Happy Halloween

Halloween was very fun. Our neighbor's hosted a great party on Friday night (John and I went as Jon and Kate +8), and then we went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. The boys got enough candy to last us through to next year I think!


(our jack-o-lanterns)


(Trent, Jake & Mackenzie trick-or-treating)


(the ninja and the dragon)


(Jon and Kate plus 8 (and a dragon))

Oh SNOW!

Yep, that's right folks, we've had a total of 3 (yes THREE) snow storms in the month of October!!! The first was just a light dusting (but Trent's first experience with the white stuff so we snapped a few pics).

The second was a little more (about 6 inches) and of course we built a snow man!

(Trent snow angel)

The third was just ridiculous, really. We got around 35 inches here in Highlands Ranch where it snowed for 2 days straight. Trent got 3 snow days (unheard of here in Denver!).

(our deck - about 1/2 way through)

(Mackenzie and Jake sledding on our drive)

(John waist deep on the deck)

It stopped and warmed up a bit just in time for trick-or-treating! This week it should be in the 60's all week. Gotta love Denver weather (or NOT!) :)

(our neighbor's Halloween inspired snow man!)

Our New Addition

Many of you already know that we have a new addition in our home since the beginning of September. My Nephew, Trent has come to live with us! Trent is a very sweet little man and we are so happy to have him here with us. Of course it's been an adjustment (having a kindergartner and another little guy around is completely different) but we've settled in and are having a great time with him (Jake especially thinks Trent's awesome)!

Here are a few pictures of Trent!

(Trent on the plane coming to Denver)

(Trent playing at the Denver Children's Museum)

(Trent's 6th Birthday)

Summer is fading...

Well, it's been over a month now since I posted here - and I promised myself I was going to keep up with this darn site! Oh well, what can I say?

Jen had baby Eli and we went to Oklahoma at the end of July/1st of August to visit and meet him. What an amazing experience! Eli was born on his due date (August 1st) just as his mommy hoped he would be (what a good boy), and I was able to be there when he was born. While we were there, I got to spend a lot of quality time with Jen and the rest of my family and Jake got to spend some quality time with his cousins, grandparents and aunts/uncles. It was so much fun. We were sad to leave, but happy to be home (Daddy missed us a lot!)

Eli Joshua Downing 8-1-09

Jake taking the tractor for a ride

Proud big brother Drew with baby Eli

Jake and Drew on Paw Paw's boat

d-day (just a few hours after Eli was born)

School has started now and the young maple tree in my back yard is already starting to change colors. I know fall is on it's way soon. This makes me very sad. I love summer so much and this year it was WAY too short here in Colorado. I hope the summer weather lingers a little longer.

But what can you do? Well, for starters, it's time to look for Halloween costumes, and plan our annual trip to see the Colorado fall foliage! That is definitely something to look forward to!

Chugga, Chugga.. Poo Poo!!

Paw Paw came for a visit this weekend on his way to a job outside of Grand Junction. We all went to the Railroad Museum in Golden, CO. They just happened to be celebrating their 50th anniversary, so there were a lot of people there and a lot going on. There were also a lot more trains there than usual which was cool to see. We also went to the park and let Jake play in the fountains before Paw Paw left town. He had such a good time that he didn't want to leave. We'll definitely have to do that a few more times this summer!

Jake is on a 2-week dry streak (give or take a few tiny "didn't-make-it-in-time" accidents)! He's really started to get it and can hold it a lot longer now. He even went poo poo on the potty at school today!! hooray!!

The 4th (of April?)

We hosted a 4th BBQ with our neighbors (the Lynch's) for the 5th year in a row this year. For the last two years, it rained on us. This year, not only did it rain, it rained a LOT and got very cold. Luckily, with the basement newly completed, we had room for everyone to come inside! The kids loved the new couch in the basement and used it like a "bouncy house" for their entertainment. Well, I guess it IS supposed to be an entertainment room, right? We skipped the big fireworks show again this year for the Larson's show. Doug never fails to entertain/scare us with his not-so-legal fireworks show (care of WY fireworks)! Jake really enjoyed having so many friends over and loved watching the fireworks with PawPaw (when he wasn't hiding from them).

Happy Hosts

(see storm clouds in the background)

The family pic!

Mackenzie, Clara & Jake (before the rain)

The new couch (aka Bouncy House) -

yes, that's an action shot of Jake on his head!

Paw Paw, Jack and Jake

Hallelujah!!! The Basement is Finished!!!

Without further ado...pictures of the new and improved basement!!

Entertainment Room (view #1)

Entertainment Room (view #2)

Bathroom (shower)

Bathroom

Bedroom

Wet bar

Rec room/wet bar