Maddi's 2nd grade play & the Incline

This week was Maddi's second grade play. It was really cute and Maddi did a great job. She had 2 speaking parts but the songs were her favorite part. Natalie and I went and watched her dress rehearsal for the school. Natalie was so excited to go to the kids school. She wore her pants that matched Maddi's skirt. She remembers what Maddi wears and loves Maddi's clothes. Natalie loved every minute of the play and was really good.

My friend Wendy and I at the top of Mt. Manitou


My big adventure of the week was the Manitou Springs incline. It is over 2800 old railroad ties that go straight up the mountain. You gain over 2000 feet in elevation on the way up. So for some reason everyone in Colorado Springs thinks that they need to hike it. It is not an official requirement but I think at some point everyone her has to hike the incline. Then you run down the trail on the other side which is about 4 miles down. The trail down hooks into the trail that you take to hike Pikes Peak. So it was not the most enjoyable day of my life but it was a pretty big accomplishment plus I found out that I am not wasting my time at the gym! My workouts are paying off!
The top of the mountain in the picture is not really the top! It keeps on going which means so did I. They call it the false summit.

You my Prince

About 7:00 yesterday morning the kids were getting ready for school. The conversation I heard went like this:

Natalie: Zach dance with me.
Zach: In a minute Natalie, I'm getting ready.
natalie: Zach I a princess
Zach: I know you are a princess Natalie but I am getting ready
Natalie: You my Prince. You need to dance with me. I a princess.

Then the followig took place:


What a sweet Prince.


We also had the blue and gold banquet for scouts last night. A majician came and the kids loved every minute of it!

Brig's Press Release

Here is the link to Brig's article:
http://electronicdesign.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=20499

Here is Brig's press release about his product (different than his article).

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/090128/20090128005290.html?.v=1
TRADE NEWS: Agilent Technologies, The MathWorks to Offer MATLAB(r) Data Analysis Software With Agilent Oscilloscopes
Wednesday January 28, 11:00 am ET


SANTA CLARA, Calif. & NATICK, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A - News) and The MathWorks today announced the availability of MATLAB(r) data analysis software with the purchase of Agilent 5000, 6000, 7000 and 90000 Series oscilloscopes.
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Way to go Brig and Good Luck Zach.

I just added a little David Archuletta in honor of the new season of American Idol. I love that show. I know that Archuletta did not win but he was and still is my favorite American Idol!
Can you believe that these pictures are from the park last week. It was 70 degrees on 2 different days and then it got really cold and snowed then it was nice again today. The picture is from the park that is only 4 houses down and Natalie is with two of her buddies.

In other news - Brig had another article published! Way to go Brig. I will post the link to the magazine.

Tomorrow Zach has little league try outs. Kind of crazy that they make little kids try out. The end of the month they will have a "draft" so we will see what league he ends up in. Luckily Brig is a coach so I know Zach will be okay. Zach got new catchers equipment for Christmas so he is ready for the baseball season.

Maddi has been practicing for her 2nd grade play next week. I think she know the lines of every second grader and I have heard them all many times plus all songs in the play. Maddi is working hard at gymnastics and still loves it. Oh, Maddi's Big new is that she got her hair cut. She got about 5 1/2 inches cut off. I lost the camera for about a week so I don't have a picture of that either. You will just have to trust me that she looks adorable!

Molly got sick this week. Not fun to have a sick dog.

I got to help in the kids classes this month, have a birthday, go to the gym a lot, work a little bit, work on our taxes, try to clean, look for a new couch and play with Natalie, Zach and Maddi. It was a pretty good month!

LONG TIME - NO POSTS

We have been busy since our last post. We had a great Christmas in Cheyenne, a fun New Years with friends here in the Springs, Brig had some business trips,We saw the musical Jersey Boys with Brig's family, the kids brought home wonderful report cards, I had a birthday and a new niece, Annie was born in Washington D.C.

This past week was my birthday and we were able to spend a lot of time with both of our families. I had a surprise mid-morning party with a bunch of the ladies from church and my friends brought me a birthday brunch. Brig's parents came down Friday and watched the kids for us so Brig could take me out to dinner and movie. Then we spent the day Saturday with them. Saturday evening my family came down and we had another birthday dinner with them. My parents stayed Sunday and then left this morning.

My Birthday is our 3 year anniversary here in Colorado. We love it here. It is 65 degrees here today!

I have added a some pictures of our walk up in Woodland Park with the Asays(a town in the mountains about 20 minutes away), my birthday party, Sunday with my parents, and the new Trampoline from Christmas which was a big hit and Christmas morning.
Natalie and her cousin Jared
Christmas morning

Merry Christmas

There is snow on the ground, school is out, the class Christmas parties are over, most of the presents are wrapped or at least bought so now it is time to pack for Cheyenne. We are always excited to go home for Christmas!

Christmas Party

Friday night was our Ward Christmas party. The primary did a little play and Zach played a cold beggar that needed shoes. Natalie talked to Santa Clause for the first time and Madeline got a chance to talk to him as well. Zach as usual avoided Santa. I think that he has talked to Santa only once in his whole life (besides letter communication.) It was a fun night and the kids had fun with their friends.

The Nutcracker

Zach had his 4th grade performance of the Nutcracker yesterday. He was a dancing candy cane flute. He was pretty cute if I do say so myself!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

The Christmas Tree is decorated! One of our Christmas traditions is that the kids get their new Christmas p.j.'s when we decorate the tree. Then we all decorate in our pajamas. Instead of P.J.'s Molly the dog received new antlers. Brig called her Hollidog. Then Zach played us some Christmas music on the piano and Madeline made some of her own ornaments. Maybe next week I will be posting pictures of the outside of the house with lights. We haven't put outside lights up in over 5 years. So maybe this year is the year!