Science Fair and Sledding

The boys got new sleds for Valentine's Day. We opted to give them their gift a couple of days before Valentine's because the weather was perfect today to go sledding.

Here goes Luke:




Ryan was really great on his sled - he was so fast I could barely get any pictures of him.

It was a long walk back up to the top - but there was no complaining and even some running so they could go again.

They had a blast and they were only willing to leave when I reminded them that hot chocolate would be available when we got home.



Other things the week:

Friday was Crazy Hair Day at school. Luke was not interested, but Ryan was so excited about it. I had to use a ton of gel and hairspray to get his hair to stay up. Ryan thought he was so cool.


We also had the Science Fair. Luke's experiment was the best way to wash hands (hand sanitizer was slightly better than soap and water). Ryan's experiment was the expansion of liquids when frozen (Diet Coke expanded the most, maple syrup was the least).

We are now looking forward to a hopefully uneventful and not too busy week - Greg will be home and we always love that.

Last Weekend's Getaway and Snow

Last weekend, Greg and I headed to Estes Park and Nana and Grandad flew in to take care of the boys. I think we all had a great weekend.

Greg and I stayed at a beautiful inn near the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. The above and below pictures are from the hot tub on our balcony. Our room also had a giant copper bathtub with a fireplace on one side and a floor to ceiling waterfall on the other - I spent a couple of hours there reading and drinking wine. We had a much-needed relaxing weekend and it was nice that wasn't too far from home.

We also went snow-shoeing. Neither of us had done that before, it was a lot of fun and I think we might take the boys sometime - I think they would like it.



We hiked around and on Bear Lake - not a great picture of us - but the scenery was great.

Meanwhile, back home - we got something like 16 inches of snow. Grandad and the boys got out and shoveled the driveway several times.



When we got back on Sunday, the boys and I headed out the backyard and attempted to build a snowman.

Two days later - we got another 4 inches of snow - I think I'm done with winter.

Rodeo and Legos

Last weekend we took the boys to the Stockshow and Rodeo. They had a pretty good time watching the horses and cowboys - but they were most excited about having a corn dog and lemonade for lunch.

They even got their own clown nose. Unfortunately at this point, my camera battery died. After the rodeo we went to Fort Collins to have dinner with Tim, Stephanie and family.

On Sunday, Ryan was excited to put together the big Lego set that he had bought the previous weekend. Luke tried to help him out at first - but Ryan really wanted to do it himself and Luke lost interest in just watching.

Ryan proceeded to spend 4 straight hours putting together a 400 piece, 3 book instruction, Lego set almost completely by himself. He was so proud of himself and I loved seeing him so focused on something for so long.

Luke watched for awhile - but then he got to go to Costco with Greg - which means a hotdog for lunch and free samples.

When Ryan is really concentrating, he sticks his tongue - just like his Grandad.

The boys have had a good week - they've stayed busy with school and they are making such great strides in reading. We were reminded once again this week how fast they are growing up - Ryan has a loose tooth. He is so excited about it and Greg and I are in disbelief that we have a child old enough to lose a baby tooth.

Laid-back Weekend

We've had a quiet and relaxing holiday weekend. I took off on Friday for their Kindergarten Rodeo - so I've had a great 4 day weekend. The boys enjoyed watching a Saturday morning cartoon - The Magic School Bus and then spent most of the day playing before they had a birthday party to go to that night. Sunday was spent playing around the house and then the boys and I watched a Harry Potter movie together. Today, we went to the Lego store to use their Lego giftcards from Papa and Grandma and then came home to build their new Lego sets.

The boys created a new game using a construction set - I'm not sure of the rules but they taught Greg how to play the game today.

Ryan and Luke put most of their Lego sets together by themselves. Luke spent almost all day putting together his 400 piece Police semi-truck set - with a little guidance from us (he does a great job by himself, but he does tend to skip a few steps every now and then). Ryan put together a 100 piece airplane set by himself and we'll put together his larger set next weekend.

Ryan and his plane.

Luke following his 3 book instruction Lego set.



Ryan also enjoyed playing with his new Hex-bug robot from Aunt Conny and family.

And Luke decided to create a football team complete with uniforms.

Overall, we had a great weekend and we're looking forward to a short 4 day school week.

Lastly - one last picture from their Rodeo day - Ryan is such a poser.

Kindergarten Rodeo

Rather than continuing to delay posting a Christmas blog because I haven't had the time to sift through pictures - I am going to jump into 2012 with the boys' Kindergarten Rodeo.

First up - Ryan's class.







Ryan's Kindergarten class. They were all wiped out by the end.

Next up - Luke's class.








Luke's Kindergarten class.


The boys had a blast - I am so glad that they are loving school. They love their teachers, their friends and all the extra stuff that comes when you go to school.