My Gym Halloween Party…

We attended the annual My Gym Halloween party tonight and Elaine had a blast.  In addition to the normal fun, the My Gym staff put together different kinds of crafts and games for the kids to play.  Elaine made a lollipop ghost, walked in a cupcake walk, did the space flight, ring toss, bean bag throw and pumpkin bowling.  It was a nice way to ease into the busy Halloween day.  We’re all looking forward to tomorrow’s festivities!!

Introducing herself as a monkey

Elaine and Jerry

Ring Toss

Lollipop ghost

Trying for a strike

Hanging like a realy monkey

Space flight

Carving Party…

Tonight we had a jack-o-lantern carving party with Lane, Josh, Riley and Elaine.  The Coles and the Seabolts came over for a pizza dinner before we started carving.  The idea behind the party was for the kids to help carve.  The end result was an adult carving party with kids running around playing, screaming, eating treats and having fun.   

Let the fun begin!!

Slimy pumpkin hands

Rollin’ up her sleeves…

Sweet Riley

Pumpkin #1:  A white one with a happy face!

Lane and Jami

Shannon and Riley 

Do you realize how hard it is to get 3 kids under the age of 4 to cooperate to have a picture taken??

BOO!!!!

Leaves A Plenty…

#1.   Jerry:  Rake leaves into small piles.                  

Elaine:  Walk around yard carrying rake.

#2.  Jerry:  Combine small piles into one big pile.      

Elaine:  Go play in sandbox.

#3.  Jerry:  Take pictures of Elaine in big pile.                                                                    

Elaine and Morgan:  Create more work for Daddy.

#4.  Jerry:  Repile the leaves.

Elaine:  Return to sandbox.

#5.  Jerry:  Put leaves in bags.   

Elaine:  Put leaves in bags.    

#6.  Jerry:  Take pictures of Elaine. 

Elaine:  Take lots of credit for a job well done.

Fabulous Fall…

We have been so blessed with a beautiful, long fall filled with amazing warm weather and tons of color.  From what I’ve heard it doesn’t compare to the northeast, but I think it’s been pretty spectacular!!

Last Drops of Free Weekends…

As stated in my previous post, Jerry’s free weekend time is quickly coming to an end as the beginning of basketball season looms.  We had a productive morning running errands and getting things around the house done.  This afternoon, we met Jerry’s parents and grandmothers in Denver for dinner.  Elaine loved being doted on by the grandmas and Papa!  We enjoyed being able to spend a few hours together. 

The Season Is Upon Us…

Basketball season, that is…  

Practice, press releases, interviews, game notes, travel, working late, working weekends, radio shows all mean Jerry will be spending more time at work.  Today marked the midday madness event where the players meet fans and put on a clinic for kids.  We went to the AFA after gymnastics for a little while.  Elaine loves the women’s basketball coaches who are ridiculously good to her.  Because Elaine needed a nap we didn’t stay too long, but we both enjoyed seeing friends and spending a little extra time with Jerry.

Long time, no see! (Elaine’s friend Cooper)

Enjoying some licorice with Ardie, the women’s head coach.

Extra Daddy time

Friday Night Dinners…

On the Friday nights we don’t have basketball, soccer or CC hockey, we try to have dinner with the Chisesis.  We met for dinner tonight and, as always, had a great time.  We look forward to many more fun evenings with dear friends.

Boo Zoo…

Our 2nd Halloween activity took place Sunday night and Elaine was in much better spirits.  Dressed again in her monkey costume sans the hood she refused to wear, we headed to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.  For dozens of reasons, we are so lucky to live mere minutes from this fabulous zoo and Boo at the Zoo is only 1 of them.  Elaine affectionately calls the event Boo Zoo–she even woke up from  her nap asking about it. 

In addition to seeing all the beautiful animals, different vendors set up tables for trick or treating.  It took Elaine a little while to get everything figured out.  By the end of the evening she would walk up to the table, say “treat” sweetly, hold up her plastic pumpkin and then say thank you with her trademark head tilt.  She only tried to eat 6 pieces of candy and had one screaming fit as a result.  These statistics prove to mark a successful evening of trick or treating fun and served as a great warm-up for the real thing.  After leaving the zoo, we headed for a quick dinner at Culver’s where we met up with my parents.  The whole evening was a great way to end the weekend.  Halloween activity #2–a success!!

Up close and personal…

“Trick or treat!”

Zoo Carousel

Longtime friends–the Cole/Burke family

Standing in front of her favorite jack-o-lantern

Feeding giraffes

Skyway Carnival…

We have lots of Halloween activities and outings planned. Last night was the first of them–the annual Skyway Carnival.  My mom made Elaine’s costume, as she did most of mine growing up.  She created the cutest monkey costume.  This is a nickname we have given Elaine and she proudly jumped into character making monkey noises when asked about what she was.  Elaine seemed to know that this costume was made especially for her by her Grammy.  It was cute to see how proud she was of it!  Unfortunately, Elaine was diagnosed with a sinus infection and, as you can tell, she was not her normal perky self.  She did have fun seeing the kids and watching the activities. 

Elaine’s face was painted by her buddy Leah Lowe, Skyway’s art teacher

Proudly displaying her jack-o-lantern

Eating the cupcake covered with M&Ms, Whoppers and frosting

A Spooky Jack-O-Lantern…

This week in preschool, Elaine made a jack-o-lantern using torn orange, black and green paper.  Once again, she is most proud of her masterpiece.