Ski for Free (almost)

We made it to the slopes this year! This is why it was so awesome:

1) It didn't cost as much as the usual skiing excursion because Paca found us some free poles, skiis, and boots (which actually fit) and gave us free babysitting while we spent the morning at Eldora.

2) We got a little dusting of fresh snow while we were there and we had a FUN time. The latter point is significant for me because the first couple of times I skied I was too busy trying to not fall down to enjoy myself.

3) We stopped for Vietnamese food before heading back home. It was delicious.

4) No one got sick. Our date went smoothly, as planned. I could hardly believe it.

My Little Ponies

Halloween did happen this year. It even happened with homemade costumes, which is probably the most ridiculous part, considering the amount of time I maybe should not have spent on paper mache-ing giant pony heads. But the end product really made me smile.

Here is Ramona as Fluttershy the pegasus pony and Mika as Rarity the unicorn.

Ramona was a (generic) unicorn for Halloween two years ago, so I was able to re-use most of that costume for Mika.

I took those two ponies to the church Halloween party, where they ran around with a bunch of Elsas . . .

. . . paraded around the gym . . .

. . . made silly faces with Princess Peach . . .

. . . played games . . .

. . . and begged for treats.

Halloween was celebrated again at Ramona's school. Following an all-school costume parade, her kindergarten class had a party with crafts and treats. Ramona didn't keep her cumbersome costume on for too long. 

During the party, the principal's voice sounded over the intercom, requesting all of the Elsas to meet her in the office for a group photo. I heard there were thirty-three total, including Principal Alfonso. Four of them were from Ramona's class.

Yet another Halloween celebration was had at Forest's work for their annual "Halloween at Avago."

This time my third little pony dressed up, too. Here is Paula as Pinkie Pie (on her very first Halloween!):

We started with the haunted house, which Ramona of course declared as not very scary.

Next, the girls trick-or-treated the cubicles until they could no longer carry their candy buckets. Then they trick-or-treated some more while we carried their candy for them.

Back at home, I took some more pictures of Baby Pinkie Pie . . .

. . . and then it was time for the grand finale: trick-or-treating the neighborhood.

Ramona took her friend Annabel, who was dressed as Cinderella (not Elsa, believe it or not).

One house had a dancing mummy on the porch . . .

. . . and more spooky mummies inside. But I think the girls were most impressed by the candy.

No trick-or-treating for this little one--she stayed home with daddy, who was nursing a cold. Maybe next year, Paula--then you, too can contribute to the unnecessary pile of candy that sits on top of our fridge most of the year.

Final Hike for 2014

On Grandma's last day in Colorado, we made it up to Rocky Mountain National Park to show her the mountains and go on our final hike for the year.

While we were there, we met up with some friends from our Illinois days--the Wheelers were here visiting from Nebraska. Back when we were newlyweds, their oldest daughter was in Forest's nursery class at church. Ramona quickly became hiking buddies with her and the rest of the Wheeler Clan.

 

Forest was only four days post-surgery, but said he felt well enough to walk around Bear Lake. Thankfully, Mika went at the perfect pace for him most of the time.

I am so glad Kara emailed me to get in touch. We love sharing Colorado with our friends (hint, hint: more people should come visit us).

Here Mika is being initiated into the "Wolf Cub Club," a group formed by our own little hikers.

At every trail marker, Wolf Cub Club members made a circle, put their hands in the middle, and called out the number of the trail marker before continuing on their hike.

They also found spots along the way to pause and enjoy the scenery. These kids know how to hike!

Before heading out of the park, Grandma was kind enough to take some photos of our family. This one was my favorite:

Thanks, Grandma, for coming to see us! You couldn't have picked a better time.