Soc Hop

We went to a soc hop at Castle Rock Elementary on Thursday night. The girls had so much fun showing us all their dance moves. The baby really had a good time too. He was groovin' on the dance floor!

Canon City

Sorry it's been a few weeks. You know how busy life can get. The beginning of the week is packed with work and the end of the week is packed with fun with the kids so when is there time to write?

A few weeks ago we decided that life is being too hard on us and we needed a break. So when we picked up the kids we didn't take them home. We told them we had a surprise. We went to Canon City! Getting out of town for even just a little while was so nice. We went to Royal Gorge Bridge Park and visited the Dinosaur Museum and Prison Museum. Aina did not like that museum! They had mannequins in the cells and admittedly they were a little creepy. But they all loved the Dinosaur Museum. We got to see a nearly complete Stegosaurus fossil and we even got to handle some fossils. The neatest was a Velociraptor claw.

The Royal Gorge Bridge Park was awesome. The girls (and Abram) loved the carousel ride and guess what? It was their first time! We went twice. We rode an incline train down to the bottom of the gorge where we got to walk along the Arkansas River. That was so neat and only seemed scary half-way down! There was a petting zoo and donkey rides for the girls, and a mule drawn covered wagon ride. Ani and Karri rode the air tram across the gorge and it was incredible. We walked across the world's highest suspension bridge and Aina bent down to look between the wooden slats! Talk about brave. We even had fun in the gift shop trying on hats.

On the ride home from Canon City we stopped to see...wait for it.... The World's Largest Rocking Chair! That's right. Unfortunately, we couldn't sit in it, but we did stop to take pictures. The girls are still talking about it.

It was really an incredible time. We all had so much fun.

Check out the slideshow of pictures.

Weekend of September 12, 2009

Thursday: Today we got the baby and Aina at 4 and Ani and Aleck at 5. We had to bring the baby back at 7. We did have time to have a yummy tortellini dinner (I think I mentioned before how much the girls like that). Since the girls are out of school right now we stayed up a little late watching a movie. This time we watched "How to Eat Fried Worms." What a fun movie. I think we're going to cook some worms up together!

Friday: The girls are out of school, so we stayed home and played around the house today. The playhouse is still a hit. It was cold out so we set it up inside. It takes up the whole living room! We went for a walk later in the day. Aaron made enchiladas for dinner which is everyone's favorite! Seriously, he makes the best enchiladas ever. Seriously.

Saturday: We took the long drive out to Yoder today to visit Grandma and Grandpa. It takes so long to get there but it's always fun. The girls love running around on all the property, playing on the swingset, and there are always cats and kittens around. There was a litter of kittens about 4 weeks old that they got to play with. There just happened to be three kittens - one for each of them! As usual, Grandma had crafts for everyone to do. Abram was a little fussy today - probably because he got the flu shot yesterday. But even had fun crawling around grandma's house. He is so mobile now - you can't keep that boy in one place!

Me like cookie!!!

Weekend of September 6, 2009

Friday: Karri had a chicken sitting in the crockpot all day. It smelled so good when we got all the kids home. After dinner Karri made some homemade kettle corn and some microwave cheese popcorn and we watched a movie in the living room.

Saturday: We were so excited for today. Tonight was the last Starlight Movie in Castle Rock. We brought our blankets and chairs and set up on the grass to watch Madagascar 2. Before the movie started the girls ran through the bouncy house a couple of times. Ani saw her friend Haley and she hung out with us for most of the movie. There was no room for her poor dad so he ended up standing almost the entire movie. We really had a fun time watching a movie outdoors. It got really cold though. Looks like winter might be rolling in!

Sunday: We went to Uncle Wayne's house for a BBQ. We brought the castle playhouse with us. Conner and Abby love playing in it with the girls. The treehouse was always occupied as usual. That was a good move, Wayne! The only thing missing today was the baby. It was a beautiful day and it ended too early.

Weekend of August 29, 2009

Thursday: We went to the library and got some new books to read and listen to. The girls have really been enjoying listening to audio books while they go to sleep. They particulary enjoy Pippi Longstocking (the book and the movie), and the Disney Fairy stories. They've also listened to Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web, and Because of Winn Dixie. There are so many stories we want to share with them and we love that they enjoy listening to them.

Friday: Grandma and Grandpa came over to celebrate Grandma's birthday and they brougt Conner and Abby with them. With help from Aina and Aleck, Karri made a butterfly cake for Grandma. We had chicken for dinner and cake for dessert and then all the kids had fun playing in the castle and running around in the backyard. Grandma brought crafts with her and all the kids sat around the table, just as good as can be. By the time they left, everyone was exhausted. That's good!

