The Ferguson Family

Update

2012-01-22T19:35:00.000-08:00

I know it has been almost 2 years since I have updated this blog. Here is an update and I hope to do a little blurb each Sunday.

Kyle: Kyle started kindergarten this fall. I can't believe he is already in school. He is going to a charter school that I am on the board for and helped start. He loves his teacher and has made some good friends. He also played on a flag football team. He did really well and enjoyed it. He can't wait to start baseball this spring. He is going to take a 6 week lego pre-engineering class at school. He is so excited!

Staci: I have been swamped with the charter school stuff. I am just now getting a little break. I am still teaching piano lessons and have 10 students. I am busy driving carpool from school. I am now a ward missionary and have weekly meetings and visits.

Henry: Henry has been busy with work. He was on the road 63 days in 2011. He went to Vietnam 2 times, had 4 trade shoes, and sales training trips. He still has time to shoot his bow. He doesn't get to tournaments often but he still hunts. He shot a deer and an elk this fall. Our freezer is full! He is still the Young Men's President. He has been busy with weekly activities, dances, firesides, campouts, church meetings, etc. We are hoping this year will be much more relaxing, but it is not looking that way.

Family Reunion

2010-06-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

We just got back from a little family get together in Wyoming. We had a fun time, but are glad to be home. 2 days in a car for 2 days to hangout is just crazy! Kyle had fun though.

Kyle rode the 4 wheeler with Grandpa

Kyle went bowling for the first time.

We played with the Human Slingshot (so much fun!!!)

The kids even got to play with a parachutte.

We watch fireworks. This is Kyle with a few of his boy cousins.

We went to Jackson and Teton National Park. This is Jenny Lake in TNP.

April and May

2010-05-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

I have been soooo busy! Sorry I have not been beter about writing on here more often.

I have been helping out a new charter school getting started in our area. I am now secretary of the founding board. I have board meetings every week and community meeting a few times a month. I am learning a lot about eduaction and all the curriculums and the business side of it all. I have a lot to learn still. Our web page is www.benfranklinschool.org/ we are really excited and are planning on opening in time for Kyle's kindergarten year.

Henry is slowly recovering. He still gets really tired and is ready for bed by 7pm. He is getting old :) If he does to much lifting his stomach still hurts too. Our garden plot at the community garden has not been pllanted yet because of it all. A friend of our from church went and tilled it for us so we wouldn't get kicked out. Thanks Lori! We owe you big!!!!

Kyle has been busy too. In April he took a kinderbaseball. It was just an intro ro baseball. He had fun. He missed a week becasue he was sick (which he passed on to me). At the end of the session he got a medal. He is so proud of it!

We had a busy past week. Wednesday we had our fundraiser for the YW/YM, it was a carnival and silent auction. Kyle had fun for about an hour. We discovered he has a fear of clowns! Dad took him home so Henry and I could work and bid. We won a lot of yard work, babysitting, horse ride for Kyle, learn to play sport with some YM for Kyle, and a dinner. It was all for a good thing and Henry benifits from it :) The ward seemed to have a good time too.

Kyle had his last day of preschool (until August). They went to Littleton Historical Museum on Tuesday for a field trip. It is a little working farm in Littleton. It is free and one of our favorite places to go. Then on Thursday it was preschool graduation for those going to Kindergarten next year. They went to the park to play and had a little ceremony and those staying next year, got a bag of goodies. Then they all had cupcakes.

Kyle with his teacher, Ms. Holly

Kyle and Henry went to the Father/Son campout tonight. I have my piano recital tonight too. I will post pictures of the Father/Son campout if Henry takes pictures.

Update

2010-04-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

We really haven't had much going on the past few months. We are just trying to survive right now. Henry is having gall bladder surgery as I post this (trying to keep busy). So here is what we have been up to over the past month and a half.

March:

We had a leperchaun come and visit us on St Patty's day. He left a mess! Kyle was all to happy to clean it all up when he discovered the leperchaun had left chocolate coins at each mess.

Kyle had a sleep over at Mama and Papa's with his cousins

We had a snow storm and Kyle was finally able to use the snowman kit he recieved for Christmas.

April:

Easter of course. His cousins were sick so we only saw Ashlee on Sunday. We dressed Kyle up in his Easter outfit and took pictures even though it was General Conference. He loved looking for all the things the Easter bunny left behind.

And finally Henry had his gall bladder removed, well, tonight. Kyle had fun hanging out at the hospital today. He had a Rockies lunch (foot long hotdog, a rockies cookie, and cracker jacks for later). He laid in bed with Henry most of the day and just cuddled.

That catches us up for now.

Monster Jam

2010-02-15T12:43:00.001-08:00

We bought tickets to see Monster Jam. Kyle LOVES monster trucks and watches it on Speed. He had a blast! Henry, Kyle, Dad and I went. Kyle's favorite part was the Motorcross exhibition durring intermission and the freestyle competition. There were 6 monster trucks there; Scarlet Bandit, Bounty Hunter, El Torro Loco, Monster Mutt, Teenage Mutant Turtle, and Grave Digger (always the most popular).

Grave Digger, one of Kyle's favorite!

TMNT - Took this picture for Brian (loved TMNT)

When we got home he pulled out his monster trucks and pulled out the ones that were there and replayed the whole night.

FHE Board

2010-02-01T08:16:00.000-08:00

For our Relief Society meeting in April we wanted to do a craft project. Cori took a picture of an FHE board her cousin had in her home that she wanted to make. I made three of them trying to see how hard they would bee to make and how much it would cost. I really like these boards. They are easy to read and if you have a big family, all the names are easily seen. With the heart hanging FHE boards if there are two names on an assignment, one is hidden behind another. The original had metal work at the top held on by two bows. Henry thought the bows were lame so I didn't do the metal or bows.

Dinosaur Museum

2010-02-01T08:09:00.000-08:00

Henry left for Las Vegas early Sunday morning so we spent friday hanging out together. We took Kyle to the Denver Musem of Nature and Science, or as Kyle calls it the Dinosaur Museum. Kyle loves to go there! We didn't even get to the dinosaurs this time. We looked at the animal exhibits (of course), and then we saw an IMAX movie called Wild Ocean. Kyle fell asleep the last 10 min., we really wore him out!

Kyle's Pump It Up Party

2010-01-25T22:03:00.000-08:00

We had Kyle's birthday pary at Pump It Up, an inflatable bounce house place. The kids had a blast, the adults did too!

Happy Birthday Kyle

2010-01-18T12:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Kyle's 4th birthday. He woke up and we opened his birthday gifts. He got a Lightning McQueen bike, a monster truck, cars, and a game. After we had train and plane pancakes then we went to church. After church Michael, Mary, Ashlee, Kristen, Melissa, Mom, Dad, Brian, and Kim came over for a birthday dinner. Melissa's birthday is today so we had the combined birthday yesterday. We had hamburgers and hot dogs, opened family gifts, and had cake.

Today Kyle and I made treats for him to take to preschool. We made chocolate suckers shaped like ice cream cones. They turned out really cute.

Kyle took his first bike ride on his bike today. He was so exited! He took 1 little spill. He was riding on the sidewalk and was looking down at the pedals and steered right off the sidewalk into the street and tipped the bike over. He got right back up and kept going. He did great riding down the street but coming back up I had to push him (it is a little bit of an incline).

1st Dentist Vist

2010-01-14T12:35:00.000-08:00

Kyle had his 1st dentist visit. He did a great job! The hygenist took x-rays, cleaned his teeth, applied floride, then the dentist checked his teeth. He was so gooood!!!!! And no cavities by the way.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-03T18:46:00.000-08:00

Happy 2010! I have not done a good job of posting each week so this is a recap of the past two weeks. There are 3 more posts with pictures so check them out.

For New Years Eve we have a tradition of having a Prime Rib with the family. This year we had to chaperone the youth dance. So we had our dinner early with Mom and Dad (Kim and Brian re-heated it later) and then headed off to the dance. Mom and Dad were lucky enough to watch Kyle and he even had his 1st sleep over. We picked him up the next morning.

For New Years we had everyone over and we played games and hung out. Kim had to go to work at 2:30 so we met at 11 am. We ate left overs from Christmas and stuff through the week. Clean the fridge out snacking. After Kim left the kids started to get cranky. So Michael and Mary left. Mom, Dad, Henry and I watched some bowl games.

Zoo Lights 12-29

2010-01-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

Every year we try yo go the Denver Zoo's Zoo Lights. The past few years had not worked out. But this year we all made it! Yeah for us! Kyle loves to look at Christmas lights and was having a blast.

Kylw with all the ducks

Kim and Brian infront of a dragon (appropriate since they just returned from Hong Kong)

Merry Christmas!!!

2010-01-03T18:28:00.000-08:00

We spent Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's. We ate dinner at 7:30 because Kim got off work at 7:00. So we had to be quick with the Christmas Eve festivities (kids get cranky the later it gets). All the kids opened their pajamas as their one gift on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning Mom, Dad, Brian, and Kim all came over at 8am to open Christmas gifts. Santa left their gifts and stockings at our house. Kyle was so excited! He popped out of bed and said "I think Santa came. Lets go see what he brought me." We had to wait for everyone though. Poor kid, he was so antsy to go see what Santa brought.

Kyle peeking around the corner trying to see what Santa brought.

After we opened gifts we had breakfast and hung out.

The next day we went out to Michael's and Mary's to open family gifts. Kyle was excited to open more Christmas gifts. We played some games and had pizza.

Kim and Brian bought the kids Chinese PJs (Melissa and Kyle) and dresses (Kristen and Ashlee).

Cookie Houses 12-21

2010-01-03T17:58:00.000-08:00

Brian went to Hong Kong with Kim to visit her family for a week and a half so we waited to do some of our holiday stuff. They got back on the 20th and we had Mom's birthday dinner that night at Michael and Mary's. Brian and Kim were so tired we ate and took them home. To see mom's cake you can go my cake blog.

The next night we did cookie houses at our house. They were actually graham cracker houses. The kids always have fun with this. It is a tradition with Henry's mom and it is one he really wants to carry one, and the kids have a blast. My house has sprinkles on the floor for weeks after, but the kids have fun (at least that is what I tell myself :))

Before the mayhem.

Michael and Melissa

Kristen

Brian

Kim

Ashlee

Kyle and Henry

Happy St. Lucia Day!

