Adult Type Kid Party

The weekend after the Championship game, we were finally able to throw a little birthday bash for Skyler. Grandma and Grandpa had finally returned from Hawaii, and Kent and I were going to be in town for the weekend, for once! Everyone came over and enjoyed some pizza, cake and ice cream, and the Pro Bowl. We all enjoyed the family time to visit with each other, and Skyler got spoiled with new apparel, a new mini helicopter, and some good old cashola! Happy Birthday again kiddo!

The kids - Kenzie, Cody, Skyler, Taylee, Hunter, and Monica

Skyler's rockin Broncos cake! Too bad I can't figure out how to turn this picture!

So grown up. Look at all those candles!

AFC Champions!!

After much deliberation, Kent and I decided to turn around and make the trip to Denver again for the Broncos AFC Championship game. We drove this time, and left the kids behind! Thanks to nana, poppi, and Mark, Amber, and Kenzie for making this possible for us. We had an awesome trip!

After driving all day Saturday, we took advantage of our kid free afternoon and went to the movies to see "Lone Survivor." It was very good, and emotionally intense. After our movie, Ginger, Garrett, Aden, and Xavier, were kind enough to meet up with us for a late dinner. After all our top picks proved to have loooong wait times, we ended up at Chili's. Still, one of my favorites! The food was yummy, the drinks were even better! Aunt Ginger and I got a little shnockered on just one margarita each. Lightweights! We had a blast!

Our favorite photo op outside the stadium, with the charging Broncos.

Sunday was game day. The forecast was beautiful... 60's and sunny. Couldn't ask for better weather! I never even put my hat on! We decided to head to the stadium early to join in the pregame festivities. 

Hanging out down by the field before the game. Pretending we were VIPs!

Sharing the love with our Seat Mates for the past two years, Andy and her sister Heather. Fun girls!

Wow. It held so much promise.

We stayed for the ceremony and presentation of the Championship trophy. Then we battled through the crowds to buy Kent's AFC championship hat. By that time it was almost two hours after the game!

We headed into Downtown for dinner and to watch the NFC championship game. It was crazy busy everywhere. We ended up in the Paramount Cafe, where we have had lunch with Mark and Amber before. It turned out perfectly! They seated us at a table right in front of the big screen with the game, the service was good, and our food was yummy!

The ride home was long, but we were coasting on the joy of our win and we were thrilled to be headed to the Super Bowl!

All Growed Up

Well, it's official. Skyler is an adult. Waaaah! Where does the time go?! I met that little monkey when he was barely 4 years old. Can't believe how time flies.  We are so blessed to have him in our lives. He is sweet, funny, kind, witty, responsible, and loving. Not typical characteristics in an 18 year old boy! We are told often by friends and family what a great kid he is. We couldn't agree more. He lights up our life, and is the apple of his little sister's eye. She struggles with his disappearing act every weekend (when he stays at his mom's), and can't quite figure out who Randi (Skyler's mom), Zoe (little sister), and Monica (girlfriend) relate to the story. She sure loves to play with Skyler, and adores his girlfriend Monica. She LOVES when "Monka" comes over!

To celebrate Skyler's birthday, we went to Pizza Factory with Nana, poppi, and Monica. Skyler's fave. Yummy! Grandma and Grandpa were still on vacation, so once again, conspicuously absent. :(

I just had to post this cuz it was too funny! Don't worry, she didn't mind the birthday smackdown!

Skyler got a paper tooth for his birthday! Not really, he is actually getting his teeth whitened for his birthday!

And a pair of spiffy gray vans!

Can you tell who picked out Skyler's cake?!

Skyler was kind enough to share his candle duties with Taylee. She was thrilled!

Happy Birthday to my most favorite son in the whole world! Love you!

Superhero Ballerina!

In January, Taylee had her first dance recital with Miss DeDe's D for Danze Company. We love Miss DeDe, and we loved her recital. Much smaller scale than her first recital, and much better! The recital had a Superhero theme. At first I wasn't too excited with the music selections, but they eventually grew on me, and were very kid-friendly. Taylee and her bestie Kate are in the same dance class, and got to dance together in the recital. They danced to the Power Rangers Theme, and "If I never knew you," from Pocahontas. Lots of Taylee's other friends from the neighborhood also dance with Miss DeDe. It's so fun to meet up with everybody for such a happy event! We took Taylee out for ice cream with nana and poppi after the recital. Unfortunately grandma and grandpa were on vacation at the time, so they couldn't join us... Hopefully we will all be around for Taylee's recital this summer!