Saturday: We went back to The Wildlife Experience today. We started in the area of the museum that we missed last time. The museum had a craft station set up and the girls made masks. Ani and Aina made doggy masks and Aleck made a giraffe. When Ani was done making her mask she made a kitty mask for Alana. That was so sweet. Alana is coming in a couple of weeks and we will give it to her then.

Oh, and as a side note, Tricky Woo has found a new mama - Amos! She is always cuddling up with him and lately she has started sucking on his fur! He lets her! It's so cute.

Grandma Minks and Abram

The birthday cake

Tricky Woo and Amos

Weekend of August 22, 2009

Thursday: Salsa chicken for dinner. Movie popcorn for dessert!

Friday: Today we are going camping! As soon as the girls are home from school, Uncle Wayne, Uncle Sam, Aunt Lori, Conner, and Abby will be meeting us her to go camping together. We are so excited.

Saturday: Wow, camping was so much fun. The girls loved it and are already asking to go again! The grown-ups ate hamburgers cooked on the grill, but the kids used sticks to cook hot dogs in the fire. After dinner we enjoyed delicous smores! Smore's are the best when cooked over a real campfire. We had a huge tent that we borrowed from our neighbors and even the dogs fit in there with us. All the kids, baby included, slept soundly through the night. Wish we could say the same!

In the morning we explored and played on the rocks. It was so beautiful out there. We had breakfast burritos cooked on the grill and we all pitched in to clean up afterwards. We can't wait to go again.

Isn't that a beautiful view?

Sleeping like a baby

The boys

Mmmm..smores!

Weekend of August 15, 2009

Thursday: Karri made chicken adobo that was delicous. The girls ate it all up and even asked for more. We got a late start again tonight because of the too many exchanges so after dinner we just relaxed with a movie.

Friday: Karri made us waffles for breakfast. Aaron's the pancake king so she had to do something different! After school the girls played in their playhouse again. We also went for a bike ride.

Saturday: We went to Uncle Wayne's again. The girls love the treehouse. Wayne put a hammock up there and Aleck was playing hide and seek in it! How? you ask. Watch the video!

Weekend of August 8, 2009

Thursday: Yeah, Karri got back today!! The girls were so excited to see her. Aina almost knocked her down with her running hug. It was a long day and flight for Karri so we stayed in tonight. Picked up a Papa Murphy's pizza and watched a movie. Karri fell asleep on the couch!

Friday: The older girls were in school today. In the evening we went to the library for a medieval festival. The girls made bookmarks and necklaces and we even got to meet author T.A. Barron! We had homemade chili for dinner.

Saturday: We got a great blow-up castle (it is HUGE) at a garage sale for only $10. The girls love it and played in it all day. The took almost all their toys, blankets, and pillows in it and even the dogs went in to play!

Weekend of August 2, 2009

New momma

Friday: The girls rode their bikes before we had a delicous (albeit not nutrious) dinner of pizza. We watched a movie in bed together again (Karri's still in Hawaii).

Saturday: After a hot afternoon of hiking, we cooled off in the Founder's pool. Things sure are easier when Karri's around!

Sunday: Another fun day at the zoo!

Weekend of July 25, 2009

Thursday: Karri's in Hawaii visiting Alana right now so it's just Aaron and the girls. We had shrimp kabobs for dinner, played with the hose outside, and watched a family movie in bed.

Friday: We had a fun day outside at the rec center playground and swimming in the pool. Sometimes it's good to not do too much!

Saturday: The Wildlife Experience again! It's always a fun time. Abram loves watching the fish!

Weekend of July 18, 2009

Thursday: The girls played outside with the hose and had a blast (get it?). We had a delicious roast that Karri made for dinner and then we watched a movie together before bed.

Friday: The girls helped make pancakes for breakfast. Aaron really makes the best pancakes. That's why we request it so much. We hiked at "Pixie Hollow" today and saw a rattlesnake! Ani and Aina spotted it first and then we all heard it. It was curled up under a ledge and while we were so excited to see this natural wildlife, we were a little wary of what might be under the other ledges! We're going to wait until summer's over before we head back to that spot.

Saturday: We went to Uncle Wayne's house today and played in his new treehouse that he built with Aaron and Uncle Sam. It's actually more of a tree deck. We BBQ'ed and the kids played with their cousins. Aaron took everyone around on a tractor ride too! These days always end too soon as we need to be back in Castle Rock by 5. One day we'll be able to spend more time with family.

Look closely behind the branches, under the ledge. There's our rattler.

Weekend of July 11, 2009

Thursday: Aaron's sister Jayna is visiting from Oklahoma and she came with Grandma to visit us this evening. It was so great spending time with her and Gilbert, her fiance. We went shopping on Main Street for a little while. Then we went home and had fried chicken for dinner and played board games all night. We had so much fun!

