oh, it's ON black Friday. skier, and Mr Rogers

Happy halloooooween. Our tradition of making your own costumes continues. Only in our family, the kids want to do it all themselves.  I know, I'm really lucky. No having to sit in front of a sewing machine for days.  They usually don't decide what to be until minutes before they leave.  It's kind of the "grab and go" method.  However, each seems to mirror reality this year.  Thank you Mr. Rogers for teaching kindness begins with me.  Thank you Mr. Skier for reminding us that snow can be fun (and you'll be the only one warm tonight).  And thank you Black Friday shopper, for being a favorite event that we get to share together this year.  Now, go and get us some candy so we can eat our way into a sugar overload.  Thanks Moon Family for inviting us over for dinner before we get our "game on".

Sperry, black Friday shopper, Carter as a skiier, Jacob as Mr. Rogers

While we are out, we set out a tray for those who come early.

resident snow sculpture maker

this girl is always up for fun.  Of course it's the end of October and we have already had big snow storms at least 3 times. So, instead of complaining, she makes snow people. notice all the grass around her cause snow doesn't stay for long out here. Gotta love the girl that everyone loves.

Jacob turns FOURTEEN

Jacob has always loved books, but left the binky for braces

Jacob has always been on a bike...now has ridden 25 miles

This boy can "class up" a place just with a bow tie and a smile

He loves his friends and can be found doing good things

He has been a great with wheels, plastic...or those on a handcart

He attended trek and the following week went hiking over the divide with scouts.

Scouts is important to this boy who is a LIFE scout...working towards EAGLE.

Talented with BOTH hands

A scout is always prepared, with an extra roll of toilet paper.

Even while riding up ski mountains, he's smiling...with his bro.

Can you see why we love this kid, and always have

Jacob thank you for being a great teenager.  We are looking forward to all the adventures that will come quickly.  I love how you worked so hard and enjoyed being on the high school tennis team. I love how you are a great student and treat others with kindness.  I love how you tackle life with ease and get yourself up for early morning seminary, many times riding your bike. I love how you love your family and help your sister with times tables and your brother with late night talks.  You are an amazing young man and we are so grateful for you.  Happy birthday.

happy Halloween 2013

Nauvoo we love you, part 1

Nauvoo is a place where you can feel something special.  You can learn of the trials of the early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  You learn that this life is bigger than all of us and that we each have important work to do.  You learn from the power of other's examples of strength, faith and true grit.  Pioneer Saints came in the early 1800's many penniless and with a skill like masonry.  For us, this became our big trip of 2013.  Who cares that we didn't want to worry about crowds and headed there during the cold temperatures for memories that we could share as a family.  So, during our "spring break" we grabbed our coats, had someone watch our dog, and headed to Nauvoo.  There are members of my family history who lived, worshiped, and walked the long trail with faith to arrive at Salt Lake Utah.

Jacob and Carter being...Jacob and Carter.

It was very close quarters, but that's what memories are made of.

Do we look excited or what?? In this very small town, when you go during the "off season" like we did, there are limited places to eat. BUT there are plenty of places to visit. Before we went, a friend told me to prepare with cereal, milk and snacks and I'm so glad that I did.  Choosing lunch and dinner wasn't a big deal because we had 4 food places to choose from and we had a fudge shop open across the street.  The bakery was a great place for breakfast, the Woodruff Hotel housed wonderful soups and sandwiches for lunch and there was a small BBQ place for dinner. Next day, you hit the repeat button or pull out your stash of food.

Nauvoo Temple: Our view outside our Woodruff Hotel window.

At the Woodruff Hotel gift shop, we met one of the owners. He happened to be our sandwich maker during lunch.  We talked with him about some of the miracles he has witnessed during his stay here.  For example he told us that he felt strongly along with his business partner about building a hotel by the temple. They wanted it to be a place where the tradition of pioneers could be viewed in
Architecture and history.  The vacant spot opened up next to a historical building that would serve as the 2nd building for their hotel.  But, there was a problem. The vacant spot had a big hole that would cost thousands of dollars to fill. They were unable to pay for the fill dirt and build the tribute that they wanted to...they couldn't do both.  So they bought the land and waited. After some time had passed, the Church announced the plans to rebuild the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.  At the time the Pioneer Saints left, the Temple was torn down by a tornado and had been burned by vandals. All that was left were the cornerstones.  After the announcement to rebuild the Temple, a church representative called the partners that owned the vacant lot.  The representative said that they were looking for a place to put to fill dirt from the Temple building project and asked if they were interested in using that dirt to fill the hole in their property.  He told me that they could not believe how a monumental problem was to be fixed with the need of another.  They agreed and as some things turn out perfectly, the amount of dirt was the perfect amount to fill, stabilize, and build on top of...their new hotel building.  Stories like this filled each place we visited during our trip. 

our Open House

We wanted to welcome you to our open house.  Here's some snapshots of our little abode.

kitchen area

baby bunny rescued from the basement window

kitchen area

Carter modeling the entry to living room

living room above the fireplace will be the tile project

living room, love the windows and wood

kitchen table, where I spend many hours

dining room, or my other project room

front room looking into the office

front room view

front room; staircase

kids loft: homework, paints, lego, games, hang area

 Just realized we have lived in our new house for a year. After new interior paint and new draperies and little patch up work, it's a place where we love. We kept the main floor neutral with a warm cream and matching draperies with splashes of color as accents. I love how it all came together. Now, we just get to keep it clean and functioning.  I'll post picts of the kids rooms later, that's where color can be found. Shocking bright green & grey walls for the boys and a cool beachy blue for the girl.  This house has become a cozy place where we love to be. I've got another project over the fireplace with tiles, so that will have to be another day of show and tell.  Hope you enjoyed the "open house" and now you know where we at. (taken from my street talk days.)
**Editors note: please don't ever expect our house to look this clean upon visits.

It only takes one...my poem to Sperry

I only have             one daughter.

Even though she      is only one, she is...

One who knows she is a daughter of God.

One who knows the power of prayer.

One who blesses the lives of others.

One who loves with her heart.

One who lives with purpose.

One who loves the Lord.

One with potential.

One who is loved.

always

xo

"it only takes one" poem written by Marci Sargent, the mom.

beauty seen

I have been finding my favorite places in Colorado.   My favorite tree, farm, place to eat, place to think, ride, walk. I love this old tree, wanted to share it with you because it's beautiful and marks the end of a dead end street. (and because I messed up my times and am an hour early for my new Pilates class).  I love how the tree doesn't care that it never has leaves or the shade from other trees. Courageously standing alone not aware of its own kind of beauty.  The other picture is of the sun breaking thru the clouds on a difficult day for me. It reminds me to feel the light coming thru and that dawn always comes.