A Night for Proud Parents

We were recently entertained by the 5th Grade Band & Orchestra - their first concert ever! Let me just say how proud we are of Jared and all the kids in his Band class. He was so excited all week long in preparation for this night. He only started learning the trumpet about 5 months ago (my next Chris Botti!) I was thoroughly impressed at how much he had learned and how well he played!! We were beside ourselves at the concert as you will see and hear in these videos. There were no solos performed by him but as a whole, the group did very well.

The required attire was black pants, white shirt and tie. Jared got dressed the night before to make sure everything was in order and when he came out I could hardly believe my eyes! It was as if he just grew up overnight; no longer my little baby...that's when I realized how old I'm actually getting! Just kidding! He looked so good I had to have him do some poses and I thought it would be fun to have him pose as "Bond, James Bond"(Another one of my favorites; those who know me!) with his airsoft gun. By the way, I tied his tie!! Yes, Me!!! I was so shocked that I remembered how! Kurt taught me years and years ago and by trial and error I figured it out again! I was quite proud of that!

Jared unfortunately was seated in the back row - where all the trumpet players were so we couldn't get his face in the videos but we did get some pictures before and after the concert. This is one of their favorite songs played called Hard Rock Blues!

This is one of those programs that will be first in line to be cut as we face millions of dollars in budget cuts this year and subsequent years. I can personally think of a few other subjects that our kids can do without and music has been proven to be an asset in a child's growth and conducive to their learning! Why are the arts always seen as "unnecessary" in a school curriculum?

Summer, Camping, RV Show!!!

We've got the bug again cause Spring and Summer is rolling around! Time to check out the annual RV show at the Convention Center in Denver. This year we dragged along Vic & Kelly in hopes of talking mainly Kelly into getting a camper of some kind. She won't tent it so it will have to be something with sink, potty, etc... comforts of home! There were a lot of deals to be had that's for sure and prices were actually pretty good! What with the struggling economy RV dealers were ready to wheel and deal. Kurt saw a 37 ft. RV that he seriously considered but as usual we just couldn't justify buying a new one for the places we go camping. One scratch or ding and we would just be sick to our stomach. The price was awesome though; it started at around $219,000 and show price was $129,000!! Maybe...no, can't do it! The kids had a lot of fun going in one and out the other and loved all of the campers, RVs and pop ups!!

We found this one and Kelly seemed to like it a lot!! We've truly enjoyed our RV and the trips we've been able to take with it and the memories spent with the kids.

Wishing You a Great New Year!

Here we are, another year has come and gone. It's always hopeful to have another new year come around; it kind of gives you a sense of making things better or doing things better than you did last year! A fresh start...

We rang in our New Year with some great friends and family! Our next door neighbors , Steve and Kristal and old friends Vic, Kelly and their two cute girls, Makenna and Aniston! It was small and quaint but loads of fun as you can see. Kurt made his awesome burritos and he also ordered some tamales from our favorite mexican restaurant owned by our friends Isidro and his wife Cecelia. We ordered a dozen and ended up with two dozen; what sweet people! Vic and his family brought beans, rice and FLAN (my all time favorite!) Bless his little heart! Steve and Kristal brought some pico and guac dip, yum!!! What more could you ask for these days right? but a nice full tummy!! Believe you me, mine is definitely too round and full!!

Since Kurt and I were all time undefeated champs of Pictionary we knew we had to test everyone else's skills. It was a lot of fun but we all agreed that we should rename the game "Divortionary" because when you pit couples on the same team trying to draw to each other it's bound to be explosive!! Those of you that have played with us know what we mean!! It can be down right hazardous to your health! Fortunately, Kurt and I still hold the title! Vic and Kelly then mentioned a game they had played called "Catch Phrase" - kind of like password but you can use as many words to describe the word or phrase to your partner; sounds easy but some were so hard and you're timed with this annoying beeping timer that beeps faster and faster!! No pressure, right?

As we bid farewell to 2008 and give it a swift kick in the butt; this year has definitely been hard and it doesn't seem to be letting up just yet. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Meyer family as they struggle with Amy's recent layoff and so many others that are feeling the pinch and squeeze thanks to our fabulous leaders!! I'm still waiting for my bailout package but I think I better not hold my breath for it...

Kurt and I are extremely thankful that, at this time, we still have our basic necessities available to us - a roof over our heads, food on our table, clothing on our backs and the blessed health of our children!! I can't help but be nervous as to when the rug will be pulled right out from under us though??!! That also is the "worry-wartness" in me. We're hoping and praying that 2009 will take away a lot of pain, anguish and suffering so many faced last year...

Hope to see a lot of you this upcoming year but like everything else, the economy will dictate some of those decisions! We wish you all the joy and happiness in the New Year!!

Miss you Mom & Dad!! Hope we can make it out there this year!!

Love Kurt, Becky, Jared, Evan and Gunner