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

Christmas 2008 - Came and Went...!!

Merry Christmas Everybody!! We hope you all had a wonderful day!! As usual the kids made out pretty well but it sure is getting harder and harder top the year before! I think Jared is getting a new car next year; just kidding!!! It was nice seeing friends and family this holiday and now looking forward to the New Year.

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa Wong, Grandma Sue and Grandma Chris for all the wonderful gifts and cards! These kids are very lucky and blessed to have such caring Grandparents. We opted for some simpler gifts this year such as board games which the kids received a few of; but of course it still is dominated by what's the latest out there. We've been really enjoying the Wii we got for the kids and it's great fun for the whole family. Luckily, Jared and Evan are still into Legos as well and those are always great gifts to receive! Although unless you're Mom and Dad and had to put them together. These were all around 500-700 pieces!!! Oy vay!! I've lost all dexterity in my hands and fingers!

Evan is growing up everyday and wanting to be just like older brother so he got his own PSP from Santa and is getting almost as good as Jared already!

We had the Rodriguez family out for Christmas dinner and then the Bay Clan - Steve, Kristal, Trisha and Doug for drinks and fun afterwards. Naturally a poker game broke out, then pool and finally a "mock" poker game where it's been a while since we've laughed so hard. All in all great fun and company!

Hope you all had a great Christmas and have a Happy New Year!!

Christmas Parties Galore

Yesterday was the last day for Jared before he goes on Winter Break for the next two weeks. They had a Christmas party to celebrate the holiday and it was a lot of fun! The best part I think was the fact his teacher mentioned to me through email and in person that he was doing a lot better concentrating and working hard in school! Music to our ears!! He's still struggling a bit in Math but it'll all work out with continuing efforts on both our ends.

Evan also had a party and did a little musical skit to some traditional favorites. He got to be Frosty the Snowman this year and got to dance around as you will see in the video! It was just precious and Kurt was able to see it in person. I try really hard to make sure he doesn't miss these few and short glimpses of the kids; they are growing fast and will soon be gone...

I took Evan with me to Jared's party and they were all just so gracious in letting him participate in the crafts, foods and games. Even he was overwhelmed by the generosity! I prepped him in telling him that this was Jared's class party so don't expect to be getting "presents" or "treats", etc... just in case they didn't have enough. The kids and parents were so giving, it melted my heart!

Merry Christmas to All!

Hope this entry finds all of you in the spirit of Christmas and holding on through these tough times! I think everyone is feeling the stretch across the board!

We're all hanging in there with Jared in the 5th grade now and Evan in private Kindergarten it's hard to believe how fast they're growing up!

Hopefully you all have received our Christmas wishes and New Year hopes! Read on for more information about what's happening and please drop us a line, email, snail mail or however you'd like to communicate; we'd love to hear from everyone!!

Love Kurt, Becky, Jared, Evan and Gunner!

Christmas is Up!!

We finally were able to get the Christmas lights hung outside after some unfavorably cold weather! The weather has been crazy here; just the other day it was almost 70 and then the following weekends were cold and snowy! Anyhow, we're getting ready and now comes the shopping for presents!!

It sure is nice having the artificial tree; it's heavy but not too bad to set up and decorate! Although you miss the smell of a real pine tree, but that can be bought at the stores! Is anything or anyone real anymore?! Just kidding!

I don't know about everywhere else but apparently there are a lot of leftover trees this year because a lot of families simply can't afford one. We saw on the news that a whole bunch were being thrown away for recycling because they just can't sell them; so a local news station in conjunction with the Swingle Lawn Maintenance company gathered a whole bunch and told people on the air that if you need a tree this year, come and get one! What a generous and great idea - why didn't the tree owners do that in the first place?

Happy Thanksgiving

Spent Thanksgiving over at Jerry & Angel's along with her folks; we had a lot of fun and of course the kids loved playing with their friends! We made a deep fried turkey and Cindy's awesome recipe for Sweet Potato Souffle'. It's always a hit! As usual, we all ate too much but had a great time catching up with everyone.

Kurt had a wonderful idea of making a Thanksgiving feast for all our employees. So he slaved all day Sunday and made two turkeys, oodles of green bean casserole, souffle, real mashed potatoes and rolls. We both took it to all the stores that following Monday and Kurt's phone just kept ringing with "Thanks" and "how good it tasted!" It was definitely worth it because sometimes we all need to know our efforts are appreciated and honestly we wouldn't be where we are without these guys...

Evan's school held a Thanksgiving feast as well and fortunately Kurt was able to attend!

Let it Snow... Let it Snow... Let it Snow!

We've been able to enjoy some of the snow fall we've had; but obviously it's still not enough! The kids had a great time sledding and Evan is getting daring going down the hill backwards, forwards, face down, up and all around!!

Jared went on a school sponsored ski trip last year and tried a little snowboarding. He had so much fun that he went back up with Kurt to Keystone the following week! Kurt said his butt hurt so bad after falling so many times; apparently it takes a little getting use to on snowboards!

BMX Park

We had an unusually warm day and headed out to the BMX dirt track in Aurora! The kids love it here and Evan is starting to ride it but he's still grasping the concept of "keep peddling so you don't fall over!" He had a few spills but nothing major and Jared ended up doing a race with some of the kids that were there! All in all, lots of fun!