Second Annual...

Last year's "Halloween Invitation Competition" ended in more than tears. The silence treatment lasted about a month, and bitter feelings of "unfair voting" still linger when we talk about it. Click HERE for a reminder about last year's event. But we aren't going to let that keep us from having the "Second Annual Invitation Competition"!

This year (because of last year's drama) we had to change the rules. Last year when we had the competition, the winner never really threw a Halloween party, so this year we decided not to do it for Halloween, but the date has already been set for a holiday girls' night. Here are the guidelines for this year's competition:

• Invitation was to be completed by November 20th
• We will upload the invitations online for all to vote on
• Winner gets to host a "Sister Holiday Brunch"
• Date is already set for Saturday, December 3rd from 11-2
• Host will provide the brunch
• Activity at the party will be a holiday craft, chosen by the winner
• Each guest pays for their own craft, and the winner gets her craft paid for by the three losers!!!

As we talked about this years plans, we couldn't seem to agree on much. Even though we laughed a ton as we were making plans for this second annual event, we left the table with some tense feelings. Tears were flowing, competition was boiling in the blood, and physical aggression was taken out. I'm so excited to see how this year goes...

Africa...

Last night I had a dream I was in Africa. I want to go back.

Circus...

Everyone needs to go to the circus at least once. I just read the book "Water for Elephants" and loved it! So when I heard the circus was in town, I didn't hesitate to get some "friends" together and get tickets; all within a few hours notice.

This circus had everything; clowns, acrobats, tigers, a man on extremely large stilts, dancers, and anything else you can imagine. But my favorite part was the elephants! Elephants are one of my favorite animals, and I was amazed at how well trained they were. The picture below is hard to see, but you get the idea.

We had so much fun at the circus. This year, I am grateful that Nate, Macy, Maxwell, and Zailah were able to come on such short notice. Next year, we'll arrive an hour early so that we can get autographs and see the animals up close.

My two favorite boys...

I have always thought The Children's Museum was the coolest place for children to explore, learn, and investigate; however, now that I am learning more about the developmental stages of children on a deeper level in all of my classes, I think that The Children's Museum is an ESSENTIAL place for children to go.

Maxwell and I have visited this museum many times over the years. It is one of our favorite places to go, so when he asked to go there last Saturday, I thought we better show Nate what all the hype is about!

Words don't do the experience justice, so I'll show you!!!

This is Maxwell in the workshop. He made an airplane... and gave it to Nate as a gift :)

Nate couldn't help it. He got right to work (although he wouldn't put on the apron and safety goggles) and made something for Maxwell...

It took two of us to screw in the nails...

Maxwell (and other kids) served us pizza in the restaurant! No mushrooms, please!

You're never too old to dress up and play, crawl, climb, and explore in the forest...

The bubble room was a fun one. Maxwell put on his lab coat and safety goggles to investigate making bubbles!

These are my two favorite boys! Putting on fire-fighting gear and "driving" the fire truck will be an image in my mind that will last forever :)

Sidenote: If you're in the Denver area, you HAVE to visit this museum. I didn't even reference the painting room, dress-up/dance area, veterinarian office, grocery store, puppet theatre, crawling corners, or the train room (shown in the first picture at the top). They are under construction, and more amazing developmental rooms are coming. Best. Adventure. Ever.

Boots...

This was my inspiration for Nate's birthday cake...

This was the outcome...

I tried. That's right everyone. Nate bought me cowboy boots for my birthday, and now we are a 'cowboy boot wearin' couple'. Nate and I wore our boots out the other night and went to dinner at Colorado Hacienda and then watched "8 Seconds" (a cowboy movie). I can't wait to go to my first rodeo in January, to put our boots to the real test. So much fun! Happy birthday, baby!!! Yee-Haw :)

Camping in Steamboat Springs...

Camping was fun in the 90s...

And it was fun last month...

The hot air balloon show was fun in the 90s...

And it was fun last month...

We have been camping a ton this summer, and we couldn't leave out one of the family favorites... STEAMBOAT SPRINGS!!! We had an absolute blast going to the hot air balloon show, swimming at the hot springs, shopping at the town expo, and having a ton of down time to just hangout. We threw the frisbee around, enjoyed the river that ran parallel to our campsite, and just visited with one another. This summer has been so much fun, and I can't believe that it is already over. I will blog about our camping trip in Glenwood Springs soon, cause that was the cherry on top for our summer camping trips! More pictures below!

Child Abuse?...

I offer to babysit my nieces and nephew for free, but there is an underlying secret motivation! I put the kids to WORK!!!

Sidenote: For those who are ready to call CPS, keep reading... I am a clean FREAK! Every Friday when Lauren Brea comes over to play, she sees me cleaning and wants to give it a try. I call myself a positive role model... and I would let myself babysit my kids for free any day :)