Thanksgiving Feast

Every year Veritas has done a Thanksgiving Feast on the last day of school before Thanksgiving break.  This was the first year I've been a part since Steven was in it!  They set up tables in the gym, have a big feast and then each grade performs a small song or poem. 

It was quite comical how very much like his father Steven was.  I have seen videos of my husband doing school things as a child.... well it was identical.  Standing, barely doing the moves, looking around, and barely singing.  Quite funny to watch my serious little son.  How I love that little boy.

An honest smile!

A chewing chicken smile.

Steven's buddy Eli.

Eli's sister Sophie

Steven's good friend Ryan.

The Pre-K performance.

Steven looking around during his performance....

And lastly him running to sit by his teacher whom he adores.

 

18 months and sassy

It is a tradition in Steven's family to take 18 month pictures.  There is a black and white collage with 5 photos of each of the kids.   I have loved looking at these pictures of when my husband and his brothers and sisters were little, and we have wanted to do the same for our family ever since we were married.  We have done it for both boys and on Saturday we did it for Eliza!  I can't believe it is already time! 

It went wonderfully! We used a local photographer named Rich Winslow.  He was incredibly patient with Eliza, letter her be herself and not rushing her.  We looked at lots of photographers in the area and were very impressed with his prices and his work!  I am happy to give you his info if you are interested.  We would highly recommend him.  Thanks Rich!

Here are a few of the images.

What a cute little girl!  I can't wait until we can add her images to our living room wall as well!

A bit overdue

This title could be taken two ways - I'm either late in writing this, or it has been too long since we went away!  Last week we were able to be a part of Steve's consecration as a Bishop within the Anglican Church.  The service itself was amazing, as was our time with family.  The consecration happened at the annual sacred assembly, which was taking place in Denver.  So all the children and their husbands and wives (sans grandchildren), and lots of other close family and friends flew out to Colorado to be a part of it.  So we were without our children for 4.5 days!!!  It was the longest time we've ever left our kids (thanks mom and dad!), as the other two times were one or two night adventures long before Eliza came.  We came back exhausted, which is why this post has taken me so long to write!

This was the sight we saw as we left.  Obviously they are devastated...

Our awesome kitchen at the loft we stayed at in downtown Denver

The awesome main room at the loft we stayed at in Denver.....

The not so awesome thing about the loft we stayed at in Denver: the walls didn't go to the ceiling.  So it was remotely like sleeping in a tent with partitions.  With Steven's older brother and wife to our right and his younger brother and wife to our left.....not ideal really, but we had an awesome time together.

The view of our street from our balcony.

On Saturday before the consecration, we had a family day.  We all went to Red Rock Amphitheater and walked around.  It was pretty awesome.  We then took a drive up to 9,000 feet to just soak up the splendor of the Rockies. 

A pretty funny jumping picture.  Thomas was obstinate.... go figure.

The boys went to the Broncos vs. Saints game on Sunday. 

While the girls went out to dinner!

Spent an afternoon in Boulder. 

Had to pretend we were young again.... after all we didn't have our children.

Then got ready for the actual event!

We had such an amazing time.  Our kids were not as glad to see us as I thought they'd be!  Guess they had a great time with Nana BB and Poppi.  

We got back late Tuesday night and hit the ground running for Halloween.

 We carved pumpkins and had dinner with friends, then tricked and treated around the neighborhood.  The kids obviously loved it.

Sam as Captain Hook

Steven as Peter Pan

Eliza as..... well Eliza.  She threw a tantrum for my mom when she tried to put her in a Tinker Bell costume.  So we didn't even try.

The Lost boys with Strawberry Shortcake and a Ninja.... I suppose that is the kind of company they keep!