Jacob's 18th Birthday

Jacob has loved the "Inside Out" movie, so we made that the theme for his birthday celebration.

He received the main character plush figures, among other things.

Below, expressing the emotions of the characters...

And the cake, made and decorated by Abby.

When Hannah came by a few days later, we gave her the birthday gifts for her 23rd birthday, which included this Rudolph onsie. Because nothing says "Merry Christmas" like walking around in a deer suit.

Pictures from Abby's phone

Abby's Handiwork

This summer Hannah had to dress up 50's style for work.  Abby made up a 50's 'do for her.

Abby also had to dress 50's for an event at her work due to the launch of a doll from the 50's (American Girl). 

And here we have Hope, who was just minding her own business on the couch when Abby came along and fixed her up.

Going to the Fall Festival at Church

Pictures from Dad and Judy's visit in July

Dad took Jacob and Hope to Pike's Peak while Judy and I went shopping (and Abby went to work...)

At White Fence Farm for dinner before heading up to Breckenridge for fireworks.

Trying to take a nice picture with Grandpa while your siblings are photobombing in the background.

Rinse and repeat. I have several similar photos of their antics.

And here they are trying to look busy or innocent or something.

Dad and Judy in front of the Breckenridge restaurant where they had their first date.

Brian taking a selfie while Abby is taking a selfie, too.  Waiting for the fireworks to start by taking grainy photos of ourselves. It's a new world...

Snagging pictures of Hannah from Jessalyn's Facebook page

Hannah and her Thorn buddies went camping for their "get to know you" time.

The new Thorn crew.

With Daniel and Jessalyn this summer.

Hope's Birthday Adventure

For her 14th birthday, Hope wanted to go horseback riding.

She found just what she wanted at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

And because that was so much fun, she is now taking riding lessons!

Getting ready for Thanksgiving

We have enjoyed reading this book on Thanksgiving this week.  I love how it explains the competing views on what was the first Thanksgiving in America (and the first Thanksgiving celebration wasn't the Pilgrim and Indian feast, although that was an important historical event).  The book details how the holiday came to be celebrated nationally and details regional and historic differences in the way it is commemorated. I'm so glad our library had this book for us to discover this year!

Enjoying Fall

Abby

Abby finished with her clinicals this week for her CNA (certified nurse's assistant) certification. She has a couple of more classes in November, then on to take her exam. This should give her a good idea if nursing is the career for her! She liked certain aspects of working in the nursing home, but really liked working in the rehab facility, which was on the last day.

A Fall Trip To Estes Park

During our trip to Estes Park, Jacob felt car sick.  So we found this candy store with every kind of candy ever made (it seemed like) and we picked up some hard candy for the trip back.  We may have picked up some other candies, too. 

And Hope found this unicorn head in the store and had to try it on, of course.

Starbucks is everywhere.

It was thundering and lightening while we were there, so our time outside was limited.  

We stopped by for a peek at the historic Stanley Hotel.