May 2009

Today we met Erik for dinner and the Downtown Aquarium.

As usual, we had a good time with Erik. And, this was the absolute best visit we have ever had to the aquarium because there were zero crowds.

We are not sure if this was a fluke or not, but we don't plan on visiting the aquarium ever again unless it is on a Saturday evening. The kids all had a blast, and we didn't have to work too hard to keep track of them because of the crowd levels. A great night!

The kids waiting for Daddy to buy tickets

Daddy holding Drew near the crazy otter

Lexity is too cute

All three kids

Mommy & Brielle

Tracy and the Sharks

Erik and Alexia

Today was the Bolder Boulder 10K race. Soon after successfully finishing the 5K race at Disney World in January, Jamie decided to train for this 10K.

It was a perfect day for running, cool but dry. John volunteers every year for this race, so he and Jamie drove to Boulder together very early in the morning. Jamie finished in one hour and sixteen minutes, six minutes over his goal pace, but not too bad of a time for his first 10K.

Although nobody actually got to see Jamie enter Folsom Field, Tracy and the kids were soon there to congratulate him as well as John and Cindy and Brian and Sarah.

This is the second year in a row we all gathered in a special invitation-only area (courtesy of John) to watch the professional racers come in and the skydivers, etc.

It was a lot of fun, until the everything ended and, as if on cue, the rain started. And it really started.

We were all soaked (except for the girls in their stroller which comes with a fitted rain guard) when we finally reached the cars.

In spite of the rain, it was a great day, and Jamie was very glad he ran the race. Now on to a half marathon in Disney World in January!

Mommy, Daddy and Brielle

PaPa John, Nona and Alexia

Uncle Brian and Drew

The Finish Line

The Whole Gang

Now that school's out, it is time to meet some friends at the WOW children's museum.

The kids had a lot of fun, but Drew started to not feel very well. His last school-caught illness of his first preschool year.

Drew the Builder

Lexi having fun

Brie smiling as always

Drew in a Bubble

Today was Drew's last day of his first year of preschool. He will have one more year until he starts kindergarten in the fall of 2010.

They sang a few songs and then received their certificates and then it was time to go home. Nona and PaPa John were able to be there along with Mommy, Daddy, and Drew's sisters.

We can't believe that his first year of preschool is over, and can't believe that this is the same boy who was carried into the classroom by his teacher, kicking and screaming, just a few months ago.

Sitting on the carpet

Performing a song

Drew receiving his certificate

Daddy pulling the kids home

Today we met the Call family at the Denver Zoo.

Drew and Thatcher had a GREAT time playing together at the zoo. What surprised us the most was how engaged the girls were.

After each one of the first ten exhibits (give or take) we had a meltdown by one or both girls because they didn't want to leave that animal.

While cute at first, this soon became quite a chore, and we were glad when they started to realize that something new and different must be up ahead.

It was a great day to visit, with warm weather that was not too hot.

On the way back home we ended the day with an ice cream cone.

Getting started at the Zoo

Drew and Thatcher looking at some animals

Getting around the zoo

Daddy & Brie at the Bears

Mommy & Lexi

To celebrate Mother's Day this year, each of the kids made their own custom card for Mommy. The girls had a lot of help from Daddy, but Drew finished his 100% on his own.

We all tried to let Mommy sleep in as much as possible today, and then we had a great Mother's Day.

Mommy and her kids opening her presents

Mommy looking at Drew's custom card

In an effort to make Tracy's 30th birthday one that can not be forgotten, Jamie decided to fill the bedroom with 792 balloons to surprise her.

It took two and a half hours of non-stop balloon filling and tying to make it happen.

To top it all off, Jamie tossed her two not-so-big birthday presents somewhere in the sea of balloons, leaving Tracy to search for them.

The kids absolutely love the balloon room, and it is really funny to see nothing but moving balloons as the kids move about...they are fully covered with balloons!

Tracy's Balloon Room

Drew & Lexi in the balloons
(Brie preferred the bed to the floor)

Playing in the balloons

Lexi in the balloons

Mommy opening her presents

We had a pre-birthday (30th birthday!) dinner for Tracy tonight at Bennihana's with the Holland family.

The food was great, and the chef was a lot of fun, and the boys really, really liked having dinner cooked in front of them. Drew said the chef was "cool."

Afterward, our family headed over to the nearby Flatiron Crossing mall. Jamie had to go because it was Tracy's birthday and all.

Mason, Drew and Camden having a blast

Mommy sitting with her girls
(No night off, even for her birthday)

The Birthday Gang

Mommy and her Boy walking in the mall