Easter 2012

This was our first year celebrating Easter without Oma Bosch. It was day filled with the full spectrum of emotions. Sadness because we miss Oma Bosch and things just aren't quite the same without her. Joy as we acknowledge the true meaning of the holiday. Love as we watch our children enjoying every single second of the games and traditions we love ourselves and have participated in our entire lives. And thanks that we could experience all of those emotions with our closest family and friends.

This year's party was hosted by the next Oma and Opa, my mom and dad. Before we headed to their house, I took some pics of our crab apple tree in the backyard. Oma and Opa Bosch's front yard was lined with these trees, so this will be a great reminder of them every spring.
Before brunch and egg hunting, we tried for a few family photos. Not bad for us!
All of the grand kids!My mom and dad (along with a little help from Payton and Brady), stuffed over 300 eggs and hid them in their yard. It was very difficult for the kids not to "peek" while they waited for brunch. So, we played some soccer, and with some uncles, to help pass the time...
After everyone arrived, we sat down for a delicious brunch (AMAZING after several weeks of fast food during our kitchen remodel!)
And FINALLY, it was time to hunt some eggs! Oma gave out all the rules.
And she even broke out her whistle to keep us all in line :)
And then it was off to the races! There were adult rounds, kid rounds, colored-egg rounds, girl rounds, boy rounds, elmo rounds, you name it, we tried to find it!
Well, Brooks just relaxed and enjoyed the show.After an hour or so of hunting, we had discovered all but 3 eggs. (since then, two more appeared and all that's left is one lonely yellow egg!) So, we checked out our loot...snickers, jelly beans, cadbury mini eggs, some weird circus peanut bunnies :), and of course peeps! Nolan and Wes traded a snickers for a peep...they were each very happy with their trade.
We had a wonderful day...a new twist on our favorite traditions. Thanks mom and dad!

Spring Has Sprung.

We're pasty white, dirty-faced, and boogie-nosed, but at least we're outside!

Go Falcons!

Spring is here, and so is the start of soccer season! Payton is once again playing for the Comets (a combination of Grizzlies and Rainbow Unicorns). Now that he is five, Brady decided that he would like to play on a team as well! We got an e-mail a few weeks back that there were enough boys to form a new team, but they needed a volunteer coach. So, I volunteered myself (and Opa!) to help the team out. We got to choose the team name, so Brady came up with the Falcons, and all the other boys agreed on it. We've had three practices and one game. There are six boys on the team, and they play 3 v 3 with small hockey goals and no goalie. Let's just say it's an adventure. Brady is wild, loud, and can hardly pay attention. But compared to a few of the other boys, he's an angel! I am happy if the boys know which goal we are trying to score on and which goal we are trying to defend. I am also happy if there is no pushing of our opponents, smack talking, or crying (we've already dealt with all three :)) We lost our first game about 10-1, but that 1 goal made everything ok. The boys had a great time, and can't wait for this week's game! Wes took some snapshots as I was on the field directing traffic/herding cats...

A Goal Kick for Brady!
James, Brady, & Evan.Go Brady Go!
Leading the pack (not sure how...)
Opa on the sidelines.
We finally scored a goal!
Nice form Brady...
And of course, the post game tunnel.
It will be fun to watch the boys improve throughout the season. Go Falcons!

A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far Far Away...

...our first born son turned five! This year, Brady wanted a Star Wars themed party at Pump It Up. The whole family joined us, along with two of Brady's friends from school--Eli and Narian. We had the entire place to ourselves, so there was plenty of room for the kids and grown ups to have a blast! We played for an hour, then headed into the party room for dinner and presents. We ran out of time at the end, so we headed back to our house for some ice cream and R2D2 birthday cake. It was an awesome night, and we had a wonderful time celebrating Brady.

Brady, we love you so much. You are smart, funny, and tough. You love numbers, calendars, and playing Alberton's Monopoly with Oma. You are meticulous and love following Lego instructions. You are extremely LOUD, so hopefully we'll master your inside voice before you turn six! Hopefully please and thank you will start to come more naturally as well :) You have turned what could be mountains into molehills...super-itchy eczema legs, allergies, the inability to breath through your nose, and glasses...you have taken it all in stride. You love video games...Wii, Kinect, the computer, it doesn't really matter, you're good at it. You love your dad like no other, you've told us he's your best friend. There is nothing better than playing with him...football, soccer, basketball, or even Jedi Knights (see the end of the video). You are one amazing little boy and we are so blessed to call you our son. Happy Birthday Buddy.

Payton...or...Picasso?

Every night, I dig through Payton's backpack to find homework, sign her planner, and take out whatever treasures she may have collected throughout the course of the day. (If you know Payton, there are ALWAYS treasures...rocks, stuffed animals, drawings, you name it!) Last week, I found a crinkled up half sheet of paper. I thought it was trash, but on second glance, saw that Payton was one of only 30 students out of everyone at Twain who had a piece of artwork chosen for a Youth Art Show!

SO, last Wednesday, we headed over to the Curtis Art Gallery to see the exhibit.
There was a ton of artwork from all over the city...Cherry Creek Schools, middle schools, even Arapahoe. Each school had 15-20 pieces covering one wall of the gallery. Payton, Oma, and Brady trying to find Payton's work!Here is Payton's piece. It is a type of South American art. She drew this bird using nothing but her own creativity. Her art teacher, Mrs. Maxwell was there and she said she just loved the rosy cheeks Payton gave the bird!What a masterpiece!Great work Payton, you are becoming such a good artist!

Brady's New Trick.

When Brady turned 2 1/2, Uncle Ken and Aunt Peg gave him one of the twin's old bikes. He absolutely LOVED tearing around the neighborhood on that thing. It was the perfect bike for him to learn how to petal, steer, and get the feel of riding a bike. It was getting a little too small, however, so Santa brought Brady a brand new bicycle for Christmas. (The old bike will now be safely tucked away for Landon to use!)

This past week, Wes decided that it was time for Brady to get rid of the training wheels. We tried it once before and he wasn't quite ready. But, Brady seemed up to the challenge this time.

So, off the training wheels came. And around the block Wes and Brady went. By the time they came around the circle, Brady was riding on his own! He needed a little help getting on and off, but over the course of the next week and a few tips from Opa, he was doing really well. He is learning all about the rules of the road, how to stop and start, and he and his daddy have already gone on several long bike rides to Grandma Inge's and back!

We are very proud of our ALMOST FIVE year old! Good job Brady Boy!

Three Little Monkeys...