (but ended up getting daddy to finish the job)  

She also got to talk to Grandma and Grandpa Jones on the computer and open her present from them - she got a book about animals which she hasn't put down since and some cute earrings and some other fun little things.

Aaron is really getting better with his reading - not quite at the level of the book he's reading in this picture, but it's sure cute to watch him try!

And of course this little guy is full of smiles and fun - especially when he's trying to get attention.  And it's fun until he crashes hard.... :)

Autumn!

We've been enjoying this mild autumn weather by being outside as much as we can!  The kids and I took a bike ride to the park this week and had fun playing in the leaves and enjoying a gorgeous day!  James really just liked throwing the leaves and Evie wanted to lay in them and get covered up - but they had a great time!

Becky and Adena came over on Friday to hang out - it's been awhile and it was great to see her and chat and hang out - our hubbies always wonder what we do when we get together - but there is never a shortage on conversation and when all you get during the day is 2 - 4 year old conversation, getting to talk with another adult is priceless - especially when that someone happens to be someone that you have a lot in common with and who's company you enjoy.  :)

Friday night - Eileen and Anna had a friend spend the night - She came over Friday evening and stayed most of Saturday - the girls all had a blast - but they were up late (of course) and so they were a bit tired the next day - I came down and found Anna and Taylee asleep on Dan's recliner - I wasn't sure how they both fit there - but it turns out they didn't - Anna fell off the side about 10 minutes after I took this.... 

Otherwise it's been a mostly normal week - Aaron got an award at school - he's doing really well - now if he would only remember to turn in his homework...  His teachers had lots of good things to say about him!

We're counting down weeks until we get to go out to Utah to welcome Dan's parents home and see Paul and Candace and their sweet new baby!  (and their other awesome kids too)

Bike rides and snow...

....but not at the same time.  Our week mostly contained the normal levels of insanity - laundry, piano lessons, school, preschool, choir and such.  We got some snow this week - mostly it will snow early and then it will have all melted before the day is over - but it seems crazy to be getting snow already - It just doesn't feel like snow-time yet!  Dan spent some time this week fixing up our bike trailer and getting new tires on my bike so I can now stick Evie and James in the trailer and go on bike rides!  I haven't been able to do this since Aaron was born.  Evie and James both seem to love it - and even with the cooler weather, all I need is a sweater and maybe some gloves to be totally comfortable.  We have been enjoying going on family bike rides (though daddy usually has to stay behind with Aaron who really kinda needs a new bike....)  And I've been enjoying a way to get some exercise during the day with out worrying about what to do with the kids in the meantime.  

This weekend has been kinda nuts - on Saturday we had our primary program practice - the whole presidency left the practice feeling like everything was going to totally tank on Sunday - trying to get them to be even kinda reverent and to pay attention was an uphill battle.  But miraculously on Sunday, everything went smoothly - the kids mostly behaved, they read (or said) their parts really well, and they paid attention to their teachers, to the music director and to us.  We even managed to end on time and feel the spirit.  I truly feel like the Lord intervened and helped things to run smoothly!  

Saturday night I had a concert - at our own building - I picked up Nicole to bring her and the concert went well - it was really neat to sing with the youth and it was a well liked concert with decent attendance.  I really think that the spirit was there lifting our voices and carrying the message to the people there!  Now it's time for Christmas music!  yey!!

Whole Lotta Fun!

As usual life has been busy.  We had a fun and busy day on Monday just doing the normal laundry, groceries, and school.  

Tuesday we had a fun morning of preschool, followed by a wonderful evening with the Sister missionaries and Dwayne and Nicole and family.  

Wednesday was a fun morning at the library where we got to run into lots of friends and have a great time singing and listening to stories.  Then we had some friends come over to play with us - and best of all - she was totally sweet and let me leave James napping while I went to pick up kids from school!  :)  And of course, choir in the evening - always fun, but a little crazy to think we have another concert in a week. 

Thursday was totally nutso.  We had a preschool field trip in the morning - we went to Nick's Garden Center, where they do a fun little fall festival each year - the kids had fun running around the maze, playing the games and checking out every single pumpkin.  Yes - I'm a bad mommy - James was shoe-less.... 

