Happy Halloween 2009

Mommy, Daddy, Darth Vadar and a Storm Trooper at our neighborhood 'Ragamuffin Parade"

Ben's first ever caramel apple.

Trick or treating with their friends Kira and Collier.
You thought the Storm Trooper and Darth Vadar had invaded the Isernhagen household didn't you? Nope, we tricked you (Ben's favorite line), it was really Jake and Ben.



There was 2 feet of snow in Denver...in OCTOBER!!!!!

This is Erik's 4th shovel in 2 days. Jake stayed out the entire time and helped him - this really is news because if we remember last year there was a lot of "it's too cold - I'm not going out there!" Sledding was also SOOOO much more enjoyable this year - there wasn't any whining (unless you count mommy's protest to go home after what seemed like the 50th time down the hill)

Snow Day, Hot Chocolate and Pumpkins!

Voila! The finished product!
Let the carving begin! Focus.....focus....

Taking out the guts - Jake said "I am DEFINITELY not going to touch THAT!"

EEEEEWWWWWWW!!!!!

In from the first shovel of the day (there were a total of 3) - and our first hot chocolate of the season (there were 2 today). Yep, it was a snow day. Erik closed his office and the boys' school was closed. There was snow playing, soup making/eating, yatzee playing, pumpkin carving, fire places.....

I call this photo 'How many Isernhagens does it take to light a pilot light'?

Favorite conversation from this past weekend

We went golfing on Sunday. When we take the boys with us to Castle Pines the golf pro usually takes the boys into the pro shop to pick a ball out of a basket (I'm sure they are balls that are found on the course). As the boys were digging through the basket...

Ben said: "I want a Barack Obama ball".

Erik: "A Barack Obama ball?"

Ben: "yes, the one with the swoosh."

Erik "a Nike ball? That's a Barack Obama ball?'

Ben: "oh no, I mean it is a Tiger Woods ball."

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! You have to admit they do look a lot alike.

Here are some pictures that the boys took for your viewing pleasure

Steamboat

We went to Steamboat a couple of weeks ago. It was a retreat for Erik's CEO group - we had a wonderful time.

We hiked, ate at some great restaurants, golfed, and had a chef come in and do a mini cooking school with us. The company was great and the weather couldn't have been better. It was in the low 70's and the leaves were changing.

We stayed at a beautiful property called Bella Vista that had views to die for.

Erik showing off his rad cooking SKILZ!

The swimming pool that looked as if it was flowing off the mountain

Erik, Barry and Carol - our golf foursome.

Erik and I on the back patio - not an ugly view, eh?

Viva Las Vegas

I think I'm finally done feeling sorry for myself for what happened to me in Vegas - at least done enough to be able to post.

We went to Vegas for my Grandmother's 80th birthday - yep, my Grandma likes Vegas. She knew that her sisters were going on the trip, but she didn't know about the extra daughters, nieces, granddaughters, daughter in-law etc. She was already on the plane when we walked on and surprised her by singing happy birthday. Her reaction was just what we hoped for - crying and laughing and excitement and more crying (tears of joy of course). She was so surprised and excited. I'm glad we were able to celebrate with her.

Isn't my mom so pretty?

Mom with her sisters

Grandma, mom and Christy on the bus to Mandalay Bay

Below is Grandma with 3 of her 5 daughters

Labor Day Weekend

We went to Evergreen for the day and did a bit of hiking, watering, lunching and climbing.  The weather is just perfect here lately.  It's not too hot, not too cold, the leaves are changing.  Ahhh, Fall - yes, I do still miss summer!











A little late on this post, but better late than never - right Nana?

And of course we golfed....

S'mores anyone?

After golf we hunkered down to watch the CU/CSU game outside and feasted on burgers, popcorn and s'mores.  

1st Day of School

The boys started school on Friday - yep, the Friday right before Labor Day weekend....weird.  They are now in Jr. Kindergarten - woohooo - big kids in the school this year - the Dinosaur Class.

One more year until Kindergarten - I've promised myself to cherish this time.

Love the 'mat bag' made by my super talented friend?  This goes with us everyday.  I'm thinking Erik's looking pretty good with polka dots.

They were excited to be back with all of their friends (if they would hold still long enough for the picture you could tell).

And the mom's were excited as well, but for different reasons...finally, school started again!!!!

Where oh where did the summer go......?

I don't want summer to end.  I just don't.  I know, I know, beautiful fall days blah, blah, blah.  Soon gone will be the trips to the swimming pool, water balloon fights, slip and slides, popsicles and ice cream for no reason other than it's hot, bbq's, 8pm walks when it is still light outside, morning coffee on the patio...




