Trick and Treating in the Meadows

This October has been fun of Halloween fun. Once again we went to the Pumpkin Fest at the Grange (the Meadows clubhouse). There was horse drawn carriage rides, make your own scarecrow, bouncy houses, costume parade and other treats.

our scarecrow freaks us out sitting in the front yard. 

The week before Halloween we set in motion the "Ghosting" in the neighborhood. The Frankenstein went to the Reckseens, the Vampire stayed at our house and the pumpkin when to the Brooks'. The creepy trees are filled with Halloween candy. Our "Ghosting" did not go as well as Ava would have liked. We stopped at Trey and Andrea's first and since it was a 70 degree day they had their door open so Andrea and Leighton could see us. Leighton thought this was great but Ava was very nervous that they could see us. I explained to her that it would still be a surprise to Trey and Liam. I could not get our candle to light so I had to borrow a lighter from Andrea. In the meantime Ava slipped and scraped up her legs on the stoop and ran home crying. The Reckseen's were not much better. We talked about our plan and everyone knew their jobs and to run when we rang the doorbell. That would be everyone but Quinn who stayed on the porch while the rest of us ran. Too Funny!!! Ava was disappointed but I told her that it was not bad for a 7 and 5 year old. They will do better with more practicing. So everyone watch out the ding dong ditching from the Stauffacher's.

Dad: here is your tree the week after you left

Quinn and Ava before school on Halloween 

This sweatshirt has been through three Bruce children and three Stauffacher

Quinn's Kindergarten class-Mrs. Lamoreaux

Ava's 1st grade class-Mrs. Emmons

we had dinner with Nick and Shauna

Ava is a Green Bay Packer cheerleader, Quinn is a nice guy stormtrooper and Baker is a Batman - without accessories

Castle View HS vs Littleton

Ava cheered at the Castle View Saber Cats football game. It was a brisk 35 degrees. She did an awesome job and she loved every minute of it.

Ava and Grace

Kylie, Ava and Grace

Lisa (Ava's cheer buddy)

Check out the routine on YouTube

Vail October 2011

Over Fall Break we took the kids to Vail for the night. October is a slow time of year for them but we had a great time enjoying the fall colors in the heated outdoor pool at Vail Cascade. This is a beautiful resort. You would never have to leave. Dining, hotel bar, ski lift etc.  We swam in the infinite pool and at night we roasted marshmallows for smores. We had dinner in Lions Head at the Blue Moose and ate a Lindsay Vonn pizza. Delish.

showing off his leaf

Vail Village

Tribute to Dan Weldon

We are all very sad here about the death of Dan Weldon. Seems like yesterday we were cheering him on to win the Indy 500. But what I remember best was while other drivers tried to avoid the hundreds of fans during the month of May. I watched Dan walk out of his way to shake the hands of a couple of special needs kids. He was a good guy. This is a picture I took of him in 2007. We pray for his wife and two small boys. 

Quinn's new haircut and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Look at Quinn's new haircut. The ladies at Floyd's spiked it up for him.


The Museum of Nature and Science has a new exhibit with robotic dinosaurs. Very realistic. They move based on your movement. Quinn stood behind me most of the time. And Baker either Roared back at them or hide his face. He very much liked the T-Rex.

Views from the rooftop

Ava and Quinn's bodies in the Body Works exhibit

Ava gets her ears pierced

At last, after waiting an entire year Ava got her ears pierced. She was so excited and kept asking me if she looked older.

Let the celebrations begin...

Here is a recap of the week of celebrations for Ava. Saturday afternoon Nanee Lulu and Papa Todd came into town and we headed up to Estes Park-that is for another post.

Sunday night we celebrated Ava's birthday because Daddy had to go to Indy for a meeting. We had chili and a big cookie and opened presents. Part of Ava's gifts from us and the grands was to redo her room. She got a new hot pink comforter, a window seat, and magnetic boards for her walls.

homemade window seat

peace

On Tuesday (the actual birthday) Zak and Harry came over for birthday morning doughnuts and play time. We headed out to Parry's Pizza for wings, pizza and more fried dough.

Saturday was Ava's birthday party with her friends Grace and Olivia. I took them to Tana Dolce here in Castle Rock. It is a restaurant/wine bar with a Salon upstairs. It is the perfect place for pampering girls. Kim was so good to us, we did not want to leave. Each of the girls received a pedicure in the BIG chair. While one was getting pampered the others made bath bombs with dried roses and lavendar. They were able to take home the bath bombs as well as a homemade lip balm compliments of Kim. It was the perfect birthday party for Ava.

The invite

the girls (Grace, Ava and Olivia)

the cupcakes

Kim also gave us each a Baci chocolate

the drinks (Italian sodas-Pumpkin Spice)

the pedi

ava and grace are making bath bombs

Grace (Senorita Rosalita)
Ava (Exceptionally Gifted)
Oliva (Coconut Kiss)

the girls with Miss Kim