Long Winter; Short Days

Winter days always make me appreciate the summer. Our family thrives on long days and outdoor activities. I am sure any family with boys appreciates the ability to get outside and run off some energy. The Deegan and Taber last 5 minutes coloring, I hate arts and crafts and I try to limit screen time to preserve their little brains. These factors combined give me the gumption to bundle up and head outside any time it is over 38 degrees to get these boys tired. You would think baseball, soccer and gymnastics would accomplish this 6 days a week but it just is not enough! 

At last we have entered into spring! Daylight savings has run its course (why the hell do we still do that), the days are warmer and snow fall is less and less. I am so looking forward to summer! With that said, I better catch up on Winter blogging. 

Anytime Deegan is on break we must make a visit to his favorite pizza restaurant here in Castle Rock. Those 2 pieces are for him! He has turned a corner with food and is open to trying anything and when the kid finds something he likes he will eat a man sized portion! I am going to go broke on groceries soon!

I did a terrible job taking pictures of Christmas activities this year. Most of the ones I did take turned out blurry with all the commotion, too dark or just not flattering! Santa brought Taber a SpiderMan costume in hopes that he would prefer it over dresses. It seemed to work!

Eric and I look dog-tired ... maybe because we were! Its the best picture I have so it will have to do. 

Yup, still tired but we are happy!

My dad and I surprised Eric with a big present this year. We usually do not exchange presents but he had an amazing year at work, makes an effort to be with his family as much as possible and is just flat out the best. How could I not reward him?!

Spider man costume was all the rage until the Elsa dress was unwrapped! HA! If you cannot fight them, join them. 

After Christmas we headed to the cabin for snow time and ski lessons. Nothing like putting your kiddos in their first ever lessons when it was -22 degrees out. The air was frozen along with everyone's toes!!! They did great and I am certain I complained the most!

.Marshmallow break

Cousin Brenden came out for the week and joined us at the cabin. My boys just adore him to the max. He is such a good kid and we are so proud of where he is heading. Clearly in this picture, Grandma Foo is just as excited (HAHAHA!)

New Years tradition with the Chapla's! Hard to believe we have been friends for 10+ years!

Playing footsy while eating breakfast and watching some TV. Brother love!

Deegans first day of baseball practice. He looks so darn cute!!!

No denying we are a Bronco Family. 

My life with boys. At a radio controlled RC track before a major storm. All three have their own cars. Super exciting for them, boring to this mama. I don't understand why we cannot get pedicures. That is FUN!!!!

This is how we roll on snow days! Movie cuddles!

Indoor soccer for Taber! He is gong to be really good. He is super fast and is not afraid to throw an elbow. I call him the tank which is hilarious because he is usually the smallest out on the field.

Thankful

Thanksgiving 2015 landed us in St. Pete beach, Florida. The usual heard of Heim's, Schillinger's and Price's attended and like usual, we had a great time. We happened to plan our vacation around a cold front so we spent a lot more time on the beach and I can officially say that I did not once get in the water. If it is not bath water warm then I am not getting in. Thank god Eric is a trooper and does not feel the sensation of cold ever! This man wears T-shirts in the middle of a blizzard while I have 6 layers on. Must be because he is so HOTT! HAHA! Just cracked myself up. 

We went to a beach that I have been going to since I was little. My dad's college roommate lives here and we spent the week with them. It was nice having home cooked meals and a place to relax at night. 

 Eric and the boys making a moat. 

Oh this little nugget head. I just love it!

Taber could not see a thing in his new goggles because they kept fogging up. My favorite part was the fact he wears the band so low that they give him monkey ears. 

Goofball #2 experiencing the same problem.

 Dad's are seriously the best. They are always willing to play, tackle, tickle, throw, etc. Maybe its because an 8 year old lives deep down in their soul and loves to come out and play. I am so thankful for Eric. He is definitely my other half and my best friend. 

Trying to warm up after being in the ocean. 

 Frozen baby again

Family pictures. Eric and Taber are totally into it!

Best we could get! HA!

We rented a boat on the last day and went thru canals and visited several shell islands. The kids had a blast going thru the waves. 

Apparently the rocking motion put T to sleep. This was nap 1 of 4 on our day excursion. Not sure why he never napped when I put him in the swing when he was a baby.

Captain Eric. He felt the need to tan his upper thigh and pulled his trunks up to get the right exposure. Not sure anyone else in the boat appreciated it! 

So thankful for family!

