Thanksgiving: With How Many Kids?!

Yvette: "The big family thanksgiving with our matching family friends LOL. The first picture does my heart good - kids from just two families and there are actually quite a few kids missing from the picture (we have 15 between the two of us). They all get along so well. The meal was the best I can remember in a long time and stepping outside our introverted box on a holiday, was a huge step for us but will become one of my favorite memories. We lost many family and friends when we adopted - our needs changed, our kids can be hard, our parenting has changed. There were many lonely years. In the end God redeemed mightily. ( I only share this because so many are still in the lonely and all I can say - it will come. Mourn the loss but anticipate the marvelous.) Then onto Black Friday with some kids while the daddies cleaned respective kitchens!"

Grandma's Rolls and Rainbow Jello.

Pre-NYC at the Gaylord Rockies

Nana and Papa spent the afternoon and night before leaving for New York City at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center. They had a fun, very-Christmasy, little time there. It's right by the airport. The resort had a big ICE thing going on for the holidays with the main attraction being the Rudolph story told in life-size ice sculpture. It was pretty cool (9 degrees in the sculpture area, actually, and not much warmer outside)! All the photos are here.

Frozen 2

And it's not even Thanksgiving yet! Second big snow in less than a week. Our neighbors have measured as much as 14" and it's still coming down. Heavily. So we're planning to see Frozen 2 this afternoon, assuming we've shoveled our way out by then.

Snow Play at the Park, and Railroading

There was still plenty of snow on the ground this morning for some great snow play. The four littles had a great time! Later, AJ did some rock climbing at CityROCK and then he and Papa dropped in on PikeMasters Model Railroad Club. Papa went through "The Cave" at CityROCK with AJ having no idea what to expect. It was tight.

A White Thanksgiving?!

We woke up to snow. About 6" of it, and it's still coming down. It took Matt twice as long as normal to get to the airport today.

Good a time as any to crack a Champagne from G. Tribaut.

Donation Day

Tracy: They barely made the cut off to donate, but they did it. A year and a half of growth. (Thank the Lord, because mom was done with long hair). Jamie: This all started with a St. Baldrick Foundation event at their school our first year here in Colorado: story.

Me llama es a Decoration

Tracy found it at Target the other day. What has gotten into her?! Olaf and Spider Man wanted you to know they approve. Oh, and watch out, Spider Man is flinging some silk right atchya.

Strike up the Band

Matteo had his first band concert tonight! Short and sweet at 20 minutes long, but they were sharp.

Happy Birthday, Matteo!

We've got birthday breakfast down pat! Lexi and Matt were the only two to really try the Star Wars cereal. They said it wasn't bad. The rest of the gang stuck with old favorites like Lucky Charms and Trix.

At Vaqueros a few days later.

Two donuts!

Happy Birthday, dear Matteooooooooo!

"It's all about youuuuuuuuuuu."

Meanwhile, in the back yard...

What the Dickens?!

Look what Tracy and Fina did while Nana and Papa were out. All along the top of the kitchen cupboards. Fantabulous!