 The kids all had a blast though and didn't want to leave.

Thursday after school we had piano lessons, then i dropped off James and Evie and took the older 3 to Skate City - once again - bad mommy didn't take pictures - I was kinda annoyed with Eileen's whining and didn't get around to it. 

Friday, the kids all had school off.  Dan stayed home with them in the morning so I could drive my friend to some doctor's appointments that she wouldn't be able to drive to and from.  It was a nice relaxing morning for me - mostly sitting in a doctor's office and working on some projects.  It always feels good to be able to help out a friend - and I didn't have 5 kids demanding and yelling and going nuts!  In the afternoon, I took the older 4 kids to the zoo - I had promised them a trip on their day off, so we went and had a great time - the weather was just cool enough to keep the zoo mostly empty so we had a great time exploring and seeing our favorite animals.  Eileen was excited because she had read about a baby snow leopard that they had at the zoo in the zoo magazine we get as members - so we headed on over to see the cute little guy!   Then Friday night, we watched Dwayne and Nicole's kids while they went out to dinner and had their pre-baptism interviews!  

Saturday was WONDERFUL!  It was such an amazing experience to be there for their baptism.  They are such amazing people and it's just wonderful to see them so happy and so excited!  I was playing piano and had the wonderful opportunity to see their faces as they sat listening to the talk after their baptism and it was awesome to see the joy there!

Today, we went to the Peoria ward this morning to see their confirmation - Dan stayed to see Dwayne ordained a priest and I took the kids home for food and a nap for James before going back for our ward and our primary program practice!

Fall!

Fall kinda hit us hard this week with a first snow - not much and it didn't last the day - but it's been cool fall weather ever since - instead of the hot summer-y days.  Preschool this week has been at our house and it's been a blast - we have had fun counting and sorting, making dinosaurs out of our letter D's and of course, reading stories, singing songs and playing.  During our play time break - one of the kids ran in and told me that they had found a "Leaf Monster" I went outside to find this katydid - hard to tell for sure from the picture - but it was nearly 2 inches long - we talked about it - used a piece of paper to move him to a tree and the kids thought it was a grand adventure.  This group of kids is really a great little group and the schedule works so well that instead of dreading the weeks teaching, I'm actually looking forward to another week here.  

Aunt Tina stopped by with this fun little play computer - Evie looked so cute sitting there with her little 'laptop' and trying to be like daddy.

Tuesday we had Dwayne and Nicole and the Sister Missionaries and Bishop Doxy over for another lesson - I am so excited to be part of this - so excited to watch this process and mostly so amazed at Dwayne and Nicole and what amazing people they are.  Every time we meed with them for these discussions, I am just amazed at their understanding and faith and strength.

Wednesday was our normal insanity - we went to the library with Nicole and kiddos - we had meant to get stuff planned for their baptism - but between me chasing James and her chasing Tayanna - we hardly got to see each other!  It was fun to also run into Cindy and Niki there.  Wednesday evening was choir and my first official trial as the soprano section leader - we had a sectional - and it felt like it went well - it felt like we were efficient and got a lot done and that there were good feelings all around - hopefully I'm not imagining things - but I'm feeling more capable and able to do this.

Thursday was also insane - preschool in the morning and piano lessons in the afternoon - and traffic was so bad that it was almost 7 PM before we got home - where Dan, and the poor Sister Missionaries whom we had kept waiting, were out on the front porch waiting for us to get home to eat the yummy chicken pot pie Dan had made.

Friday was WONDERFUL!!!!  We didn't have anything to do in the morning - the kids had very little to do after school - the kids (and mommy) were able to relax a bit - get some stuff done around the house - and enjoy a day together with out worrying about being places on time.  Life has been rather busy lately and it's made me truly appreciate a day or two off!

It has also made me more excited for General Conference weekend - it was so nice to take a break for 2 days and put almost everything aside and just listen and absorb the spirit.  Even James enjoyed sitting down (with all of Eileen's stuffed animals in his lap) and watching some conference!

