Merry Christmas baby!

Ok- blogging has been last on my list- but I'm making a list and checking it twice and you'll find out I'm a little naughty and a little nice-

You haven't received your holiday card from us yet because we've been aiming for that perfect family photo- the one that says we have it all together and we have arrived. Unfortunately... I'm still working on getting it all together as you've seen in these photos...

Finally, here are some videos of holiday spirit here at the Riley house- small snippets of our life. As you'll see I have more blessings than I can count!

Can you feel the love tonight (hint- it's better from far away...)? Christmas in the West is the best!

A boy who knows what he wants...

Hope you're dancing for joy as you wait for the man with the bag! Merry Christmas!

Let it Snow!

So last week we had some snow! I love the first snow of the year- especially in Colorado. It is a beautiful blanket, causes no traffic problems and is gone by noon! Who wouldn't love it?
The snow here is typically so dry that we can't make snowmen. But this was nice wet goopy stuff and smashed well into the fascinating figure of Frosty... We had this great snowman kit, courtesy of Aunt Marta and we loved our snowman!

Patrick is not sure about the snow- first he is so bundled he can hardly walk, then the cold snow on the mittens...

And as for frosty...

Frosty the Snowman

Had to hurry on his way

But he waved goodbye

Saying don't you cry

I'll be back again some day

Thumpety thump thump

Thumpety thump thump.....

Time for Change

Since America has voted for change, we are going to give it to you as well! We are going to redistribute the change across a couple of issues (real people speak- Susanna hasn't blogged in awhile so I am going to jam a whole bunch of topics into one blog).

1. First platform: New coats for all. We bought coats on election day. We thought it might be a cold day up here in Weld County and boy were we right. The weather was beautiful, the politics unforgiving.

2. Continued solidarity. We have been playing a lot with our across the street neighbors. Tea parties, long drives in the country. The stuff a laid-back childhood is made of...

3. And freedom for all. Check out Patrick. As a little fairy. Actually a butterfly fairy. Enough said... Save these pictures as we will be sure to use them as blackmail soon....

So take this blog and divide it amongst your blog-less friends! And join us on Baby Watch 2008 as we wait for Marta and Charlie's little boy!

We've got candy....

Wow! It has been a busy day!

We started out with a party at preschool, then naps, then a neighbors party, and finally trick or treating! It's enough to make a girl sick. Rebecca sick that is. Out of 3 four year olds trouping around together in the neighborhood, 2 called it an early night due to illness. That's something! I think you will see it on her face in the pictures as the night progresses...

Patrick was a wild man, taking the initiative to walk up to doors say, "Hi!" and "Kank you" (interpreted thank you!). He loves the candy so- he kept trying to figure out how to fit more than one piece in his mouth.

Anyway, watch the memories. You'll find some old pictures from years past- hope you enjoy!

Sweet Treat

On all Hallow's Eve
I had tricks up my sleeve

For blogs for you
All of them new

Take a look and see
I bet you say yippee!

Happy Halloween!
Hope yours is a scream!

Happy All Souls Day!

HA! You thought I would say Happy Halloween- TRICK or treat!!! :) So here a couple shots of the kids pre-the big day. We went to preschool for a party this morning, have a neighborhood party this afternoon and then the big event! Busy, busy.... Look for more photos tomorrow- And HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Pumpkin surgeon- or murderer?

We carved pumpkins last night- typical Halloween stuff. The kids were pretty mortified that Daddy was carving up the pumpkins- as you will see by the looks on the faces. Luckily this year mommy got help with the goo (we carved 7 pumpkins) and will be roasting the seeds tongiht! YUM!

Greeley Balloon Harvest

Last Saturday night we went to the Balloon Glow at the Greeley Balloon Harvest. Greeley holds the balloon harvest every year for balloons that are handmade. For anyone who has never seen such a sight- I highly recommend it. It was very cool. It was too windy for many of the balloons, so they just lit the "burners" which puts you in the mind of dragon fire. The kids got glow necklaces, watch the video below for more.

On why Patrick is at risk for a head injury

So, many children like to climb in things. Rebecca used to like the laundry basket. Aniela (my niece)used to like buckets and containers. Patrick likes small things that move. This is why my poor son is always at high risk for a head injury. Not just danger but danger on the move...

Forgotten photos

So I forgot my two favorites, and I think you need to see them. And by the way, they print beautifully.... So if anyone wants copies, let me know which pictures and which sizes...

An ode to the G9

What did I do before the G9?
Now I have plenty of pictures- so fine.

Before you wanted many blogs to see...
Lucky you for today there are three!

Keep scrolling~

Pumpkin Patch Pukin'

So we went to this great little pumpkin patch by our house with a group of friends yesterday. It was everything a pumpkin patch should be- spooky houses, mazes, lots of pumpkins, fires in pits, corn stalk teepees and puking toddlers. Yup. Patrick upchucked all over the patch. It prematurely ended the day, but Rebecca had a blast!

It is one of the beauties of living in a small town but Rebecca and her friend Daniel were able to run amuck without use worrying too much. Rebecca especially liked the spook houses and the mazes.

Soccer star

Rebecca is our own little David Beckham! She has played Mighty Mites soccer through the park district this Fall and loved it. We are not sure if she actually likes the game or playing with friends, other people's snacks and oranges at half time. Her coaches were fantastic and great with the kids. Overall, she would do it again in a minute and will miss it!
Patrick is less than a fan of soccer games and practice. Despite an occasional overhead plane or helicopter, he would definitely prefer to be a part of the action!
And finally, a movie to let you truely "bee" part of the action!

Park-o-palooza

Well, it's been in the upper 70s here and the weather is gorgeous! On Friday we went to three seperate parks with different groups of people- these are my favorite photos... Patrick is a climbing fool and Rebecca's latest trick is the monkey bars (although her really favorite game is bossing everyone else around).

(above: Rebecca demonstrating what a blue Jolly Rancher does to one's tongue...)

You can probably tell that I got a new camera. It is a Canon G9 and it is wonderful! It does not take a bad picture....

I am also working on learning Adobe photoshop. Here is a products of my first lesson.

And finally a little sneak peak at what's to come- here is a quick shot of costumes in the emerging phase.... Can you guess what they'll be?

It's a Rocky Mountain Fall!

Although they say the gold is in Aspen, we sure found plenty this weekend at Rocky Mountain National Park.

We spent Sunday in the park, looking at the color and the elk. Fall hasn't officially arrived in Colorado until the Aspens turn gold and the elk bugle. This year we saw a bunch of quiet elk but some beautiful scenery. Rebecca calls them the rainbow mountains and says this was the best time ever! Let me know what you think....

Rebecca's new friend - a caterpillar! We looked up, she looked straight ahead...

There's no looking back now!