Tag: Places

  • First Time Family Pictures

    We finally did it! Thanks to Facebook, I recently saw some gorgeous photos of families I know. I just had to get ours done too. We have never had professional pictures done, now I couldn’t resist. I wanted some nice pics of the whole family. So we did it!

    I contacted the photographer who took the pictures of the other families, her name is Lisa with LiLo Photography.   She set us up to meet at a local Museum that has a working farm, great place to snap pics.

    Can I just tell you that I LOVE the pictures?  I was so nervous because honestly I didn’t know if my boys would cooperate.  My 2 little ones did not cooperate after about 15 minutes, lol.  I was unsure if they gave her any good shots.

    Well folks that is what Professionals are for!  Of course she captured perfect pics of them.  So thankful!!

    If you are in the Denver area, I highly recommend her.  She has an amazing portfolio that you can view online at Facebook (please “Like” her, you will love the pics she posts) or on her website.

    She made us feel comfortable right away.  She introduced herself to the boys and made them feel special, thank you for that Lisa!


     

  • Our Classroom for a Perfect Autumn Day

    A couple of Fridays ago we took class outdoors, what a breath of fresh air!  It was amazing, fantastic, refreshing and down right FUN!

    Perfect Autumn Day

    We love going to Hudson Gardens, several acres of God’s beautiful creation!  We searched for leaves, watched ducks and geese, chased butterflies and bugs, tumbled in the grass and climbed a rock cave, we even did some bird watching.

    Perfect Autumn Day

    School OutsideSince we are now into to the Fall, we were thrilled to see the …

    Hay MazeHay Maze!

    Hay Maze

    and…

    Pumpkin PatchPumpkin Patch!

    Pumpkin Patch

    Sam at Pumpkin Patch

    Oliver at the Pumpkin Patch

    We also checked out a Leaf Explorer Pack from the Office, we learned all about leaves and trees.  There were a ton of fun activities and surprises in the pack.

    Leaf Explorer Pack

    Leaf Explorer Pack

    Leaf Explorer Pack

    We also took along this, (thanks Scribbit!):

    Nature Colors Scavenger Hunt

    Thank you God for the Best classroom we could ever ask for!

  • Stopping to Smell the Roses, Literally!

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    I love flowers, I love gardening.  Before I had kids, most of my time was spent gardening.  I researched, planned, plotted and planted.  Fast forward 8 years and I have no time to garden, I figure I will be able to do it again once my kids are a little older.

    Until then, I get my flower fix at my local public garden, called Hudson Gardens.  30 acres of God’s beauty in nature.  It’s almost heaven!

    I wandered through the Rose Garden and snapped some shots of my favorites.

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    The Rose Garden at Hudson Gardens

    Other Flowers:

    Zinnias at Hudson Gardens

    Hudson Gardens

    Hudson Gardens

    Hudson Gardens

    Hudson Gardens

     Hope you enjoyed!

  • Review: Best Soup Around! DaKind Soup in Evergreen

    DaKind Soup EvergreenSoup. Really, who doesn’t love soup? I know that our family loves soup! Recently, Groupon offered a deal at DaKind Soups in Evergreen. After checking out their STELLAR reviews on Yelp, Google and Yahoo, I purchased the Groupon.

    2. We ventured there after a vacation in Vail.

    DaKind Soup EvergreenDaKind usually has around 8 soups available daily.

    They get up at 5AM and make FRESH soup everyday.  How cool is that!?!?

    Da Kind Cauliflower Soup

    Cauliflower Soup, so creamy, smooth, rich and DELICIOUS!

    Da Kind Meat ChiliMeat Chili – Hearty and Yummy – LOVE the cheese.

    Mozzarella and Tomato SandieMozzarella and Tomato Grilled Sandie – Really good maybe even better with a tad less Balsamic.  GOOD though!

    Overall – 5 stars out of 5 – hands down – no-questions-asked.

    So good!

    DaKind Soups Evergreen

    It is right next to the HIWAN HOMESTEAD, make a day of it!

  • Field Trip: Bugs and Butterflies and more!

    Butterfly Pavilion

    A few weeks ago we went on a Field Trip to the Butterfly Pavilion with my sister and nephew.  It was so much fun and the kids loved every minute.  They got to hold Rosie, the famous tarantula, plus they were able to observe many more bugs and spiders.