2009-12-13T17:54:00.000-08:00

We celebrated St. Lucia Day today. It is a holiday in Sweden for those of you who were wondering and my dad's paternal grandparents were from Sweden.

We had the whole family over for a brunch. We have had the Saffron buns and they were gross. So we had cinamon rolls and orange rolls. After Mary read a story to the kids about Lucia Day. Ashlee even wore her crown with the electric candles. It was fun.

To catch you up on the first half of December:

I had my piano recital on the 4th. It went really well. I am glad to be done with piano for the month though. I get to spend time with the family and work on Christmas stuff now.

Then on Saturday the 5th we went to see Santa. Mom and Dad's insurance agent had a party with Santa and live reindeer and a fire truck ride. Kyle painted a picture of an ambulance (which is what he wants from Santa) and gave it to Santa. Then he rode the fire truck. I t was about 15 degrees that day so Henry and Kyle frose on the ride but Kyle's smile was worth it!

That night we had promised Kyle we would go the the parade downtown (The Parade of Lights). It was too cold though. So instead we lied to him and told him the parade was canceled due to weather and we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. There is a house near downtown Littleton that has an awesome display. You can get out of your car and walk around and look at the lights. There are trains and shadow boxes with dolls. Kyle had been asking to go see it so we went there.

That is pretty much what we have been up to so far. I will try to updaye on amore regular basis (like weekly).

Last Half of November

2009-11-29T10:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving late! I am home with a sick kiddo today so I decided to get caught up with my posts and tell you what we have done the last half of November.

Last Friday went to Utah for an archery hunt. Since he was driving, I made a baby cake for someone Henry works with and sent it with him. Pictures are on my cake blog.

Wednesday we had visitor in our backyard. A fox decided to layout and get some sun. He laid out there for over an hour and Kyle just wanted to watch him the whole time. We are worried becasue he lives under our deck and shows no fear of people.

We had Thanksgiving at Dad's and Mom's house. Michael and Mary and the girls, Briand and Kim, and Mary's sister Baecky were all there. It was a full house but we had fun. We smoked two turkeys again this year. SO GOOD!

Friday we put away the Thanksgiving decorations and pulled out the Christmas decorations. Kyle has been asking to get the tree out since Halloween so he was eager to help clean so we could get the tree up and decorated. Kyle even got to put up a little tree in his room that we decorated. He is so excited for Christmas and seeing Santa. We are going to a party thrown by Mom's and Dad's insurance agent next week and Santa will be there. All kyle can talk about is how he will see Santa and ask him for an ambulance.

Snow Day!

2009-11-15T09:13:00.000-08:00

We got an email last night at 11:35pm, church has been cancelled due to the snow. Yeah! I thought I would take a minute and update our blog. It has been a few weeks. Nothing has been going on though. We are getting ready for the holidays. I have all my Thanksgiving shopping done, all I need is turkey or two. I am waiting for a good sale for those. I am almost done with the Christmas shopping too. Just have a few odds and ends to get. I have my piano recital in a few weeks, for I am trying to get everything ready for that. Henry is leaving for Utah later this week for a hunt. He will get back the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Kyle is out of pre-school until January. His teacher had a baby late October so she is on maternity leave right now. He still has play group on Wednesdays though. So I get a few hours a week to get stuff done :) That is pretty much our lives right now.

New Blog Look

2009-11-02T21:01:00.000-08:00

I know it's early for Christmas, but I wanted to get first dibs on the background :) And there is no good Thanksgiving music through playlist.com. So, this should help get you into the Christmas spirit early!

Blizzard 10-28 to 10-29

2009-10-29T13:51:00.000-07:00

We have 2 feet of snow and the storm is finally winding down. We have had fun while being snowed in. Last night Kim and Brian came over and we watched a couple of movies. Today we shoveled our walks along with a few of our neighbors. We have a snowblower and we feel bad for our neighbors who don't. A must for every home owner! With Kyle, we are usually shoveling snow back off of the walks.

Then this afternoon, before Kim had to go to work, we all went sledding. Kyle went down once and said "That's enough." So we all went down a few more times. It was fun. Kyle was more interested in mking and throwing snowballs. After we had hot chocolate and took Kim home so she could go to work. We are just chillin' getting ready to watch movies.

Kyle's Playgroup Halloween Party 10-28

2009-10-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

Kyle is in a boy playgroup and it happens that I was hosting this week so we had a Halloween Party. We played Halloween Bingo, Don't Eat Pete, Hot Potatoe (with Halloween Kid Music), we had a pinata, and snacks. Kyle hepled stuff the pinata. He couldn't wait to break it open after he knew what was in it. For snacks we had apples with carmel dip sauce, ear wax swabs, candy corn kabobs (pinapple, mand. oranges, and mini mallows), and witches brew (lime kool-aid with dry ice so it smoked out of the cauldron). It was cool and Kyle had a blast with his friends!

Kyle and his friends playing Don't Eat Pete.

Snacks for the party.

Halloween Party's 10-24

2009-10-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

We have been busy getting ready for Halloween. Mom and I made our Halloween costumes. We all went as someone from Phineus and Ferb (best show on TV by the way!). Kyle was Phineaus, Brian was Ferb, I was Candace, Henry was Dr. Doofenshmirtz, and Kim was Vanessa. So far we have been to the trick or treat train at the train museum, and the trunk or treat at the church. We stioll have boo at the zoo and then trick or treating. Kyle picked out the costumes for everyone.

Updates

2009-10-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted anything new in over a month. We have been really busy. Then to top it all off, we have been sick this week. So since I am laying low for a few days I figure that updating the blog would be a good low impact activity. There are a lot of posts so please read on! There are 7 posts not including this one (it goes on to another page).

Rockies Postseason Playoff Game

2009-10-14T22:25:00.000-07:00

A friend of ours sold us 4 tickets to game 4 of the NLDS. The game was supposed to be Sunday night but becasue of the extreme cold, Saturdays game was moved to Sunday so ours was moved to Monday.

The weather was great! Kyle was so excited to go. All day he talked about going to the Rockies game and seeing the baseball game. As soon as we got there, Kyle fell asleep and got sick with a low grade fever. Poor kid. The rockies lost, it is still too painful to talk about. Kyle really perked up in the 7th when we sang Take Me Out To The Ball Game and there were fireworks.

We took Brian with us.

Kyle Starts Football

2009-10-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

Friday (Oct. 9) Kyle had his first football practice. Kyle had a blast! He was running around and laughing. Dad was so proud. The best was when they were playing shark and minnows. The sharks had to pull the flags off of the minnows. Kyle was one of two minnows left in the first game. Infact there were a swarm of sharks going for him. He stopped, the sharks ran past him, and he ran on. One of the dads said "did you see that kid just juke the sharks? That was great!" Maybe he will be a running back. Quarterback is his other option becasue he can't catch to save his life!

Its A Major Award!

2009-10-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I went to pick up Henry last week. When we got home there was a box on our front porch. Henry automatically thought I had bought something. Opened it up and we had won a contest! We NEVER win anything.

A few months ago Kyle was reading his Disney and Me magazine and saw the contest page. He told me he wanted that and pointed to it. So we sent in a postcard. They were only giving away 20 of these prizes. So I was shocked to have won. It was a Mickey Clubhouse bubble machine with bubbles, and a Mickey bubble wand with bubbles.

Pumpkins

2009-10-14T22:13:00.001-07:00

While Henry was out of town last week, Brian and I had to go to the garden and pick our pumpkins before the snow came. Kyle helped dig up the plants, he carried the pumpkins, he was a great help. We picked roughly 10 pumpkins.

Estes Park 10-1 to 10-4

2009-10-14T21:54:00.000-07:00

Every October Conference week we go up to Estes Park with my family. I love Estes Park and every fall I can't wait to go up there. This year mom decided to get H1N1 so mom and Dad didn't come up. Were all bummed about it but we didn't want to get it.

Henry, Kyle, and I went up Thurs. afternoon. We went to dinner at a neat restaurant called the Dunraven. Really good Itlian food. After we went back to the cabin were Henry worked and Kyle and I watched TV.

This year Kim went with us (Brian's girlfriend). They arrived Fri. afternoon and went on a tour of the Stanley Hotel (Stephen King's inspitation for the Shinning). After, Michael and Mary came up Fri. night and had rented the tv mini series The Shinning. This one was more true to the book and was filmed at the Stanley. So after the kids went to bed we watched the first 2 episodes and watched the last one Sat. night.

We like to play games and just hang out and relax. Saturday we went down the big slide in town. A hit with the kids!

The kids dressed for bed and playing with the magnent dress up dolls Mama and Papa sent up.

Kyle's Girlfriend

2009-10-14T21:46:00.000-07:00

Kyle always has hung out with girls. All of my friend have girls his age. Only recently has he started hanging out with boys, We have a playgroup with 5 boys from church and he plays with other boys in preschool, but this was to funny.

Mymom is in the primary presidency and one of the teachers came out and of nursery and told her she feels bad for Kyle because McLayne won't leave Kyle alone and always wants to hold his hand. They are in preschool together too and she came to out summer outings group. On our last trip we went to Dino Ridge and walked up the road. Kyle and McLayne held hands the whole time up. It was really cute. Kyle really likes to play with her too. And for all you Ute fans, her Uncle is Tony Bergstrom.

A Day Out With Thomas

2009-10-14T21:37:00.000-07:00

First let me say, Henry did not get an animal this year. He is not real happy about it so please do not ask him about it.

On to Thomas. We went and saw Thomas on September 26th. We buy the earliest tickets so we are in before the crowds and leave as they are all coming in. It was a little cool to start out but as the day went on it warmed up nice.

We rode a train pulled by Thomas. All the kids are so excited. A friend of ours compared it to a rock concert for toddlers. All the kids are screaming "It's Thomas!" It is a crack-up!

After the train ride they have activities (story time, meet Sir Topham Hat, lego center, and petting zoo). Kyle always has a blast each year.

Labor Day

2009-09-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

We went over to Mom and Dad's for a Labor Day BBQ. Kyle had a blast playing with his cousins. They were in the backyard playing when he picked up a few twigs a held them up to his head and started bugling like and elk. It was hilarious! That kid is too much.

A Hunting We Will Go!

2009-09-03T17:06:00.000-07:00

Archery deer and elk season opened up on Saturday, so we have been busy getting Henry ready for hunting season. A good friend of ours came up from Texas to hunt with Henry opening week. For the record, they lived here for a few years and that is how we know them. They are having fun, nothing has been harmed during the hunt so far, but I will keep you posted.

