Kids say the darndest

I haven't been posting enough of our everyday commentary lately, so I thought I'd take a second, as I procrastinate on my bookkeeping and write a few of the latest down.

A compliment, I think.
While trying on one of several new dresses I ordered online to choose from for our romantic get-away, Isaac in a very excited and surprised voice said, "Wow mommy, I like it! It makes you look like a whole better person!"
I'll take that as a compliment!
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A lesson in politics
Early in January, as I was working on end-of-month and end-of-year paperwork for Candela, at breakfast one morning, Isaac said, "Mommy, can we be the parents today and you and daddy be the kids?" Playing along with it, I said, "sure, but I have a lot to do today...I have to clean up the kitchen after breakfast."
Excitedly both boys said, "yeah, we can do that."
"I have to make all the beds..."
Again, another very enthusiastic, "okay, we can do that!"
"I have to do lots of laundry."
Yet another positive response, as if I was telling them we could go to the zoo today.
And then I said, "oh, and I have to get all the taxes done for the business."
There was a short pause. Then Austin, a bit concerned, said, "I don't know how to do that!"
Isaac piped up quickly and said, "Oh, I do. We just send all the money to the president!"

Whoa! Where that came from, I don't know, but by George, I think he's got it!

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An Assertive Little Girl
Elyse says so many funny things these days. She talks non-stop! I know Joey can attest to that, after 9+9. (Okay, all of my kids talk pretty much non-stop!) Apparently Kurt's and my introverted-tendencies did not get passed along in the genes...

My favorite funny thing that Elyse is doing currently is putting her brothers or the dog in their place. In a very firm and assertive voice, my sweet little angel will say/shout, "Soward SIT," or "Soward, NO!" What's best is, "Boys, stop that now!" or "Ace, sit down!" It really is quite funny coming from the mouth of a 21 month old!

That's all for now. Once my memory kicks in again, hopefully I'll jot some more down.

A Dream Come True

Kurt and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage on September 9, 2010. BUT, we just celebrated our 10-year anniversary of our engagement on December 30th, 2009! SO, we decided it was time to celebrate - Hawaii style! Actually, we were starting to plan a special trip for September, when our good friend, and best man from our wedding, announced that he'd be getting married on Kauai in January. Immediately we decided we were going to do everything we could to make it happen. With the kids, that's a little easier said than done, but thanks to my INCREDIBLE, super, selfless (insert any and all possitively amazing adjectives here) Aunt JoAnn and a little help from Hannah, Wes, and even Hayley, the kids were in extremely loving hands, had a blast, and we got to enjoy Kurtie and Erin time for the first time since having all three!! It was amazing. Truly, a dream trip. We are so blessed! I am so thankful for my wonderful husband and that I get to wake up next to my best friend each and every day!! What a blessing! Some one at Nathan's wedding said, "I wish for you two, what I have." (referring to his marriage.) I completely agree. I don't think there's anything else you could hope for more than a great marriage! And I have it! Praise God!

We took over 600 photos and so far have only weeded them down to 500. To start, however, I put together a short little slideshow of some of the shots we got of the two of us - just enjoying being together!

We're now back to reality. Yes, it was hard to leave the beauty and relaxation of Kauai, but you know what, our reality - our kids, our business, our friends, family, and our life in beautiful Colorado - is really a dream come true, too!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Life-long Friends

Our good friends, the Browns, have been visiting for a few days this week! It's been fun catching up with them, touring a bit, and just hanging out and letting the kids play together. Isaac and Griffin, the two oldest, are only 6 weeks apart and were friends in the womb, known back then, as "Elmo" and "Oscar!"
Here are a few photos from the past and a few from this trip.


Best Buds, from day one (2004)

An outing for the boys (2004)

Picnic with the newest member of the Brown Family (2004)

Adriana, Eric, Griffin, Kurt, and I (Isaac in womb VERY near term)(2004)


Visit to the Air Force Academy with the Browns, 2009


Griffin, Isaac, and Austin near the Academy Chapel

A picnic on January 2nd!

Today, like every other Saturday, was Pancake Day! This is a tradition we began when Isaac was barely one. After about an hour of making pancakes and about 45 minutes of the kids devouring them, I had about an hour of work to do, but then we decided it was a day for a family hike. The weather looked good - a bit cool, but a beautiful sunny, blue-skied Colorado day. We packed a lunch, filled our camelpacks and were off to Rock Ledge Ranch for a quick picnic before a hike thru Garden of the Gods.

As we pulled up to Rock Ledge Ranch, we noticed an ominous-looking cloud coming over Pikes Peak and it seemed that between parking the car and getting to our picnic spot, the temperature dropped 10 degrees. We thought nothing of it. We just zipped our jackets up a bit more, pulled our hats down lower, and moved a bit as we ate. Well, within 10 minutes of our hike the clouds were overhead and we had snow, with quite the wind. The kids thought it was great - just like a REAL BLIZZARD! It was cold! They were disappointed to have to turn back, but we promised them hot chocolate at home, so that made up for it all. You really never can tell what the weather is going to do here, but at least we got out for a little bit!

 

 

A Fly on the Wall this Christmas

Just a few short hours until 2010! I can't believe it. It's been a good year for us and the past several weeks have been magical - celebrating the birth of our savior, thru the eyes of our kiddos! Below is a quick little slide show that will allow you to be that fly on the wall at the Eilmes family Christmas and the days leading up to it. (Turn on your speakers.) Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our little choir boy

For the past seven weeks, Austin has been participating in the Little Lamb singers at church on Wednesday nights. He loves it! This Sunday their little choir sung during the offeratory. For those of you that missed it, be prepared to be amazed!!! :-) We really lucked out and happened to be sitting just in front of where he was standing. Austin is the one in the navy blue pants and the light blue button-down in the front row, third in from the left, as you face them. The most memorable part about the whole thing was when he called Auntie Lisa afterward and said,"I was really good, really, really good." Then he continued to talk her ear off for about 10 minutes, until I finally said it was my turn! On a side note, Kurt and I were DEAD center in the front row of the sanctuary - absolutely unheard of for any Eilmes! Oh the things we do for our children!!! I was actually quite surprised Kurt joined me up there!

A Proud Daddy Moment...(that Daddy didn't see)

"Jesus!" No, not this time, rather "The Seahawks!"

Just before the sermon every week at church, the kids are called forward for a brief children's message. Today Jim Singleton sat up on the steps with the kids and began his message by asking them, "What's your favorite football team?" Without hesitation, Isaac said quite confidently, "SEAHAWKS!" I don't think it was the answer Jim was expecting, so he kept searching for the expected answer...Broncos, but it sure made me smile and made Kurt pretty proud, when I passed along the message.

After that, Jim moved onto favorite baseball teams. A few kids answered and then he called on Austin. With a bunch of umms and pauses, he finally said, "the team we went to watch with my daddy." Again, another moment I found myself giggling and smiling at.


The Rockies Game Austin was referring to.