Dan's great-uncle Jack passed away and Saturday evening we went to the viewing and a family get together for dinner after.  The kids didn't quite get what was going on.  Aaron went in with me and asked "Why is that in there?"  I don't think he even realized that it was a real body and that it was the purpose of being there to see him and make our farewells.  Once we explained it to Evie and Aaron, the hard part was getting them to not walk around telling everyone that there was a dead guy in there....  It was nice to get together with Dan's family and be with them.  Dan also went to the service today - but we didn't want to subject them to a very cranky 20 month old, so I stayed home with the kids.

Our Week of Fun

Wednesday was our typical run run run - we dropped the kids off at school, then went to the library for story time with Nicole and her two littles, then lunch, pick up kids, make kids to homework and of course choir!

We had a busy and fun week - Thursday our little preschool group did a field trip to the Museum of Outdoor Art - I was kinda thinking that it was a museum of art that went outside - but instead it was a museum of art about outdoor things - so weather and such - they had this fun little cloud walk exhibit where you can talk through a bunch of strips of paper hanging from the ceiling and pretend you are walking in a cloud.  Evie's favorite part though was the pink water fountain outside in honor of Breast Cancer awareness.

Thursday night, after piano lessons, Nicole and I went to the Relief Society activity - i took the kids with me while Dan went to the parent teacher confrences - then he picked them up and took them home and put them to bed.  

Friday was the yearly carnival at the girls school - it was mostly indoors this year because of drizzly weather - but the kids had a blast - then we went home and the girls managed to clean up fast enough to get to watch a movie (while the boys went to bed early....)

They had this little golfing game at the carnival - lol - I love how this picture came out!

Saturday morning - I hit the thrift store for some pants for Eileen - she didn't have enough to make it through the week after I made all her ripped pants into shorts!  In the late afternoon - I picked up Nicole for the Relief Society Broadcast - it was wonderful!!  We both enjoyed ourselves!

Today has been EXHAUSTING but fulfilling - we got up early for 9 AM church with the Peoria ward with Dwayne and Nicole to introduce them to Bishop Doxy and let them get a feel for the ward they live in.  After we headed home, got lunch and I headed back to our ward with the older 4 kids to practice the primary program - we rushed home after to snag a quick lunch before heading over to Frank and Tina's to celebrate Tina's birthday - then I had to leave that early to sing with the Colorado Mormon Chorale at the Temple workers Devotional - it was wonderful - I've been battling a cold for the last couple of days - and by the end of today - my voice was almost totally gone - but the talks were just wonderful -  the Temple president talked about finding happiness now - and I started thinking about all the many reasons why my life is wonderful now!  I am so grateful for the chance to reflect and for the many ways the Lord has blessed my life!!!

Birthday Girl

Well- it's been a fun week - Monday was Evie's birthday - we had ice cream cake (after mommy totally botched the cake I tried to make for her...) and she loved opening her presents.  I can hardly believe she is 4 years old - and yet sometimes I can hardly believe she is only 4 - she is so observant and full of personality and life!  She loves telling people that she is 4 now and has worn the pink headband in the pic below (which she got for her birthday) EVERY day since.

We had Dwayne and Nicole and the missionaries over on Tuesday for Ox Tail made by Dwayne.  It was neat to try something so new a different - and good!

Evie has been loving preschool - we are rotating teacher and house every 2 weeks - and this week every time we go, Evie has asked if Sister Bishop (or Miss Christie) will be there.  She loves to feel like a big kid and she is learning so much!

Wednesday we went to story time at the library with Nicole and kids - the kids had fun - after story time - they handed out coloring pages for the kids and Evie happily colored and then wrote her name on her page all by herself!

Here are the pics taken of the Evie and Anna recently - the link will take you to the J.C. Penny's website to see the web versions.

Dan was out of town for Wednesday and Thursday - it was just a quick trip - which compared to the 7-10 day ones is really kinda nice - Tina came up to watch the kids while I went to Choir and we managed to survive just fine!

