It's not easy being green, or is it?

For the second year we and our friends have had a Leprechaun party.  As with many things since the advent of Pintrest, it was taken to a whole new level:

Also with the help of a recent craft night, my St. Paddy's flair was multiplied:

 

And because it was the end of an era, I printed this to remind me of when they were little, and just how lucky we are!

This picture shows just what everyone else sees, I guess they DO look alike!

I had Courtney watch the kids Thursday afternoon so I could take them one at a time on a "date". 

Emerson, didn't really choose, but I do know that she loves nuggets, and animals so lunch and the pet store it was!

 
Colin chose bowling where after two rounds, I gave up.  Turns out he's really good, and my sore wrist reminds me that I lost, 3 days later.

John has been BEGGING to go to the pottery painting place to paint something to keep since we went at the beginning of the month, so we did.

It was very fun to see each of them alone, doing something that they wanted to do. 


I took a class on how to make a dress, it turned out great and I'm excited to put my new found knowledge to work!  Look out fabric world!  Em didn't not feel the same way about the dress:(

Early March

We have enjoyed the start of March, minus the shoveling.  Today is a beautiful day that we have spend entirely outside.  (Waves from back deck). 

 

Seth and I celebrated his birthday a bit early at one of those paint and sip places.  Monet we are not, but we had fun together!

 Oh and yes I dyed my hair, although is looks black in this picture it's really dark brown.  I love the dark brown, I don't love the fact that it photographs black.

We had dinner with our friends the Atherton's after MUCH too much time apart.  With 6 kids between us, lots has changed since Anne and I worked at the Little Gym together.  With so many kiddos, we decided that it would be easier if we didn't have to watch the girls.  Just kidding, they loved hanging out in Rudy's cage together!

 

Great Uncle Tim decided that my children deserved to cheer on a "better" football team than the buffs and outfitted the kids in Michigan gear.  While we are not abandoning our beloved buffaloes, there is enough room in our hearts for the blue too.

And two weekends ago I hosted a gathering to make bowls for the Empty Bowls campaign here in longmont.  And I brought along a wonderful date John Michael.  We TRULY enjoyed our grown up time together making bowls and then going out for ice cream afterwards.  It is so fun to see him alone in his elements.  I cannot wait to hangout with him again!

I have NO idea why the middle two pictures are upside down, and cannot figure out how to fix them, we will all survive!

St. Paddy's is coming!  Prepare for the fun!

First Quater Round Up

Just so that you're caught up with what we are doing:

 

 Getting 3 kids and a dog in a picture is impossible.

 

Emerson is potty trained

Colin and Rudy are a couple, a true set for sure!

 

Colin put Emmy on the mowing crew, but she can't use the "good" stuff.

 

Em weaned, by drinking coffee creamer.And then weaned from coffee creamer.

 

 I ran in my very first race (5K) ever with friends for Finn.  It was hard, but SO worth it.  I have been enjoying the training, time alone with my thoughts, yes please!  Already signed up for two more 5ks, and planning on the Bolder Boulder 10k and the half marathon in October.  Seriously I NEVER thought I'd be running anything.  (Logged 6 miles this weekend!)

 My Dad turned 60!  We went to an Av's game to celebrate!

 

Seth and I left our kids for the first time to attend the wedding of a wonderful friend in Dallas.  Turns out we really love each other, enjoy spending time together, and will still sleep over most things!  We had so much fun!  Someone else needs to get married so we can travel again!!

Christmas in March

Since we've established that I'm running more than a bit behind, BUT I want to have the memories in the future, let's continue to pretend that his isn't in March but actually December.

Or not!
Christmas this year was magical!  It's really is the most wonderful time of the year, and we have lots of traditions to soak all that up!

 With the addition of the new fireplace we moved where we put the tree.  I really liked it!  We had to cut a hole in our star so that it could fit under our 10ft ceilings!  I think it looks professional:)

 Hands down my FAVORITE thing about this month was decorating the mantle!  Never having one in this house made it so much fun.  I LOVED having the stockings up!  On top of the mantel is the advent calendar of books I made for the kids.  Tons of work, but it was fun.

 This is our normal advent calendar, and we had a lego advent.  Seriously TONS to so each morning.

 And then we would read the book!

 And find our Elf, who was a bit mischievous this year!

 The boys helped Seth with a gingerbread house, that never was eaten!

 I got Seth to put lights up on the high roof this year, totally worth it, well for me at least!

Colin (in the Crestone shirt duh), give us a beautiful concert with his class.

  We had a wicked flu go through the house hitting me first and then the kids, Seth managed to escape this time.  Christine refused to take chances.

 And Santa brought us Rudy.  An 8 week old Wheaten Terrier puppy.  A wonderful addition to our family and an amazing dog!  Still a puppy but getting better each day. 

 I love getting to watch how each of the kids needs, and gives something different to the dog.  Colin and Rudy, whom we call RU RU at times, are the best of buddies, but everyone thinks that.  Except for Seth who knows rightful so that Rudy dislikes him:)

Why yes I do have the cutest dog ever thank you for noticing!

 

I do hope that your family had a magical Christmas as well and are still enjoying your gifts!

Colin is 4!

 I know you know how late this is but let's go with the better late than never approach :0)
My landscape loving guy, had 4 friends over to celebrate his 4th birthday, in grand mowing style. 

My $1 grass table cloth has been used 5 times now, best deal ever!

 Small goodie bags, with a mower guy on them.  naturally.

Mac drove Emerson around all day.  She really liked it!

Giving Alex a ride

  Can you see the little mowers on the cupcakes?  Mad skillz yo.

It was a very low key party with nothing purchased except food.  We brought out the tractors from grandmas and everyone had lots of fun.  I was SO happy the weather cooperated! 
That night all of our family came over and we celebrated one more time.  It was lovely.

Colin at four is amazing!  The most kind hearted boy I know!  He loves his sister and dog immensely, and can be caught being kind to them often.  He loves legos, mower equipment, and forts, in addition to riding his new two wheeler, and scooter. 
He has always been my outside guy and he continues to be so.  I wish he would wear a coat and hat when it's snowing, but I think he will come in when he is cold.  Right?
He is still my snuggler, especially at night, but I kind of like it.  He also is still a great eater, out eating both of his siblings combined most days. 
He can't say the /k/ sound still and so introduced himself as Tolin.  He is experimenting with naughty language and has gotten into trouble because of it. 
Even so, he is a fun spunky kid that makes me laugh, and yell, every day and I don't think it would be possible to love him any more! 

Ugh, Blogger hates me!

Clearly, that last post with nothing in it, was a mistake.  It was a really cool this is what we're up to post.  Boo.  And now after struggling with it for an hour still nothing.  Double boo.  With a new resolve, I hope to be back to blogging soon!