L-R Aspen, Lainee, Kate, Kinsley, Taylee

Post-Recital, sporting her flowers from daddy

New and Improved Playoffs!

January was an exciting month for us this year. With the addition of Peyton Manning, the Broncos have been enjoying great success, and once again, made it into the playoffs with home field advantage. As season ticket holders, we are given the option to purchase playoff tickets. We, of course, said YES! We decided to take the whole family over for the divisional round playoff game against the San Diego Chargers. We were really, really hoping we wouldn't suffer a nasty disappointment like we did last year, losing in double overtime to the Ravens with temps below 0. We were not to be disappointed! The Broncos did us proud, and handily whooped the Chargers. The temps were in the 30's ad 40's with a brisk wind. It was cold, but not nearly as cold as last year! Of course, we were kept warm by the scoreboard as well!

My favorite moment at the airport. I love funny people!

We had a great weekend, flying in Saturday morning and driving to the Springs for lunch and an afternoon with Great Grandpa Gene. Garret and Aden came down as well. So good to spend time relaxing as a family, and brightening grandpa's day. Especially as he has been ill recently, and only just out of the hospital. It was a nice visit. That evening, we headed back to Denver, and visited a local fave of ours, The Brewery Bar, with awesome chips and salsa and killer chile rellenos!

Sunday was of course Game Day! We relaxed and game planned all morning and headed to the stadium around 11:30. The game was awesome. We held a lead and had control of the game throughout. It was a blast, and of course, we won!! By the third quarter, Kent was whispering to me that we should come back for the Championship Game. A self-fulfilling prophecy I suppose. 

Pre-game, at Sports Authority Field!

 After dinner, we had an amazing experience, meeting up with my best friend from birth, Brianne. She and I were BFF's until we moved apart when I headed to Utah, and she later headed for Tennessee. Her dad and mine were very, very close. Unfortunately her dad died due to a motocross accident ten years ago. We reconnected last year via the magic of Facebook, and amazingly, she relocated to Denver just a week before our trip. I got to meet her three charming and adorable kids as well. Juliette, Charlotte, and Miles. Cute, Cute, and CUTE!!  Soooo nice to see her! And we got to enjoy a fab dinner, at one of our favorite Moab restaurants, which apparently originates in Colorado (Grand Junction actually), Pasta Jay's. Just as yummy in Colorado!

Me and Brianne (aka Mustard Sauce) in the most unflattering picture ever!

We floated home on Cloud Nine on Monday afternoon. Great trip!

It's a Wonderful Life!

I love Christmas! Always have. But the joy of Christmas with children in your home is just magical! Taylee is just starting to understand the meaning of Christmas. She even said to Kent one day this Christmas season "You know, daddy, Christmas is about spending time with our friends and family. Not just Presents." I was thrilled to see her understanding that Christmas is about more than just getting presents. She did inform me that she learned this magical lesson from watching Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas. Doh! Ah, well, at least she gets something positive from watching TV right?!

We were so excited that Skyler decided to spend Christmas Eve night at our house. It just makes Christmas morning soo much more exciting! Taylee and Skyler are adorable with each other. Christmas Eve is traditionally spent at Grandma Judson's house for what was once Kent's Great Aunt Melba's Christmas Dinner.

Can you tell, by the Gift Cards, that Skyler is getting tough to buy for?!



Taylee is still easy. Princess, princess, and more princess!

When we got home Taylee got to unwrap her Christmas Eve Jammies and pose for a photo before putting out cookies and milk for Santa.

 

 

Taylee let us all sleep til 7:15 on Christmas morning! Heaven! Somehow, she ran past the tree and her gifts from Santa 3 times before noticing what he had brought for her! Just enough time to wake up mommy, daddy, and Skyler and get nana and poppi on their way over to our house!

Her reaction when she saw her "Doc McStuffins Kitchen" (Check-Up Center, really!) was to say, in awe "I guess I have been good!" Priceless.

As usual, we were completely spoiled by all of our loved ones. We all have a new wardrobe, new toys, and are well equipped for some cold Broncos playoff games! We have already put most of our new gear to good use! Thanks Nana, Poppi, Grandma, and Grandpa!