Catching Up - Fall

I am working on catching up before the new year! This blog is my way to remember all the great memories that could so easily slip my mind. Lets also be honest, I lack severely in the creativity department so scrap booking is out of the question and even photo albums. I have no talent in the arts ... singing, musical instruments, dancing, drawing, crafting and decorating. I least I discovered I could cook. With that said, if you can read (aka a recipe), you can cook. I need to discover some more hidden talents in the next year!

The week before Halloween we went to Nick's Garden Center in the middle of Aurora because they have the best pumpkins and an assortment of activities for the kids. The tradition started when Deegan was only 15 months old and it is a blast. This year was crazy hot ... I am talking 85 degrees at the end of October! We did not last long because of the heat, and a bronco game (if you could not tell by the shirts). 

Taber is my little ham. I see 'cheese' and he is on it. He kinda looks like he is pooping a pumpkin. I need a better angle next year!

No smile Deegan. He is a true Indian!

Just before we went through the haunted tunnel. Not the best idea with the kids. They cried the whole time!

Over fall break we took a trip down to the North Pole. I had not been there since I was a kid and I am certain it has not been updated since! 1950's throw back amusement park that was pretty legit. Only problem ... everything was a spinning ride all in the SAME DIRECTION. This was our sign that Eric and I are getting old. He were so sick by the end of the day and I actually went to bed with the "bed spins". Good lord we are bringing 16yr olds with us next time because we cannot hang. 

Deegan and I right before a ride. Clearly it was still early on because I am smiling!

Remember how I said I was determined to be in more pictures? This is my attempt!

They do everything big at Costco. I was not happy with this purchase due to the nightmares. 

Halloween 2015. We had the usual block party where 60 of our closest neighbors, friends and family came. Holy smokes that makes for a long clean up!

Darth Vader and a Ninja.

Family pictures 2015 were a success. My roommate Lisa took them and they turned out great! Here are some of my favorites!

Good-Bye Summer!

Holy smokes! Life has been freaking nuts since we started school back in AUGUST! I know I say this all the time (story of my life) but how do 2 little people keep us so dang busy?! Between Speech lessons, Soccer 5 days a week, tutoring and normal homework (which now includes a math and spelling test weekly) we barely have time to play. I cannot imagine how this story is going to go when Taber hits elementary school! 

Luckily, before the crazy ship docked at our house, we ended the summer on a high note. Cousin Brenden, probably the coolest person ever in my children's mind, came to visit while we still had Karli living with us. It was an adventure having 2 teenagers in the house ... it actually made me feel old! BLAH! Luckily they are great kids and they loved seeing each other and they are just wonderful to my boys. 

Family dinner at Crave. Cousin B just loves their crazy burgers. Its our tradition!

Brenden came to the park with us and the boys loved it. He was such a good sport chasing them and pushing them on the swings. 

Dinner in the "hood"

Here is he best picture of my sweet little Deegan on his first day of the First Grade (Queue the mommy tears). I am so proud of this little boy and who he is becoming. He has such a good heart and always wants to make others laugh (usually at his expense). He still lets me dress him in cute clothes vs. the UnderArmor sweats everyone else dresses their boys in. He is extremely athletic and I love that he has a strong competitive side. He is his dada's mini-me in all ways ... maybe thats why I just adore him!

Unfortunately we did not make it up to the cabin but once this summer with all the chaos and obligations. We Finally scheduled an end of summer trip and tried to get EVERYTHING crammed into that weekend. I think we succeeded! 

Oh that smile. He loves it. DAMN!

Have you noticed I am not in any pictures? I am the picture taker but with selfies on the rise I may try harder. I just think people look so silly taking pictures of themselves. I guess that is my problem!

Eric is pretty much in heaven too. DAMN!

Captain Taber. He took his job seriously! 

Auntie Courtney and Uncle Jerry got married Labor day weekend and the boys were in the wedding. They were just so darn cute!!!! They adore Courtney and we are so happy to have her in the family. 

Rehearsal Dinner

Taber Taber Taber! My sweet love bucket of joy! He is just so darn sweet. The kids LOVES himself a dress and cats. He always wants to go to our neighbors houses to put on princess dresses and constantly asks to have a cat. He has so many stuffed cats that he has learned to ask for a "real" kitty. Unfortunately for him ... that is never gonna happen. He is my little sassy-pants that loves to laugh at all things disgusting. He is the best cuddler in the world and I believe he has the gift of gab. I am pretty sure he will be in sales like his dad when you grows up. That, or he may be a crazy cat lady! This little boy has me wrapped around his finger. DAMN!