The Trail Dust

The Anderson family came to visit us! It was Thomas' birthday, and they took us out to one of our favorite places; The Trail Dust. Clockwise beginning with Sarah, we have Sarah, Balloon Lady, Thomas, Sam, Chase, & Emma.

Sarah & Emma go on stage to sing with several other kids, and Sarah makes a request for her favorite song, 'Old MacDonald.'

Emma plays musical chairs.

My good friend from college, April Anderson & her son, Thomas.

Sarah dances with the Coyote

Emma then Sam slides down the 2 story slide.

Tae Kwon Do Family

We all participated in 4 weeks of Tae Kwon Do. It was fun!

Emma & Sam practice their kicks while Sarah hangs out on the side lines.

Sam gets to ride

This week at hippo-therapy, there were some cancellations, so the team let Sam have a token ride!!

Emma is a Pioneer

Emma's class completed a unit on pioneers. Emma got WAY into it. She wore this outfit to the pioneer party they had at the end of the unit.

Emma wanted to do pioneer chores!

Last game of the season

Sam is seen here, catching a pass and passing it again.

Sam knocks the ball out of their opponent's hands!

They tied their final game, which was really fun for both teams to be winners!

Sam's Basketball Team, The Kings

Sam is front and center!

Emma's Show & Tell is Sarah!

Emma was student of the week recently, which included bringing something for show and tell every day. Well, on Friday, she wanted to bring Sarah. Cute.

Presidential Museum

Sam was President John Tyler in his class' Presidential Museum. He had to research John tyler and write his speech. Good job, Sam!

'Only the best shakes in the world'

Christin and Daniel spent the night with us one night and we went to the B&B Cafe in downtown Castle Rock because Emma claims they have the best shakes ever. We all sat at the bar and looked up at the ceiling to see the infamous bullet hole from a shootout with the county sherriff years ago.

Emma does aerobics

When the kids are out of school, I drag them to aerobics with me. Emma likes to get dressed up and do them, too! (I've noticed that she wants to do whatever I am doing lately! It's so cute!)

January Pack Meeting

Nice pose Sam. His best friend, Bradly, is standing next to him. The whole pack received these new 'fire' patterned scarves.

Sam is wearing the hat. They were having a race to see which team could 'fan' the bubble across the finish line first. Sam did it in just a few waves. Pretty funny!

Sam's latest BB game!

Sam has greatly improved his game. Here, he is getting quite a bit more aggressive! My camera battery went out 1/2 way through this game, and of course, later, Sam stole the ball at 1/2 court turned around and made his first basket in an actual game!! WAY TO GO SAM! It was a SWOOSH! It didn't even touch the rim. His cousin, Nathan, was excited for him as they discussed it on the phone later!

Sam's Basketball Team, The Kings

Sam is playing basketball for the first time. He is starting to figure out that you must be aggressive. He is improving with each practice and each game.

Sam is 1 on the purple team. Here, he tries to steal the ball twice! Way to get more aggressive, buddy!

Easy Bake Oven

Emma decides to cook dessert for us. She is wearing her apron that Great Grandma Corder made for her!

With the chocolate frosting added ON HER NOSE as well as on the blonde brownie.

Emma happily cleans up!

Sarah is much more comfortable!

Compared to previous videos, Sarah is much more comfortable with her horse therapy. We can get her gloves on in about 30 seconds per hand now, since she understands how it feels to put one finger in each glove finger, rather than 2 or three fingers in one glove finger! She is laughing on the horse, and controls the horse with commands such as 'whoa,' 'ride on,' and 'over.' Her therapists cannot believe how quickly she can learn! She is sporting her new riding hat that Brooke Atikinson gave her. Thanks Brooke!!

Emma did such a good job helping with Sarah, that she was rewarded with a turn on the horse! What a special treat! She is wearing a hat from Double T Stables, but her riding gloves are a gift from Brooke Atkinson. Thanks again, Brooke!

Emma's Pin Curls

The night before: She looks a little like Princess Leia with her wrap on.

The morning after!

Shirly Temple with strawberry hair!

Garden of the Gods

It's beautiful here!

In a cove.

Uncle D is sporting his new hair cut he did all by himself! He did Sam's hair, too!

We Climbed Castle Rock

On New Year's Eve, we all climbed to the base of Castle Rock. Sarah was a little scared, but she did it, and the next day, she wanted to go again! LOL!

Uncle D climbed up on top of Castle Rock! Woah!

It was so windy, Sarah couldn't help but open her mouth as wide as possible every time I tried to snap the picture!? She would smile for a brief moment and then her mouth would automatically open! LOL!!

Fun with Uncle D

We went to Applebee's for dinner one evening with grandma.

Sarah is sporting her new hat and scarf that Great Grandma Corder made her.

After Applebee's, we took a drive over to the Denver Temple to see the Nativity and the waterfall.

Making home made ravioli with the pasta maker Uncle D gave us.

Our Nativity play this year. Hee hee!

Christmas Day 2008

Christmas morning was full of surprises! The kids received these animal wraps, so they would stay warm while lounging around the house.

Santa came through with the American Girl doll of the year, Mia, who happens to look just like Emma!

Santa really came through for Sarah with a new DISH Network Remote Control!! Sarah had been without one for about 6 weeks--after she had submerged her old one in the bathtub for the third time and it just could not be revived.

Sarah was seen later kissing the remote.

Poor Sam thought that Santa had not been able to find him the Game Cube Spyro-A Hero's Tale that he had asked him for just a few weeks prior.

Upon closer inspection of the used game box, Sam discovered that Santa had come through after all. PHEW!

Uncle D showed up late on Christmas eve. We have been having so much fun with him. He has made our holiday so special and fun. We love him sooooooooo much!

Uncle D and Sam get into 'packing peanut wars.' Thanks for sending those, Rock family! (NOT!) (LOL!)