 

Talking Olaf! From Frozen

Bronco Themed Christmas this year!! Errr.... Every year.

Who doesn't want new spatulas for Christmas?!

Kent's New Bronco Hat!

Broncos Snuggie!

 My super deluxe new Nike Dryfit, and My new Thermoball coat! Toasty warm!

 

Poppi's new shoes

 

Next Year's Christmas card! :0)

 

Taylee opening gifts at Grandma's

Taylee helping Grandma and Grandpa open gifts...

We had a wonderful Christmas morning, a wonderful visit to grandma and grandpa's, and a delicious roast for dinner at nana's. I worked Christmas night for the first time, and it turned out to be easier than I expected. Still, I look forward to next year... NO Christmas shift! So lucky, so happy, so blessed! It's a Wonderful Life!

 

Thankful for FAMILY!

This Thanksgiving we were surrounded by family! We were lucky enough to have Ginger, Garrett, and Aden, Grandpa, Denise, Damion, Zach, and Danny all come to Utah to celebrate the holiday with us! Not to mention all the family we have here locally! And I was even lucky enough to be off work for the holiday.  We are truly thankful to have such a loving family. Ginger, Garrett, and Aden arrived ahead of the pack and joined us in a trip to the movies on Wed before Thanksgiving to see "Frozen." We all loved it! Even if Kent did wish that there was just a little less singing!
The rest of the crowd rolled into town on Wednesday night. We gathered for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner and the good times were a rollin'!
On Thanksgiving morning I joined Amber and Amanda for the "Turkey Burn" at their gym. It's been a long time since I've worked out at a gym. It felt great to workout with a group! But the convenience of my basement gym still can't be beat.
After burning a few calories, it was time to start consuming some calories! We had our first Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma Judson's house in the early afternoon. This was after we enjoyed cake and ice cream for Cody's birthday! Dessert first, right?! We tried to eat light... Not sure it worked.
We headed over to nana and poppi's for our second Thanksgiving dinner in the late afternoon. By evening we were STUFFED! But the family time was worth the pain! ;0) 

Too Cool Cody the Birthday Boy!

Kenzie, delighted to eat dessert first!

Taylee the Turkey showing off Grandma and Shelly's handiwork

Hustle and Bustle to get Thanksgiving dinner on the table

Post-dinner Relaxation

Bil and Sil (Brother in Law and Sister in Law ;)

Kent, chillaxin with his favorite kind of dessert

The Spur

We had a fabulous and fun opportunity to see our friend Darren play some live music in a bar in Park City called The Spur.  We booked a room at the Shadow Ridge, and headed out for a grand time.
Everything about our little getaway was fabulous. Our room was beautiful, and was super inexpensive because we just beat the opening of the ski season.  We headed out to dinner and ended up at the No Name Bar... Good drinks, good food, good times. A couple of hours later we headed to The Spur to see Darren and his band play. It was a blizzard in Park City that night, and really created a fabulous atmosphere for our weekend getaway. The cab driver who took us drunken fools back to our hotel even took a spin through the Burger King Drive-through and flipped a few donuts in the parking lot. Silly, immature, all-out FUN! We woke up to a beautiful snowy wonderland and had a delicious breakfast at a local joint in Park City. Too bad Amber had to pay for her over-indulgence the night before. Bummer. All in all, though, we had a great time!

Amber and Cortney - Cuties!

Cortney and Andy

Me and my favorite ladies

Poppi's Cheesy Birthday

We closed out October (or maybe started November...) with a birthday celebration for Poppi. He chose the Cheesecake Factory at City Creek. We headed down to City Creek anticipating a looong wait for dinner, and indeed it was. We took advantage of the extra time at the mall with a little early Christmas shopping. Taylee was completely enamored with the Disney store. Nana and I started planning for our return trip.
Dinner was delicious, fun, and as always, expensive! We love the Cheesecake Factory, but always leave wondering how we spent so much money!  I guess that is what birthday dinners are all about, right?! Thanks Nana and Poppi for the dinner treat!

Birthday Boy at Cheesecake Factory

Who needs birthday cake when you've got cheesecake?!

Poppi sporting ALL his birthday gifts at one time!

It's Been Awhile...

I'm Here! I am Alive! I will get to posting ... One of these days!