I learned a lesson this week about listening to the Spirit.  I've been thinking about one of the ladies I visit teach a lot recently - and I kept thinking I should text her and chat with her - but I didn't want to feel pushy, but I finally texted to ask a question, and after answering my question, she proceeded to tell me everything that had been going on in her life - she is an amazing wonderful person who has had some hard cards dealt to her and since the last time we hung out, she's had a rough time - and now I'm kicking myself for not listening to the prompting to reach out to her - yet at the same time, I'm grateful that she is comfortable enough with me to talk to me and let me help her.

Today we had another Stake Conference - they took our Stake and one more and split them into 3 - most wards weren't changed much - but our ward lost a little chunk on the south end - a chunk which contained at least a third of the leadership of the ward..... Gonna be some big changes!  Thankfully, my presidency is still as complete as it has ever been - but I'm going to miss some of my kids (and their awesome parents) an awful lot!!!

Daddy tried to take a Sunday nap today - but he had too much help.....

This evening, we went down to Grandpa's to visit and for a little party he was having to say "Thanks for helping with moving the barn" we're just glad to help and glad to enjoy it some!  But it's always nice to get together and see family!

The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down

And yes - I was singing the song from Winnie the Pooh as I typed the title of this post.

This has been a rather eventful week around here.  Aunt Tina came over last Sunday night to stay for a couple days and help out.  Monday morning, Dan took the kids to school, then Tina stayed here with the other 2 kids and Dan took me to my Surgery.  A few hours later we left with me a bit wobbly, my septum straight and some rather uncomfortable plastic things in my nose.  I spent the better part of the next few days dozing and getting some work done on my computer.  Somehow between Dan and Tina - they managed to juggle taking care of me and the kids.

Tuesday, Dwayne and Nicole and the kids came over to meet with the missionaries again - and after some wonderful conversation, they said that they wanted to be baptized - we are so excited!! This has truly been a wonderful experience and they are such wonderful people!!  We have liked them and had a high opinion of them since we first met them, but since moving out here - they have become like family.

Wednesday, my mom flew in and Tina went home.   By then - I was mostly taking care of myself - and my mom helped with the kids.

Thursday was a day full of insanity that never happened - Thursday we had dentist appointments, preschool, school, early out days, piano lessons, taking a meal to a friend who just had a baby and parent/teacher conferences.  We took the meal over Wednesday night - we managed the dentist appointment - but then the rain (which has started on Wednesday) became a flood which cancelled almost everything else - after that all we had to do was get the kids from school.

Friday, they cancelled school - because of rain - it sounds ridiculous - but half the town couldn't even get out of their own neighborhood - let alone to school - so school was cancelled - and I got to keep 5 kids who hadn't been outside for the last 2 days - at home and inside with me all day..... I had my post op appointment Friday morning - my mom drove around with the kids for the 20 minutes it took to get in, get the plastic things out and get out of there with a clean bill of health.  Then we had get the house mostly straightened up for my birthday party that night.  After Dan got home - we got the food going and people started showing up - it was a fun party and a fun birthday - great to have so much family and so many friends around (despite the rain)  Evie got to open her birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa Cox early so Grandma Cox could be there - and here's our cute little princess.  Grandma took the kids to the dollar store to get mommy a birthday present - Aaron got me growing sponge animals (which he promptly found early the next morning - opened in the bathroom and played with)  Evie got me a clapper necklace (which she wore all the next day) Anna got me a pack of pencils and Eileen (who had saved up her chore money to get a specific stuffed animal)  got Grandma to take her to Hobby Lobby to get her Ginormous Waddles and a little stuffed Giraffe for me - she spent her money to get me something that she thought of as an AWESOME gift - and I adore her for it!  The giraffe has since been clipped to my purse to keep her safe and Eileen talks about her all the time.  (she did prove useful in church today as an entertainment for James)

On Saturday - just as I was about to run some chores (for the first time alone in a week) it started pouring again - I started out trying to get gas and ended up back home waiting it out - when the rain slowed - I found this while out running at least one of my errands.... 

 and this in our back yard....  it was so bad that our window wells for the basement looked like fish tanks from the inside - Dan had to go out in the pouring rain and divert the water elsewhere and drain the window wells or we would have had a little flood in the downstairs bathroom.