On Monday Kyle and I went to a way cool park with a group from church. They boys played for over 3 hours. He loves the park, but the water feature was great that day becasue of the temperature.

Kyle joined an all boy play group that meets on Wednesdays. He plays with girls so much we thought it would be a good idea to play with boys too. It is 5 boys from church, a two are a year older and 1 is a year younger, and one other is Kyle's age. He is friends with all of them so he will have a great time. But boy is my schedule crazy with playdates, pre-school, and Relief Society stuff, then throw in piano and helping Henry with his business.

We are getting together at Mom's and Dad's tonight to watch the Utah Utha State game. GO UTES!

Hangin' Out

2009-08-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

Not much has happened this week. We have just been hangin' out and relaxing. On Saturday Henry went antelope hunting with a friend of his. Of course, no animals were hurt durning the hunt. He can't seem to get an antelope.

Sunday we had a fire pit at Mom and Dad's. Kyle has been bugging us to roast marshmallows for a few weeks so we pulled out the pit and made a fire. We had fun and Kyle burned (I mean CHARRED) 2 marshmallows and called it good. We all had fun though. It was great weather too.

Yesterday, Henry left for Utah for a sales meeting on Friday. He has to help set up and get proposals done before Friday. Kyle and I went to Chatfield Swim Beach with a Relief Society outing group. We had fun, and there was a couple boys there that were his age. Yeah! He always hangs out with the girls in his age group, he is a ladies man! He build sand castles and played in the water. He went in further than he ever has before. He is getting brave!

Then last night we had dinner at Mom and Dad's. Brian started school this week again so he was hiding in the basement studying. After dinner Kyle and Grandma made chocolate chip cookies while I went for a run. Kyle loves to eat the cookie dough so we had to watch him closely and hide the cookie dough between batches.

Kyle Started Preschool!

2009-08-12T21:40:00.001-07:00

Kyle's first day of school was Tuesday. The picture to the left is Kyle on our porch with his assigned tote bag before we left for school. He was so excited to go to school and be able to play with his friends. We walked over to Ms. Holly's house (it is about a mile away and Kyle walked the whole way). When we got there he said his energy was all gone. When it was time for him to go in, he looked back a few times but went in willingly. I am so glad he didn't have a fit and cry. That would of been hard on me!

Kyle getting ready to go onto Ms. Holly's house

I walked back to pick him up, this time I brought the jogging stroller and some snacks for him. When he came out he said he played with his friends, played on the computer, colored, and have fun. He said he wanted to go back. That has to be a good sign!

For dinner Kyle got to choose where he wanted to go for dinner. We wanted it to be a special day for Kyle. He chose Chick-Fil-A a favorite of his.

Cornerstone Splash Park 8-10

2009-08-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

I am incharge of an interest group for church were we go somewhere with the kids each week. This week we went to a park by us that has a fountain area and a playground. We also discovered thay have a mud pit with running water and tractors! Kyle was in heaven and spent most of his time there of course. He is all boy.

Hunting Season is Coming!

2009-08-12T21:27:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday Henry, Brian, Kyle and I went and hung a tree stand for hunting season (starts Saturday August 29th). Henry and all his hunting buddies are geeking out and just can't wait. We hiked about a mile in to were the tree stand would be hung. Kyle can hike the whole thing, he has in the past, but Brian took pitty on him and carried him part of the way.

Brian had to "climb" the tree stand up little by little. He hooked his feet in the stand and there is a strap that wraps around the tree. Then e had to lift his knees and the stand would move up then when he put his knees down, the stand would lock down so he could stand on it. Then Henry had to follow him up the tree to screw in the step so Brian could get back down. It was quite the ordeal and they were both pooped afterward.

Brian in the tree stand waiting for Henry to get to him.

Chatdfiels Swim Beach 8-7-09

2009-08-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

We are so lucky to live with in 5 miles of 2 great Colorado State Parks. One of them is Chatfield Reservoir. Kyle and I went with some friends from church to the swim beach at Chatfield. It was great! The water was a little cold but Kyle loved playing in the sand and the beach was not crowded at all. Of course, there were some of his girl friends there :)

Museum of Nature and Science 8-6-09

2009-08-12T21:10:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I went to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science with a few friends so Kyle could play with some of his future classmates before school started. We went with Hope and McLayne and their moms (Scharee is McLayne's mom and goes to church with us, and Holly is Hope's mom and Kyles preschool teacher). The kids had a great time. As usual, Kyle's favorite part was the dinosuars and it was McLayne's too. The picture to the left is Kyle and McLayne playing in the mars mud. Kyle likes hanging out with Hope, but he really likes McLayne. He loves to play with her in nursery too. Kyle has all girl friends, he is a ladies man! Hopefully we can get a play group started with a few boys. On the way home, we got stuck in a severe thunderstorm. It hailed and there was lightning and thunder and the tornado sirens were going off. It was creepy, I won't lie.

Kyle and Hope on the way to the Museum

Royal Gorge

2009-08-02T11:26:00.000-07:00

We just got back from our little mini-vacation. We went down to Canon City to ride the Royal Gorge train. We left Friday late morning. We had enough time before the train ride to see the Dinosuar Depot. Dinosaur Depot is a little museum where they house some dinosaur bones. Just 10 miles north of town is where they have retreved a lot of dinosaur fossils. More have come from here than anywhere else in the world. This is Kyle pictured with an Apatasaurus thigh bone.

Kyle and Daddy playing at the Dinosaur Depot

Then we went to the train depot and got on our train. We rode in the vista dome car so we could see up the canyon walls. It was really neat! We saw lots of rafters but no wildlife :( Kyle loved the train ride. We had lunch on the train too. Kyle was in heaven.

The Royal Gorge Bridge from the train.

After the train we drove the Skyline Road. Ooops, wish we got more info before we drove it. We were told it had really pretty views of the city. So we thought we would drive it. We get up there and it is a one lanr, one way road and you drive the ridge. It is a staight drop off on either side of the road. It was pretty but it was white nuckle driving the whole way. Just as you think you are done, you crest a hill and there is more.

The view from the windshield.

The view from the passenger window, down.

The view from the driver window, down.

Saturday we drove home and too the scenic route. We drove through Salida and Fairplay and just took our time. We got home late Saturday so we slept in this morning and missed church. Actually we didn't miss church, we just didn't go. After we got home we wished we sayed away a little longer. We are talking about another trip in the next few weeks before hunting season begins.

Tiny Town, CO 7-27

2009-08-02T11:21:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I went to Tiny Town earlier this week with the summer outings group from Relief Society. Only one other person went this time, but we still had fun. Of course we had to ride the Tiny Town train too. Kyle got to ride in the caboose this time. He loved it and threw a fit when we had to leave.

U of U Alumni at the Rockies 7-24

2009-08-02T11:16:00.000-07:00

We went to the University of Utah Alumni night at the Rockies on the 24th of July. It is always a good time. We had all you can eat brats and dogs before the game. And the seats this year were better than last years. Kyle always loves going to games so he had a balst. We went with Dad and Mom and Brian and Kim.

Dinosaur Ridge 7-23

2009-08-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

A freind of mine from high school was in town with her two kids so we went to Dinosaur Ridge. Kyle had never been there and he loves dinosuars. He loved it. The kids played in the sandbox for a while then we took the bus tour up the ridge. We got to touch fossils and have out picture taken with real dinosaur tracks. This was the hottest day of the year and of course the bus had no ac, so we were really tired and hot at the end of the trip. Kyle keeps asking to go back with Daddy now.

This is Kyle touching the underside of a dinosaur footprint. Probally a stegasaurus, one of his favorites!

Happy 7-11 Day! Free slurpees all around!

2009-07-11T18:29:00.000-07:00

So we have have been super busy this week! On Tuesday, Kyle and I went to Belleview Park with a group form church. It is a really neat park that has a train, a petting zoo, a little stream running through the middle of it made for wading. Of course Kyle loved the train and he liked petting the animals. Each time we go he gets a little braver. Then after all that we found a tree for shade and had a picnic lunch and then the kids played in the stream. Kyle strated throwing sand so we had to leave. I think he was tired and had had enough for the day.

Kyle petting a baby goat (for you Faye :))

Kyle and Carmen playing in the stream.

Kyle fell asleep before we got out of the parking lot!

Then Thursday and Friday I had to make two cakes for the weekend. One was a gag cake for a friend of a friend. The other one was for UFC Saturday night. It was the 100th UFC so it was a big deal! To see pictures you can go to my cake blog (the link is to the left).

Saturday we went to the 50th anniversary celebration at the train museum with our friends who are in town for a few weeks. THere was a parade of all the engines that are operating and a little ceremony. It was super hot and there were about a million people there! So we left after about and hour and a half. We went to lunch and then home.

Saturday was also 7-11 day so we got free slurpees, mmmm!

Our garden is doing really well and we are starting to get some food out of it. Our raddishes are almost all harvested, Kyle loves to harvest strawberries, and the rest is getting close.

Happy 4th Of July

2009-07-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

We had a great 4th of July! We had 21 people over for our 4th of July BBQ so we were busy all day getting ready. And in true Ferguson luck, it started to rain as people showed up! That was a bummer beacuse we had all kinds of yard games to play and the kids could have been outside playing and it wouldn't have been so cramped inside, but that's life. It was still fun and the food was good!

We had ribs (which Henry smaoked in the smoker, and they were the best yet), brats and cheddar dogs, hot dogs, pasta salad, potatoe salad, fruit salad, watermelon, beans, and for dessert we had cupcakes and 4 kinds of homemade ice cream (peach, chocolate, raspberry, and carmel cashew).

We also lit off some fireworks. We had sparklers, smoke bombs and a few snakes. Then we had some fountains. But the real show was a few blocks away. Somebody had obviously gone up to Wyoming and bough some fireworks. It was over the lake in our neighborhood and it looked like a professional display. There were a ton of people there cheering and egging him on. The cops drove around trying to find him but never could. He was all the talk at church on Sunday.

Kyle and Krissy

Some of the group watching the fireworks

The boys playing with Thomas the Train

Scout Camp

2009-07-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

Last week was Henry's scout camp week. As the new Young Mens President he felt he needed to go to scout camp and hangout with the boys for a little while. As it turned out, they needed another chaperone and driver on Monday. So Henry had to get up at 4:30am to meet up with the boys and drive to Scout Camp. He ended up getting the stomach flu Monday night and came home early Tuesday morning. He said the food sucked and the instructors were terrible. Him and the other leaders are already coming up with a scout camp of their own for next year. There are better ways to spend $250! The troop was really diappointed.