School starts next week.  I want school to start, but I don't want summer to end.  Makes no sense right?  Well, that's just me.

Here are a couple of pictures from the summer that I hadn't posted.  Our favorite park and our favorite zoo.

Amazing Metamorphosis

The boys received a "Butterfly Bungalow" from Uncle Erik and Aunt Kira for Christmas last year.   The UPS man arrived one summer day with a box labeled 'live insects' - yipppeee!  Upon opening the box we discovered 2 containers full with 5 caterpillars each.  We watched and watched for days and found that the caterpillars soon turned into chrysalis.   We then placed the chrysalis in the butterfly bungalow and waited for the final stage...monarch butterflies! We kept our butterflies in the house to keep them safe and fed them sugar water covered flowers.  

Jackson became fast friends with the butterflies.....NOT!!!!!

Soon it was time to release the butterflies into their natural habitat.  (This made Jackson happy - no more insects flying around within her house).  What fun to watch nature do its 'thing'.   The boys climbed into the bungalow to hang out before the 'release'.

 If you see a monarch in your backyard be kind....it could be dopey, or merrick, or chester......they all had names of course!

Dream Foursome at Castle Pines

I've always said that my 'Dream Foursome' would be with Erik and the boys.  We've taken them out to the driving range and to golf plenty of times, but they have never made it through an entire 18 holes.  Today, they did it!!! My dream come true.  We all had a wonderful time.  I can't wait to do it again, and again, and again, and again.....

Separate? I don't think so.

I am often asked if I am going to move the boys into their own rooms....this is how I found them last night when I went in for a last kiss goodnight.  I think this answers the question.  At least for a while....

Note: they do have their own beds. AND an extra room.

5!!!!! Super Hero Party

Do they look older?  Well, they are! Five...FIVE.YEARS.OLD.PEOPLE!  I know everyone says it "it goes so fast".  But, well, IT GOES SO FAST!  How do I have 5 year old little boys?  Don't worry though, if I somehow forget they are 5 they will remind me.  "Mom, we are 5 now so we can do this and that".  Oh, and my favorite is: "Mom, remember when we were 4?"  Yep, I remember last week. Just like it was last week.  




They had a superhero birthday party.  They had a LOT of fun and want to do it again...like, tomorrow.

Before the party they talked about how their friends were going to sing happy birthday to them.  I guess it all sounds good in theory...look at the faces - they really were happy - really!

McAnany's visit

Robyn, Lucy and Mitchell came for their annual visit to Colorado from Florida.  Thanks McAnany's for a fun-filled couple of days.

Birthday

Japanese steakhouse - they thought that was "totally wicked awesome", light sabers, new bean bags - (thanks to Nana and Papa - they LOVE them) and their first private viewing of Star Wars (the first one...old school) with dad.  Superhero party with their friends is Saturday - they can't wait!

Happy Birthday My Loves - July 23rd

5 Years ago my life changed forever.....and I couldn't be happier!  

Happy birthday my precious boys - I love you with all of my heart!

Rocky Mountain National Park

We took a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.  Erik found a cute cabin for us to stay in.  We took hikes and explored, let Jackson fetch a stick in the lake (about 100 times),  went into Estes Park and did the cheesy kid park - big slide with burlap sack, bumper boats, miniature golf,  and go carts - and ate lots of ice cream - fun weekend!

Jackson seriously did this for over an hour - she was crying because she was so tired but didn't want to stop.

The boys found lots of bugs and picked wildflower after wildflower for me to put in my hair.

Estes

20 Years?!?!?

We are back from my 20 year high school reunion.  I have to say the months of planning payed off - it was a success!  We had a GREAT turnout and it was so fun to see old friends (most I haven't seen in 20 years).  There were two days packed with events.....golf, mixer, picnic, dinner and these are the ONLY pictures I have.  Way too much coordinating and chit chatting on my part - I'm hoping everyone will share their photos.  WOW! 20 years??!?!

Happy 4th!!

Rain, rain, go away.  Our community puts on a BIG 4th of July Celebration - kids parade, jumpy houses, climbing wall, bands, bungee jumping and a big fireworks display.  The boys were able to ride in the parade before the big downpour.  Then came the rain.....we did some soggy jumpy house bouncing, hung out under the CJ's frozen custard tent and finally concluded the rain wasn't going to stop.  We headed home and came bag for the dry, cool fireworks display.  It all ended well:)