The cheapy kiddy pool made it

Enjoying our new backyard. Having lived on a rock hill out in the country the kids weren't sure about the green stuff otherwise know as grass but otherwise loving the outdoor area.

Another day (or two) in Colorado

A few more miscellaneous encounters...

AJ is in command (of course we're playing "AJ rules" this time).

Where did he get that head of hair?

Tracy and Lynn found a Yard House by the
Container Store.

Back in the saddle - Fina auditions for
"Number the Stars".

Johnny waits to see the doc, with help.

Ice Cream Social

The kids' school threw an event today for the community to come visit. Frozen yogurt, pizza, bounce houses, dunk tank (with the principal, among others), popcorn, music, and dancing. And the Thunder Band played a couple songs. Discover Canyon Campus is the Thunders! Particularly appropriate today as a halt was called to the festivities for lightning. That's a fairly common occurrence around here, we've learned. Events will go on in the rain, but not if there's lightning within so many miles.

We walked home very fast in high winds and a little sprinkling.

Bourbon and Babes

Not that kind of babes, babies babes. But first, let me report that Jamie and Matt tried out the Cigar Patio at the Bourbon Brothers last night. OMG. Lucas took such great care of us, and we began our bourbon training in earnest. We may be having take-out brisket from there for dinner tonight.

The second pic is in Nana and Papa's kitchen. First time that table top has seen the light of day since the move-in began. It was routinely covered with picture hanging stuff, tools, mail, receipts, keys, garage door openers, you name it. We got rid of most of our cardboard boxes earlier today, too. There's light at the end of the tunnel...

The Piano Guys at Red Rocks

What an experience. Red Rocks is very cool, we've got to back for some hiking, etc. But The Piano Guys are fantastic! And the Red Rocks Amphitheatre is quite the venue. This was heaven for Matteo: hiking among the great geology and The Piano Guys. Oh, and kettle corn.

Ship Rock Grille is right at the amphitheatre.
They do buffet service on concert nights.

That's a quilt!

Up at the concession stands. The theatre is to the left and down.

Among the many cool things the Piano Guys did was to bring in some kids
from the Denver Fine Arts School to join them for a number.

A few more discoveries

We've made a few more discoveries... Just down the street is the Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern. Pictured below is an oversized piece of paper with nothing but whisky and scotch! Papa tried the Colorado Gold (higher end); was OK, but he's trying others. The brisket was to die for (we're home!). And as if that, the tater tots, and the deviled eggs with bourbon-glazed bacon weren't enough, there's a Cigar Patio! As Matt said, "Oh sweet Jesus."

Cigar Patio

Colorado Gold

Deviled eggs with bourbon-glazed bacon

On a day off school, AJ jumped into a
project that's not due for days yet.

Watching TV at breakfast without
messing up the carpet.

They were kind enough to put in an
earthquake simulator at the park (the
platform is on four big springs).

Back to School

Three of the kids are going to Discovery Canyon Campus, a PreK-12 school. The twins are going to Antelope Trails. Here are some photo moments...

The sun was very bright. The two boys will head through that tunnel
in the background and enter the PK-5th section of the campus.
They got to visit their classrooms and teachers last week, so it
shouldn't be totally new to them. It's about a 20-minute walk from the house.

While everyone was out delivering kids to school, she started her day making
herself one-eyes for breakfast.

And a "box troll" outfit. She'll be visiting her
part of the campus (6-8) later this afternoon
and will start in earnest tomorrow.

The twins are picked up at home by a wonderfully pleasant bus driver
and aide. They'll love the bus ride (again).