Henry spent the rest of the week recovering from the flu only to go to 11year old scout camp Friday and Saturday. He is still the Stake 11 Year Old Assistant Scout Leader. Friday afternnon a storm blew in with dark ominous clouds, lightnng and really strong winds (it blew 3 troops tents to shreds). The leaders talked and decided to all camp for the day. So most of the troops went home for the night instead of sleeping out there, and came back Saturday morning for the rest of camp.

Saturday, Henry did an archery demonstration for the scouts. He was 1 station while the others were bow string making, arrow making, and the boys got to shoot. Henry and his friend would shoot from various distances and answer questions about archery and their equipment. They are always a hit at scout camp. Even though Henry is supposed to be released soon, the leaders have asked that he come back next year already.

Kyle had a blast at the 11 year old scout camp. We took his nerf bow and arrow and he got to shoot a little too. He was so dirty afterward though. He got to take his bather early that day!

Father's Day

2009-06-23T05:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day (late)! We have had a sick house this weekend. Kyle was sick from Thursday to Monday and I was sick Sunday. We stayed home from church and stayed home from Father's Day celebration at my parents so we didn't spread the joy. Mary made slider cupcakes this weekend for Michael and gave some to us. Kyle loved them! He ate two of them and didn't return them, so that was good. I took some pictures of him eating them. They were really cute with lots of frosting.Henry is at scout camp and returns later today, then he has another scout camp Friday - Saturday. He isn't feeling well right now, hopefully he isn't coming down with what Kyle and I had!

Chore Chart for Kyle

2009-06-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

I made a chore chart for Kyle this week. Right now we will do easy things that he is supposed to be doing anyways (ie prayers, scriptures, brushing his teeth, makeing his bed, getting dressed). When he get used to it we will add a few new ones that are easy like setting the table. And we will have a reward system so he can earn toys and meals out for doing his chores.

Poor kid is sick right now, infact he is napping as I type this. He woke me up at 3:30am needing to go potty. He had diareah and threw-up, he has had diareah all day. I am trying to keep him hydrated with water and gaterade.

I also made a birthday cake yesterday for a friends daughter from church. To see the picture you can go to my cake blog, the link is on the left hand side. I get to make another wedding cake for saturday too. I will post those pictures also on the cake blog saturday after I the wedding.

Wild Weather!

2009-06-14T21:10:00.001-07:00

We have had a week of wild weather. It all started last Sunday with a tornado warning pretty much lasting the whole day. And every day since then we have had severe thunderstorms with a heavy hailing on Wednesday. My flowers are officially dead now by the way. This will be the first year our flowers don't survive and it isn't because of me! Then today there was a funnel cloud that delayed the Rockies game for an hour.

Kyle has enjoyed the rain though. He loves to get on his rain boots, and it is usually cold so he will put on his jacket too. He will go out and play in the gutters or play in the backyard. What a goof ball! For the record, he totally dressed himself.

Wedding Cake and The Goose (Again)

2009-06-06T22:11:00.000-07:00

This week I was consumed with making a cake for a firends brothers wedding. I know kid of confusing. I was my first paying gig. To see pictures you can go to my cake blog.

After we delivered the cake and set it up we went to the train museum so Kyle could ride the Goose. He loves the goose and it is all he can talk about when anyone mentions the railroad museum. We got there just as the train was leaving and it would be another housr before the next ride so we wnt to lunch. We found an awesome philly cheesesteak place! Henry got his with jalapenos, it was so good. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a little kick and flavor in there food.

We got back to the museum and rode the train. Kyle was a happy boy.

Kyle and I did get to go to story time this week at the library. Every 1st Thursday of the month during the summer the story teller is someone in uniform. Last month was a policeman (we missed that one) but this month it was assistance dogs and their owners. Kyle loved seeing the dogs and listening to stories about them. He also enjoyed that some kids from the ward were there to play with a little bit afterward.

Guys Night Out and Brian's Party

2009-05-31T20:01:00.000-07:00

For Brian's birthday, the guys went to a Rockies game. Dad, Michael, Brian, Henry, and Kyle went. As it turned out, it was the same day that the Rockies manager, Clint Hurdle, was fired and the new manager managed the game. The Rockies won! Go figure. They said they had a great time. Kyle loves getting hot dogs, drinks, and cotton candy at the games. He had been practicing his "Go Rockies" and "Tulo" chants for a few weeks. He now asks to go see the Rockies every day.

Then we had a birthday party for Brian on Sunday. I made a cake for him using an edible image and the airbrush kit. The color from the airbrushing didn't turn out as I would have liked, but the cake over all turned out cute. If you want to see the cake upclose and better, check out my cake blog.

Brian with his cake.

It wouldn't be a party unless Brian gets challenged to eat a piece of cake in 1 bite.

Kyle going potty and reading with Mama. He is is father's son ;)

Kyle is taking after Henry

2009-05-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went out to Columbine Archery Range and Kyle insisted on taking his bow too. So Kyle and Henry shot together. It was really cute. I think Henry was proud and thrilled that Kyle wanted to shoot his bow too with Daddy.

Happy Memorial Day, Late

2009-05-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a while since I have posted, I am sorry. I had a piano lesson on the 15th for my piano students. It went well. And that night Kyle and Henry went to the Father and Son's campout. Kyle was so excited to fish for "gooy fish". It is from Mickey Mosue club house. He had so much fun running around with all the boys. He was the youngest by about 3 years and he kept up with

Then on Monday the 18th at 4 am, Henry flew to Chicago and did a tour of the mid-west for work. He did training in 3 states, in 11 different stores. He flew home on Saturday the 23rd at 6 pm. Then he had to work on a talk for the next day. I also forgot to mention, Henry was made the Young Mens President in our ward a few weeks ago, so he had welfare meeting early Sunday morning too. He was one tired camper after Church.

Memorial day we had everyone over for ribs, homemade ice cream, and other stuff. It rained all weekend, so when the sun was out (for about 1 hour), everything was wet! But we still had fun outside. We palyed lawn darts, bocce ball, and the kids played on the trampoline.

Brian with Kim

Kyle eating watermelon. Papa Ferguson is happy!

The cousins jumping on the trampoline. They slept well that night.

Today, I finished another Twilight cake for a girl in our ward. They are all obsessed with Twilight, as am I so I can't say too much :) It turned out really cute. I got to use my airbrush kit to paint the fondant black. It was fun, but I need to practice more.

Busy Week!

2009-05-09T21:15:00.000-07:00

First of all Happy Mother's Day!

This past week has been a busy week for us. Next week is my piano recital (for my students), so I have been busy getting stuff together for that. So I decided to have fun with Kyle on Friday. Mary called and invited us to go to the zoo with them. I invited Brian and off we went. Kyle loved the lions this time. He was just convinced that since we saw polar bears and seals, that Shamu and dolphins were there somewhere. He was disappointed that they were not there. But he did get to go on the train with Ashlee, Kristen, Melissa, and Uncle Rat (and Aunt Mary too). I forgot the camera and so did Mary so we have no pictures. I know, Mother's of the year.

Then Friday evening we started to work in our garden. A guy within our ward boundary is letting the ward use about 1 acre of his land for a community garden. So we have about 800 square feet of garden space. A guy in our ward, who works with the farmer, tilled in manure and marked off the plots. So we raked all the clots out and planted some of our garden. We are planting onions, radishes, carrots, peas, lettuce, cucumbers, beans, pumpkins, watermelon, and cantelope. That is what we have planted for now. Of course we will do tomatoes, jalapenos, anaheim peppers, strawberries, and raspberries when frost is no longer a concern. Kyle loved digging in the dirt. We just had to watch him and make sure he wasn't digging in another plot ;)

On Saturday, Kyle woke us up early. This was good because our hoa was doing a comunity garage sale. We did slow drive by's and found a trampoline for Kyle for $75. It is 12' and has the enclosure and it was in excellent condition! I have been looking on Craig's List and they were going for $150 - &250, so we got a great deal. We came home and set it up, with the help of Uncle Rat. The enclosure still needs some work done on it, but Kyle loves it! He would stay out there all day if he could.

Henry needed to get some shooting done so we went up to Golden and Kyle and I went to the train museum. It just happened to be Mother Goose Fest there. There are these trains that are called "Galloping Goose". There are 7 in the world, the museum owns 3, 1 no longer exists, and 3 are owned by others (1 of them is at Knotts Berry Farm). They got 2 others there, so there were 5 there total to celebrate Mother Goose Fest, in honor of Mother's Day. Do you get it?! Anyway, we rode a goose train and Kyle had a hot dog. We looked at the trains, as always.

When we got home we worked on the garden some more. We are done in the garden until the frost is no longer a concern. We also still need to buy the plants. Hopefully Henry's gardening gene is stonger than my brown thumb and we get some good fruits and vegetables out of our garden.

New Blog

2009-04-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

I put together a new blog page for the cakes I have done. I just wanted the pictures in an easy to find place and in one spot. You are more than welcome to check them out.

www.cakesbystaci.blogspot.com

Let's Go Fly A Kite!

2009-04-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

Henry is once again out of town. This time he is in High Point, N.C. He is only gone for 5 days (unlike his China trip earlier this month where he was gone for 12 days). Kyle and I are just hanging out with Mama and Papa and Uncle Rat.

It has been nice here in Denver. It has been in the 70's and sunny. We broke out the shorts and have been playing outside. Kyle got a kite for Easter and has been dying to fly it. The weather has been to nice though. Well this evening it was windy, yeah! So we went down to the park after piano lessons and flew the kite. Kyle was interested for about minute and then decided he would rather play on the playground. Next time we will fly the kite in the street. Less distractions there.

He has been doing good still with his potty training. He had 1 accident but it was outside and I think he was just so excited to be outside, in shorts, playing on the slide and forgot to come inside. I should of reminded him too. Keep up the good work Kyle!

Successful Potty Training = Chuck E Cheese Party

2009-04-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

We have been working with Kyle on potty traing for almost two weeks now.We have had him try before but he never wanted to stick to it. He has done awesome! We have had only 4-5 accidents, and at least 1 of those was our fault for not having him go more often when we started. He hasn't had an accident in almost a week! Yeah. So to celebrate Kyle wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese. We invited to family, but only Mama, Papa, and Uncle Rat were able to go. Kylw had a blast and his favorite thing to do there is play with the sports games.

