Happy Thanksgiving!!!

November 27th, 2008
Well, we’ve definitely got tons of things to thank God for today (and every other day, for that matter).  We’re all healthy and happy and back together as a family again.  Roons joined us and we also invited our neighbor, Lavina, to share the Thanksgiving celebration with us.  We reminisced, ate, laughed and “klinked” our glasses many times as the evening went by.

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Lavina came over early and helped the kids prepare the creative appetizer centerpiece.
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With a few treats, some skewers and a willing pumpkin, the gang managed to fashion this appetizing pumpkin turkey. You can see it, can't you?
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The Thanksgiving revelers gather around the table.
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It's tough to get the kids to stop playing with their food when we keep laughing and taking photos of them in the act!
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We passed the camera around the table for everyone to take a photo or two and ended up with this grisly scene.
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When we were done eating the kids announced to us that there would be some after-dinner entertainment in the form of a musical performance.
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Nathan treated us to some fancy strummin' on the ole ukelele.
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CC anxiously awaits the beginning of her piano solo.
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Theo happily treats us to a tune on the lap harp.
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Once the performance was over, the performers took a well deserved bow.
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While serving pie and whipped cream (courtesy of Aunt Roons) for dessert, I must have had some kind of muscle spasm or something that resulted in this scene.
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Theo completes the -Doesn't that whipped cream smell funny- trick all by himself...
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...including the grand finale.
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CC, spotting a good laugh opportunity, takes the whipped cream plunge as well.
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After dessert, there were many hands of cards to be played. This round of Princess Uno doesn't appear to be going Theo's way.

GOG Fun

November 26th, 2008
One of the places Justin said he missed most while he was in Iraq was Garden of the Gods.  Today he and Terri grabbed up the kids and went for an extended hike in the spot he’d missed so much.

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JB checks the cargo load before heading out to the Garden.
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The nuts seem to be enjoying their hike!
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The girls take up a lovely pose against the lovely background.
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Nathan checks out the view from his high perch.

A Very Happy Homecoming

November 23rd, 2008
We’ve all been waiting anxiously for this day for many months.  Justin’s been back in the U.S. for a week or so, but finally arrived back home this evening after his deployment in Iraq.  Our five plus Aunt Roons and JB’s friend, Terri, all met at the airport to lay our eyes on and put our arms around our returning soldier.  Everyone was thrilled to be together again!

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That's one excited little girl waiting to see her beloved older brother for the first time in a loooong time.
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The grown-up gals are looking forward to seeing Justin, too.
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THERE HE IS!
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The kids swarmed to JB as soon as they laid eyes on him.
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Next, Mom got her arms around him.
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Roons was right in line for a welcome home hug, too.
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Roons turned the camera on the rest of us for a group shot.
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In preparation for getting home, Justin ordered a new cel phone and had it sent to me to set it up for him. Truth be told, I think he sent it to me to make me jealous. Anyhow, I knew he'd want that phone ASAP, so I figured I'd make the handoff right at the airport. Think he was excited?
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Heading out, laden with luggage, the kids still can hardly take their hands off their brother.
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JB arrives at his new digs, graciously arranged by Aunt Roons.
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JB surveys his new living quarters. According to him, they're an improvement on his most recent accomodations.

Who Wants to Shave some Yogurt?

November 22nd, 2008
Theo continues to amaze and amuse, with the emphasis on the latter today.  Even an ordinary activity like eating yogurt can become a source of entertainment for this little goofball.  I was watching him eat and had to ask, “Theo, what are you doing?”  “I’m shaving with yogurt!”  The pictures will take you through it step by step.

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First, dip your fingers in the yogurt.
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Second, shave your fingers with a toothpick.
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Finally, clean the toothpick razor before shaving again!

Thanking Our Veterans

November 8th, 2008
Today Aunt Roons, the kids and I headed downtown to take in the Veterans Day Parade.  It’s always good to take the opportunity to thank those who’ve stood up for our country’s freedom over the years.

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Nathan gets into the mood of the morning with his Army shirt and flag.
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One of the Grand Marshalls gets things kicked off.
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This great old ride was in the parade to honor Navy Waves from years gone by.
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During a lull in the festivities, we grabbed a quick shot of our little parade-goers.

Happy Halloween

October 31st, 2008
Plenty of festivities today to have fun with our little Narnians.

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We kicked off the Halloween fun today decorating some pumpkins for the trick-or-treaters that would be arriving later in the evening. Here CC uses her creativity to make a unique look.
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Nathan works the pipe cleaners for an insect looking creature.
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Theo got to work with some markers on his animal themed pumpkin.
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Gail chips in with CC's project.
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The kids show off their final pumpkin products.
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With all the pumpkin work done, it was time to go trick-or-treating ourselves in Old Colorado City. They looked mighty regal strolling down the street together.
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I don't think Prince Caspian though he'd be using his sword on the streets of Old Colorado City, but when Sox the Fox showed up with a sword of his own, he was forced to defend his honor.
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Once Theo was finished with Sox, it was King Peter's turn to engage in a little swordplay. He accounted for himself quite well, vanquishing the Fox with extreme prejudice.
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Queen Lucy was swept away from trick-or-treating to get to a friend's birthday party which was followed by a bigger party at her friend's church where the boys also joined in the fun. Here, CC, Hannah and Rebecca get ready for the party after the party.
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Theo stopped to get his face painted, appropriately, with a shield.
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Nathan spent the majority of his time and tickets exploring every nook and cranny of the box maze.

