Family Time

Several weekends ago, we were lucky enough to have more guests-Nanny and Papa Koski spent a lot of time in the car for a short visit!  It was great to see them again.  We spent Saturday morning enjoying some fresh air and the Flatirons.

Love this!

We had to introduce them to our favorite breakfast restaurant on Sunday morning.

Sunday morning everyone was tired, including Ellis

Nora was so sad when they left, 'I don't want them to go Mommy' but some cuddles from Dad helped.

 

Snuggles

What a good patient!

Ellis enjoying the indoor play area too while Nora ran around.

It's been a long time since I shared a video, here is Nora playing us a tune tonight!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxQ0QfG2n9Q

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Halloween 2012

With a great weather forecast, Halloween promised to be as fun as past years in our neighborhood.  As usual the patio heater was rolled to the grass between the houses on our block to keep us candy-giver-outers warm while the men took the kids door to door.  So much more fun than sitting alone in the house waiting for the doorbell to ring!  One man described our set-up as 'quintessential Americana' with the cozy, social set-up and white picket fences :)

Of course, before Halloween there is preparation...

Tracing (poking) the pattern on the pumpkin

Scott contemplating his free-hand carving

Success!

 After pumpkin carving, we took a break to fly Nora's kite at the park.

We then moved to an open field with no houses to block the wind...the kite was so high I was having trouble getting the people and the kite into the photo!

And the big day arrived...after daycare Nora turned into a butterfly and Ellis a turtle.

My favorite picture of all.

The kids from 4 houses on our block.

Nora and Finn aka Super Chicken...not excited at all

With Sophie

 Kerry, Paul and Ellie came over to join in the festivities on our block.  Ellie was the cutest little garden gnome ever!!!  Sorry, can't rotate the pic...

 

Once the sun went down, craziness ensued and a good time was had by all.  We had large groups of people come by all night, hundreds of kids, and went through over 11 lbs of candy.  We ran out again, like always.  I guess that's better than having a bunch left over!

Gymnastics

Ready to go!

As mentioned, Nora has been begging to be enrolled in several things, one of them being gymnastics.  Following the Olympics, the first fall class was full but with only 3 kids in her class, it seems there is plenty of room this session!

And so it begins, the overschuduling of children (and parents) in America.  I have already found myself contemplating rediculous business travel times in order to accomodate bringing her to class...

It took her a few minutes to warm up to the idea, but soon she was enjoying herself and bounced around continually the rest of the class.  Afterward, "Mommy, I had so much fun in there!"

Warm up stretches
 

The 'high' bars





 

Balance beam

A Visit from Uncle Scott

It's hard to believe it had been nearly a year since we had seen Jeff's brother Scott! It was great to have him visit last weekend, even if the weather didn't cooperate for many outdoor activities.

Scott did help get this kite in the air, though not pictured in the photos below.  Nora loved it!



Finding his inner parental side...



More hands to help carry this heavy guy!

Halloween pictures coming soon!