Kyle driving a monster truck

The guys playing a game

Kyle with all his prizes. Thanks for the tickets Rat!

Twilight Cake

2009-04-20T17:43:00.001-07:00

I made a birthday cake for a Young Woman in our ward. She is really into Twilight and so that is what she wanted for her birthday cake. I dropped it off earlier today. Here is a picture of the finished product.

Catching Up!

2009-04-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

I have been behind on our blog so I am going to update it since we are stuck at home (we have about 1 1/2 feet of snow and it is still snowing).

On Easter Sunday we got a rain storm, the first one in a long time! Kyle really wanted to use his umberalla that he got for Christmas. That kid has the memory of an elephant (you know, an elephant never forgets). So we let him play in the rain for a little while and we got a few cute pictures.

Back in February we bought Kyle a new toy. It is an Escalade Power Wheels. We thought he would love it. He was terrified of it. But while we were in Florida, our friends boys have a 4 wheeler power wheel that he loves to ride. So this week we went down to the park and Kyle drove his Escalade for the first time. He had a blast and did not want to come inside. He finally had to pick him up and drag him inside.

We had elk spaghetti this week, which is a favorite of Kyles. He doen't get sauce on his noodles, but he loves the elk meat and the noodles. He eats all of his and wants more.

Then like I said before, it has been snowing since Friday morning and we now have about 1 1/2 feet of heavy, wet snow. We went out and played in the snow today. While shoveling the driveway Henry and I made a sledding hill for Kyle. Then after a while, we went in the backyard and built a snowman. Kyle has been wanting to build a snowman since the first flakes fell. Henry added his oen touch and there is little Calvin and Hobbs touch too (sick & morbid).

Happy Easter, Late

2009-04-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great Easter! following are pictures of our Easter. We had Easter at mom and dad's with Michael (my brother) and his family. We had a great time. We had an Easter egg hunt for the kids, bur because of the weather we had to hold it inside. It is hard to hide everything in such a small space. The kids had a blast though and they got a lot of candy and little toys.

Easter Pictures

2009-04-17T14:59:00.000-07:00

Casa Bonita

2009-04-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

Last week was a fun week. Henry left for China March 27th and was gone until April 7th. Kyle really misses his Daddy when he is gone. We just hung out at mom and dads.

Kyle had a birthday party for a friend from church on the 28th. He had a blast! They did a scavenger hunt and played games and then they played with a parachutte. Kyle loves the parachutte. His favorite part was when they put him and his friend Levi in the middle sitting back to back and then everyone grabs the edge and walks in a circle so the two in the middle spin. He just laughed and wanted to do it again.

On friday April 3rd we celebrated Ashlee's birthday early by going to Casa Bonita. The kids had fun, the food was bad as usual. The atmosphere is just so cool there. They have clif divers, a puppet show, pinatas, a haunted cave, diving shows, mariachi band, and an arcade. If you have more time you can search around the place, it is huge!

Kyle and Mama and Papa watching the puppet show at Casa Bonita.

Henry is home and we are glad to have him back. He brought Kyle some cool toys and some cool purses for me.

Florida Trip

2009-03-29T23:37:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we went to Florida to visit some friends in Jacksonville. He is in the Navy and they will be moving this summer so we wanted to see them in Florida one last time.

We flew into Orlando and stayed the night there. The next morning we drove to Jacksonville. We stopped off at Daytona Beach to play on the beach. It was the start of Spring Break so there were some people there in hardly anything but it wasn't crowded. Kyle freaked and would not touch the sand.

In Jacksonville we hung out with our friends and played. When it was time to go to the beach, a storm rolled in and it was foggy and damp and cold. But it made for some cool pictures.

We drove to St. Augustine and sent a day there. It is the oldest settlement in the counry. It is a really neat little town. First we took a tour of the lighthouse. If you have watched Ghost Hunters on Sci-Fi, they have been there a few ties and have found it to be extremely haunted. No activity while we were there though. Henry climbed to the top and took some pictures. I made it 2/3 of the way and turned around. I did not like the height. And Kyle was too small to go in there. After the lighthouse, we went to the spanish fort. They fired off some canons and we looked around. After we met up with Dave and Shauna and family and went to the beach and walked the histoic shops.

We then went down to Orlando and went to Sea World. Kyle loved the whales and dolphins. He still talks about them and how they went splash! He is exciteded to see anything from the sea now. We sat in the splash zone for all the shows but only goy soaked in the first show. So pictures of me look real good. It was 87 degrees (a record) with 80%+ humidity. We wanted to get wet and smell like fish that day! We had a good time though.

Our last day there we went to the M&M world, IKEA, and downtown Disney and shopped. We were almost over weight with our luggage beacouse of IKEA. I can't wait until the one here gets built!

We were also able to meet up with Henry's cousin, David who also lives in Florida. There were too many Dave's for Kyle to keep straight that week so we called Henry's cousin Cousin David. We went to a really good chicago pizza place called Giordano's. Henry eats there when he goes to Chicago, so when he saw one there he about flipped. It was really good and now, no other pizza can compare.

The last night we got a great deal on the Hyatt in Orland which is in the airport. Kyle thought that was really cool. We swam in the morning and watched the planes land and take off.

Following are pictures from our trip:

Florida Trip Pictures

2009-03-29T23:35:00.000-07:00

Seattle

2009-03-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

For those of you who didn't know, we went to Seattle, WA earlier this month for a funeral, Henry's sister Becky passed away suddenly. We left late on Tuesday March 3rd and came home late Friday March 6th.

It was a quick trip and not under the best conditions but we had a good time. It was my first time to Seattle.

We flew into Seattle and stayed by the airport the first night. Then Wed. we picked up Henry's mom and step-dad from the airport (Faye and Bevan), and drove down and over to Bremerton/Silver Dale where Becky lived. We met with family and just hung out. It was cloudy and raining most of the trip.

Thurs. was the service. It was good. Becky's daughter's did a great job putting it together. The church stepped in and helped and provided a lunch even though they were not active. The church is awesome in that respect, always willing to help others out! After the service, we went to a beach about 20 min. from their house, Scenic Beach. It is where Becky's ashes are going to be scattered. It was beautiful! The family had seen a sub in the water a few weeks earlier there. That would of been awesome. But Kyle really wanted to see a killer whale. He didn't get his chance on this trip, but he did at Sea World.

Fri. we took the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle. We went to Pike Fish Market and then took Faye and Bevan to the airport. After we just drove around Seattle for a few hours and had lunch then we went to the airport.

Following are pictures from our trip.

Seattle Pictures

2009-03-23T14:58:00.001-07:00

Relief Society Birthday Cake

2009-03-08T13:26:00.000-07:00

Tuesdy before we left for Seattle I had to make a cake for Enrichment. It was the birthday for the Relief Society. Here is a picture of the cake.

Not Much New Here!

2009-02-28T21:20:00.000-08:00

Not much has happened the last couple of weeks so I haven't posted, sorry. But we have a few trips over the next few weeks so I will try to post between trips but we will see how things go.

Last weekend we went to the train museum to take Kyle's 3 year pictures. I was not overly thrilled with the way they turned out so we will be having a photographer do it this month. So don't worry, we didn't forget to send them out.

Friday, we got a call that Henry's sister Becky passed away so we are heading to Seattle for a few days for the funeral. I will try to post pictures of our trip when we get home but 4 days after we get back, we head out to Florida for a week. A long awaited vacation!

New Calling For Staci

2009-02-15T21:29:00.000-08:00

Today I received my 3rd calling in 6 months. In August I was called to be the Beehive Advisor, then in January I was called to be the Secretary in the Young Women's presidency and the Personal Progress specialist. Yesterday I was called to be the 1st counselor in the Relief Society presidency.

I had just gotten all the Personal Progress stuff organized and all the secretary stuff finished (rosters, phone lists, calendars, schedules, etc.). It was time to relax, then bam! A new calling.

After hearing the story from the new president and the bishop, I really feel that I need to be in this calling right now. Why, I don't know yet. But I hope I can be a good counselor and learn and grow to fill the calling. I will be the counselor over education. I just don't want to have to teach on Sundays. Dad teases me that I am now the second most powerful person in the ward. Hahahaha!

Monster Jam

2009-02-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

Henry left for Vegas on Thursday. He says it is a complete waste of time so far and he will never go early again. We will see.

Kyle is really into Moster Trucks. We had a DVD with Hard Hat Harry and Monster Trucks that he just loves and he watches it over and over and over again. Mama is sick of Hard Hat Harry. So when Moster Jam came to town we bought tickets. Kyle gave a ticket to Papa for his birthday so he could go with us.

Kyle was so excited! He talked about all Saturday. When we gor there he tried to peek in all the doorways too see what was going on. Our seats ended up being at the top of the bottom bowl (we were only 20 rows up), so we didn't need binos. We put in our earplugs , which Kyle was not to happy with. I think he was overwhelmed at first. But he was in aw! He just sat there looking at them and didn't say a thing. During the intermission I bought him a Grave Digger monster truck toy and a Monster Mutt pillow. For those who don't know, which normally I would be one of those, they were two of the moster trucks at Moster Jam. When the trucks jumped, Kyle would jump the truck on Papa's knee.

All Kyle has talked about today is the moster trucks. I would say it was a hit and we will probably go to the next one too.

Donkey Kong

Backwards Bob

Monster Mutt

Toro Loco

Grave Digger

Blue Thunder

Recap of the Past Two Weeks

2009-02-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

Life has been hecktic the past two weeks.Henry had to go to Utah 2 times in less than a week, the last week of January, for business trips. One was an over nighter and the other was a fly in and fly out.

Between trips Kyle and I went to the train museum while Henry went to the archery range. They were moving some of the trains around and using the round house turn table. Kyle was totally engrossed. He sat there for over 30 min. And when it was time to leave, he wouldn't.

Kyle at the train museum. The turn table is behind Kyle.

On Saturdaythe 24th, Henry and Kyle went to the Sportsman's Expo. They rode the lightrail downtown and walked around the expo. They went on a Saturday so it was packed! Henry finally had enough and came home. I stayed home becasue I had, once again, a toothache. And yes, I had my 3rd root canal in 8 months. The endodontist had to do it in two days becasue the root curved. I was on vicodin Monday - Fraiday. Finally I had enough of being on drugs and just tuffed it outfor a few days. Now I get to have 2 crowns put in this year and this year is only 1 month old.

