Family Pictures

We got family pictures done in November. Our experience was awesome, and I was even more pleased with the results. What I love is that the way we bought our picture package (a weekend display at Coscto that links us up with professional photographers), gave us full copyright to all of our pictures. So, we can print as many as we like, whatever size we like, and at the cost and quality that we determine. The company that we did the session through is called Family Tree Photography.



The photographer was great! He stood there long enough to find out the kids' names, then got busy moving us around the park, taking pictures, and occasionally saying "oh - that was a good one. Take a look," and then showing us the picture.







45 minutes later, we'd done all the shots you could need (and then some) - and we headed home. A week later, we got the photo CD! I thought I'd share a few (or more than a few - look at as many or few as you want).










Playing around after the "shoot"

Country Musings

I'm cut out to be a country, western girl. Granted, I've never lived on a ranch or farm, and my closest neighbors have always lived within a few yards. I swear if I had to catch a chicken with my bare hands - let alone prepare it for personal consumption - I would be an instant vegetarian.

But last night, as I was watching the country music festival in Nashville, Tennessee, I got to thinking, "I identify with these people." I mean, when do you get to see a bunch of celebrities appear at a gala event in their blue jeans, t-shirts and baseball caps? Martina McBride was sporting some bling with her bracelets, and her jeans. How can you not love the fact that thousands of people attended to see these superstars – and the guests of honor showed up in their nicest pair of jeans?

Then I started thinking about how the blue jeans and baseball caps capture the essence of country music--their lyrics speak of everyday life and ordinary things. Take Brad Paisley's song, "I'm so much cooler online" for example. The country world feels free to mock us in our shortcomings, but considers themselves a part of the group, too. Because what is truer to telling the American story than getting down to the nitty gritty, while remaining loyal to the people you sing about in the process?

We hear enough from celebrities and reformers speaking and singing out against our nation. But how much do I love patriots singing about the blessings of this land and the people in its service? More than country words can say. I mean, the Dixie Chicks weren't the only ones to speak out against President Bush while on foreign ground---but they were instantly cast out. Let's face it, they're in the wrong crowd for that kind of unpatriotic act.

So I guess for me the blue jeans and patriotism go hand in hand. They denote a lack of pretentiousness, a "this is me – take it or leave it" or a "this is the country I love--take it or leave it" approach. I love it, and I love the fact that if I were truly country-fied, I wouldn't care if I got two looks for cutting my kids' hair out in the front yard or letting them run wild in their underwear, or for showing my boy the proper way to potty outside--I mean, isn't that what trees are for? Now all I need is a cowboy hat.

Where in the World...

I finally did the math. Today I made another airport run to drop off my last visitor for a couple of months. Here is the breakdown:

In the last 11 weeks and 1 day (might as well start when it started), or in other words, in the last 78 days:

• We have spent 24 days traveling
• We have had 28 days of visitors
• Our travel consisted of 7 separate trips
• Our visitors consisted of 7 different sets
  
• Given a day on either end of the the trip or visit, that gave us 28 days of packing/unpacking, grocery shopping/bed making, towel washing, etc. in addition to the trips and visitors
  
• 24 + 28 + 28 = 80

I realize that 80 is more than 78. And I also realize that I didn't mention the 6 weeks of swimming lessons that were squeezed in there (with perfect attendance) and 3 weeks of school that have already begun (with not-so-perfect attendance). And that is exactly why I am sooooooo skipping the cleaning and laundry for a day, on this, the very day, when our last visitor left. I may even skip it tomorrow. And that is also exactly why this afternoon, on our first free afternoon, I was seen:

• running wildly through the park with my children (seriously - it's a good thing I stopped caring about others' opinions awhile ago)
  
• lovingly cooing at and watering my neglected plants
  
• making delicious "orange delight" cookies (with no intention of sharing)
  
• happily "playing trains" and assembling numerous puzzles with Landon and Liza
  
• eating my THIRD four-of-us family meal in the month of August
  

Thank you all for coming. Thank you all for letting us come. It's been fun.

Next year, we're holding a lotto, and charging a booking fee for available spaces at the Twiss Family Hotel. Feel free to do the same to us. ;)

I'm off to read a book.

Landon-isms

Liza and Tyler were practicing a few Spanish phrases as we were sitting down to dinner. Landon was getting situated, too, and not saying much. However, when Tyler asked Liza, "Can you say 'My name is Liza' in Spanish?"Landon quickly jumped in with,

"My name is Liza in Spanish! See! I can say it!!"

If he weren't three, it would count as being a smart alec; but since that's not his agenda - he got a laugh :)

As we we headed to Tyler's soccer game this afternoon, Landon rolled down his window. His "cozy blankie" was in its spot in his arms. Landon lifted it up and let the wind blow it. I was sitting next to him (we were giving a friend a ride), and said, "Don't do that. Your blankie will blow away and you'll be so sad."

