A week of Mayhem and Madness ~

Well, it has been a crazy-busy week and shows no signs of stopping, so i thought i would try to catch you up on our activities...

Last Wednesday, Jordyns class went on another field trip...this time to Magpie Meander nature trail, where some Master Naturalists were there to give a tour.  They learned about the 5 senses, the food chain, and the similarities between people and trees.  The weather was gorgeous, a perfect day for a hike,  and all the kids had fun!  On the way home, we all stopped for ice cream...nothing like a sugar high for the long drive home :)

Later that week, as i was talking to Jordyn, i noticed something in her mouth...TWO EXTRA TEETH!!!  She hasnt even lost the bottom teeth yet, and already a new pair is coming in.  Guess we better get to wiggling those two little teeth...looks like a visit from the tooth fairy may be in order soon!

On Sunday, Jordyn got to go to her very first costume birthday party!  Everett, the boy dressed as Wolverine, had a party filled with lots of games, crafts and fun.

Musical chairs was a big hit with the kids...Jordyn didnt quite get the rules at first, but when they played a few more rounds she figured it out.  And there were no losers at this party...whether you won or not, all kids got a prize.

And lets not forget cake and ice cream.....yummmmmm!

I enjoyed watching the kids gather around the birthday boy as he opened gifts...look at the excitement in their eyes...they cant seem to get close enough!

On Tuesday night, the snow began to fall...and fall...and fall!  By Wednesday morning, the house looked like this...

Good thing i had new tires put on my car this week!  By the end of the day on Wednesday, we had roughly 10 inches of snow outside.  Glad we opted not to go to school that day.  It wasnt a snow day, but when i called in to the school, they told me not to make the drive in....and i agreed!  So what do you do on a snow day...

Color on daddys back, of course!  Apparently, when daddy works at his computer, he lets Jordyn draw pictures on his back.  (must be something they normally do when im at work).  Its a clever way to keep her busy while he works...and check out the lovely crown and hair-do too....Justin is such a sport!
It was a crazy week indeed...oh, did i mention the doctor and dentist appointments we had too...its good to get it all over with, but jeesh!  Next time, remind me to spread it out a bit.  I am happy to report that my cholesterol went down about 30 points...hurray!  Ive been working on that, so im glad to see such an improvement.  Guess that power walking and healthy eating is paying off :)

And last, id like to share the giveaway i won over at Marie's blog!  Jordyn is modeling two lovely beaded snowflake necklaces.  When Marie drew my name, she decided to make a miniature snowflake for Jordyn, so we could have "mother-daughter" necklaces.  Isnt that sweet...and arent they beautiful!  We LOVE them Marie....thank you sooooo much!  We've already worn them a few times :)
May you all have a hauntastically fabulous halloween!

2011 Photo of the Week : Week Forty Two

Week Forty Two : Spooky House

Jordyn constructed this house over the weekend, and it was so colorful that i had to photograph it in the Fall leaves.  I played around with a few filters to jazz it up a bit, hope it puts you in a festive mood!  Digitally painted in Photoshop.

Swim Class and Pumpkins

Jordyn finished up her 4th swim class on Sunday and Great Grandma Anita, Grandma Kristi and Grandpa Bear, all came to see her swim.  Her confidence and ability in the water has grown tremendously since that first Mommy and Me class we took earlier this spring, and she was only too happy to show the folks how much she had learned!

Afterwords, we celebrated by going to the pumpkin patch at Bartels Farm!  They have a corn maze, a hay bale maze for the kiddos, lots of pumpkins, gourds and other veggies to choose from, hay rides, a pumpkin cannon, and of course, farm animals to pet. 

You might remember when we took Great Grandma Anita to the farm with us last year, where she experienced the corn maze for her first time at 88!  Having some back trouble this year, she opted out of the maze, but Grandma and Grandpa Bear were ready to go...so off they went with Jordyn to discover the land of corn!

They made it out rather quickly...Jordyn running ahead with a significant lead...and then it was time for more pictures and a hay ride.

The hay ride was my favorite part...a tractor took us on a nice adventure through the pumpkin patch where the scenery was absolutely beautiful, but Jordyns favorite part was the hay bale maze...

She ran and ran and ran and jumped and leaped and ran some more!  Then she played tag with some of the other kids, until, at last it was time to go.

It was a fabulous afternoon!

2011 Photo of the Week : Week Forty One

Week Forty One : The Pumpkin Patch

This photo was taken on a hayride at the Bartels Farm...a beautiful farm that has been owned by the same family for over 100 years!  Digitally painted in Photoshop.

Off With Her Head!

 Dont mess with the Red Queen!  Thats right...its that time of year again...time for the annual costume portraits of Jordyn for Halloween!  The weather was cooperating, however, Jordyn was not...good thing she channeled that attitude into her photo shoot...i think it worked quite well for her :)

 She wanted to be a princess, but when i explained to her that the evil queen from Alice in Wonderland might be fun (not to mention all the other girls would be princesses), she thought so too...so we tried on make-up,  and this is what we came up with.  I need to put a little more effort into the eyelashes, but otherwise, i think it looks wonderful!

 She seems pleased too!  After that, it was on to decorating the pumpkins.  These little Mr. Potato Head pieces are great...you can enjoy your pumpkins all month long and still carve them on Halloween!  Nosey seems rather interested in the pirate pumpkin.

 And here they are...the pumpkin family ready for Tricks and Treats ~

Field Trip Fun ~

 Jordyn had her first field trip of the season...preschool, kindergarten and 1st graders went to the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins.  We went there in the Spring, but it was much more fun to go there in the Fall when everything was in bloom and ready to harvest!

 We learned all about vegetables, fruit trees, flowers and gardens in general.  We explored the grounds, worked on a leafing project, and then at the end, we all got to pick a carrot out of the garden.  I think that was their favorite part.

But talk about herding cats...try photographing a bunch of 5-7 year olds.....good grief!  Oh well, maybe ill have better luck on their next field trip :)

2011 Photo of the Week : Week Forty

Week Forty : Golden Journey

I snapped this shot of our driveway before we got our first snow.  The colors had such a magical quality to them,  that i had to enhance them with digital painting in Photoshop.

Wow...week 40, can you believe it?!?

First Snow of the Season ~

 Today was our first snow of the season...and it was lovely!

 We wanted to keep our tomatoes warm though, so we switched out a regular bulb for a heat lamp...

 then we let the kittens out to experience their first snow...

 Nosey did not dig it at all, but Trash was a little more curious...

 However, when she got to the snow, she paced back and forth meowing...i guess she didnt like stepping on the wet, chilly white stuff!

 But Jordyn LOVED it!

Happy snow day everyone~

The Gorgeous Days of Fall ~

 I thought i would share a few colorful photos of our yard...

as there is talk of possible snow coming this weekend.

 

 I hope my tomatoes can survive a few more days...they only just started turning red!  Fingers crossed!

 And finally, i wanted to share this gorgeous gem i received in the mail today.  I participated in a swap on about.com...you may recall the quilt i sent out to my secret partner last week?  Well, this one was made for me by Shelli Lawson in Delaware, and its called, "Lisa's Starry Log Cabin" and i LOVE it!  I have always wanted a log cabin quilt...sorta suits me, since i live in a log cabin, and i just love this border fabric.  She did a beautiful job and i will treasure it always!  Thanks Shelli!

2011 Photo of the Week : Week Thirty Nine

Week Thirty Nine : Welcome!

This is the nature trail at Jordyn's school.  Digitally painted in Photoshop