Kyle had his 3 year check up at the end of January. He weights 33 lbs (67%) and is just over 3' (35%). He is a perfectly healthy 3 year old.

February has been pretty tame so far. Henry is leaving for Vegas Thursday and will be gone almost a week. Wish me luck, being home with a 3 year old with no reinforcements. Luckily Dad and Mom live close by and I hang out with them in the evenings.

This is a picture of Kyle finishing off his birthday cake a few days after his birthday. We ended up just throwing it away.

Party #2

2009-01-18T20:14:00.000-08:00

Kyle's birthday was yesterday and Melissa's is today (my niece). We got together with the family to have a combined birthday party. We had hamburgers and hot dogs, mmmm a favorite of Kyle's. We opened gifts, and boy was Kyle spoiled this year.

I made Kyle a stegasaurus cake. He is into dinosaurs and trains. I made him a train cake last year and he had a train cake at his party the day before. He kept raoring at his cake. I think it was a hit!

Kyle always has fun with his cousins, but they gave him a boucey ball that you sit on. The girls have one each so they were going around the house racing. It was really cute.

Kyle also got a dinosaur puppet from Dad and Mom. He runs around the house with it roaring and trying to scare us.

Happy Birthday Kyle!

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY KYLE!

2009-01-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Kyle's 3rd birthday. It is hard to believe that he is 3 already! We had a birthday party for him and some of his friends at the Colorado Railroad Museum. We rented the birthday caboose and they provided the cake. It was 60 degrees so the weather was perfect.

I made passports for each of the kids and they had 6 stations to do to earn a prize at the end of the party (the gift bag). They had to color a train picture, get a tattoo, read a story with Henry, eat a "hobo lunch" (lunch wrapped up in a bandana that they got to keep, on a stick), play hot potato, and get their picture taken (I brought my photo printer so we could printed the pics and glued them on a frame and glued a caboose cut-out on them and the word party that matched the invite for them to take home). When all six stations were crossed off they recieved their gift bag. We had 12 kids, including Kyle, there.

I want the record to show that I did not do the cake, it came with the caboose. It looked like Thomas, and Kyle liked it. Everyone seemed to have a great time, except for Kyle. He was a little pill. I think he was overwhelmed and mad that he had to stay in one area of the museum. See the slide show on the next post for pictures of his party.

Afer his party, we had a birthday party for a girl at church in Kyle's class. He had fun playing with the other kids and was in a better mood for her party then for his own. At the end of the day he was pooped.

Kyle's Birthday Party Pictures

2009-01-18T19:52:00.000-08:00

Making Kee-Koos

2009-01-12T20:18:00.000-08:00

Henry's mom (Faye) sent us a package this week with lots of little gifts in it. One of them was an apron with little cooking utensils, a chefs hat, and train cookie cutters. As soon as Kyle opened them he wanted to make cookies (or as he calls them "kee-koos). He carried the cookie cutters around the house for days. I was sick for 3 days so it took awhile before we got around to making the cookies. Sunday after church we finally made cookies. Kyle loved stirring the dry ingredients, adding the wet ingredients, rolling out the dough, and using the cutters. He wasn't into eating the finish product. He was more into eating the dough.

I also got a new calling on Sunday. I was released as Beehive Advisor and made the Young Women Secretary and Personal Progress Specialist.

Happy New Years!

2009-01-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

We invited the family over for New YEars Eve. Henry's friend Steve had a tradition to have prime rib on New Years Eve. We thought it was a nice tradition and decided to continue with it.

We had prime rib, parmasan mashed potatoes, salad, bread, and sparkling fruit juices. It was yummy. Of course my garbage disposal decided to quit working a half hour before everyone came so I ended up in the kitchen most of the night washing dishes by hand (we only had 1 side of the sink). We also had 2 desserts, chocolate lava cake and raspberry souffle. They too were yummy.

Michael and Mary brought a pinata for the kids to hit. They had a blast with it.

Then Michael and Mary left at about 11:00pm., and Mom, Henry, Kyle, and Brian fell asleep with about 15 mins. left in the old year. What a bunch of buzz kills!

Merry Christmas - Late

2009-01-07T10:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning Mom and Dad and Brian came over to our house to open presents. Santa dropped off all the gifts here for them too. Kyle got the firetruck he asked Santa for so he was a happy boy!

Brian and Henry got marshmallow guns from Mom and Dad. It is the marshmallow gun that shoots the large marshmallows. It shoots them out with force! Kyle likes to get the marshmallows and eat them before we can recover our ammo.

Kyle also got some RC cars from the movie Cars. He got McQueen and Mater. He lovs them, although he is still learning how to use them. But he loves crashing them into the walls.

After opening gifts we had breakfast and watched a movie. Of course Henry was sick (he is just allergic to Christmas we decided becasue he has been sick the past 4 Christmas's). So everyone went home to clean up and take naps. Then they came back over to watch another movie. It was a nice relaxing Christmas.

Welcome Back, and Happy 2009

2009-01-06T21:47:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a while since I have posted an update (almost 2 weeks). We have been so busy with Christmas and New Years and just enjoying some down time form work, piano lessons, and life! I've changed our background for Valentines Day. I promise tomorrow I will post pictures of Christmas and New Years.

Christmas Eve

2008-12-25T06:53:00.000-08:00

First of all, Merry Christmas! I thought I would post about Christmas Eve before we get into the Christmas celebrations and presents today. It is 8:00am an Kyle is still asleep! It is great having a kid who is a night owl!

Last night we had our nice dinner and Christmas program. Kyle loves ham, and tore it up. Then while we did our white elephant gift exchange, Kyle started playing with the Christmas presents under the tree. He was playing tetris or jenga with them. He had a bunch stacked up and he was calling it his tower.

Note the saying on Kyle's shirt. So true!

Then we had sandacakes for dessert (it is our families dessert on around Christmas, it is Swedish). This was Kyles first year really eating them on his own. He did a good job. It is hard to eat with the hard pastry shell then custard and whipped cream on top. We gave him his own and let him have at it. He wasn't too messy.

Kyle eating his sandacake. Mmmmm!

I will post pics. of today later. Hope you and your families have a great Christmas!

FHE at Chuck E Cheese

2008-12-24T21:53:00.000-08:00

Monday, our family was invited to go caroling to a retirement center with some other families in the ward. It was a really neat experience. It is so sad to see all these people in a center like that. Henry says they are getting the help they need. It smells so bad in centers like that! Kyle had fun singing. His favorite Christmas song is Jingle Bells.

After we went to Chuck E Cheese with Dad, Mom, and Brian (Uncle Rat to Kyle). Kyle and Brian had fun. Kyle kept wanting to ride the train ride. Brian and Henry played the football game and skee ball. Henry threw the football a little too much and had a sore shoulder afterwards.

Brian playing Skee Ball.

Henry and Dad waiting for the pizza.

Cookie Houses

2008-12-22T08:52:00.000-08:00

Last thursday we decorated cookie houses. It is a tradition with Henry's Mom and he wanted to carry it on. We everyone over for Mom's birthday then after we decorated the cookie houses. They were actually graham cracker houses. The kids all have a blast with it. Of course Brian got into it too. This was his first year decorating a house. He is usually up at school but he got out earlier this year. Yeah! We all have a good time, and go home on a sugar buzz.

Kyle and Henry

Kristen, who never looks at the camera! ;)

Ashlee with her house.

Brian with his University of Utah house. For those who don't know 48-24 is the score from the Utah BYU game. The other side says "New Orleans or Bust". It was all red and white.

Recital, Santa Claus, Train Ride, and Santa Lucia

2008-12-14T21:18:00.000-08:00

This weekend has been a busy one!

Friday night I had my piano recital for my students. It went really well I think. The students did a good job and the parents seemed to like it. I do a sing-a-long recital. The students have to pick a holiday song with words, and they also learn to conduct. Then the parents have to sing while the students accompany and conduct the songs.

Then Saturday we had our ward Christmas party. I had to make 2 dozen rolls. I ended up making a batch of cinnamon rolls and a batch of orange rolls. The kicker, we were the last table to get food so we didn't even get any rolls! We got some Sunday morning but I will tell you about that later. I also had to play some background music. I got a call Wednesday afternoon from the activity chair, she asked if I could pick 2 songs to play as background music while people ate. She said she wanted simple songs, hymns or primary songs. So I chose Picture a Christmas and a medley of all 3 Away in a Mangers. I get there and play my songs first, then the other two women go. They had elaberate songs, that were hard! Didn't I look dumb! I could of done that if I had known, or had the time. Oh well.

Kyle got to see Santa though. This was the first year he did not freak out at the site of him. Henry and I have been trying to hype up Santa. We also have been "training" him to tell Santa what he wants, after all if Santa doesn't know what you want, he won't bring you a present! Kyle was the second in line. We walked up to Santa and Kyle started saying "firetruck!" We put him on Santa's lap and Kyle said "firetruck". After talking with Santa and getting pictures taken, he got "Snowman Soup". He didn't understand why he didn't get his firetruck. He wasn't happy about it for a while. We explained Santa will bring him presents in two weeks. He was happy after that.

After the ward party we took Dad home. On the way home we stopped at a muddy parking lot. You see, earlier in the week we had our truck lifted (more of a leveling lift) and had bigger tires put on. Kyle loves to "go 'round", and he wanted to show Papa "go 'round". So we did. Kyle just laughs and laughs and keeps saying "more go 'round!" He is his Dad's boy!

After we dropped Dad off we went to the Train Museum for the Santa Claus Express. We rode the train and we were going to see Santa, again. The line was long for Santa though and the wind was blowing and a strom was moving in so we left.

Kyle on the Santa Claus Express

Then Sunday we celebrated Santa Lucia Day. It is a holiday in Sweden, and being of Swedish decent we try to celebrate it. It is really celebrated Dec. 13th but we had a busy Saturday. We had Mom, Dad, and Brian over for a brunch. We had gingerbread men (a Swedish Tradition), Orange Rolls (Saffron Buns are nasty!), and Hot Cocoa (we don't drink coffee). It was good!

Just a side note, it was 58 degrees yesterday and today we set a new record for a low, -15 degrees! Our high today was 11 degrees. Talk about cold.

