Pikes Peak

We finally made it to Pikes Peak (that's not really something you do in the winter...).

We stopped at a gift shop-type lodge on the way up.  On the way down, it's actually a brake check place.  If your brakes are too hot from the descent, they make you pull over (ours were fine on the way back--we got a "Nice and Cool.  Good Job" from the inspector). 

At the top! 

Sadly, some storms were moving in and there was lightening in the area.  We were forced inside, but on the up-side we had the opportunity to try the famous high-altitude donuts!

A Pikes Peak picnic in the car.

A dedication to the spot where Katharine Lee Bates was inspired to pen the works to America the Beautiful.

Above the clouds!

Various shots--I loved the landscape above the treeline!

It was kind of a short trip and the storm clouds were a bummer, but it was a great experience.  We'll definitely be back to do some hiking (with the kids on a leash!)

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

We'd heard wonderful things about the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, but just got a chance to make our first visit last weekend.  We got a yearly pass and it's a good thing we did because we've been 2 more times in the past week.

They have a wonderful giraffe enclosure.  For $2 you can purchase a bundle of leaves and feed it to the giraffes.  It's a pretty large herd.  There's a book that gives a bio on each one and shows their defining marks so that you can pick them out as you're feeding them.  Super fun!

The zoo is currently building a new Encounter Africa exhibit so there are no elephants or rhinos currently residing at the zoo.  There are however, lions!

I didn't see any real zebras, but concrete ones are better for climbing anyway...

Ezra and Jonas got to help a zoo keeper prepare lunch for the turtles.  They scooped up a bunch of finely chopped veggies in the bowl, sprinkled some apple pieces on top, sprinkled some calcium powder and a few other things over it and then got to walk into the enclosure to put it on the ground.

A walk-through cave that the kids enjoy.

Making faces at the (sleeping) mountain lions.

Baby owls just emerging from their eggs.  It's twins!

The boys also got to pet a snake.

Fun day!!

Jonas' 4th Birthday

After a quick trip to Texas for Mom's retirement party and to attend a fabulously fun wedding, we made it home the day before Jonas' 4th birthday.  I made the mistake of telling Jonas it was his actual birthday (instead of maybe adding a few days to recover from our trip and pick up some birthday decorations), so there was no delaying the cake and candles. 

Birthday cookies for breakfast.

With Jonas' allergies, he typically has some home made bread with honey for a "sandwich" at lunch time (along with fruit, cheese, chips, etc).  Here is his birthday bread with honey.  Such a silly boy.

I was able to delay the cake eating and present giving until Daddy got home.  Finally, after asking all day long "When are you going to make my cake?", "Can I have my cake now?", "When will Daddy be home??"... he was quite happy to be taking pictures with his dinosaur cake.

My sweet boy with a spaghetti face.



Mom and Dad with our 4 year old (picture taken by Ezra).

He's pretending to be a dinosaur eating his dinosaur cake.



Happy Birthday to the funniest 4 year old I know!

Mom's Retirement Party

After 34 years of teaching, my mom is so happy to be retiring this year.  She has worked very hard for many years and I wanted to give her a celebration to show our appreciation as a family and to be honored by her friends and relatives.

It was so much fun to plan the Luau!  Mom and Dad's closest friends, Ronnie and Lorene Young graciously allowed us to use their beautiful back yard for the occasion.

Mom knew that Dad and I were planning something, but she didn't know any of the details.  Every time she would get on the phone with my kids she would try to get them to give her some information (which of course they didn't have because they couldn't be trusted with our secret).

Guests arrived at 6:30.  We donned grass skirts and flowers in our hair and waited patiently for the guest of honor to arrive.

The Gillespies and McClendons.

Bill and Sandy Judice.



Meme with Ezra and Judith (couldn't keep them out of the cookies while we were waiting for Nana).



Pineapple fruit kabobs.



Drink table.

THE SURPRISE!



The kids getting their Nana hugs.



Hugs from Sandy.



Hugs from Sherry (college room mate).



Hugs from Garrett.



Hugs from Jim (brother).



Mom with Connie and John (co-workers).



Mom with her Mom.



Joanna and DeeDee.  Pretty ladies!

Mom with Grandma and Meme (her Mom and MIL).

Grandma and Virgie.

Me and Mom.



Judith and Judy (Mom's cousin).

Party boy!

Mom and Dad.

Mom and Connie.



Despite being exhausted from a long day cleaning out her room at school, she had a wonderful time!  We were all blessed to be a part of celebrating her career and the next chapter of her life.