Happy Birthday, Garrett!

Here's a few photos from Garrett's actual birthday. His party is this weekend, a bunch of boys playing laser tag.....not at my house, it's all good!

Bike ride

The boys have recently discovered mountain biking. They both love it! Kierstin is not too big of a fan of the 'bumpy roads' in her trailer. Here's some photos before they took off on a neighborhood bike ride.

Preschool field trip

Kierstin's preschool class went on a field trip to a food pantry near their school. They all brought in food, loaded it in a wagon and walked to the pantry to drop it off to help the homeless. They discussed it at school and at home we talked about how nice it is to help people. Well, when I asked Kierstin about her field trip, all she tells me is that the little person means you can cross the street and the hand means you have to stop. Maybe she'll get the giving spirit later!

Gavin's contraption

Gavin just finished a class he was taking at UCCS. They studied Rube Goldberg inventions. Their project was to crack an egg by creating a complicated contraption using simple machines. Gavin worked hard on his project that involved a marble rolling down a ramp, landing in a matchbox pickup truck which rolled and hit a golf ball that made a pulley do something and eventually made the egg fall off a plank into a frying pan. It was fun to watch all the contraptions in action. Garrett really enjoyed watching it and wanted to create his own when we got home.

Happy Birthday, Garrett!!

Today my baby boy turned 7!!!! How did that happen? He had a great birthday weekend....presents, favorite restaurants, etc. He was crying tonight because he didn't want his birthday to end....lucky for him it won't, because his party is next weekend. He spent a good part of the day excavating gems out of a brick of dirt and reading his rock book (gifts from Aunt Windy...good work).

Happy Birthday, D!

Happy birthday to the world's greatest husband and dad!!! His main birthday wish (McCain for pres) didn't come true, but overall I think his birthday was good!

Election day by Garrett

The boys' school did a great job covering the election. They had an assembly the day before and learned about elections and voting. Then on the 4th all of the kids got a chance to go in a real voting booth and cast their vote. Gavin got to announce the winner, John McCain, at the end of school.
After school we were talking about the whole process and Darin asked the boys who they voted for and Garrett said, "John McCain." Darin asked him why and he said, "Because Obama wants to send soldiers to Iraq and I like soldiers and don't want them to go there, and he smokes, and he doesn't believe in God." I have NO idea where he got these random 'facts', but he was deadset that they are true.

Denver Zoo

We went to the Denver Zoo this past weekend. It was Free Day....not the day to go if you don't love huge crowds of smelly people!! However, the zoo was great and the kids were excited to see some animals we haven't seen at many zoos that we've visited. They loved the lions and polar bears.

Kierstin and her friend, Erin.

Garrett and Vincent

Friendly visitors

The boys were out delivering boy scout popcorn when these friendly little guys decided to stroll by for a visit.

Basketball

Another season, another sport....Garrett is busy shooting hoops now. Unfortunately the gym is kind of dark, super crowded, and hard to get a decent picture.

Halloween

Halloween was fun as usual. The kids decked the house out early in October and eagerly awaited the arrival of Halloween for the following weeks! Kierstin and Garrett trick-or-treated until their bags were full! Gavin had a friend over and they trick-or-treated for a little bit and then entertained themselves by handing out candy and trying to scare people. Gavin had a BLAST and said it was one of his favorite Halloweens.

Darin looked hot, as usual - nice mullet!

The neighborhood princesses!

Here's Kierstin checking out her loot!

Halloween at school

The kids, of course, had fun at school on Halloween. Garrett was an Alien Cyborg, apparently the mask that I told him would probably be hot and uncomfortable was hot and uncomfortable, imagine that!!! Mom was right!

Garrett and Vincent

Kierstin joins in the Halloween parade...she followed
the kids all the way around the track!

Gavin's crafty costume this year was a man in a coffin...
thanks for the help, Yaya!

Gavin's teachers were Peace and Quiet! Great idea!

Pumpkin Carving

Here's the annual pumpkin carving festivities. Darin is the "master pumpkin carver" according to Garrett!! He really is pretty good at it. Kierstin's pumpkin just had hearts cut out all over on it. Garrett's was "Bob the pumpkin" He carved a face on him and then stuck Mr. Potato Head parts on him.....bad mom didn't take a final product photo, but he won 1st place for funniest for 1st-3rd grade. Gavin carved his to look like a pirate with an eye patch. He's on student council and so he couldn't enter the contest.

Kierstin's class pumpkin party

Kierstin had so much fun dressing up like Tinkerbell for her class party. It was unbelievably warm and she was able to go without long sleeves - which was great because according to her, Tinkerbell doesn't wear long sleeves.

Frosting a cookie.

Working hard on a craft.

Class photo.

Best Friends!