Grandma Burleigh turns 80

April 2010

While I was in Utah delivering Ariel for her Ecuador experience, I was lucky enough to be there for Grandma Burlieghs birthday celebration!

Grandma all fresh and ready have her party.

  

Cute door knob on the screen door

The party was held at one of the local churches, but before the party started I was able to go to grandmas house and do a quick vacuum of the house (since she isn't living there, it gets a little dusty and buggy.
Naturally the house seems TINY compared to what I remember, but I still love going there.  I was able to take a few photos of some of my favorite memory spots and things (I've shown a few of the photos below).

living room.  thought the aqua velvet chairs were so luxurious.

Wall heater. I remember spending lots of time in front of this yummy heater as the heat would pour out and warm my chilled bones.

Extra bedroom used as a tv/game room.

Tic Toc, Tic Toc!  This clock that would remind us all very frequently of the time.  I remember hearing it tic toc all night long as I was trying to sleep on the floor in the living room.

Window shelf display.  I always loved this glass flower arrangement and all of grandma's nic nacs.

Grandma always had the greatest cups in her cupboard.  This one is an old jam bottle.

The one and only bathroom.  I was always fascinated by the jar of colored water on the toilet.  The decorations have been in that bathroom for as long as I can remember (40 plus years?).

In the guest bedroom I loved this display.  The jewelry chest was always a favorite for us to play with.  Inside you will find an old fashion emery board we would pretend to file our nails.

Grandma and I at her party.  She is such a doll!

Grandma socializing with some of her friends.  She was so animated!

Mom and Grandma - soooo sweet!

My Grandma Burleigh has such a soft spot in my heart.  She was a true example of what a grandma should and can be.  She had a way of making us feel so at home and comfortable in her house at all times.  

Grandmas house.

She made yummy food on her very limited budget (especially the melt-in-your-mouth whole wheat pancakes that she would make from scratch with NO recipe).  She could take all the left overs from her fridge and make a yummy soup or casserole.  Everything always tasted good at her house.

I remember countless walks to the gas station with our dime to buy penny candy.  We would proudly walk back with our brown paper bag of treats that would last the day.  The walk seemed to take all day, but, that's what we did.  I remember playing endless games of hide and seek around the outside of the house, (and sometimes in the famous forbidden "grandpas shed" that is no longer there - oh I loved the smell of the inside of that shed).  We were always so entertained and LOVED at grandmas house.

Happy 80th Birthday Grandma!  I Love you!

Farewell Ariel = Ecuador needs you

April 2010

Ariel had been planning her volunteer opportunity to Ecuador for months and the day finally came to go! She drove home from BYU-I after the winter semester, spent a day unpacking her stuff and then another two days packing up stuff for Ecuador, the girls said their quick "good byes" and then she was off!

She spent approximately 3 months in Ecuador working with the volunteer organization OSSO (orphanage support services organization). She loves kids and really wanted an experience that could take her to South America, so, these two desires meshed well with this opportunity.

She left us feeling sad we couldn't spend more time with her, proud she is doing such a selfless act of serving the kids, and a little worried (Ecuador is a third world country after all and she will be living right in the city or Quito!). I drove with her to Utah to meet the girls she would be traveling with and get her to the airport. So with mixed emotions, I sent  her on her way.

No one ever said it would be easy being a mom, and it certainly doesn't get easier as they get older - only more complex.

We love our Ariel.

New Entries Coming Soon...we promise

December 2010
Ariel reminded me recently that I am very, very behind on my blogging!!!  I know, I know already!  I think about how nice it would be to be caught up so I could post and blog about things as they happen. 
Like our new little puppy,

 the fun christmas we just had,

and of course the "Ugly Sweater Party" we attended...(Chandler won!)

so much happens in our lives, so much to write about, so little time to write it!
So, once again, I'm going to set a goal (or something like that to commit to getting current)...maybe this time it will happen? Fingers crossed it will.

I have a good feeling about January and 2011.

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 !