Trying To Catch Up - January 2009

Obviously I have had little time to blog so far in the new year, so I thought that I should at least post a few pictures to catch everybody up. . .

A Day at Cool River


We took a family walk to the park - it felt like Spring in January!


Inauguration Day - I'm so happy that I thought to snap a few pictures as the girls watched such a historic day unfold. . .I was amazed at how much they enjoyed watching it all with us.






A 70 degree day at the zoo


And I can't forget to show you ECO - did you know he is part poodle, part cocker spaniel, part mountain goat?

From Our Colorado Family to Yours. . .

The Last of Christmas 2008

Pink Razor scooters from Pop for everyone!

Emma's Christmas gifts have officially gotten smaller - no more little girl toys for her. . .this picture actually kinda makes me sad.

The first official web admission of my short hair - not thrilled. . .the next one you see I will be back to the old Amy :-)

I wonder if Taylor Swift started out in her pj's?

Preparing for a tea party with Gran

The men watching basketball

I can't even think of an appropriate caption for this one. . .Any ideas??
Hope you had a fantastic Holiday, too!!!

Joy to the World

Joy to the World from amy colon on Vimeo.

New Sister

Meet Ingrid, the girls' new Compassion International "sister" from Ecuador. They don't realize it yet, but Ingrid is definitely the best gift they received this Christmas. We will start supporting and communicating with her starting this New Year. It took over an hour of sitting in front of the computer browsing for the girls to choose Ingrid. Such indecisiveness (and Kevin was so patient!). . .but after praying about it, we are sure that we chose the right little girl for our family.

Christmas Eve and Morning

Merry Christmas Morning, everyone!!

Up on the Housetop

Emma's Piano Recital - Up on the Housetop from amy colon on Vimeo.


I'll add a few more songs later. . .

Claire's First Score

Claire's First Score from amy colon on Vimeo.

Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Traditions (Part 3)

Just finished reading this one to the girls. . .it's so much fun to hear them laugh out loud as I read. . .

Christmas Traditions (Part 2)

Every year since the girls were tiny we have made a gingerbread house during the holidays. I have done everything from making it from scratch (the overachiever Christmas about 3 years ago) to buying the Wilton Gingerbread kit (the one that made me so mad that I threw half of it on the floor in anger in front of the kids and they still remind me of it to this day.) But this year my goal was simplicity during the holidays. So, here is our 2008 gingerbread house.



It took 30 minutes to complete. There was no mess except for all of those little white papers from the sticky foam shingles. No one cussed (oops, I guess I forgot to share that part from last year) or threw it down in anger.







And we still have a lovely "gingerbread house" to be proud of. . .actually a gingerbread house with LANDSCAPING!



Are you doing anything SIMPLER this holiday season?

Flatiron Youth Chorale Christmas Performance

December 2008 - So Far

Thanksgiving Day "Must Haves"

**Making and eating Cranberry bread on Thanksgiving morning with our own "secret recipe" while watching the Macy's Day Parade.





**Emma LOVES her homemade cranberries - she doesn't eat turkey or dressing, only cranberries.

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**And homemade applesauce makes the day complete.

I hope you all had a terrific Turkey Day!
What were your "Must Haves" for the day??

Let the Traditions Begin

Emma is my girl who loves TRADITION. . .she is always very intent on sitting in the same place every Christmas morning as she opens her gifts. She wants very specific kinds of food every Thanksgiving. . .so this year I decided to chronicle every holiday tradition that our family enjoys.

Here is tradition #1. . .Operation Christmas Child. Last week we delivered 51 boxes from Cool River. The girls always shop for and prepare one box of their own. This is a tradition I'm always pretty excited to keep.

Happy Holidays!!! Keep checking back for more.

(Also, Click here for photoblog pics of Claire playing basketball. . .)

Family Fun WEEKEND!

So this weekend we took advantage of this perfect time of year and had some extra family fun that took us all the way from Saturday morning to late on Sunday night.

We rarely go the to theater as a family. It's pretty crazy what 2 hours at the AMC can cost a family of 5. My girls weren't really interested in taking pictures, but I was able to catch Claire grinning in her High School Musical attire. Yep, you guessed it - what brings a family of 5 to the theater on an early Saturday morning - only Gabriella and Troy in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3! Yea, it rocked! I'm not sure who liked it more, the girls or me. . .or maybe even Kevin. . .I did see his head bopping a little bit to the music a time or two. . .



Saturday afternoon was yet ANOTHER birthday party. Thank goodness this time all we had to do was attend. The girls had a great time at Julia's American Girl mystery party.

Finally, Sunday night was the official Family Fun Night #2. It was a bit impromptu and after a long day of church activities we were a bit pooped, but still, we had a lot of fun celebrating Fall by dipping caramel apples (thanks for the idea, Wilson's) and carving a giant pumpkin into none other than Snow White.

















Isn't she beautiful??!! Happy Fall!