We're off to see the wizard...

Susan and Jeff invited us to a picnic dinner and Wizard of Oz sing-along at Chautauqua Park in Boulder last night. Costumes were encouraged so we did our best with what we could find around the house. Turned out we had enough stuff and makeup to create a munchkin, the wicked witch of the west and Glenda the good witch! Jeff and Susan came as the scarecrow and Dorothy and Jeff's friend was the cowardly lion. In case you're wondering, Bob and I were SomeWhere over the rainbow. haha, get it?

There wasn't a huge crowd (and most of them were not in costume) but it was so much fun watching the movie in Chautauqua's old theater and singing along. We had a really great time!!! The girls can't wait to go again!

7th birthday shenanigans

Really, no birthday is complete without a trip to the North Pole in Colorado Springs!






Followed by Famous Dave's Ribs, of course...

...and German chocolate cake!

Back To School

The girls were ready to go back to school after a fun-filled summer. Sophie and Julia got the teachers they both wanted. And it turns out Emma's former fifth grade teacher got the social studies job at her middle school so she'll have him again! That was quite a welcome surprise!
Familiar faces always make the year a little easier--especially starting a new school!

I'm not sure why I always insist on taking pictures every year on the first day of school...just hoping to freeze time so it doesn't continue to bulldoze over me, I guess! This morning they all hopped right out of bed, happy & excited. I think that shows in the pictures...the only thing that doesn't show is the sentimental melancholy of the old gal behind the camera.
Or maybe it does show...




Julia found her friend, Anja, in the crowd


Emma took the bus today so no, I didn't stand and cry and snap photos in front of the middle school. I'm learning my new 'tween limits. But she actually did request a hug in the car...before it left the garage. And so it begins.
Sigh.

Almost-Birthday Surprise

The girls just spent a few fun-filled days and nights at their Grandpa Bob's house so we used the opportunity to assemble Julia's early birthday present...a new loft bed for her room. The assembly went well...that is to say...Bob and I are still married but the surprise reveal went even better! She loves, loves, loves her new digs!!!

How Romantic

Nothing says Happy 16th Anniversary like a carrot cake which got stuck in the pan. Shhh--don't tell my fabulously talented niece-in-law, Sandi (a baker extraordinaire)!!!
How embarrassing.
Oh well, frosted it and ate it anyway...it's the thought that counts, right?!?

Growing like a weed...

Julia finally had a growth spurt...teehee

Julia & Emma in a couple of Karen's old prom dresses

Seeing eye-to-eye with daddy

Lions and Tigers and Bears...

Oh my.
Every day on the way home from work I see a billboard for a local wildlife sanctuary...with a photo of a tiger on it. Now that's wildlife, I think to myself. Since Bob heads back to work next week, we decided to find that sanctuary & see what it's all about!

After researching a bit online, I discovered that the sanctuary does indeed rescue wild cats and bears from various inappropriate homes all across the country. Who ever thinks they can keep a tiger or lion in a cage on their back porch or basement? Apparently, quite a lot of people. This non-profit rescues them and lets them roam on acres and acres of enclosed land...and happily spoils them.
And Jessica Biel has been there so how bad could it be?!

We decided to wait until evening because their website said that's when the wolves and lions start waking up after the hot summer day. So we had an early dinner and took a 1/2 hour drive out to Hudson (just east of Brighton) to check it out. On the way into the refuge, we saw black bears and lions and tigers...and even a camel (separately) roaming around. Closer to the entrance, they had enclosures with grizzly bears and wolves and even more tigers. Inside there were more tigers, lions and leopards, a black panther, mountain lions, cheetahs, servals and a white tiger.

It was raining pretty hard when we arrived (one of the perils of waiting until evening to do anything in Colorado) but after awhile it stopped and we heard three big male lions roaring/communicating with each other. What a sound. We imagined being on the plains in Africa and hearing that sound and felt happy that we were safely up on overlook ramps in Hudson!
All the animals have plenty of room to roam and they all seem very happy in their new surroundings. They were all very playful and affectionate with each other. It was lots of fun to watch & learn and we'll definitely visit again!

(These guys were having fun sneaking up & pouncing on each other the whole time we were there!!)

Silliness

Sophie always seems to be drawing on her feet for some reason.
Here are 10 of her new buddies:

We grew that!

We harvested three ears of corn so far from our little garden. They're cooking up nicely now--hopefully they'll taste as good as they look!

update:
yummmmmmmmmmmmm!

Fore!

Sophie and Julia have been taking golf lessons at a nearby course...and loving it! They may not hit the ball perfectly every time yet--but they sure look the part!
Off to the links with Dad

Practicing with the 'birdie-ball' first


Fore!