10-1, Nikolas' Karate

Nikolas is in his second month of karate classes.  He attends 2-3 times a week.  He loves it for what he's learning to do and we love it for what they're teaching him to be.  Although, admittedly, I've said that watching a class reminds me of watching drills during the academy's indoctrination!  =)  No matter the rhyme or reason, for now he loves it.  We were all quite happy that Nikolas received his first stripe (recognizing his attendance of 8 classes in the past month and his first step towards his next belt) during Grandma and Grandpa's visit.  We're very proud of how seriously he takes his karate and how well he does in class.  We hope he keeps up the good work!

9-24, Mom and Dad's Visit

It was so nice having Thad and Kelly visit and to have a few days overlap with Mom and Dad's stay with us.  Mom and Dad stayed for another week.  We always love having them visit and hope to see them again in the spring.

Brad met us for lunch one day.  So glad the timing worked out!

Dad and Nikolas fishing at the lake in our neighborhood.

Relaxing at home.

A good morning wake-up call for Grandma and Grandpa.

One day, we went to Golden and toured the Coors Brewery.  We're not sure how all that beer gets made because we didn't see anyone (but tour guides) working there!  Interesting place.

And sadly, the day came for Mom and Dad to spread their wings and fly.....or at least drive.  It was quite hard to say goodbye to them after the emotionally turbulent past few months we've had.

Come back and see us.....we'll leave the light on for you!   =)

9-23, Family Portrait

Thank you Grandma O. for your insistence on us getting a family picture while we were all together.  It was a brilliant idea that might not have taken place without the constant thought of 'we better get that picture taken for Grandma!'  And finally a place where I don't forget my tripod:  at home!  I love this picture of us.  It captures a moment in time that I was so thankful to have:  time with my family.  Thank you Thad and Kelly for taking time out of your busy schedules to fly down and visit us.  Thank you mom and dad for adjusting your migration path to include Denver.  We love you all and look forward to the next time we're all together again.

9-22 Rocky Mountain Natl Park

This was the best day!  Another item on Thad's CO wish list was to see Rocky Mountain National Park.  It just so happened that mom and dad were within driving distance of the park (on the way to come see us enroute from MT to TX), so we met them along the way.  We all hopped in our car (minus Kelly--sadly she had work to do and couldn't partake in the fun this day) and toured the park.   It was a crisp fall day and it was so fantastic to spend it in this beautiful, new place with family.

A picnic lunch to start our afternoon. 

Yes, it was chilly at the top!

Enjoying the view of the fall colors.

'So close, yet so far away....' is what I was thinking as I was watching and photographing these elk.....I had forgotten my tripod at home.  UGH!  I did the best I could by propping myself on rocks, using my knee, anything to stabilize my lens for these shots.  I had never seen elk up this close!  It was so neat to watch their behavior and hear them bugle.  Just awesome!

9-21 USAFA Visit

Thad and Kelly came for their first visit in September-- and for Thad's birthday!  We felt privileged to be able to spend this special time with them.  It had been way too long since we'd seen Kelly, so it was nice for all of us to be together.  Thad had a few things on his CO wish list for their visit.  The first item being a trip to the US Air Force Academy from which he graduated in 1990.  It was a beautiful fall day.  The academy rivalry (Air Force Academy vs Merchant Marine Academy) was strong.  We enjoyed a tour of the campus and a stroll down memory lane with Thad.