Early Christmas...

With Jeff's residency coming to an end this summer, we're excited to announce that he's been offered a job with the Spine and Orthopedic Center in Santa Barbara, CA! He'll be their foot and ankle surgeon, and it has the makings of a great job. Never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd be heading back to the Golden State, but it was an offer Jeff couldn't turn down, and our family is thrilled.  When we told the kids, Trey had a pretty hard time when he realized we'd actually be moving which meant a new school. However, once we told him he could wear shorts every day it seemed to lessen the sting. We feel very fortunate to have found a job so early, and know that this a tremendous blessing as it was something we've prayed and fasted about for a long time. We're deeply saddened to be leaving Colorado where we have enjoyed living, but look forward to this new adventure. The beach...with mountains...I think we'll manage!

Happy Halloween

 Around our house we start Halloween off right with pumpkin pancakes for breakfast! 

I think it was the 4th of July when the kids picked out what they wanted dress up as. We could hardly wait to get our costumes on!

 Trey, the football player

 Kaden, the ninja

 Avrey as Little Mermaid

 The kids were especially excited to have Gram here with us for trick-or-treating. In our neck of the woods there are some people who take Halloween to a whole different level. There are two houses that actually spend month's building haunted houses in their backyards and although they are somewhat scary, the kids love it! 

 After the second haunted house the boys discovered their mom is a little scary too when I jumped out in front of them!! (I felt bad for scaring them but it was hilarious!)

We had such a great night and could not believe how warm it was. I think that is the first time I have seen kids trick-or-treating without coats!!

Pumpkin Time

 I think one of our favorite traditions with Halloween is carving the pumpkins! The kids always love to see which pumpkin has the most "guts"!

 Well except Avrey who was not a big fan of the sticky gooey mess! 

 These kids got right down to business making sure they got every last seed out of there.

Final products...Broncos logo, most traditional and a silly face with a princess crown! We put the candles in and roasted up the seeds to end off a very fun night.

Tonsillectomy...we did that!

Last week Jeff FINALLY had his tonsils removed! I say finally because they have caused him a lot of troubles and he was at the point where if you even said 'strep throat' around him, he got it.  So the night before his surgery the kids and I took him out for his "last supper" and enjoyed burgers and fries at 5 Guys!

Day of and all ready to go! Trying his hardest to be excited about it I promised him I would not take any pictures of him or laugh as the anesthesia wore off. The surgery went great and the recovery has gone surprisingly well. So many people had told us horror stories of long painful recoveries so we feel very blessed that Jeff has had tolerable pain. We are also very thankful to amazingly great friends who took our kids all day, brought over ice and smoothies, and Jeff's mom who came and helped out! 

So long really gross tonsils...you will NOT be missed! 

Fall Break

 A few weeks ago the kids had a week off for fall break and since we were staying home I tried to plan a lot of activities to keep us busy. Lucky for me it was very nice weather and we were able to spend a lot of time playing out in the leaves.

 We spent a day at the local animal museum. 

 We made sugar cookies!

 Did a tour at the "Doughnut Factory"...stopped at Krispy Kreme!

And spent a full day at the farm / pumpkin patch! It was a lot of fun to have the kids home and do so much but, now we all need a break to actually relax!!

All Aboard!

 Last weekend we took the kids up the hill to Georgetown to ride the narrow gauge railroad. We rode round trip to Silver Plume and back. We anticipated a cold ride, but had a blast! 

 Waiting to board...

 The car we rode in on the way up was over 100 years old.

 At the top, the boys decided to brave the cold and ride in the open air car for the trip back. The ladies, of course, chickened out and stayed in the car with windows and roof...

 Yup, those are snow flurries.

 Looking down in to Georgetown from above.

 Good thing we brought along a blanket!

 Jeff and the boys braving the cold air.

 The girls not braving the cold.

 The railroad was also having a "Pumpkin Festival" where the kids could play games and picked a small pumpkin to take home.

 Afterwards we took a drive up to Silver Plume to walk around, the boys found the engine house where they were restoring a steam engine.

 Driving through Georgetown on the way home. Most of the homes and buildings were constructed in the 1800's, including this cute garage with its old sign. If it had been warmer, we probably would have spent hours walking around, it was a very neat place. 

In spite of the chilly air, we had a great day in the mountains!

Blazing Aspens

 Last Sunday we took the kids for a drive up the mountains to Kenosha Pass to enjoy the beautiful fall colors. 

 We got out and did a little hike which the boys always love. 

 Avrey on the other hand had fallen asleep on the way there and was not as thrilled to be hiking! 

We packed the grill and enjoyed dinner up there as well. Beautiful it was! 

Later in the week, Jeff decided to go back and take his bike up in the same area. He timed it just right as a lot of the colors were still peaking.

 The Mosquito Mountain Range through a grove of Aspens.

  Above treeline and 11,000'. 

 At the summit of Georgia Pass along the Continental Divide. Jeff said the 3 hour climb was well worth the trip as the views were incredible. He was by himself up there, which I'm not too thrilled about, but he brought home some great photos.

 Looking north on the way down.

 Looking west toward the Mosquito range and Breckenridge.

We are definitely ready for fall after our record breaking summer heat, and absolutely love living within such beauty.