Boo!

I bet you weren't expecting to get boo-ed  2 months after halloween.  This year for Halloween we traveled to the local library for story time and threw on some costumes on our way out the door.  Jack and Hannah wore their 2nd choice costumes and Caleb just wore the same one he wore later in the day.

After somehow successfully managing naps for all three...this very rarely happens - we did a bit of trick or treating around our neighborhood.  Hannah was feeling a little under the weather with
a cold and begged me to just lay on the couch and watch a movie.  I wrangled her into her Princess mermaid costume and Mark asked her if she wanted some medicine.  She said yes and he handed her a candy bar.  What a fun dad!  She perked right up and mustered enough energy to get herself outside in the cold and trick or treat.

 Elephant buddies

 These two made Jack's costume together

Some friends of ours

My princess mermaid, elephant, and airplane.

BestFriends

Jack and Hannah are best friends...at least for now.  They don't remember a time when they weren't get together and while they play with others  - their preference is still each other.  Last weekend Mark overheard Jack say to Hannah (while sliding down the stairs in their sleeping bags) "This is what best friends do."

Caleb on the other hand has no built in playmate the same age.  So he really likes it when our friend Madison is around to play with him.  

Madison

He calls her "son" and it is a blast to watch the two of them growing up together.  Madison reminds me of a typical first born and Caleb definitely plays the part of the youngest child well.  

Snapshots

In early October I posted some pictures of the kiddos (see post here)..here are a few more from that photo session.

Firefighters

The big kids recently got to take a tour of the fire station during a night out with Dad.  

They loved it!

Rose's Journey

Walking.  30 miles.  Dallas, TX.  October 2012.

"In 1989, as a young girl, Rose Nanyonga was forced to leave her family’s village in Uganda.  She was alone and, as a female in Uganda without family protection, she had little hope. At the root of her forced departure was a conflict between Rose’s practicing of the Christian faith and her family’s desire for her to take part in witchcraft. Witchcraft, which can include the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice, is practiced in parts of Uganda and had driven a wedge between Rose and her family.

Upon leaving her village Rose began a 52 kilometer journey that would take her from her home village of Bamunanika to Kiwoko.  Amidst the hopelessness of this journey she found Ian and Robbie Clarke, Irish citizens working to establish better medical care in Uganda.  This encounter with the Clarke’s would forever alter the direction of Rose’s life.  Under their care, Rose would once again be part of a family.  She also began a career in nursing which would lead to her working as Director of Clinical Operations at International Hospital Kampala (IHK) in Uganda.  Today Rose balances responsibilities with IHK, a Ph.D program at Yale University, and assistance to numerous organizations including Narrow Road, where she serves as a board member.  On July 11, 2009, with the support and company of individuals from 5 different countries, Rose walked the same 52 kilometers from Bamunanika to Kiwoko.  This journey, 20 years after her initial footsteps on this path, was the beginning of a new pursuit that took place in Uganda again on July 9, 2011. "

(taken from the narrow road website) 

Rose is one of those people that you meet that leaves a lasting impression on you.  She has an incredible story which clearly reflects God's hand in her life. What is most impactful to me is the way she has allowed her journey to shape who she is as a person.  She is a true ambassador for children who can not stand up for themselves.  She is one of the most genuine people I know and I wish I could introduce everyone to her.  

Breck friends together in Dallas before the walk. 

Mark walking, roughly mile 10. 

Rose's Journey meets Texas!

New and Old Friends.

What an honor it was to walk alongside Rose this October...to physically feel just a portion of the  journey she so courageously embarked upon so many years ago...to think about what she might have been thinking during her first walk...to ponder the incredible faith she must have...to join together with so many others in support of Rose...and to walk in honor of Hope Ward and children everywhere who are enduring child sacrifice.  

If you would like to know more about Rose, her journey, or Narrow Road (the non-profit who sponsored the walk) please visit the Narrow Road Website.  

Gift

Mark and I were gone last weekend too!  We are busy people folks!  This time we were gone for 2 nights for a special event that I will blog about in my next post.  My brother and his wife Amie offered to fly into Colorado to help out with our kiddos so we could go to Dallas for the weekend.