    Bee Hive in Action

    huge beetle

    I think everybody’s favorite part is the actual Butterfly Pavilion which is a huge tropical forest filled room with butterflies flying EVERYWHERE. It was really cool.

    butterfly pavilion

    I do have to admit that I was so scared that a butterfly or other flying insect would land on me, I was petrified.  I could finally relax once I put my hoodie up, even though people looked at me like I was crazy.  After all, it is extremely hot and humid, but I got to enjoy myself so it was worth it.

    butterfly

    After the exhibits we hit up the interactive area which has many stations of fun and learning.

    butterfly pavilion

  • Field Trip: Airplane Museum!

    propeller

    In our city we have a museum after any young boys heart – the Airplane Museum, it is called Wings over the Rockies.  It is located in a hangar that used to be used on a military base here in Denver.  We didn’t tell the boys where we were going, but after a 20 minute drive, we turned the corner to see this:

    Wings over the Rockies

    The boys jaws dropped, their reactions were priceless!

    After getting our tickets and browsing the gift shop we headed into the hangar.  WOW!  There are tons of different flying machines all around, on the ground and in the air!

    planes

    boys by jet

    small plane

    So much to see, so many cool things!

    The coolest thing for my boys was something that is not even real, lol.

    A scale model of Luke Skywalkers X-Wing Fighter complete with R2D2!

    Luke Skywalkers X-Wing Fighter

    Luke Skywalkers X-Wing Fighter

    It was a fun day, the boys ran around with so much excitement!

    Of course we ended the field trip with Astronaut Ice Cream, yum (eww) and a Captains Hat for Oliver.

    Astronaut Ice Cream

    If you live in Denver, I recommend taking your kids, they will love it!

  • A Spring Field Trip

    Daffodils

    We went to a wonderful, several acre outdoor space with gardens and ponds.

    Everything is just starting to turn green, flowers are popping up, ducks are swimming in the ponds.

    The air was crisp, fresh, perfect.

    hyacinth

     

    mockorange

    Preston Leaf Collecting

    prestons leaves

     

     

    Iris "Zebra"

    Iris "Lemon Up"

    daffodil

    plant

     

    crabapple

    pine

    leave

    jumping

    We walked around for 2 hours, discovering.  They have a super fun kids area, the kids can climb rocks, sit in a “cave”, and jump all around.  They also had a dock by the stream, perfect for pretending -this day, it was a huge ship that we all lived on.  :O)

  • Fall Field Trip #2

    Hudson Gardens
    Hudson Gardens

    We are probably going for 3 field trips to study the Fall.  We have already gone to the Botanic Gardens, this trip was to Hudson Gardens, next one is straight to the mountains.

    Hudson Gardens is a great place.  This “about” is from their own website:

    The Gardens reflect the multitude of plants, flowers and trees and thrive in the dry Colorado climate, and include land that varies from high, dry prairie to wetlands near the river.Thirty acres of gardens are arranged in a continuous flow featuring ponds, wildlife, sculpture, a garden railroad, adventure hideaways and spectacular natural displays along a mile-and-a-quarter walking path. Quite simply, The Gardens are an oasis of serenity in the midst of the City that allow visitors to simply enjoy their distinct beauty or learn how to beautify their own yards and businesses.

    We visited them this past Friday, the month of September only requires $1 for admission, we simply could not pass it up.

    We checked out a Family Explorer pack which added to the fun.  Also, you will notice 4 boys in the pictures, cousin Adam got to come along!

    Hudson Gardens
    Paying the $1 admission
    Hudson Gardens
    Leaf Lookout Explorer Pack, came with Sun Bracelets
    Hudson Gardens
    Sun Bracelets
    Hudson Gardens
    Sun Bracelets- white beads that turn colors in the sun
    Hudson Gardens
    Walking with Dad to the "Treehouse"
    Hudson Gardens
    a Bridge
    Hudson Gardens
    "Hold yous" Samuels way of asking to be held
    Hudson Gardens
    Bridge
    Hudson Gardens
    Samuel using the Binoculars
    Hudson Gardens
    the Maze
    Hudson Gardens
    the 4 year olds finish!
    Hudson Gardens
    Giant Pumpkins
    Hudson Gardens
    Samuel and the Giant Pumpkins
    Hudson Gardens
    Preston having a quiet moment
    Hudson Gardens
    by the Frog pond
    Hudson Gardens
    Checking out the Map
    Hudson Gardens
    Tiny Gourd

    I had never been before and I will certainly be going back.  Thanks Hudson Gardens!

  • Captain’s Log 11:41 PM

    Usually it’s Oliver that’s up late. Not tonight though. Samuel had a sort of late night nap and I’m afraid he could be up til 2…no hopefully not that late.

    Must find the whoopy cushion! Don’t know how but the kids lost it all ready. Just bought it today actually. They were able to sneak it under a few unsuspecting people!

    Aspen Grove Farmers Market Earlier today we stopped by the Aspen Grove Farmer’s Market. That was fun.

    I didn’t manage to get a picture but there was a neat little country folk band playing. Don’t know how to explain them but if you stop by you can’t miss em`.

    There were some giant tomato’s that caught Preston’s eye and Oliver loved all the fresh food around.