Friday: Today we went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo again (thanks to Karri's mom again for the great gift of a season pass). When we came home Karri taught the girls how to make homemade candy. We watched a movie together in the bedroom, eating popcorn and candy.

Saturday: We got up early and went to Krispy Kreme for breakfast. Yum! On the way home we stopped at The Wildlife Experience for a little while. When we got home the girls put on their swimsuits and helped us wash those dirty, dirty cars. It's amazing how putting on a swimsuit and turning on the hose can make anything seem fun. Since we already had swimsuits on we finished off the day at the rec center.

Aaron and Abram dressing up at the cowboy store.

Being Eskimos at The Wildlife Experience

Watch out! Aina's driving!

"Is that polar bear going to eat me?"

Weekend of July 5, 2009

Friday: This is our last weekend with Alana for the next six months. We are all really sad. Tonight we had homemade hamburgers for dinner, grilled outside, and fresh fruit for dessert. The girls rode their bikes for a while outside and afterwards everyone climbed into the back of the truck and Karri drove around the neighborhood.

Saturday: Happy Fourth of July! We went swimming at the Founder's Pool before the rain started to fall. In the evening we went to the Castle Rock Rockin' the Fourth. Karri entered the apple pie bake-off and we don't care what those judges say - her pie was the best! It was raining pretty hard so we came home early and watched a movie together.

Karri's apple pie

Sunday: This morning Aaron made special pancakes for Alana's last breakfast with us. The girls loved them. Everyone was really sad as we drove to the airport to see her off. We all went to the gate with her and watched as she boarded the plane and flew away. :( We'll miss you Alana!!!!

Weekend of June 26, 2009

Thursday: It's become a routine (at least for the summers) to go to the park after getting the girls on Thursday. Probably because we get such a short amount of time before I need to return our precious baby. We had Tortellini for dinner and the girls really like it. Red, ripe cherries for dessert, a movie, then bedtime.

Friday: Still enjoying summer. Between playing at home in our own huge backyard, we went to the playground, went for a walk, and swam at Founder's pool - the outdoor neighborhood pool. The girls love the change from the rec center and it's always fun to swim in a cool pool on a hot day.

Saturday: In the morning we played outside and went to the playground again. What do kids see in swings, slides, and monkey bars anyway? Later, grandma and grandpa came over and we all went to the Wildlife Experience to see Animalopolis at the IMAX. The kids (and the grown-ups, except for Pop maybe) loved the show.

Weekend of June 20, 2009

Thursday: We had a homemade fruit salad and fried chicken for dinner. First we went to Enderud park and played on the playground for a while. That's quickly becoming a favorite.

Friday: Today we hiked up Castle Rock for the first time together. We hiked up to the base of Castle Rock and then Aaron, Ani, and Alana went all the way to the top! They got to walk around the top, touch the star. We are so proud of our brave girls and their climbing skills. We had a picnic at the base of the rock, then went to cool down at the Rec Center.

Saturday: Today we spent a rare day at home. We watched movies, had homemade snow cones, and rode bikes outside. It was a nice and relaxing day.

Weekend of June 13, 2009

Thursday: Chicken dinner at home, then off for some bike rides. Ani and Alana are wizzes on two-wheelers and Aina will be too the way Aaron is working with her.

Friday: We went on another nature walk today. The girls ask to do this! They are so easy. After that we went for a swim at the rec center. Besides being track runners the girls are going to be great swimmers too. In the evening Karri did a collage with the girls. They picked pictures out of National Geographic magazines and now the fun and funky collage is hanging on the girls' ceiling!

Saturday: Today we went back to the Wildlife Experience. This time the girls got their faces painted. They looked so cool! After that we went to the park and flew a kite. It was a nice windy day and the kite flew wonderfully. It did get away from us at one point when it was Aleck's turn to hold the kite and she let go. Aaron must have fun five miles to get it back!

Weekend of June 7, 2009

Friday: On the first weekends of the month we get the kids from Friday through Sunday instead of Thursday through Saturday. It's actually better in terms of amount of time we get to spend with them. When we get them Thursday evening, they go to school on Friday so we don't get much time with them. The first weekend we get all day Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, the baby spends the nights only on Fridays and never on Saturdays, even on the first weekends so it's hard to go out of town, like to spend the night at grandma's. But we can still see them for a few hours. This Friday we had a tummy pot roast dinner that Karri made. Mmmm...After dinner, we played in the yard with the dogs for a bit. Blue and Amos love the attention.

Saturday: We went out to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo today. Karri's mom (Alana's grandma) bought us a membership. This zoo is great. The best part is feeding the giraffes. We did get to see Grandma and Grandpa Minks today. Since we were already in the Springs we went to visit with them for a little bit before going out to dinner.