Another Foot of Snow

2008-12-11T11:16:00.000-08:00

We woke up tuesday morning to another foot of snow. I guess Mother Nature is making up for a warm October and November. Henry and I went out to shovel the snow and took Kyle outside to play, he just wanted to help shovel the snow. Later on that day while out running errands I found a kid size shovel. Now Kyle can really help shovel, although he will probably just track snow over the already shoveled parts. He looks like Randy from A Christmas Story all bundled up in his snow gear. Good thing he isn't potty trained yet!

Kyle fell over in the snow.

Kyle decided he wanted an icecicle, this was the end result.

Our house decorated in the daytime.

Parade of Lights

2008-12-08T20:10:00.000-08:00

We went to the Parade of Lights this weekend. Kyle was so excited to see Santa and all the Christmas lights. It was so crowded, there were people everywhere. We were lucky enough to find a parking spot 3 blocks from the parade and we found a good spot to watch the parade from. We have a plan for next year already. The weather was great too! When we got in the car after the parade we were reading 52 degrees still! That is not December weather, but good parade weather. Everytime we get in the car now, Kyle wants to go to the parade.

The three of us at the parade.

We have also been busy getting the house ready for Christmas. Here are some pictures of our tree and the house with the lights on. I will post pictures of the house later when I get them taken. Kyle loves all things Christmas. He loves to look at Christmas lights and watch Christmas movies, and read Christmas stories. He already has what he is going to ask Santa for ready. Trucks! He is all boy.

Our Christmas Tree

The house at night.

Thanksgiving Weekend

2008-11-30T20:44:00.000-08:00

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We sure did. Brian, my brother, came home from college for a week. It was fun to hangout with him again. Kyle really liked having "Uncle Rat" home again. He always misses him when he is gone. The picture to the left is Kyle and Uncle Rat sleeping on the couch.

We had Thanksgiving at Dad and Mom's house. Mary and I made the meal and Henry smoked the turkey. It turned out really well. Smoking a turkey is the only way to go. The only problem is no homemade gravy. But we made do. Mom, Michael, and Melissa were sick so it was a fun day. Kyle and Kristen ended up coloring, with marker and pen, on Dad and Mom's comforter. Luckily it came it. That was a close call!

On Friday we laid low. Henry had to work a little so Kyle and I set up the Christmas decorations. First we set up Kyle's Christmas train, Michael and Mary gave it to him last year. Kyle was so excited. He just sat and watched it. He loves to make "Kyle tunnels" (see picture). It is were he straddles the rails and the train goes between his legs. He thinks it is funny. We have most of our lights up now. We just have a few finishing touches to do.

On Saturday we went to Dad and Mom's and helped with their Christmas decorations. We got the tree up and decorated with the help of Michael and Mary and family. Everyone was sick, getting over it, or coming down with it so we didn't last very long. We got a few light up outside for them but the roof was wet from snow the night before and we didn't have the right lights for the bushes. So we will finish them this week when the weather gets better. We are not Black Friday people. We hate crowds, especially stupid people in crowds so we didn't head out on Friday, but we went to Costco for some Christmas gifts and got one for Henry too, a 37" HDTV. He is not one for waiting for we set it up when we got home.

Today we woke up to snow. It was bombing snow and we were only supposed to get a dusting. By 10:00 am we got a call, church was canceled. Thank goodness! I was sick and wasn't going anyway, but who wants to make the 20 min. trip in good weather in the snow and icy roads?! When it was all said and dome we got a foot of snow. Boy did they drop the ball on that forecast! I worked on getting the lights on the tree while Kyle and Henry played in the snow. Kyle has been waiting, impatiently I might add, for snow to play in. He really wanted to build a snowman the snow just wouldn't pack real well. After a nap we decorated our tree with the ornaments. Kyle would pile 4-5 ornaments on one branch. Henry and I had to go back and move them later. His favorite ornament is the Thomas the train ornament.

Kyle and Daddy playing in the snow.

Kyle decorating our tree.

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

2008-11-23T19:36:00.000-08:00

So I have been listening to Christmas music for a week or so now. I wanted to do a Christmas background awhile a go but decided to do a Thanksgiving one first. But there are no really cute backgroungs for Chrsitmas, so I decided I better get on it before they are all taken. I liked this one the best but my sister-in-law put it on her blog first (and she gives me a hard time for not celebrating the holidays in order). I tried a few other backgrounds but they aren't wide enough. Sorry Mary, this one won out in the end. I did try to do another one. But for the record I had this one picked out after Halloween before I did my Thanksgiving background.

Kyle had been watching Christmas movies. We usually wait until after Thanksgiving but with Thanksgiving being sooo late this year we pulled them out a week ago. This way we will have time to enjoy the movies this year (hopefully). We are always so busy this time of the year. Kyle is always asking for "doggy". He loves the Peanuts movies. "What a goof!" But we love him.

Utah Beats BYU, GO UTES!

2008-11-23T17:55:00.001-08:00

This week has been uneventful. Last Sunday we went to Maggiano's Italian Restaurant in downtown Denver with a few friends we haven't seen in a long time. We rode the train into town and walked to Maggiano's. The food was good but we hate family style. You have to decide among 7 people which two choices you want. There are 5 courses; appetizer, salad, entree, meat, and dessert. Then you choose 2 items in each course. They bring out as much as you want. So when the plate is empty and you want more they will bring you more, bottomless. "More of everything!" It takes forever to get the next course too. It took over 2 hours to eat. We like to eat and go. We don't dilly dally in restaurants.

Dad and I went to Costco this week too. Kyle loves going to Costco. He loves the samples and then after we are done shopping we get a hot dog meal for him. Here is a picture of him eating a sample while sitting on some boxes in the cart. He was so good.

Yesterday we watch Utah beat BYU. What a good game! When Utah would score everyone watching would cheer and Kyle would start cheering and clapping and yelling "Go Utes!" and then started giving everyone high 5's. What a ham!

Henry has been in Kansas again this weekend hunting for whitetail. No luck though. He is now offically done with hunting for the year. Yeah! Now I can get the garage cleaned up.

We hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Beta - R.I.P.

2008-11-16T10:40:00.000-08:00

Last night I went upsairs and Kyle's pet fish Beta (it is a Beta fish and we named it Beta), was dead. Poor Beta. We had Beta for over 6 months. That is pretty good for a fish. So now we will get a new Beta fish and we will name it VHS. Do you see the pattern we are going for? I am sooo looking forward to cleaning the fish tank.

Last night we had some people from the ward over to watch the UFC fight. They get together and order the pay-per-view fights. We hosted last night and we all had a great time. Henry smoked some wings and we had veggie dip and 8 layer dip. It was good food! The fights were really good too.

This past week we have been just doing the same old thing. Friday Ashlee had school off so Mary and I took the kids to the museum. I think they had a great time. Kyle got in trouble for not playing well with others in the Discovery Zone (a playroom for the kids in the museum). I had to take him out and we sat in the hall for about 15 min. He really needs to learn to get along with other kids. He gets along with them, he just plays rough. Hopefully he learns soon. The picture above was taken in the Discovery Zone.

That is about our week. Brian comes home on Sat, just in time for the Utah vs BYU game. GO UTES!!!!!!!!

Kyle on the horse at the grocery store. Ride 'em cowboy!

Fall in Colorado

2008-11-08T22:30:00.000-08:00

Henry left for Kansas Friday morning to hunt whitetail deer with a friend. They plan to be gone until Sunday evening, so Kyle and I have been hanging out with Dad and Mom (Papa and Mama to Kyle). The weather has been so nice here. We haven't recieved a drop of moisture in quite a while (that is bad) but the temp. has been so nice! Saturday, Michael and Mary and family, came over to help rake the leaves in Dad and Mom's yard. There were a ton of leaves! Michael had to get the leaf blower out to blow the leaves out of the rocks and into the middle of the yard where we built a large pile of leaves. We got about 10 bags of leaves when it was all said and done. The kids had a blast playing in the leaves. They were jumping in them, laying in them, and throwing them. Melissa was into eating them. She's a baby, what can you do?!

Kristen, Kyle, and Ashlee playing in the leaves.

Kyle and Ashlee raking leaves.

Kyle loves to read! He loves to have us read to him, but sometimes we just can't read to him. I walked into the family room the other day and found Kyle sitting in his tunnel from IKEA (the tunnel was tied up) and he was reading a book. Of course he can't read, but he was telling himself a story!

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-01T22:16:00.000-07:00

It has been about two weeks since my last post. Sorry, life has been chaotic! Last weekend we went to Boo ath the Zoo with Michael and his family. Kyle was Mickey Mouse, Kristen was Minnie. They were so cute together. Ashlee borrowed my old Strawberry Shortcake costume. She got many compliments from the 30+ crowd. Kyle had a blast. He likes the candy but he was more excited about the animals. He asked to see the monkeys the whole time we were there. Of course we started on the wrong side of the zoo so he had to wait until the end.

The 3 cousins together

Later that evening after a much needed nap we had our ward trunk or treat. It was fun. After the trunk or treating there was a baked potato bar for dinner, so we stopped and got dinner on the way home.

Kyle trunk or treating. His costume was a hit with the ward.

Then on Sunday we ran up to the train museum to ride the Trick or Treat train. They had a train running with the cars decorated for Halloween and then there were a few trick or treat stations around the museum. Kyle's friend Drake and his parents met us there. Kyle was really grumpy so we were there for a short time.

Kyle watching a short clip on trains at the museum.

Then of course there is Halloween day. Kyle spent most of the morning making treats. We made chocolates, suckers, chocolate dipped strawberries to look like ghosts, and pretzles dipped in chocolates. Kyle liked eating the chocolate best of all. Then he helped me carve his pumpkin. Then that evening, Drake and his dad came over to go trick or treating with Henry and Kyle, while the women stayed home to hand out candy. Henry tells me Kyle ran the whole time. Not to the next house, but just ran down the street. He was just so excited to be outside with all the kids. I think he was on overload.

Kyle with his pumpkin.

Natural History Museum

2008-10-18T21:35:00.000-07:00

Henry left for High Point, N.C. early saturday morning, so he decided to take Wednesday off and spent the day with Kyle and I. We decided to use our new museum membership and see the Dinosaur exhibit. Kyle had a blast! He kept running around making dinosaur noises and pointing out the dinosaurs. The museum is about an hour away, so it is a long car ride there. Kyle lasted only about a half hour before he wanted to "go sleepy time", his way of saying he wants to take a nap. Hopefully he get used to the ride and little by little he will last longer. It was fun none the less. Afterward we went to lunch at Mimi's Cafe.

