Thursday, March 24, 2011

spring snow

Sam and I caught these gals in the backyard this afternoon right as a storm blew in!
What a neat surprise...

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

sweet Sam

my favorite moment of the day:

Sam intentionally picks up his word search book, some markers, goes outside on the deck and turns backwards on the chair, and starts singing
"Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel I made you out of clay..."

Monday, March 21, 2011

kite weather

Sam and I found the perfect adventure for a windy afternoon!
We hit the soccer/tee ball field with an old kite - Sam thought it was the best thing ever!
He giggled when I flew the kite low and it swooped just overhead and crashed...
Then he laughed even more when he got to fly it!
(I'm kind of surprised it didn't drag him half way down the field...)
He had so much fun - he learned to launch it for me and retrieve it when it fell a long ways off... and in true Sam fashion, he personified the kite so that our adventure was more than kite flying, it was truly playing with our friend, the flying frog!
HAPPY SPRING!

Friday, March 18, 2011

refresh

So my adventure this week involves taking a 7-year old paint job in the downstairs den and giving it a whole, new look! Nothing drastic, just an update.

This picture shows the soft lavender we chose right before Hamp was born - it was great at the time and keeps the room light. But in lieu of new furniture or even a whole new house, I decided a new color would not only satisfy my need for change -but cost a LOT less!!!
So, I went with a light brown - I think it looks nice with the white trim.
It's kind of a minor change, but it does make a big difference!
(mostly because it covers all the holes, scratches and old dirt from over the years!!!)
Anyway, while I was up-to-my-elbows in paint, the boys were wonderfully occupied with creating their "fort" upstairs! I was so grateful for their patience and understanding while I refreshed the downstairs!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Not exactly the Emerald Isle...

Monday, March 14, 2011

Mardi Gras!

Who doesn't love a little belated Mardi Gras party with your favorite friends?!
Our weekend adventures took us to Grand Junction to stay with the host & hostesses with the most & mostesses: HamFam!
The boys loved seeing their Lena again, and we especially loved the party
they threw in our honor - er, I mean in honor of last week's Mardi Gras!
whatever - good times were indeed rolling!
















I believe we have found Sam's favorite holiday...
purple - shiny - necklaces.
'nuff said.

fun Friday with friends!

Last Friday was the start of a wonderful weekend of warm weather and fun visits with friends!
Fortunately, I had my camera with me and had some very cooperative subjects...
here are Sam and three of his favorite buddies:
... and of course, we wouldn't want to forget Zoe, our favorite dog!
Our afternoon adventures included lots of riding on scooters and bikes:
...and some very sweet moments of 3/4 year olds being helpful and kind to one another:
... but mostly we played at the park!
It's been covered in snow for so long, it was like new all over again!
I think the best adventures for me were just watching these guys play together, discover and run around!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Happy Birthday, Dado!

Well, there is absolutely no way that last year's birthday celebration could be topped!

Unless, of course you had a tee time at Pebble Beach...
A "bucket list" item for dad, he and mom are spending the week in Northern California for a much deserved golf vacation!
(hmmmm... I still can't figure out why the whole family wasn't invited this year?!?!!)
Anyway, I hope they are taking pictures - like this one from mom's retirement celebration last fall where they got a sneak peak of Pebble Beach just to whet the appetite:
... and Dado played a warm-up round at Half Moon Bay!
In the meantime, we have to settle for this - a photograph of my computer and the webcam shot from the golf course!!! So cool that this is available - that's dad teeing off!
Hope the trip (and the golf!) is as wonderful and fun as you are, Dado!
We miss you and love you

Monday, March 7, 2011

last ski day?

We hit the slopes again on Sunday for what may be our last of the season!?
(depends on the weather and our stamina over the next couple of weekends...)
It has been such a great year for skiing, and spending the day taking runs all together has been truly gratifying.
We certainly love our little family mountain - the relatively short drive, the easy-going lodge atmosphere, the fact that there is just enough varied terrain to keep a good skier occupied all day, but not so much that it's intimidating, and of course the family-friendly season pass prices!
So, I managed finally to get some video of the boys on skis...


Here's one that shows a side of Sam that you don't usually see - the pain and agony of things not going his way!!!


And finally, I love the way Sam makes his way down the hill! Hamp cruises on ahead so fast that we can all hardly keep up, but Sam takes his time and Dad and I get to enjoy the scenery!



The boys even got some time to play in the snow while we packed up to go home!



Looking forward to plenty of great skiing next winter, too...
Oh, and just in case you forgot the invitation is always open to join us for some mountain fun!