Saturday, December 31, 2011

Darcy in the car

This is why she doesn't get to go on road trips.
December 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

Rat hat

James has a rat hat...
and a rat scarf. 
Personally, I find rats to be a bit too scratchy to use as clothing...
but James doesn't seem to mind! 
December 2011

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Post riding Noodles

Ryan and James accompanied me to Big Iron Ranch today.  They each got to ride Trillium, and it would have been a perfect morning except for one thing.  It was sooooooo windy! 
Two hours in the gale force wind resulted in three very cold Buxtons.  Fortunately, we know how to get warm.
(We also know how to get silly.) 
Everyone ordered their favorite Noodles dish.  That's Wisconsin Mac N Cheese for James,
Buttered Noodles with extra seasonings for Ryan,
and Pasta Fresca for Mama.  Nom nom nom! 
December 2011

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

More reading

I took a picture of Ryan reading War Horse to use on my other blog.  James was offended that I didn't want/need a picture of him doing the same.  He let me know this rather emphatically, so I decided to humor him and take his picture.  Here it is.
December 2011

Monday, December 26, 2011

Post holiday reading

December 2011

Waiting

After all the Christmas presents were opened, Seth strapped on some skis and left to go "ski the park."  Darcy really wanted to go with him.  
She jumped up on the VW bus stool and watched him go, making sad little yodels as he kicked down the street. 
She waited... 
and watched... 
and waited some more.
Poor little dog.  It's a good thing he came home or else she'd still be sitting there waiting for him.
December 2011

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas stockings

Six o'clock am.
Six oh three am. 
December 2011

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve

We always let the kids open one present on Christmas Eve.  Here they are with their selections.
Ryan goes first. 
Woo hoo!  A programmable scanner! 
Finally--it's James' turn. 
Yay!  A Naruto game for the Nintendo DS! 
Darcy says, "No edibles?  How boring!"
December 2011

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

My dog sleeps funny

December 2011

Changing of the guard

About a month ago, the kids found a tumor on the last remaining Spice Girl, Basil.  Female rats are prone to developing benign mammary tumors so we weren't terribly worried at first. Unfortunately, Basil's tumor was aggressive and we had to make the sad decision to let her go.  Her last few days were filled with love...
and special treats... 
and lots of kisses!
The basement seemed awfully sad and quiet without Basil's little rat noises, but fortunately we were able to find three new little troublemakers to fill the silences.  This is Holly,
Nutmeg,
and Peppermint. 
All three came from pet stores and they are not nearly as friendly and brave as the Spice Girls.  Nutmeg can be persuaded to come out for treats...
but Holly and Peppermint tend to hide in the corner every time the cage door is opened.
We're being patient with them... 
and they're doing a little better.  Still, they have a long way to go before they can rival Cinnamon and Basil for all around awesomeness. 
Happiness is getting a rat (or three!) for Christmas. 
December 2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Nick's Garden Center

Nick's Garden Center in Aurora, Colorado may be our new favorite place to buy Christmas trees, but there's a lot more to Nick's than holiday decor.
While Seth stood in line to buy the tree, Ryan, James and I looked around a little.
James tried on an old man hat... 
and Ryan found a Ryno rhino. 
Look--it's a perfect gift for Grandpa! 
Hmmmm.  Maybe we'll wait until it goes on sale! 
December 2011

Christmas tree shopping

We went Christmas tree shopping today.  Our first stop was the McCoy's Christmas Tree lot on Havana and Mexico.
Sadly, the trees there were too big, too small or (mostly) too expensive.  We got back in the car... 
and headed to... 
Nick's Garden Center! 
What a difference!  Even though Christmas is just five days away, Nick's had lots of trees...
in all sorts of colors! 
Seth, James and I really liked this fat tree... 
but Ryan favored the "pet-ability" of this skinny, white pine. 
There was a bit of family strife before we decided to embrace Ryan's choice.
Our new tree looked even skinnier once it was bundled up... 
and placed on the car...  
but it looks nice in our living room.  Hurray!
December 2011