Sunday: We went camping! What fun. We found a really nice spot off Rampart Range Road in the Pike National Forest. There were lots of boulders around and we climbed the rocks and explored. Aaron built a great fire and we cooked hot dogs and roasted marshmellows. Tummy!

Aleck at the zoo

Ani at the zoo

Alana and Aina find a chipmunk at the zoo

Rock climbing

Our tent

Feeding the Giraffes

Roasting Marshmellows

Weekend of May 30, 2009

Wednesday: We didn't have the kids today but Aaron emailed Aina's and Ani's teachers yesterday to find out if there were any end of the year activities and he found out that Aina's field day was today. Ani's field day had already passed but we didn't know about it so we weren't able to attend hers. But we went to Aina's. We only stayed about 30 minutes and watched Aina play ball in the gym and some kick the ball game in the field. She was happy to see us there and we're glad we found out in time to be able to make it.

Aina at field day

Kicking the ball with Mrs. Raymond

Indoor fun

Thursday: We came home and played board games after a fried chicken dinner. Alana sure loves mashed potatoes with gravy! In fact, they all do, which is nice. Thursdays are pretty low key since we don't get them until 5 and we have to take the baby back at 7.

Friday: We took a nature hike around the neighborhood observing leaves and colors and such. The girls ran some races and boy, are they fast. Aaron wants all of them to run track someday. At home, we set up the backyard pool and let them swim. The water was so cold, but it felt good.

Saturday: We went to Pixie Hollow today. The girls flitted around and pretended to be fairies and we had a delicious lunch on the rocks. We got really hot out there so we came home and went for another dip in our cold pool. Before we took them back we made one more stop - to the movie theater to see "Up." What a great movie!

Pixie Hollow Picnic

Weekend of May 23, 2009

Thursday: Karri made a delicious crock pot pepper steak and rice - tummy! While it was still simmering we went to the park and the kids played on the playground. Wow, the kids swing high!

Friday: What an action packed day. In the morning the girls played with dolls, and wrestled with dad. In the afternoon we took another mountain drive - it's such a nice way to pass the days and everyone loves it. We went to DQ again - it's our favorite place for treats, and then at home we made burrows in the backyard. Aaron made delicious chicken bow-tie pasta for dinner.

Saturday: Today we went to the pet store and got a new pet for the family - Curly, the snow corn snake! The girls all love him, which is wonderful. We also took Aina and Aleck to get hair cuts - they had some funky hair and so we got it professionally fixed. They look so adorable now. After all that excitement we finished off the day by showing off our new haircuts at the rec center.

Weekend of May 16, 2009

Thursday: After picking up the kids on Thursday we only have a few short hours before bedtime. Today we made a run to the store and the kids played in the arcade for a while. They enjoyed that and were really good when we all got home. We ate a delicious and nutrious eggplant parmesan, then did our nightly routine before bed: get on jammies, brush teeth, read story.

Friday: We went to the library and got lost in the magic of the books. In every story there is a whole new world and the girls are really starting to appreciate that. We love when the girls ask to go to the library. Are we going to raise a brood of book lovers? We hope so! After the library we got a treat at DQ then went home for family movie night.

Saturday: Today we went hiking in the Pike National Forest. Not only are we raising up book lovers, but they are turning out to be great naturalists too! We couldn't be happier. The kids hike like champs.

Weekend of May 9, 2009

Thursday: Tonight we had a yummy dinner of chimichangas. By the time dinner was over it was close to bedtime and the girls have school so we relaxed by reading some books and then beddy-bye it was.

Friday: After school we went on a mountain drive. We love nature and the beautiful mountains that Colorado has to offer. It was a lovely day. In the evening we took a walk together as a family. We took the dogs with us and it was funny to watch Ani and Alana try to walk them. Those dogs do the leading!

Saturday: Today was fun. We took family pictures and they came out great! After that we went to Uncle Wayne's house for a BBQ. Cousins Abby and Conner were there, making it a fun time for all the kids. Olivia even took the kids on a ride in the wagon attached to the small tractor!

Weekend of May 3, 2009

Friday: Grandma and Grampa Minks came for a visit. We always love it when family comes to see us! They even cooked dinner for us - tummy spagetti (no, I didn't mean yummy, tummy is how we say it around here). Grandma brought a really cool activity book for the girls and they had a lot of fun coloring in that.

Saturday: We went to the Wildlife Experience in Parker today. We stayed for hours! There is so much to do. Rooms full of fun and engaging learning experiences for the kids and they had a blast. It really wore us out and afterwards we came home to relax. Aaron made tacos and we chowed down.

Sunday: Today we went to church in the morning. After that we headed down to the rec center for some fun in the indoor pool. This is an activity we do a lot because everyone has so much fun! Then came the least favorite part of our weekend - when the kids go home.