Kyle and I took Henry to the airport Saturday morning and then we went our doctors office to get our flu shots. They have a "flu clinic" 2 weekends in the fall. If you go then, they are free. Kyle got the flu mist and I got the flu shot. Kyle woke up this evening just sobbing! He had a low grade fever, so I gave him some apple juice and tylenol and he went back to sleep. Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow.

Hot Chocolate Milk

2008-10-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Here it is the middle of October and we finally got our first cold snap. It hasn't snowed yet, but we have dipped into the 20's at night the past few night. Kyle has to have chocolate milk in the morning so I made him hot chocolate milk (actually it is barely warm) with whipped cream. He loves it! He calls the whipped cream "ice cream". Now he wakes up and asks for "hot chocolate milk, pweeeeze!"

Estes Park

2008-10-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went to Estes Park with my family. Every October we rent a cabin and invite everyone up for a weekend. We always have a good time and this weekend was no exception. Henry, Kyle and I went up on Thursday to enjoy some family time together. We went to dinner at the Dunraven Inn. It was awesome! If you ever get to Estes Park you have to eat there! After we went back to the cabin and watch the Utes play Oregon State. It was a great game and the Utes won.

On Friday, everyone else came up including Brian. We were all so glad to see Brian again. We just hang out and play games. We celebrated Mary's birthday with cake and presents.

On Saturday the 5 aduly children went on a ghost tour of the Stanley hotel. For those of you who don't know, The Stanley is where Steven King got his inspiration for his book "The Shinning." The original movie was not filmed there but the mini series was filled there, and it is more like the book. It is also one of the most haunted locations in the US. If you watch Sci-Fi channel, the Ghost Hunters go there often and it is their favorite location to investigate. Infact, they were just there last weekend filming and they will be back for their live Halloween show. We saw no ghosts and nothing happened on the tour, but we learned a lot about the hotel and it's history.

Of course, we go up there because of the elk. Some say Garder, MT is the elk capital of the world but Estes Park, CO has more elk. Usually the golf course is covered with 200+ elk. The past few years it has been so warm they haven't come down into the valley yet. We still found a few elk and heard a few bugle too.

We are always sad to leave Estes Park and get back to reality. But we always count down the days 'til we can get back up there!

The family playing Uno Attack

Kristen, Ashlee, and Kyle eating suckers

from The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Getting into the Halloween Spirit

2008-09-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

Since I don't have piano this week, I am cleaning the house really well and getting out our Halloween stuff. I also thought I would add a little Halloween spirit to our blog. Hope you enjoy our new layout for Halloween. Happy Haunting!

Day Out With Thomas, Utah Game, and Birthday

2008-09-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a busy day for us. We bought tickets for "A Day Out With Thomas" for Sept. 20th back in May. Then we found out that Utah was playing Air Force in the Springs on that same day. Luckily we had 8:30am tickets for Thomas and the game was at 2:00.

So we got up at 6:30am and went to Golden to the Train Museum. Kyle was so excited. We got to ride the train around the museum 3 times with Thomas pulling the train. We had his picture taken with Thomas and Sir Topham Hat. Kyle was so star stuck with Sir Topham Hat that he just stared at him. There was a petting zoo with baby goats there, which Kyle loved to pet. And there was a fire truck and fire fighters , too. They gave out plastic fireman hats and let the kids sit in the fire truck. Kyle had a blast! He had been up since 6:30 and he was getting cranky so we left. It was getting really crowded and no one in our family deals well with crowds!

We stopped off at an appliance warehouse and bought a new freezer for all our meat. We got home just in time to change into our Utah gear and grab our game stuff and head out the door.

We were lucky enough to score some player tickets. A friend from church (Ryan Bergstrom) has a brother that plays for the U (Tony Bergstrom). They were able to score some other player player tickets. We scored enough tickets for Henry, Me, Michael, Mary, and Ashlee to get in for free (Kyle and Kristen were free due to age). So we sat down low in the Utah section for free! Thanks Paul Krueger (that is the player whose tickets we used). Dad and Mom sat at the top of the section and we all split the cost of the tickets. It was a great game and the Utes won 23 -30. GO UTES!

Kyle eatting a brat.

Kyle sleeping on the way home from the game.

When we got home, we had everyone over for Henry's birthday party (1 1/2 weeks late due to hunting season). We BBQ'd some meat and had cake. After we all just crashed. Hopefully next weekend we can just do nothing!

YW Standards Night

2008-09-17T22:02:00.002-07:00

I was called to be the Beehive Advisor in Young Women's about a month ago. Sorry I forgot to post that, oops! But tonight was our standards night. We did an etiquitte dinner and had a few speakers on manners. I was put incharge of dessert. Apparently, the scouts have used the entire WARD budget so we had no money so I had to do a super cheap, but nice dessert. I made a peppermint dessert with chocolate cups to serve them in. Kyle helped make the cups. He is such a great "helper". He loves to push his little chair over to the counter and stands on it and wants to help stir, shake, or eat what ever I am working on.

Elk, It's What's For Dinner!

2008-09-17T22:02:00.001-07:00

Henry finally got his first elk. He got it Sunday night (the 14th), after church. It was a 5 x 5. He was so excited. He saw it about 800 yards away, which is way out of bow range. So he let out a little bugle (that's an elk bull call). The elk looked his way and started walking slowly toward him. Henry thought nothing of it, he didn't want to get too excited. Then he looked a few minutes later and he was halfway down the hill. Henry let out another bugle and the elk started walking a little faster. Henry then let out a cow call (actually an estrus cow call, a cow elk in heat). That was pretty much all the bull could handle and he started charging toward Henry. Henry ran about 100 yards down the hill and set up the pop up elk decoy and ran 20 yards ahead of it. He looked for the elk and he could see rack coming toward him. He said he was shaking so bad, he had a hard time ranging the elk and drawing back on it. He made a good shot and the elk went only 50 yards.

Henry made some calls and we had a few friends come help with the elk. Mike Manning and Aron Snyder who are expert elk hunters, came to help. And then Henry's hunting partners Tim and Brad Laing came too. They were so excited. Luckily Brad had a 4 wheeler, and the elk was kind enough to die few yards from a 4 wheeler trail. That saved everyone a lot of work!

When we took the meat into the processors, we had 191 lbs. of meat, not counting bones. WOW! Since our freezer is full of deer already, I get a new freezer. One of game meat and one for grocery store food (food most people will eat ;)).

CONGRATULATIONS HENRY! Now he still has tags for a bear, turkey, and deer.

1 Deer Down, 5 Animals to Go!

2008-09-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

The Ferguson's were blessed with a deer this week. Kyle came up to see the deer up close, he hiked the full 2 miles by himself. Way to go Kyle! Kyle and I went up the hill to meet a friend while Henry was getting the deer ready and Kyle did not want to leave. He actually fell asleep on the decoy for about an hour. We are getting it made into lots of jerky and cheddar dogs. We have a tag for 1 more deer, 2 elk, a bear, and a turkey. So there a lot more hunting to be done in the next 3 weeks. I am really hoping for an elk though. A nice 6x6 would be good. Get to it Henry!

Hunting Season Opened Saturday!

2008-08-30T21:03:00.001-07:00

This week we have been getting ready for archery hunting season, which opened yesterday. I had to pull out all the camo and wash it in scent-free soap, get out all the calls and decoys, and get out the hunting accesories. I think Henry is pretty well set for this year. He has been counting down the days till hunting season since the day he got his deer last year. I have a deer and elk tag too, but someone needs to stay home with Kyle ;) Today the whole family gathered at Dad and Mom's to watch the Utah at Michigan football game. Utah tried to loose it in the 2nd half, but despite their best efforts they won by 2 points. GO UTES! Afterward we pulled out the fire pit and made smores. Messy but good! Notice Kyle has no pants on. Once you change a diaper, he won't let you get his pants back on.

Kyle helping make mini hot dogs.

He would eat hot dogs for every meal if given a chance!

Kyle drew all over his face with sidewalk chalk.

It looked like make-up. Henry claims it was war paint!

Root Canal

2008-08-26T05:17:00.000-07:00

This past week as been a busy one so I will post things by subject. Be sure to read them all! :) Lucky me, I was lucky enough to have a root canal yesterday! That would be my 2nd one in 4 months. I really hope I am done with those for a while. My tooth had been hurting since last Wednesday and I tried to get to the dentist last week but it wasn't bad yet and they are getting ready to move their office so they were booked until September 9th. Saturday and Sunday I couldn't eat anything because I couldn't put pressure on my tooth (and it was the lower right 4th one back from center front). So I was living on juice, water, and carnation instant breakfast. I will say not being able to eat for a few days is a great weight loss plan! Ha, ha,ha. Glad it is over with for now!

Ballon Festival

2008-08-26T04:43:00.001-07:00

Saturday was also the Balloon Festival. We go every year. The State Park by us had a big Hot Air Balloon Festval the last weekend before Labor day. We had bad weather earlier in the day so not too many showed up for the Glow. That is when they set up the balloons at at night light up the balloons with their fire but they don't take off. The wind started to pik up so what ever balloons were there took them down. What a bummer! But the kids had fun looking at the balloons and they played in a bounce house and had cotton candy.

Kyle, Ashlee and Kristen with their Energizer bunny ears.

Ashlee and Kyle in the bounce house.

Kyle and Ashlee eating cotton candy. What a mess!

Daddy and Kyle walking in the balloons.

Then Sunday morning is the Mass Ascention. Usually there are over 75 balloons that paricipate but this year only 30 or so were there. We got up a little late so we just drove thru the park a few times and looked at the balloons when they landed. Kyle got a kick out of viewing the balloons land over the truck through the sun roof.

New Truck

2008-08-26T04:37:00.000-07:00

Saturday we bought a used pick-up truck. Henry and his work partner are down sizing their warehouse to storage units. Part of the down sizing is going to be getting rid os the delivery van. They don't use it too much, but deliveries will most likely be to our house or will call at the trucking company so he needed something to haul stuff in. It also doen;t hurt that hunting season starts Saturday too! We baought a 2005 Nissan Frontier with 4 doors so Kyle can ride in it. He loves the new truck. That is the only car he will ride in, when it is home. "Truck! Truck!" Brain will be buying the Mazda 6 wagon from us so he can have a good reliable car up at school.