Reason #217 Why We Love Living Here...

There are so many reasons why we love living in Colorado Springs, but there is one tradition every May that is always entertaining and inspiring to watch. For the Air Force Academy graduation, the Thunderbirds perform a special air show. The pilots show off their finest flying maneuvers ... and we just so happen to be in the flight path. What a perk of the neighborhood! So for several days up to the graduation, we are able to stand in our backyard and watch them practice overheard. Or if you are Luke and Reid, you jump on the trampoline and yell at the jets, "Go, Air Force!"

For the main event, the entire neighborhood stops what they are doing to pull up a lawn chair outside and watch the air show. Being that they are directly across from the Academy stadium, Scott's company sponsors a big family BBQ. We all bring our blankets, lawn chairs, and side dishes (to accompany the grilled hamburgers and hot dogs) and we have front row seats for the show. Here are some pics from this year's show. The clouds make it a bit difficult to spot the jets...

The guys eat ice cream.

The field between office buildings

is a prime spot for watching the jets.

Summer ... Summer ... Summertime.

We have finally packed away the winter coats and boots ... and the shorts are here to stay! The weather lately has been wonderful, and we've been soaking up all the sunshine we can. The boys can't get enough of the Great Outdoors. Our favorite activities lately have been riding scooters/bikes/etc. in our driveway and jumping on the trampoline.

Green shirt. Green shoes. He LOVES green!

Thanks to Old Navy for having these green shoes.

All serious ... until you see his shoes! Reid is notorious for wearing

his shoes on the wrong feet but insisting that's

the correct way to wear them. Always good for a giggle!

1, 2, 3 ... JUMP!

MOMS the Word!

A while back, Jami joined our local chapter of MOMS Club as an opportunity to meet some other mothers in our area and connect with children Reid's age. This group has provided that and so much more! Whether it's weekly playgroup outings or field trips or service projects, we really appreciate what MOMS Club has brought to our lives and the many friends we've made along the way. Not only do we see these families at club gatherings ... but also at local community events, the YMCA, even the grocery store! Being a part of this group has certainly helped to build our sense of community here.

Tonight, the MOMS Club gathered for our End-of-the-Year Banquet. What a fun evening celebrating our club and the many wonderful families involved!

Our MOMS Club all dressed up for a night on the town!

Our first Tooth Fairy visit...

It's been a long time coming, and that tooth has been a-wigglin' for a while. A lot of his kindergarten friends have been losing their pearly whites, but Luke had yet to join that "club." Until last night. After dinner at Papa's house, Luke showed us that his tooth was ... well ... let's just say it redefined "flexible." Luke was fiddling with it a bit, and the tooth just popped out. No yuckiness about it either. He thought it was pretty cool to lose his first tooth. And this morning, he thought it was even better that the Tooth Fairy brought him 4 quarters!

Happy Luke with his Tooth Fairy pillow

Spring Projects

Now that the weather is warming a bit and it finally feels like spring (thanks to the green grass and blooming flowers), we have been all about doing some spring cleaning projects. Here's a sampling of our to-do list from the weekend...

In preparation for a garage sale in June,

we cleaned and organized the toys

in our basement playroom. Luke helped

to make the signage!

Our tulips finally bloomed this week ...

and the rain finally stopped long enough

to stain the wooden playset in the backyard.

Scott was hard at work with his paintbrush in hand!

Mother's Day Memories

Mother's Day brunch on Friday with Reid's class.

Since it was a "fun day," the kiddos

got to dress in their pajamas.

With our friends Melissa & Jack

The boys treated Mom to brunch at the Broadmoor.

Oooh-la-la! Quite the royal treatment for Mama!

OJ, a pancake & a donut ... Reid was all set!

Luke's favorite part of brunch was

the chocolate fountain. What's not to like?!

Desserts galore ... goodies from the chocolate fountain,

bananas foster, a pear cupcake, and cashew brittle!

The beautiful brunch!

Our family in front of the Broadmoor.

Gorgeous weather + 2 lil' helpers = a clean car for Mom!

