Dad's Birthday

Happy Birthday Dad! We celebrated Jim's birthday yesterday. We went to his favorite restaurant (everyone from NKY knows where that is), Olive Garden, and after church we had his birthday cake. I won't tell everyone how old he is, but I'll give you a hint, it's the first year you can round up to 40!!!

Thanksgiving

We went to the Howell's for Thanksgiving this year for our first holiday away from home. We all had a good time along with lots of good food.

Abby got to try the Wii on Thanksgiving. Now that is all she wants for Santa to bring. Good luck Santa!!

Trip to Phoenix

We recently went on a weekend trip to Phoenix, AZ. Jim had to go down for a conference, so Abby and I just tagged along. The weather was beautiful (in the 90s the whole time we were there).

What's a trip without taking a dip in the pool?

We visited the Rainforest Cafe. Abby loved it there with all of the animals(they were fake but came to life every so many minutes). She didn't so much like the thunderstorms that came every 20 minutes.

We visited a place called Castles and Coasters. It was just a small amusement park that had a few rides along with Miniature Golf.
We are at the airport enjoying Jim's Red Carpet Club membership that his company pays for since he travels so much. Abby very much enjoyed the free hot chocolate that they gave her.

Abby's First Race

Abby ran in her first race today. She wanted to originally run in the 5k, but I convinced her to try the 1 mile for her first race. Considering that she didn't train for it, she did an awesome job. She finished the mile run in 13 min. She took off like a rocket; I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to keep up (but good old Mom made it). After the race, we needed to refuel at Panera Bread.

Halloween Party

Last night, we went to a Halloween party with a few of the kids from Westside. The kids had a good time playing some games. Nicholas and Connor were decorated like mummies, and the kids carved pumpkins with the help of some adults. Abby had quite the night. She bumped her head a few times and had a knot on the top of her head. Next, she "accidentally" bit into a glow stick and swallowed some of the liquid inside. Just in case anyone's children does this, just have them rinse their mouth and drink some fluids (Jim called Poison Control).

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

First Snow

Can you believe it? We got around 7 inches of snow overnight and into the day today. Of course, I had to take my parents to the airport early this morning. The roads were horrible. Jim and Abby had to take time to play in the snow after church this morning. I think perhaps Jim had as much fun as Abby. This Wednesday the temperatures are supposed to be in the 70s, so I think the snow is short-lived (thank goodness). Jim said we would be moving back to KY on the next snow. Just kidding

Estes Park

Yesterday, we took my mom and dad up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, very beautiful sights. At our house, the weather was in the 70s and up in the mountains probably around 50s to 60s.

One of the sights was Bear Lake. Abby thought it was pretty neat to see snow when we didn't have it at our house.

We saw some mule deer and right before we left we finally found some elk hanging out on the golf course. I think the highlight of the day was the elk. All of us were so excited to get so close to the them.

Abby is NOW 8

Abby is now eight years old. Her Grandma and Grandpa Neely came in to stay with her this week. For her birthday, she got a new bike, Star Wars movie, baby doll, Super Peach for her Nintendo and a few instruments from her other grandparents. I think she made out ok!

Abby's PRE-birthday

We decided to have an early birthday party for Abby at Casa Bonita. We invited some of her friends from our new church, Westside. For all of you that don't know what Casa Bonita is, a very corny mexican restaurant that have cliffdivers, fire jugglers, shows, caves for the kids to go through, and an arcade. The food isn't very good, but Abby loves it there. Happy 8th Birthday Abby!

Karate

Last Monday, Abby got her white belt. She tries her karate moves on us all of the time. It is getting pretty dangerous around here.

We miss everyone! I hope you all are doing well.

First bike trip

Well, we had this bright idea to hit the trails last Saturday afternoon. We fit all of our bikes into the back of the SUV. Started on our quest to bike all day. It was so windy Abby couldn't even pedal, so we found a playground and it made Abby just as happy as biking.

New wheels

Abby got an early birthday present. She needed some new wheels. Her knees were hitting the handlebars on her old one.

The Royal Gorge

This weekend we visited the Royal Gorge which is below Colorado Springs and above Pueblo. I just got a new camera, so definitely trying it out.












We rode the aerial tram which is the world's longest single-span aerial tram (there is a test at the end of this). We were very high. We saw birds flying below us (very odd feeling).




This a picture of the Royal Gorge Bridge. This is the world's highest suspension bridge. We rode the trolley across this.









Saw some elk, bison, and rams.








Rode the incline. This is the world's steepest incline railway.






Abby at the bottom of the incline.






Also had a merry-go-round. Abby was comparing the incline to the ride, Top Gun, at King's Island.

Abby's new activities

I just thought I would give an update. Abby is in the process of starting two new activities. She started last Tuesday taking a Spanish class at her school. She thinks it is very cool to speak Spanish. Next week she will be starting a karate class with her dad (this is also at her school). Abby is adjusting to Colorado very well. I think she handled it the best out of all of us.



I started work this week. I am working a few grueling 40 hour weeks. This whole work thing is going to take a little time to get used to. I can't wait til the house sells, so we can hire that housekeeper (just once a month). Work is going well. I think that they are going to be very flexible with the schedule. I am a little rusty on my financial knowledge, but I'm sure it will come back in a little while. Jim and I have been carpooling while I am working full-time which is nice unless he gets stuck in a meeting and is over an hour late picking me up (happened yesterday).

Life in Colorado is going well for all of us. We miss all of our friends in Northern Kentucky. We are making new friends with the members of our new congregation and with our new neighbors.

Garden of the Gods

We visited the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs last weekend. It was our first outing here in the west. We watched a movie and enjoyed a bus tour. We are planning to go to the the Royal Gorge this coming weekend, so more pictures will be coming.

Just being silly

Not sure why I took this picture, but just thought it was funny when I was downloading the pictures.

First Day of Second Grade

The first day of school was August 14. I can't believe she started so early. Abby loves her school. She rides her scooter to school everyday. It never seems to rain here in Denver in the morning. It is so beautiful in the morning here. We always meet her friend Kiara on our way to school. I enjoy walking her to school. It is 1/2 mi to the school, so I am guaranteed to walk 2 mi every day (good exercise).