Junior Formal 2012

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Love That Blog!

Such  fabulous blog news---great stories and pictures and happy events! Bravo to Sarah and team for their stunning skit and well-deserved award, to Rachael for landing a job that sounds perfect for her (and for her pocketbook!), and to Boden for rising above that allergic reaction and welcoming that cute new member of the household! And to all the other supporting members of all three families---you are all such amazing people and we love reading about what's going on in your lives. This blog is such a story of our family history---how did we get along without it???
Dad and I are scheduled to leave Denver on Friday noon, and return the following Friday. We hope to see a lot of friends in NH, and will be telling tales of all of you. We're also taking recent photos and the calendar. We'll miss the blog while we are gone, but keep posting---we hope the week goes well for you all.       Love,  Mom

Welcome Queso!

Queso- a bie-sized little cheesy doodle!

Well, we took the plunge, and let me tell you, there was a lot of stress at the start! The stress has quickly dissolved to bliss, so we're all very grateful and feeling the puppy love.

The story starts with us all piling into the car early Sunday morning and driving off to Arvada to pick up the little bugger. We still hadn't reached consensus on a name, but decided to go with the goofy option on the drive down. We took over the breeder's house, cramming all five of us in with the eight or so other dogs she had in residence, although most were in the backyard. We swooped her up and had a nice ride ride home- she continued to be sweet and docile all the way.

Sleeping on my legs while the rest of the team parades

When we got home, it was time for the final rehearsal for the Paddy O' furniture Lawn Chair Drill Team in front of our house. This year's World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade. Well, long story short, I didn't end up participating this year because Kate and I were in the throes of deciding whether we needed to bring the pup straight back to the breeder. Boden had developed itchy swollen eyes within the first hour of having her home. After frantic talks with each other and the breeder, we waited to see what would happen with Boden. He just kept getting better, and we put the pup in his face a lot to try to confirm if it was her that was inciting the reaction. We concluded that it was probably hair from one of the other denizens of her home that set him off, and stress slowly turned to bliss.

Now, on day two, there's no sign of allergic reaction reoccurrence and she's been a perfect little sweetheart. She passed her vet's exam and she's passed out on the rug next to me now from a big afternoon of playing in the yard with the kids.

Phew!

Catching up

Great to hear everyone's news, as always! An update of our own...Rachael is still in Sydney and has just landed a full-time job working at a pharmacy in Mossman, near Manly where she is living. A 15-minute bus ride gets her to work then home again. She is considering pharmaceutical science as a possible course of study, so this job will give her a good insight into the field as she will be working closely with the pharmacist.  It's a small, family-run pharmacy, and she says she is enjoying the work after her first full week on the job. When she's not working she can usually be found at the beach, and judging by this photo, who can blame her?!

Freshwater Beach, Manly, NSW  February, 2012

Emily is busy with her Year 11 studies. She is still enjoying her courses, particularly the histories and music.  She is currently at a 2-day music camp, which is an annual event for Hillbrook music students, and one that is eagerly anticipated! Lots of fun and comraderie, as well as copious music-making!  When she's not at school or music camp, Emily can be found on her computer or scaling the climbing walls at Urban Climb in the city - her latest passion.  I don't have a photo of her in Spiderman-mode yet, but here are a couple of the girls taken in January:

On the rocks at Redcliffe

At Christopher's wake

Ken and I are enjoying work and a quieter life, particularly this past weekend without children!  We've been grateful for the company of Chai, who is settling down into a more mature young adult (thank goodness!  Don't envy the Kellogg's and the puppy phase!)

Rachael gives Chai a Christmas treat

Chai and Ken (and the kite surfers) at Sandgate

Great to hear from everyone - keep the blogs coming!!  XO Elli

DI; On to States

Sarah's team, Vegetable, did a magnificent job yesterday and won a Renaissance Award for their flawless human scenery. I will attempt to attach a link to a video of the performance. It is worth watching for the laughs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLZXtSW0ZsE

Enjoy! 

Feb and March hodge podge of shots

Today March 10 at Eldora - temp 48, sunny with slight breeze, a few clouds - perfect spring skiing but Mom and I spectated.  then went to Katmandu for great buffet and chai - no relation to Aussie.


Birthday #84 - great cake made by Kate from gluten free mixes incld chocolate fudge frosting covered with coconut  and broken chocolate bars as flatirons.  I didn't share any of the leftovers!

Reid's basketball - I think almost last game of season before championship tourney.  I think this was the one way east in small town on the prairies - nice drive out.

Mom in North Boulder Park after big Feb storm.

Missing Photos

Sorry- it looks like my recovery attempt yielded some strange results with fonts and photos- here are the missing photos. It just wouldn't have the same impact without the cute kid's art and puppy photo!

Alden's cute little girl painting

Puppy possibility