But we weathered the storm and survived so far - hopefully tomorrow will see the end of this crazy-ness (not the end of the rain - just maybe spread out more..... and less flooding)   :)  It's actually been really nice having a bit more humidity and more moisture for the plants.

And here I am almost a week after surgery and I am mostly back to normal - no plastic in my nose - only the anti-biotics for medication and just a little sore around the nose - but best of all - I can breathe!  :)

Preschool Fun

We've had a fun week here - for labor day on Monday, we took the kids out to Dinosaur Ridge.  We went with some friends and had a blast looking at fossils and tracks and hiking in the Rocky Mountains.  It was a gorgeous day and a fun family outing!

Tuesday morning, I had a doctors appointment - and since the girls were out of school and Dan out of town - I got to take 4 kids with me - thankfully it went quickly and easily and we were done in time to head over to preschool for Evie.  I'm doing a little group with some other ladies in the Stake.  We have a group of 4 little kids right now - and they are all sweet - easy going kids mostly, and so far have done really well together!  It's been nice - Evie is loving it!  (Eileen and Anna liked helping out the first day too)  

On Wednesday morning, Nicole and the sister missionaries came over and we talked with Nicole about the Book of Mormon and the prayer and the spirit - She said that she does believe that what she has read in the Book of Mormon is true and that she has prayed about it - It's so amazing to get to experience this with her and talk to her and bear my own testimony to her!

Wednesday night, Heather came over to watch the kids for me so I could go to choir.  We are singing some really beautiful arrangements!

Evie had preschool again on Thursday and of course, piano lessons in the afternoon, and Dan got home Friday morning!

Saturday morning, I went to a baby shower for a friend from church - after, I met the rest of the family at Dwayne and Nicole's house for Tayanna's birthday (where the kids ate a ton of junk food and James covered himself in ketchup and frosting) and finally, in the evening, Dan and I went out with Marion and Deb and their oldest daughter for Dinner and then to the adult session of Stake Conference - It was really wonderful!

Today was Stake Conference, and we had a big announcement that we will be having another one in 2 weeks to where the Stake will be getting divided.  Lots of changes coming - but hopefully they won't be too big for our family!  

Fun and Family!

We have had a busy and fun week!  Tuesday I had a doctor's appointment - I'm looking at having some minor surgery soon to help fix my congestion problems - and this appointment was the beginning of everything.  

Wednesday was a fun morning at the library with Nicole and the kids and a wonderful evening singing with the Chorale!  

On Thursday - all crazy-ness broke loose!!  Thursday morning, we had a meeting to finalize stuff for Preschool for Evie - we will start this next week!  Evie is excited!  After school, I picked up the kids and took them up to the dentist for Aaron's check up - the kids did amazingly well - they were so well behaved and quiet and happy!  Then we got home and had to try and get through homework and such and clean up before Dan took the 3 older kids to Skate City - they had a blast and got home shortly after Stephen and Claire and their family arrived.  The kids all got to bed late from playing with cousins and it was a good thing that Aaron at least had no school the next day.

Friday, we all went to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.  We packed a lunch, and went exploring - we had a great time seeing stuff - Elise found a bunch of tiny bones that we think were the remnants of an owl pellet.  Then we found a Monarch butterfly just out of it's chrysalis - it was still dripping and was starting to slowly spread and dry out it's wings.  The kids had a great time - but it was pretty hot!!  

It was so fun to watch the cousins play together!  Eileen and Anna attached themselves to Elise - Elise and Eileen have an obsession for reading in common and Claire and I had a great time exchanging book recommendations for ourselves and our children!  Aaron and Mason and Sammy all got along and had a great time playing together and Evie got along great with Lincoln and they had a blast running around screaming and making up funny games!  It was fun to watch Dan talk with Mason about programming and he even took him in to work to look around and see their warehouse.  Claire and I had some fun talking about scrapbooking and we were all sorry to see them go early Saturday morning.

Saturday was mostly an easy day - we slept in a bit (after staying up late playing) and had a lazy day hanging out around the house and doing a bit of yard work.