Pets

Mason has a new pet that we'd like you to meet... a very sweet crested gecko that he named Mocha.

 She is super fun - her little feet are like suction cups... and so soft!  We are really enjoying her!

...and while I'm showing off our little critters, take a look at this one:

Okay, okay, you can't really see her, but isn't that just precious?!  It's Sandy eating a carrot.  This is Morgan's hamster that he got last year for his birthday.

...and what better way to do schoolwork than with a little furry friend?!

A Visit from the Walrods

Grant and David Walrod came to stay with us for a night - it was so good to see them!  Of course, we had to take them to just a couple places - such as Red Rocks.

But most of the time, we just stayed here at home.  Here they are enjoying the zip line:

I wish I could say the whole trip was fun for them, but unfortunately, we had a motorcycle accident that landed David at the doctor's office with two fractured wrists.  That was one part of their visit that we ALL wish we could forget!  I do hope they'll come again - and I promise to send them home injury free next time!

Horsetooth Reservoir

In early July, we took a fun trip up to Horsetooth reservoir to do some kayaking.  It was a GORGEOUS day!

 This was my view from the back of our other kayak:

 We stopped to picnic and swim in a cove with some rocks...

 ...but I left the swimming to the boys.   I was as comfortable as can be in my kayak under my umbrella watching them have fun!

A Treasured Birthday

Today I was welcomed into my 40s by a treasure hunt prepared by my children! Here was the note I found on my bathroom sink:

There is only one elephant in my house, and it happens to be a lamp on a table in our living room. Inside the little drawer in the table was this note:

You have to know my household pretty well to figure that one out... but the most predictable alarm clock in our house happens to be our cat, Kaspurr! We have to lock him in a cage in the utility room at night unless we want to wake up bright and early... and Mason was being conservative here. Kaspurr usually starts the wake-up calls around 4am, not 6! In any case, I found this clue inside his cage:

This one was a bit tough, because there aren't many things in this house that I'm not responsible for cleaning! It took me a little while, but I finally figured out they're talking about Morgan's hamster cage! Sure enough, this clue was hiding behind sweet Sandy's stinky cage:

This one took me a little bit to figure out, too... but it was a carved vase that we got on our last cruise. It was supposedly made from some sort of lemon wood, but we've since discovered that this was just a sales pitch... they must've only oiled it with lemon oil because the lemon scent is long gone! Inside it, I not only found a clue, but a lovely bracelet with matching earrings! This was a gift from the boys - Morgan picked it out on his recent trip to San Francisco with Michael.

We have one spot for all the loose keys in the house: a basket on the kitchen counter. Sure enough, buried deep inside was this clue:

Garage was the key word here... and since ping-pong is played in the garage, I searched the bucket of balls to find this next clue:

Ah, clever! I knew immediately that this meant our grandfather clock!

By this time, I was really getting the hang of this and went straight downstairs to the foosball table because the guys are yellow and black. Inside the goal was another clue along with a lovely little box! Oh, wow!!! SCORE!!!

By this point, I would've been satisfied, but the game continued on! I searched Morgan's drum set, but found nothing. Eventually, I figured out this meant our washing machine because when it gets to spinning, it rattles the dishes in the kitchen! Deep inside was this clue:

We have a chess board on the wall in our living room, and when a player gets captured, he goes into a box... which is precisely where the next clue was hidden:

Simply has to be a globe!

We joke about how Michael built the treehouse just so he could have a mountain view... so I trudged up to the tree in my slippers not knowing what on earth I'd find.

BUT OH, WOW!!!!! Did I hit the jackpot!!!

Whoopee!!!! Isn't it gorgeous? I am very partial to diamonds and sapphires together, and this is just perfect!

Michael done good, huh?! ...and the boys' treasure hunt was simply delightful! I am so blessed...

Goodbye, beloved Katie...

I know I've posted this picture before, but it's one of my favorites. Michael and I decided to let our sweet girl go this evening. She developed kidney failure shortly after we moved here, and she put up a strong fight for almost two years. I've nursed her like any mother would, but she was tired and ready to go. To hold onto her any longer would've been pure selfishness.

We love you, Katie... you are sorely missed.

Maddox's First Ride!

Maddox is finally riding his two-wheeler bike well enough to go for a REAL ride!

 Whew!  This is hard work!

Maddox's Preschool Graduation

Maddox has spent a year and a half attending the Little White Schoolhouse with Mrs. Strain, his WONDERFUL teacher!  We were sad to have to say goodbye to her, but it's time for Mom to take over!  Kindergarten, here we come!