December started with a quick trip to Vegas to help out with Tyler's child custody battle for Hawkin. I didn't end up having to testify because he and Jerica settled the morning of the hearing. Phew! Big congrats to Tyler - he worked so hard for his boy.
We spent the day hanging with the kids and helping Tyler get his dishwasher leveled & secured. I secretly like house projects, especially ones like this that have such a happy ending!
I channeled Mom and got the place sparklin before I left.
Love to spend time with my bro!
Came home to Drew being a little banged up (but alive)
Our first Comicon experience
It was held at the library... they had a room full of booths for comic artists to show/sell their work and a button-making craft the kids loved.
Also, face painting and a green screen where they could choose their background.
Unicorn for Luke
Unicorn for Luke
Hulk for Reggie
Unicorn for Ruth
Another unicorn for Luke
Skull for Reggie
oh, hello Rafa!
Saturday morning baby torture
Reggie likes walking home from church along the park. I liked doing this as a kid too
Drew hooked on Sloan's ears
Ruth's weekly volleyball clinic downtown
Reggie trying gymnastics
one of these things is not like the others!
Sloan came home from 6am crossfit to find Luke all ready for school with cereal bowls out for Ruth & Reg
that's a good face, huh?
Drew taking his first step for Luvy!
Ruth starting her 3rd basketball season
Dad & Drew time
Ruth made kits to give to the homeless at Activity Days (church group of 8-11 yr old girls that meet every other week to work on goals, service, etc).
complete with uplifting notes!
nailed it! (don't worry, I pulled the notes out before we gave the kits away)
Our annual ward Christmas breakfast
That afternoon, the parents were invited to the volleyball clinic/showcase
but the boys were being troublemakers, so I took them to Union Square
quick stop by the "dancing house" on the way home
A classy lady at church told me her family always eats dinner by candlelight.
Sounded like a fun tradition...
Helped ease the chaos until everyone became obsessed with blowing them out! We'll probably save this for 'occasionally' instead of 'always'
After 4th grade did a field trip to History Colorado Center, they created their own museum at the school with homemade replicas of artifacts from Colorado's history.
Ruth made clay pots
Drew showing off his steps for Papa
And sitting in on our recording sessions.
Our friend, Sam Colton, generously gave us his out-dated sound equipment for our
home studio in mid-December, and since Sloan had been working on arrangements
of a few spiritual songs, he suggested we record them to give as Christmas
gifts to close friends and family.
I was dubious, as it was only a couple weeks till Christmas. I am too familiar with the all-consuming nature of recording projects, especially on a short deadline. But since it was just for family, I figured we could keep it low-key.
I was dubious, as it was only a couple weeks till Christmas. I am too familiar with the all-consuming nature of recording projects, especially on a short deadline. But since it was just for family, I figured we could keep it low-key.
However, as Sloan looked into CD duplication, it wasn't much more expensive to make 250 than 50. So add to the tasks of recording, mixing, and mastering... the gathering of addresses, packaging, and mailing out of 250 CD's. Hello stress!!
One of many lists of tweaks to be done
Sloan chose this CD cover art from Kirk Richard's collection, and got permission from Kirk to use it
My first time mastering - thanks to Sam for a quick tutorial
This was a great learning experience for us, and a nice thing to do together during a time when we're usually distanced by holiday mayhem.
We got enough positive feedback to reassure us that it was worthwhile. So we tentatively plan to do it again next year, but recording will start in October!
Field trip with Reggie's class to see "Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum". It's a multi-cultural production celebrating the many holidays of the season.
Stedman has brought a whole new level of culture into our lives!
Sugar Cookie time
with Marta
with Marta
our aspiring super-hero
Christmas card painting
getting some love from my boys
Drew's little perch
always clears his plate
unfortunately by throwing it everywhere
I couldn't resist the payback
then he got his
Luke stole my phone and took self-incriminating pics of being up past bedtime
busted!
luckily he's cute
Nutcracker with Ruth
and a few of her church buddies
Candy Houses
come on Dad, stay focused
Reggie's
Ruthie's
Mine & Luke's
I got the turtle some fish (to eat) for Christmas. We gathered around to watch the feast.
But he wasn't the least bit interested
Dad & Reg ski day
Dad & the boys at Cherry Creek. Luke feeling mighty
so mighty!
but not for long
Mom & Ruth ski day
Come to find out she just comes for the hot chocolate and lunch at the lodge!
Great day with my girl
Christmas Eve-Eve BBQ with the Lameroux's and Rowse's
Sloan and Tim like to play guitar together. But they weren't sure how they could include Jon, who is a music lover but not a musician.
So we got him a cowbell
Christmas Eve service at Montview Presbyterian
Lovely service but the boys were feelin wild. We slipped out early for lunch at Chop Shop.
our best shot
Then Bass Pro Shops
Just in time for Santa
Reg had an important last minute request
Home to open a few presents
The kids got dollar store presents for each other, refreshing to see them show each other some good will!
And our adorable present from Luvy & Ken... the Night Before Christmas, read by them! It was a hit.
Christmas Morning
hair-cutting/hair-collecting apron for Sloan
Drew's new flashlight
seasoning set for the RV from Luvy & Ken
So many other fun gifts not pictured... a cordless vacuum and lots of great toys from Papa & Dodie, scooters for all the kids and a massager for me from Luvy & Ken, a generous check from Gma & Gpa, a cute penguin cookie jar from Nonie, fancy lotions from the Eyres, and hot tub from Sloan to me, etc! We all felt spoiled rotten!
Dinner at the Blackburns
Ruth tried out her new hair chalk on her willing little brothers
Drew's a man's man
Despite Sloan being on the couch most of the day with a stomach bug, and my having to sing in the choir through a 2 hour Christmas service that should've only been 1, it was a lovely Christmas. We did miss being with extended family this year, but that time would come soon enough (to be continued...)
