Taking on Downtown

With the holidays, we know that December is crazy busy and our schedules get crammed with "to-do's" and "commitments".  Knowing this, we put a date on the calendar to enjoy the holidays with some of our nearest and dearest.

December 20, we adorned city attire, dusted off our suburban life and headed downtown Denver.

First up, we stopped for a cocktail at the Cruise Room.

"Welcome to Denver’s first post-prohibition bar! Opening the day after the prohibition was repealed in 1933, The Cruise Room carries Art Deco style and is known for its martinis. Its unique décor fantastic cocktails created by in-house mixologists make us one of the premier Downtown Denver Bars."

Three of our handsome dates: Eric, Brad and Keith

The Cutie-Pie Heinemans; Jennie and Eric

The Ham Fam Mommy and Daddy: Carrie and Keith

Once the Martin's arrived, we strolled over to the new Terminal Bar at Union Station.

"A Denver Union Station restaurant located in the historic ticketing office inside The Great Hall next to the Crawford Hotel, patrons can now step up to the window and purchase a Colorado craft beer from the bar's extensive draft beer collection from Colorado breweries and microbreweries rather than a train ticket to the west coast.  The fabulously restored space is appointed with period-correct finishes from the building's turn-of-the-centurey heyday and will offer a complete selection of spirits - many of which are distilled right here in Colorado - as well as an extensive list of carefully curated wines available by the glass or bottle."

The sign said "Drink", so we did.

These are THE BEST stir sticks, ever!

Stir Stick Lovers with a Photo Bomb.

Oh Jennie... you make us laugh.

Carrie, Jennie and Keith... or is it?

It's hard to tell with those 'staches.

Too much fun with a couple of stir sticks.

Outside the Terminal Bar, we had to have a group photo with the iconic Union Station.  There was a bit of fun to be had.

Drakes: Kristen and Brad

Hamiltons: Keith and Carrie

Martins: Patrick and Kristi

Heinemans: Jennie and Eric

We LOVE these crazy kids! (and their actual kids)

After much fun and merriment, we headed to our dinner reservation at Osteria Marco.  

"With our classic hand-tossed Italian pizza, extensive and accessible wine

selection, house crafted meats and cheeses, and rustic elegance—Marco carries

on the tradition of a classic osteria—a place where an upscale chef might flip a

few pizzas; where great food, fabulous wine, and laughing friends connect to

experience the Italian table. "

As if this wasn't enough fun, we surprised Kristen with a special dessert to celebrate her 40th birthday on December 23.  Happy Birthday Kristen!!!

We had such a fun night!

We will always have our adorable boys to thank for brining us together.  We can't imagine life without all of you.

Merry Christmas!!

Holiday's Around the World with 1st Grade Flair

Not only did Kellan have a holiday program, but Oliver did too.  

The entire 1st grade put on a program of Holidays Around the World.  It was fantastic!!!

They celebrated so many cultures: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year and several others.  

We love that the boys each had holiday programs that taught them so much about so many cultures and holidays.  

I'm confident that these two were the cutest audience members present.

Kellan and Kailtyn are always happy to smile for my camera.

As the kids started filling the stage, Oliver and some of his other classmates lined up.

Our friends Samantha and Chase welcomed everyone to Holiday's Around the World.  They did such a great job with their public speaking role.

The kids sang so many amazing songs.

Oliver was part of the Chinese New Year celebration as the Chinese Dragon.  His teacher was their Chinese New Year leader.

Here comes the Chinese Dragon, Oliver and four of his classmates.

There's Oliver's legs.  

Yes, I reached over and gave them a playful pinch.

I'm not sure that he appreciated that, but as his Mommy, I can playfully pinch him if I want to.

Chinese Dragon

The kids of the Chinese Dragon

Our friend Owen as Blitzen

Our friend Samantha 

Blitzen and a few other reindeer in Santa's Sleigh.

Whoa!!!  Santa stopped by to say Merry Christmas!

