Climbing the Peak

Jon has had all kinds of hard work to do while here. Even the fun is hard. He and Steve climbed Pikes Peak. It's a 13 mile hike one-way and has a 7,000 foot elevation increase. Steve said Jon did a wonderful job--even for a flat lander. The kids and I did, however, drive the highway to the top and pick them up at the top. Originally, they were going to hike back down but we had lightning strikes and a tornado touchdown not too far from the hiking trail. Safety is of first importance although it is arguable that the safest route is to just stay home and look at the top.

I do get asked why people climb a mountain if there is a highway to the top. The only answer I have to that valid and well-reasoned question is that there is a stigma about climbing all 54 mountains that are 14,000 feet or higher. I've climbed several myself and have dreams of climbing more in the future. It's just what we do here. And that's all I can say.

Nephew Jon is Here--

First, let me say that my brother-in-law and sister-in-law are incredibly wonderful and brave for sending their son out to visit us for 4 weeks. We've been begging family to come out for ages and FINALLY someone comes. And Jon is actually here to work. Yup, a 16-year-old who wants some experience working in the pastry chef field, came to our humble abode to work with my hubby. And, for the record, I'd feel sorry for Jon that he's working with Steve except that he lives with Steve's brother whom Steve quite takes after.

As far as I can tell so far, his only fault is that he's a reformed baptist. Maybe we can fix him....

Okay, so this isn't the most flattering photo of Jon but you can see Steve's due diligence in putting the boy to work!

Again, not flattering, but this time washing the now oil changed vehicle. Nothing like a bit of slave labor! And I will get better photos but these candids have to do for now.

There's Bug shooting from the hip! Boys and their power washers are a happy pair indeed.

And here is my precious little Peanut cleaning the driveway. Honestly, we're not that clean. I'm wondering if she wouldn't mind moving to the kitchen floor....

Lizard, lizard, lizard...

We found this cute little lizard happily sunbathing on the trim around our garage door and we watched him for a very long time. I touched his tail and he squirmed a bit but didn't run. The only bummer is that Bug is at a friend's house playing and didn't get to see him.

And It's Not Even April Fool's Day!

Welcome to our big news! We're expecting another bouncing baby bundle of Boonz bliss and I am very ready! Yes, I know it's hard to believe, but I'm pregnant again. Little Kiki will be only a scant 14 months old (approximately) when #4 hits the bedroom floor after the birth. (Don't freak out, I give birth at home and Kiki came out on the floor because I couldn't move!) So, for all 3 of you out there who keep up with the news, we are thrilled to welcome our next child. For the record, I still want one more. Just one more and that's not too many! Steve has said he's willing to practice on trying for a 5th...hmmm.

And, this next one had better be like our second child and not our third or first!

Bug: cranky, screaming and spitting child

Peanut: calm, sleeping and happy baby

Kiki: complaining, whining and even more spitting sweetie

#4: docile, sweet and cooing cutie

Dad always makes his "predictions" about the baby's due date and gender and the answers are:

We ought to be welcoming a beautiful boy on January 19th at 4:32am.

The only bummer (and Dana, forgive me for saying it) is that my otherwise phenomenal midwife is going to do the ultrasound. For those of you who don't remember, let's recap. She assured me (90% positive!) that little Kiki would be a boy. Then, just a few short days before her entrance, Dana then said that she might've read the ultrasound wrongly and that it could actually be a girl. Out she popped and there was no penis. So, we will see the ultrasound and check out the photos (that I can't actually ever figure out) and then hope she is right!

For the record I do want to say that if you're planning on having children, move to the Front Range and hire Dana. Honestly. I've done both hospital and home and Dana is the very best midwife one could find! I LOVE her!

Happy 25th Anniversary!

This weekend my Aunt and Uncle came in from St. Louis and spent some time with our family. Of course, they're loads of fun and I'm thrilled to spend any time with them that I can. Aunt loves the babies and she's so good with my children! And, here's Josh, in front of the Simpson's ad at the movie theater. I've got a better photo but this one will have to work for now.

For Grandma Lil

Kiki Crawls!

Where are this baby's legs? I'll tell you where, under her torso! And I'm less than happy about this. If she crawls already then I'll really have to be more careful about toys on the floor and various other messes! Yikes!

An astronaut, a princess and a cow

Our kids love to dress up and play in their own happy imaginations. But they also love popcicles! Bug is in our space shuttle swing, Keira is dressed in our cow suit and Cayleigh is in full princess regalia. Only Peanut is without a costume of some sort!

Deer and Rabbit Food 1/2 Off

Our beautiful neighborhood is chock full of deer and rabbits. In fact, the latter live under our front porch and I'd smoke them out if I thought I could get their dead bodies out afterwards. It's not that they aren't fun for the kids to chase but they eat my blossoms. And I don't like it. Yes, they were here first it's just that I don't care! And they breed much too quickly!

But I digress, my mom-in-law (who is wonderful) gave me some "flower money" for my birthday (she knows the way to her daughter's heart!) and boy, did I use it! My neighbor let me know that WalMart had daffodils and tulips 1/2 off and so I went and loaded up. They were nearly 6" tall already and on the verge of blooming. They are lovely! Thanks, Mom!

My Beautiful Three

Now that the snow has passed we spend most of our days outdoors. Okay, the older 2 spend most of their days outdoors and I lounge around inside mopping, sweeping, and doing laundry. Maybe "lounge" isn't the word. But I have been tidying up the yard and getting ready to plant the veggies. I love Spring!

Bug is now 5 and very tall for his age. He's learning to read and I'm learning patience (sort of). I've immersed myself in various curricula trying to decide which is the very best for us to use in the fall for homeschooling. Sorry, Little Man, but you're about to get educated!

Peanut is still a tad shy and loves playing by herself--especially when the neighborhood is over during the day. And the neighborhood is almost always over for the day! The little braniac will also be learning to read soon--in the fall--and I daresay she'll be a faster learner than her brother. She's a bibliophile and "does Reading lessons" with us daily.

Kiki is scared to death of her siblings. If they even look at her she makes scary disgruntled noises. Frankly, I don't blame her. Peanut took her up the stairs (obviously, I didn't know it) and then allowed her to fall down the stairs. Not a great experience for a 5 month old. And is she ever the complainer! If there's even a tiny little thing she doesn't like then we all know it immediately. BUT, her smile and her kicking feet thrill my soul! She will be her brother's sister to the core--a fighter and a charmer. I can't wait to see how she grows!