I’m Dreaming of a White Pumpkin

October 26th, 2008
Back in the Spring, Theo was excited to pick out seeds to grow some white pumpkins.  With Halloween right around the corner, it’s about time to harvest those whiteys.

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Theo shows off one of his white pumpkins to Nona.

BB & Gig’s Final Rest

October 26th, 2008
Today, Gail, her folks and sister all went up into the mountains to carry out BB & Gig’s wish to have their ashes spread in the mountains of Colorado where they made so many wonderful memories.

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Gig’s Memorial Service

October 25th, 2008
We went to Denver today for Gig’s memorial service, and all I can say is that it was a perfectly fitting service for her.  Friends and relatives took turn after turn telling the everyone else their favorite things about Gig.  Hardly a person spoke that didn’t mention laughter, love, tradition or her pure enjoyment of others.  What a wonderful lady.

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Halloween Hop

October 24th, 2008
Today was a doubly exciting day.  Bobba, Nona and Aunt Linda are in town for Gig’s memorial service scheduled for tomorrow, and it’s time for the Trailblazer Halloween Hop.  The kids have been so excited for a chance to wear their new costumes.  With their recent exposure to the Chronicles of Narnia, they were intent on going as characters from these storied.  Nathan wanted to be King Peter, Theo chose Prince Caspian, and CC was interested in going as Queen Lucy.

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Bobba looks to be well-guarded by a couple of able noblemen.
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Now there's a crew ready to take on any challenge as they prepare to enter the school for the Hop.
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One of the benefits of getting to the Hop early is the shorter line at the cakewalk.
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On the very first cakewalk, Theo came up on the lucky number.
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He picked out a cute little cake and brought it over to get Nona's opinion.
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Nathan was the next to win and, in sharp contrast with his brother, he picked just about the biggest cake in the room.
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Nathan and CC get on with the Hop part of the evening, doing their best imitation of The Twist.
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Even royalty seem to enjoy a turn with the old Hula Hoop.
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The Crazy Dance always brings out the true nut in Theo.
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I must have missed this part of the Chronicles, but apparently King Peter is the originator of the Hokey Pokey!
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A young Prince Caspian manages to limbo his way through another round.
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Back at home, Linda and Gail were in full Christmas cookie production.

Holy Mutant Carrot, Batman!

October 13th, 2008
As the garden production winds down for this year, there are still a few big finds to be had if one digs enough.  Check out Nathan’s trophy.

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Nathan tries to tackle this behemoth, hydra carrot, fresh dug from our garden.

I Love a Parade

October 4th, 2008
The annual Coronado High School homecoming parade took place today and, once again, the triplets marched with a bunch of other Timberwolves in the parade.

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The boys donned some funky, school colors wigs to spice up their part of the parade.

Two More for the List

September 27th, 2008
Gail continues to enjoy climbing Colorado’s many 14,000 ft. peaks and actually clicked two more off the list today, making it to the top of Shavano and Tabeguache Peaks.

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One thing Gail noticed particularly this hike was the beauty of the changing colors in the mountains.
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Gail takes a brief rest at the top of another 14er, but can't wait too long as the afternoon thunderstorms are making their way in her direction.

Summer Olympics - Trailblazer Style

September 26th, 2008
Capitalizing on the excitement of the Olympic spirit, Trailblazer held their annual Track and Field Day today.  With Dad unable to attend, Mom was in charge of covering the events.  By her description, she instructed the kids to let her know when they were doing their favorite events.  That was about the last she saw of them apart from hunting them down at different events herself.  Here’s what she saw.

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Nathan shows off the sprinting style that got him the gold medal for this event.
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CC and her classmates dig in for a tug-of-war.
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Nathan digs in and takes a good tug for his team.
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Theo and some of his buddies give it their all.
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There was a controversy in the Chicken Run Relay. Theo certainly expected to anchor his team to a relay victory, but a mixup in the baton/chicken exchange resulted in a thrown and dropped chicken, giving another competitor a big advantage.
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Theo's disappointment at his team's second place finish was clear to see, and resulted in a little sportsmanship talk from Coach G.
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In spite of coming in dead last, CC's sportsmanship and excitement was refreshing.

A Sad News Day

September 25th, 2008
Gail received the news today that her grandmother, Gig, passed away at age 92.  She was a phenomenon in many ways and there are loads of people who will miss her alot.