Johnstons come for a visit

April 2010
WE LOVE having Teressa, Ryan, Parker, and Carter come for a visit.  We get some great "cousin" time in, some "adult" time and lots of FUN time.  Our spring breaks never seem to fit together, so when they came our kiddos were still in school, so I pulled them out for a day of "homeschooling" and we headed to Mr. Biggs for the day.  We were able to buy day passes that included everything they could ever want to do and more.  AND the best part is they were almost the only kids there all day.  It certainly was a good day for the kids.  The parents sat around, talked, played cards and ate snacks most of the day.

Laser Tag, Bowling, Arcades, Go-Carts all included in the day pass at the fun center.

Everyone has their ride...and they are off.

The kids all naturally get along so well.  We hardly know they are around because they are usually off doings something that doesn't include the parents. 

Our "bread making" Teressa.  AND she even gives lessons!  How lucky are we.  We get a visit from the Johnstons AND fresh homemade bread.

Ahhhh....Teressa teaching me the art of bread making!

Rising bread is a thing of beauty!

Not sure what is better than fresh, hot bread!

Gabby and Carter quite the pair...always busy doing something.

We took in a Rockies game and sat in the "Rock Pile", fun, but FAR away seats.

Teressa and Bella loving it up!

Parker came to support Chandler during his Lacrosse game.

We love it when the Johnstons come to town.  When are you coming again?

Easter 2010

April 2010

It was time again to get the egg coloring "stuff" out so we could color the 6 dozen or so hard boiled eggs (why do we do this again???). Tradition, I guess. We eat maybe a dozen of the eggs, but the rest stay in the fridge for a week or so, then I throw them out (feeling a little wasteful and guilty).

The coloring egg factory.  1 dozen for each of you.

The final gaggle of eggs, each with his/her own personality.

After an exhausting hunt for the easter baskets, they were found in Ariels shower.

The weather cooperated for this years outdoor hunt.  100s of eggs are hidden outside filled with the most popular filler...cash... coins and dollar bills fill the eggs (some more than others).  Knowing this is a good, quick way to load up on some cash, all the kids are more than game for a good egg hunt.

Proving your never too old for a good easter egg hunt.  

Especially when there is money in the eggs.

Bella searching for that golden egg.

McKinnon leaves no bush unmoved.

Gabby filling her basket quickly.

He did it...He found the golden egg.  He is now $5 richer!

Happy Easter.

We Ski

This year we bought ski passes to Copper Mountain resort, our family favorite Colorado resort.  It's our favorite because it is very "family friendly".  We can park very close to the resort, we can stay over night in a variety of near by towns if we want, it's a great mountain that is big enough to give Steve and Chandler the complexity and difficult terrain they need, and yet small enough for us all to find each other and meet for lunch if we get separated!  Here are a few photos of our ski time this year:

Girls coming down a favorite hill at the terrain park.

Chandler jumping onto the gushy mat after a jump that could have ended badly.

Chandler loves his jumps!  I on the other hand do not!

Bella's favorite (and mine) time of the day...hot chocolate time!

Kids finding shelter (and fun) awaiting our ride for the day...Steve where are you?

Taking a quick break!

Gabby using the chairs after lunch to their fullest!

McKinnon and Gabby taking a break from singing on the lift.  They love their singing!

We had a great season of skiing and look forward to it again next year. The family time we get from the 1.5 hour drive - each way, the many ski lifts rides, the lunch time yummy food, the hot chocolate and treat breaks, the fun tree trails, the follow-the-leader games through the terrain park, and much more makes the not-so-easy and not-so-cheap sport worth it.

The Platte River Trail

March 2010

We love a nice bike ride on a cool spring day. We are surrounded by trails, but our favorite is the Platte River trail. The trail flows next to the Platte River and is 50 miles long and beautiful (we don't ride the whole thing though...are you crazy?). You can ride from our house all the way to downtown Denver (just about 20 miles).   The only thing missing is Ariel !

Happy St. Patricks Day! 2010

March 17th 2010
Get your green beads, hair dye, green clothes, drink your green milk and head out for the day...we would'nt want to get pinched now would we!

ready for the day!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Bella and the Science Fair

March - May 2010

Bella's 4th grade class assignment was to come up with a project for the science fair. Bella selected the topic: Will Plants grow better with Classical Music Playing 24 hours a day 7 days a week, or will they grown better in complete silence - all other conditions the same.
She put her question to the test.

After preparing the small labled pots, it was time to plant.

She Planted Pumpkins, morning glory, and sunflower seed

Silent Room

Seperated into rooms.  Classical Music Room

Dilegently watered every other day and took notes as to growth and general health of the plants

repotting project

Music room plants doing very well.

She had to re-pot the plants because they were outgrowing their little pots.

Non Music plants aren't thriving as much.

getting taller

Final Product with poster at the Science Fair at the school. 

Final Results!!! Yes, plants exposed to classical music 24 hours a day do seem to thrive a little better and grow taller and healthier! Maybe we all need a little more classical music in our lives?
Great work Bella!

Chandler finally gets his "Special Time"

Anytime when one of the kids happens to be alone with one parent running errands, etc we call this time "special time".  It sometimes is planned, othertimes it just happens, but we try to make it happen regularly with each kiddo.   Special time usually involves a special errand, a special purchase, a special activity, a special treat, ect. 

Chandler had been mentioning he had not had any "Special Time" in a while, so it was time to make it happen.

So, one dull, cold, Saturday afternoon (after sports were over) Chandler and I took off for a little "Special Time" to Arts on Fire (a ceramics studio) so he could make a unique cereal bowl like the girls had done a few months earlier.  We ended the day with a trip to jamba juice and headed back home.  Short, but Special.

The bowl turned out great.  He painted bears on the outside and black shapes inside the bowl.

very important to get the paint just right...concentrate!

Basket Ball Season

February/March 2010

During Basket Ball season at the Brown house is a busy season!  Four kids playing basketball = lots of practices, games, practices, games, and more practices and games.  Its a great indoor sport (I love climate controlled sports) with a time limit, so I quite enjoy being a spectator at the basketball games except for the fact that many games make me very anxious, nervous, and make me want to bite my nails or something else.  Sometimes I feel it would be better if I just shut my eyes, but, I can't.

Gabby taking control of the ball.  One time she forgot what game she was playing and she kicked the ball down the court (thinking it was soccer).

Gabby and Hadley

McKinnon, Mallory and Bella all on the same team (Bella Played up two levels to make it easier on her mother driving to practices and games...thanks Bella)

Sister who play together...

In the game.

Chandler and His BB team.  He was on two teams at one time, the middle school team and his Gold Crown Team...whew...lots of basketball.