:)

Downtown Denver (Downton Denver Anyone?)

Art festival on Memorial Day.

At the capital. They just *had* to do this...

Monday

 Changes. Growing up.

Watching the solar eclipse using binoculars since we don't, you know, want to go blind afterwards...

Saying good-bye to our long-time neighbor this weekend. Gathering with her friends to share memories and to know that she will be missed by many.

Friday

Crown molding is up in the girls' room.  It takes awhile to put up since it is a build up of 5 different trim pieces. Brian has some more trim work to do, hopefully this weekend.  But realistically, over the next few weekends...

We have never had so many wildflowers as we have this year. They are so beautiful!  Funny how we are the only property in the entire neighborhood that has them. All the other neighbors have sprayed their fields for so many years that all they have is grass. We spot spray or dig out thistle and our fields are gorgeous. Wish the neighbors would follow our lead...

Can you relate to this?

We're in the last two weeks of school for this semester. This cartoon is really making sense right about now. Thanks, Jenny, for posting this on Facebook :).

This Week's Project

Brian is home this week working on things around the house. First up, the trim in the girls' room. It's Tuesday and he's only been to Lowe's twice so far...

And Then There Were Two

We rearranged the family room this past month when our sofa #2 arrived. The first one is a year and a half old and it was time to give it a buddy.  We are all enjoying the new arrangement and it is nice to have a seat for *everyone* in our family (before Jacob usually sat on the floor!).  

You do realize, however, that this room only looks this way for about 5 minutes before company comes?  The rest of the time there are schoolbooks, beading projects, empty dishes, and shoes lying around!

Jacob's Newest Adventure

He's excited to learn how to play his favorite songs and to fill our home with soothing music (at least I hope it will be soothing!).

A Change of Direction

When Hannah started with her college program almost a year and a half ago, she wanted to continue studying writing and art, areas that have interested her since she was a toddler. Although she is still interested in those subjects, she has a new focus- one that will involve graduate school.  She feels that she wants to pursue certification to be a sign language interpreter. So, she is currently focused on completing her bachelor's degree, hopefully this year if finances permit, then she will take some time off to work and save for a car.  Then, on to the certification classes (not sure where yet).  It will be interesting to see where this new desire leads...

Spring Days

So, blogger has changed its format in the past two weeks.  If I can't figure it out, I may have to move to Wordpress. Hmmm. Anyway, highlight of the day was milking a cow.  Something so commonplace one hundred years ago is a pretty exciting event today. Milking is not too hard- who knew?

A Busy Week

We had a nice Easter celebration. We enjoyed church in the morning (and on Good Friday, too).

Then there were twenty of us for Easter dinner.

We had enough ages for both an Easter egg hunt and several rounds of the game "Pit".

And then target practice with air-soft guns (!).

Yesterday we made the two hour trek for end-of-the- year evaluations. This was the first year that we had three evaluations on the same day. Since Jacob skipped 8th grade, he had testing two years in a row. Next year, no evaluations and the following year, just two.

We enjoyed the scenery during the trip- lots of farmland and barns.

I was amused by the church sign. We follow Jesus on Sunday at 10am- all the other times we just do whatever we want! (I'm sure that's not what they meant).

Sigh of relief- testing completed! And for Abby, her final test for high school as required by Colorado law.

For All You Downton Abbey Fans

Etsy

I haven't looked around Etsy in quite a while, but while pinning on Pinterest, I came across a pin that led me to a seller on Etsy. (I bought this frame, above, for the family room).

She has so many cute things- little stocking stuffers or birthday gifts or baby shower gifts.

I'm just putting this here for reference so that I can find her again when I need a baby gift :).

So cute!

I can see these selling well at the antique shop where Hannah has her booth.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Mmim

Spring Snowstorm

Ice coating the trees

And spruce tree needles

And twigs and branches.

Snow angels. Note the halo at the top.

Mysterious nocturnal visitors leave traces of their presence.