Our Mother's Day finale was playing badminton

in the backyard and enjoying the nice evening!

We enjoy teaching the boys to play new sports.

This was Luke's first time playing badminton,

and he loved it! We may have the net up and the

racquets & birdies out a lot this summer!

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"The art of mothering is to teach

the art of living to children." -- Elain Heffner

Still Snowing

Happy May! It is still snowing here.

In fact, our latest snow was graupel (snow pellets).

Oh, our funny spring weather in Colorado!

Luke checks out the spring snow.

Monday morning view from our kitchen window.

A snowy Pikes Peak is far off in the distance

in the center of the photo.

Say what?

It's been a while since we've done an installment of "From the Mouths of Babes." Enjoy!

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While getting ready for school one morning, Jami was helping Luke comb his hair. She pulled out a bottle of hair product, which sparked the following conversation...

Luke: "Mom, are you going to put cow in my hair?"

Mom: "Do you mean gel?"

Luke: "No, cow."

Mom: "This is called mousse."

Luke: "Ohhhh, moose. That's what I meant."

Well, it's one of those animals you put in your hair...

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One evening, Reid was in the basement playing. Jami called him upstairs to take a bath and get ready for bed. His reply: "I'm sorry, Mom. I'm kind of busy. I can't hear you right now."

Let the selective hearing begin...

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Spring Snow ... Day 2

We awoke to more of what seemed like we'd moved to Antarctica with snowing, winds blowing ... and cabin fever growing! Today we decided to venture out and head to Downtown Colorado Springs for lunch. Wise decision. We had close to 15 inches of snow at home. Heading just 20 minutes south to Downtown, we found a whole new world with absolutely no snow and blue skies and dry streets. We enjoyed lunch at our favorite little kid-friendly spot Poor Richard's and then worked in some shopping. Such a treat!

Dad & the boys downtown

We returned home to discover that the sun was out, and the melt factor was in full force. Knowing this may be our last encounter with snow for the season (at least THIS much snow), we packed up our gear for a final sledfest at Toboggan Hill.

Reid got this new pirate get-up today

and insisted on wearing it to play in the snow...

eye patch and all. What a crack-up!

We did not

make

this giant snowball,

but thank you to the

high school kids

who did.

These kids also built this big ramp.

Of course, brave Luke wanted to try it out!

Kings of Toboggan Hill,

standing on the giant snowball.

Check out the 2 sledding routes at Toboggan Hill.

Spring Snow!

It snowed again today ... and snowed ... and snowed some more. Mr. Weatherman predicted we would get 1 inch. Instead we got 12. He obviously didn't consult with Mother Nature; she had other plans. School was cancelled, and we stayed home for a "lazy Leahy day." Oh, how we love the quirky spring weather in Colorado!

The green buds on this tree are hidden by the snow.

Whoa, snow!

Little eyes watched out the window

many times today.

Picnic anyone? 12 inches of snow on the patio table.

When the blizzard finally stopped,

the sun made a brief appearance.

Even superheroes in soccer capes need some

extra rest sometimes, especially on a lazy snowy day.

Monday Funday

It is interesting to see what stands out to the boys as their favorite activities. For quite a while, the top item on the Luke-and-Reid-Request-List has been a return visit to ArtSports (trampolines, foam pit, jump, bounce, jump some more.) They only hold open gym sessions on certain days of the week when the boys are in school. But it just so happened that today Luke had a day off school ... and this day off coincided with ArtSports open gym. Time for Monday Funday!

Listen closely as Reid (AKA Indiana Jones) swings from this rope. He's singing the Indiana Jones theme song ... because certain stunts require sound effects!

Luke is one fast flipper! Zooooom!

Fashion to the Rescue

For nearly 2 years, Jami has volunteered with a local non-profit organization called the Women's Resource Agency, which helps women to gain and maintain self-sufficiency. WRA just hosted its major fundraiser -- Fashion to the Rescue -- with the theme of "Off Broadway." This event combines a fashion show, assistance from local firefighters, and silent & live auctions. This year's fundraiser was the best yet. With nearly 400 attendees, the event raised a record amount for WRA!