In conclusion, all of the kids sang Feliz Navida because "I want to wish YOU a Merry Christmas."

Our handsome Chinese Dragon man.

The kids did such a great job.  We loved it!!!

On our way out of the school, we noticed that Oliver's photography had been displayed.

He spend 6 weeks in the Photography Club and he won 4th place for one of his submissions.  As a fellow photographer, I was so proud of him!

What a great night to spend with our boys and friends.  We loved every minute of it.

Check out this video that Jeffco posted online.

***

I will post videos once I wrangle iMovie into submission and it quits being so stubborn with me.

Kellan's Christmas Program

'tis the Season for holiday festivities, including school holiday programs.

This year marked Kellan's first year in a holiday program as a big Pre-Kindergartner.  

For weeks, Kellan has been singing Jingle Bell Rock, Rudolph and Hanukkah oh Hanukkah.  He couldn't wait for his program.

When he took the stage, he looked out for us and gave a wave.  

He had some of the hand signals for Rudolph and Red Nose Reindeer.  

Sometimes he paused to soak it all in.

During a pause in singing, he gave us a dimply smile.

Then... he left stage left 

(see bottom left)

As it turned out, he got a bit of stage nerves and had to go potty. 

His teacher directed him back to his spot where he finished out the program.

He was even quick to console a friend when he panicked at the loss of words to the song.

When it was time to bust a move, he had a few.

By the end, he was done.  He rested his arms on top of his head and waited out the end.  Either he was tired or he didn't really want to wish anyone a Merry Christmas.

We LOVE the Primrose Pre-Kindergarten program and looked forward to seeing Kellan sing his heart out.  He did such a great job and we were so proud of him.

***

Videos are available, but I'm currently having a tiff with iMovie.  Those will come at a later date.

Giving Thanks in 2014

Every year, we have so very much to give thanks for and this year is no exception.

Exactly one week prior to Thanksgiving, Carrie had PRK laser surgery on her eyes.  That is another story all of it's own, but how it relates to Thanksgiving is that we anticipated that Carrie's vision quality may not be clear yet and reading a cook book may not be an option.  With this, our dear friends the Martin's took us into their home with their family to celebrate Thanksgiving.  

Two days prior to Thanksgiving, Cole came down with a virus.  One day prior to Thanksgiving, Kristi came down with a virus.  Fortunately, Carrie's vision was great, so instead of being useless at Thanksgiving, we headed over early to help pull Thanksgiving together.

Oliver was Thankful for the appetizer table that was also close to the TV that was broadcasting college football.  I caught him looking quite handsome by the chip and dip, so I talked him into a photo.  I sure do love this boy.

The table was set and ready for an amazing dinner.

Oliver inspected his Mommy's table setting ability.  She passed.

Oliver also inspected the kids table.  It passed inspection too.

The wine was poured.

The food was hot and so was our hostess, Kristi.

She may have felt like crud, but she definitely didn't show it.

She gets the hostess of the year award for pulling off an amazing Thanksgiving while she should have been in bed.

The gravy was mixing.

Oh yes... Kristi has an automated gravy mixer.  I think this might go on my Christmas list.

Not just one stuffing, but two.

We were officially set to be stuffed.

Kellan was SO hungry, that he was literally melting into the floor.

His brother Oliver is handsome, but he's still a big brother who was quick to fall on the floor to mock his little brother who was dying of starvation.  Brothers!

Finally, it was time to dine!

The kids table was instantly occupied and the kids were diving in.

Kellan, Cole, Christopher, Owen and Oliver

HUGE Thanks to the Martin's for hosting us.  We loved it!!  We give thanks each and every day that our boys brought us together seven years ago at Primrose.

then.... Thursday evening came along.

Carrie started feeling the onset of the bug.

Friday.... she slept

Saturday... she slept

Sunday... she slept

The next week... she slept and coughed

The next weekend... she slept and coughed

We give thanks for so much... but pesky viruses are NOT on that list.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to You and Yours!

We wish you a fantastic and HEALTHY holiday season!!