H and Uncle J.

Aunt Amie with the kids at the Park.

The kids apparently had a lot of fun.  We sure did miss our little ones but knew that they were being well cared for by family!  Thank you Uncle Jacob and Aunt Amie!  We love you!

Christmas Party

Two weekends ago, my husbands company had their annual staff Christmas party in September. Their are two offices: one in the mountains and one in Denver. Because of weather reasons and the amount of people who have missed the party the last several years due to blizzard like conditions and road closures it was decided to move the party to September.

This year is the 20th year the company has been around and also the year that one of the original owners is retiring.  Instead of our usual dinner we had a whole weekend of celebrating.  Mark and I attended without our children thanks to the generosity of a gracious friend.  We began by horseback riding in Wolcott, CO.

 Mark on his horse "Tony"

Me on my horse "Digger" - he didn't really like me.  

Sally, Mark, and I. 

After this we all drove to Beaver Creek where we had a beautiful view of all the changing aspens.  We washed off the horse stink and gathered to celebrate each of the employees that were in attendance.  One of the reasons that Mark and I have stayed in cold, snowy, Breckenridge is because we love the people he works for.  The owner of the company and his wife traveled with us to Ethiopia when we adopted our daughter and they have set a really great feel for the workplace that makes work more enjoyable.  I am thankful for my husbands job.

Also thankful to have spent a beautiful weekend with my husband!

Happy Fall!

My three little munchkins.

A few Randoms

 For the most part we are still having nice weather 

and taking advantage of the warmth and sunshine.

We love to eat outside.

Caleb loves his cuddle time with Daddy. 

Chocolate Milk and Picnics.

Reading just like big sister.

Open Wide

Our oldest two made their very first trip to the dentist this week. They did great and their dad deserves a special recognition for offering to take them to their appointment.  

There is a lot of pretend play in our home which should be no surprise as there are two 3 year olds in the house.  We play doctor, train riding, airplane riding, bus riding, getting our hair cut, cooking food in the kitchen, and NOW "Dentist."  There is lots of pretend teeth cleaning and check-ups and it is surprisingly accurate.  I hope they keep their great attitude about visiting the dentist.  

My little Ballerina

Our little princess started dance class this week.  The class is half tap and half ballet.  She loved her first class and came home eager to show us her tap moves and her spins.  I am excited for her!

After we dropped off Hannah at class Jack sadly told me he wanted to take dance class too!  Then he told me he didn't really want to take dance class...he just wanted to be with Hannah.  So sweet.  

Cakes

I am way behind on posting things that I would like on here.  It is time to acknowledge my children's birthdays who were in May and July.  Before August I must blog about them.  One of my favorite parts  about celebrating with them is getting to make and bake their birthday cakes.

Jack had a Thomas the Train Birthday. 

Caleb had a Monkey birthday. We celebrated his birthday while on vacation so I opted for cupcakes.  I bought half chocolate from the grocery store and half yummy carrot cake from a local bakery.  Notice that a couple of the cupcakes in the front row were tampered with.  I had hid the cupcakes in the laundry room before the party for safe keeping and later found my daughter in there with the door closed helping herself to a pre-party treat.  She keeps it exciting!

Hannah had a Rainbow party.

Love making cakes and even more love making them for my kiddos.  

1-2-3

The day before Hannah turned three I wanted to take a picture of the last day that I would have a one, two, and three year old.  We walked across the street and all my little munchkins were surprisingly cooperative and smiley!  C was excited to get to stand up in a chair, J was happy because his sign was yellow, and H well - she usually enjoys me taking photos.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!!

We had a very low key day here celebrating "our country" (as Jack would tell me).  We spent a lot of time talking about our flag, coloring pictures of flags, waving them, etc.  This morning we made flag toast with cream cheese, strawberry preserves, blueberries, and bananas.  They really enjoyed getting to do it themselves.  Tonight we enjoyed attending an annual bbq at some friends house. 

 Thankful to live in America!