His reply? "No. If my blankie blows away, then Heavenly Father will get it for me and throw it back down."

Rodeo Ridin'

Three weeks ago, I couldn't have even told you what Mutton Bustin' was - but once the kids saw the signs at the rec centers, Liza had a goal: ride a sheep. Every Monday and Wednesday we'd walk out of swimming lessons and pass the signs for the Highlands Ranch Rodeo in the Ranch. She said she wanted to do the Mutton Bustin'. Tyler was wise enough to suggest that she watch a few clips on YouTube of other kids doing it - and she was still determined.

So, we got up early this Saturday morning to get our place in line, and this is what we got (I apologize for my loud cheering - it was pretty exciting):




This ride placed her in the Top 10, and gave her a chance to ride again during the actual rodeo (the prelims were before the rodeo began). She ended up with her pants full of dirt, and the desire to be done mutton bustin' until she's "seven." So, she bypassed her second ride, but still walked away with her trophy and some fun memories.

Mooo-ch

What lengths will I go to in order to secure a free meal for myself and my children? It's like Jerry Seinfeld's bit about Halloween. "Candy candy candy. I want candy. What's this? They're just giving candy away? Where? What do I have to do? Where do I have to go? . . . I can wear that."


So, a big shout out to Chick-Fil-A, because on July 10, Cow Appreciation Day, not yet a national holiday, if you show up dressed as a cow, you can mooch a free meal. So of course we did.

Family for the Fourth

We are so excited to have so many of our family members start visiting us now that we're in Colorado. I'm sure they would've loved visiting us when we lived in Hawaii, but so far, a quick road trip over to CO has worked out a lot better for everyone.

For the Fourth of July this year, we had Tyler's brother, Thad, and his wife Jenn come to visit with their four kids. Our kids had so much fun with "the cousins" and it was a great weekend.

I spent a good amount of time researching the local attractions, doing some reconnaissance work around the area, and re-making list after list to come up with the best weekend agenda we could for the family. The funny thing is, that on Thursday afternoon when our first rainstorm of their trip came through -- I was reminded of what can be most entertaining for kids: playing in the rain.

These cute kids had never played in the rain. how is that possible? Just live in a place where it doesn't rain - and have all your family live there too - so it just doesn't happen. Liza and Landon were more than happy to take their cousins out to do some puddle stompin' and good old fashioned rain playin.' They came in soaking wet and very proud of themselves.


On Friday, we took a drive down to Colorado Springs to check out the Garden of the Gods.

It was super cool - and had a few spots in particular that fascinated me.

We hiked around for a bit, and then realized that all of my planning failed to consider something: the source of the visitors. Thad and Jenn live in St. George, so red rocks and a nice, warm day are nothing new to them.

They specifically said they leave every year for the Fourth to get away from the heat.

Sorry guys. At least it was only our version of hot. 90 degrees :)

So, on a nice act of balancing it all out, we drove up Pikes Peak and got to see the view from the top of a fourteen-er.

Up there it definitely wasn't hot or sweaty - and there was plenty of snow.

A the end of the day, I was pleased and surprised to hear that my kids' favorite part of the day was going to the top. "going up and up and up!!"

That's a view worth hiking for - maybe next time ;)

yeah - I was too cheap to pay for the cog wheel train - but not too proud to pass up a photo op.

Remember, my son is obsessed with trains - I was just being a nice mom - - and saving hundreds of dollars in the meantime (though only Landon would say I was being nice - note that Liza was so mad about having to come off the train that she wouldn't pose for another picture).

Saturday was the Fourth of July and we had plenty to do here in Highlands Ranch. It wouldn't be the Fourth without a trip to Town Center and a ride on Vern's train,

a jump at the bounce houses,

-and darn those silly pony rides.

AND, it wouldn't be the Fourth without a barbecue. Thanks to Tyler's sweet new iphone and craigs list app, he kept his sensors out for a new barbecue, and got a great one for a killer deal. So, we grilled burgers, dogs, and corn on the cob, and had ourselves a veritable feast.

I'll have to get a copy of it from Jenn, but the irony of the meal was that the rain had come again at cookin' time, so Tyler rolled the grill up to the back screen door, and stood inside the house while he grilled outside.

The kids cracked me up during the fireworks. Liza and Landon adopted a line from their cousin Trevin, which apparently they learned during the fireworks display. "TOTALLY WICKED!!" Nothing like a 3-year old calling something totally wicked.

Finally, a shout out to the sweetest little baby we've had at our house in a while. Brayden is such a happy boy, and Liza, the lover of all things baby, was more than happy to dote on him all weekend long.

All in all, we had a blast and were super glad our cousins and family came to spend the long weekend with us!