Game On ...

This blog is a few weeks past due. It’s been on my “to do” list for a while but had me a little overwhelmed. Great things can be said about point and shoot camera’s but ours unfortunately is not just point and shoot. It is completely adjustable and the short story is … it was completely messed up. Needless to say I had about 60 pictures that needed edited, color adjusted etc. The photos still aren’t “great” but at least you can see how much fun this day was for Justin and his friends. … the good news my dear friend Alisha showed me how to reset my camera --- waala it’s now once again taking beautiful pictures!

Justin and one of his very best friends Jackson Bigge were born on the same day. Each year we play the “what day are you planning his party for game” so this year we decided to have the boys share a “Friend Birthday Party”. Football Theme … 10 friends each ... Game day February 8th Super Bowl Sunday … two parties … two teams …. GAME ON!

~ Birthday Boys Justin and Jackson ~

~ Special thanks to my friend Laura ... She hooked us up with some awesome Denver Broncos stuff for the treat bags ~


~ Justin ready for the "big game"~

~ QB Justin ... this was his touch down pass ... oh yeah we may have a future Elway ~

~ Too cute ... they decided to line up like this on their own ~

~ Cheerleaders ... Makenna - Carli Bigge and Grace Van Cleave ~

Valentine's Day ....

~ Justin's Valentine's Party at School ~

~ Justin with the Valentine's Day Coupons Dwight and I gave the kids ~

~ My crafty Valentine's Day Project ~

Be Mine ...

Today Makenna’s preschool class celebrated Valentine’s Day. Makenna was so excited to share her Valentine’s with her preschool friends. Last night we stuffed Valentine's Day boxes with candy and made 2 special chocolate hearts for her teachers Ernie and Katie.

~Makenna with her teacher Ernie ... who she adores ... he is a wonderful teacher full of knowledge and incredibly silly ... just what preschoolers love ~

~ Makenna with her treats ~

Boys Night Out ...

Last night Dwight and Justin joined Josh and Jackson Bigge for a night out at the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Game. It was a late night but sounded like they had lots of fun. The Av’s scored 3 goals to beat the Oilers … but according to Justin the best part of the entire night was “catching a parachute dropped from a flying balloon”.

~ Daddy and Justin ~

~Justin and Jackson showing off their prizes ... Jackson got a T-Shirt and Justin got the parachute ~

Don’t worry ‘bout me …

Yesterday we celebrated mom’s 68th birthday … Justin and I spent some time at the cemetery and sent angel hugs to heaven! Justin has an amazing ability to melt my broken heart every time we are at the cemetery. His caring nurturing personality is so strong … I just stand back and cry. Justin is so attentive with mom’s headstone. He always brushes away the dirt, sticks etc.

… today I captured a tender moment as Justin knelt next to Grandma H. headstone and sang Happy Birthday to her. I know mom is looking down from above saying … “don’t worry ‘bout me”.

This is the song that gets me through the hard times.

“Sissy’s Song” by Alan Jackson.

Why did she have to go
So young I just don't know why
Things happen half the time
Without reason without rhyme
Lovely, sweet young woman
Daughter, wife and mother
Makes no sense to me
I just have to believe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me

Loved ones she left behind
Just trying to survive
And understand the why
Feeling so lost inside
Anger shot straight at God
Then asking for His love
Empty with disbelief
Just hoping that maybe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me

It's hard to say goodbye
Her picture in my mind
Will always be of times I'll cherish
And I won't cry 'cause

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
Don't worry 'bout me
Don`t worry 'bout me

Seven ...

Seven years ago I became a mom … yesterday Justin celebrating his 7th birthday and I celebrated 7 years of motherhood! Where has time gone??

Thursday night Aunt Sheri came over and decorated his cake! Justin is really into sports. Baseball, football, soccer, basketball etc … he loves them all but decided this year he wanted a Denver Broncos Football party!

~ The Cake ... Aunt Sheri always amazes us ~

Yesterday afternoon I took Justin’s favorite treat … Strawberry Glazed Donuts with Broncos Sprinkles on them to school to share with his friends.

~ Justin with his Best Friend Chris ~

Last night we had his family party at our house with Pizza, cake, ice cream and presents. Grandpa Stan, Bobbye, Grandma Sharon, Grandpa Bruce, Great Grandma Faye, Aunt Nadene, Cousin Amber, Aunt Sheri and Uncle Bob all joined us to help celebrate Justin’s special day!

~ His Smile pretty much says it all ~

~ City Lego Set from Grandpa Stan and Bobbye ~

~ Batman Sweatshirt from Aunt Nadene ~

~ Opening Presents ~

~ Singing "Happy Birthday" ... we had to light the candles several times because Makenna kept blowing them out ~

The birthday excitement will stick around for a while ... his friend party is scheduled for next Sunday!

Redneck Sledding ....

Dwight and the kids had a blast sledding today. We still have plenty of snow left from our big snow storm several weeks ago. I guess these tractors are good for something :-)

Just adorable ...

I’m only 2 months behind schedule but I finally did it! Today I took Makenna in for her 3 year photo shoot. This was the 1st time ever that I have walked away from a photo studio spending less than $100. It wasn’t because the pictures were bad … they were ALL adorable. It was just yesterday that I organized the overflowing envelope of photos from her 2 year photo shoot. Honestly I have enough photos left over from last year that I could wallpaper an entire wall with them. Organizing old pictures was an excellent project for the day before picture day. It made picking my 2 very favorite poses so much easier. Sadly 2 poses didn’t qualify me for the free picture CD that I am use to getting so I had to scan the photos. Must be their way of protecting their prints cause the coloring in these are better on the original prints. But seriously ... it's she just adorable? :)

Y2K +10 ...

It might have been safe but sane I’m not so sure. We joined 9 other couples and more kids than I could count and spent New Years Eve at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Loveland. It was a great time. We all gathered for a “happy hour” downstairs in the main dining area and then finished the night hoping from room to room. Justin and Makenna crashed out early … poor babies were too tired to make it until midnight.

~ Ready for a night of fun ~

~ Daddy and Makenna ... excited to be at the hotel ~

~ Just a few of the kids ~

Brody VanCleave, Justin holding Conner Lance, Makenna, Grace VanCleave and Ciera Lance

~ Happy Hour ~

~ Justin and Makenna drinking their "Shirley Temple Cocktails" ~

~ Dave Marrou . Dwight . JC VanCleave . Cris Lance ~

~ Me and Jen VanCleave ~

~ JC and Dwight ... Surprised Dwight made it to Midnight he partied like it was 1999 ~

~ Jen . Julie Marrou . Anne and Ciera Lance ~

~ View from our bedroom window ... minus I-25 the mountains were stunning ~

~ Dwight keep his promise and took the kids swimming in the morning ~