Colorado Christmas (89 photos), by maureen jenkins

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Colorado Christams

Hey Family and Friends! Merry Christmas.

We missed you all but from all of the conversations it sounds like everyone had great holiday celebrations and we look forward to seeing pics and hearing more. The Flying J Ranch is bustling. Santa was great to all the kiddos and they have been playing since 6am this morning.

Flying J is stocked with people, the Burke Family (4 ppl), GiGi (great grandma), Mamie and Cap'n (my folks), Funcle (my bro) and the Doanes (4.5 ppl) so the food is flying out of the fridge, washer and dryer and dishwasher are running non stop and there is not a lack of attention being given to any of the kids!! Between snow activities, playing with Cousins and getting covered in kisses all day they look forward to nap time.

Rob came in town two days ago and the boys are in Heaven. They are showing off all their new tricks and trying to be sure that dad gets fully caught up on everything they have been learning. We went back out on the tubes the other day and wow!!! is all I can say. The slope they shoot down was a huge ice patch after all the weather we have been having here. I would like to say it was nothing but a great time followed by Cocoa at the end of the day but instead we had a few mishaps. B shot off the tube, landed in a snow bank in tears (had some cocoa and requested another run) and immediately following, Rob bulleted down the slope at a very impressive speed went over the embankment glasses and gloves went flying and Rob did a face plant into a crusted snow bank that left a nice red reminder.

We loose Rob to the warm weather tomorrow evening so we will have a busy day fitting in the last of the activities that we can. A gondola ride is planed for the morning, some lunch at the top of the mountain and lots of snuggles for those little guys.

Christmas came and went! I cant believe it. We all went out to cut down a tree in the national forest, made homemade decorations (popcorn, cranberries etc.) Santa came and filled the stockings, ate the cookies and here we are; surrounded by paper and smiles. The baton was officially passed from Steve to Rob this year. It was the first of what will probably be many Christmases where Rob spent the late hours of Christmas Eve putting together toys (this year a scooter for B and a bike for Caleb) wondering where that "one part" is. All parts were found, toys constructed and boys were thrilled with the gifts. We cant wait for you all to see them in action.

I am also glad to report that Caleb is now saying more than "apple" and "out" and enjoying conversation much more. B has found a best friend in his cousin Grace. Their imaginations are amazing! and they play off of each others stories all the time. It will be a hard departure to say the least.

We are sad to see Rob go but it will only be for a short while and there will be a lot of distractions between now and his next arrival. We have a big group coming round for the New Year as well as family stopping by the Ranch on and off before and after. Then home to AZ in no time.

Love you all!!!

album 12\14\2010 (113 photos), by maureen jenkins

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Second Road Trip down

Hey everyone.

We are two road trips in this year and we are good! Once again the boys, dogs and 12+ hours in the car. Everyone did great!! Dad came in to Scottsdale to make the drive with me and the boys, he was able to stay and enjoy the warm weather for a few days and then we were off. The kids were great!! Now we are in the mountains adjusting to the cold and loving it!

Scottsdale was about 70 degrees and nice warm break for dad. A few trips to the park, some good wrestling in the living room and we were on the road. We were two hours outside of Steamboat when we got caught in a blizzard and had to head back to the last town for the night. I am THRILLED to report that everyone handled the hotel experience much better than last time. The dogs stayed in their respective beds, the kids each with an adult and no fussing or fevers in the night. We were out early the next morning and have been enjoying the ranch since.

Today the boys went sledding around the property, the dogs ran for hours, Caleb did a face plant in the snow that was the end of his winter wonderland and the beginning of nap time. B on the other hand would have stayed outside until his nose fell off if it were not for the luring of his favorite lunch. Now they are both down for naps and so cute.

Caleb has reverted to using only two words out of what was a 50 word vocabulary and since his two words consist of "apple" and "out"......there is a lot of guessing going on and a lot of frustration going on! He also loves!!!! looking for cows and horses as we drive through the country. Any find is announced with a boisterous "Neigh" or "Moo"

B is holding on to every bit of information he is being taught and never ceases to surprise me with what he remembers. He loves counting and doing puzzles.

So far the only downfall of the trip has been the absents of Rob. We are only a few days in but I can tell ya now this is gonna be tough on all of us! He is at home sick with Strep which makes it ever tougher to not be there. We are counting down the days till he gets here for X-mas! we love you ROB!!