Jami volunteered on the Marketing Committee,

designing various print pieces and the event logo shown above.

Amazing women. Great friends!

Beth, Torie, Jami & Nadine

Junior Leaguers at Fashion to the Rescue:

Megan, Jami, Lauren, Melissa

Stylish models from the Fashion Show

Gearing Up

After our big snowstorm last week, we hope we have seen the last of the snow ... although we won't be surprised if we haven't! Such is spring in Colorado! It snows one day and melts the next. On Sunday, Jami & Luke took off for the trails of Spruce Mountain to get in our first mountain bike ride of the season. This was Luke's first time on these trails, and he was such a champ! His positive attitude and willingness to try new outdoor adventures are such incredible traits for a 6-year-old!

A boy & his bike

The trail was a little muddy in spots,

but Luke powered through those!

Mama Mountain Biker

& Mini Mountain Biker

Whew! All that pedaling works up an appetite.

We stopped for lunch in Palmer Lake,

complete with mini ice cream cones for dessert.

Flour Child

Today we had a snow day from school. In April. Yes, that's spring in Colorado for you! We stayed home all day. This was mostly okay. Until the cabin fever set in late in the day. And mischief ensued. In the form of flour. All. Over. The. Kitchen. Floor.

So proud of his messterpiece!

Thank you to our friends Broom, Dustpan, and Mop for helping us tackle the clean-up efforts!

Bicycle Built for Two

This week we made a funny little purchase.

We've seen these "tagalong bikes" before and thought they looked like so much fun. Basically, it acts like a tandem bike. You hitch the tagalong to the back of an adult bike, and off you go! The 2nd rider can pedal and steer, but most of the momentum, power, and handling comes from the front rider. Shhhh ... just don't tell the back rider...

We bought the tagalong bike in hopes that this would become a new "bike" for Reid this summer. Our neighborhood is very hilly, so it's hard for the boys to ride anywhere other than our rather short driveway. Our friend offered to sell us their tagalong, so we jumped on it!

We spent some time this weekend test driving our newest mode of transportation. Luke picked it up pretty quickly and loves it! Reid on the other hand needs a little more convincing before he's ready to hit the road. A little more practice (and patience), and we'll be pedaling away in no time. Hopefully by summer, we'll be able to take family bike rides around our neighborhood and down to the local breakfast spot!

Everything Easter

Oh, what a lovely Easter it's been! We kicked off the festivities earlier this week with coloring eggs. This year we tried a little twist with the eggs. Did you know that using brown eggs and dying them for a bit longer will turn the eggs into the most beautiful jewel tone colors? It really works! The boys had fun naming each egg. We had the usual eggs named Mom, Dad, Luke, and Reid; then we also had eggs assuming the identities of Superman, Batman, and Clutch Powers (hero from their new favorite Lego movie).

"Hmmm ... which color should I choose?"

On Easter morning, our goal was to go to 8 a.m. Mass so we were up bright and early ready to hunt for eggs.

Treasures for all!

All dressed up for church.

The boys were so funny about wearing their ties.

Luke said this morning, "I'm ready for my work meeting."

Reid thinks ties are what you wear on dates.

Handsome little men

After Mass, we returned home and put the finishing touches on Easter brunch. We hosted several neighbors and Papa for brunch. It was great to spend the afternoon chatting and watching the kids play. It was even warm enough to sit on the patio for a bit. Hooray for spring!

:: Easter Brunch Menu ::

A collaborative effort of our amazing neighborhood chefs

Meyer lemon glazed ham

Asparagus & portobello quiche

Sweet pea crostinis (pictured above)

Roquefert pear salad

Homemade cinnamon rolls (pictured below)

Lemon truffle pie (pictured above)

Easter basket cupcakes (pictured below)

Darling Easter cupcakes in front.

Divine homemade cinnamon rolls in back.

Thanks to our neighbors for sharing their amazing baking skills!

The end of the day brought some time outdoors ...

admiring the good weather and great scooter skills of the boys!

HAPPY EASTER!