Trout Fishing in Estes

It was a gorgeous day yesterday and we decided to drive up to Estes Park to enjoy it. (Winter comes Wedesday;) We stopped by the trout pond we fished at over the summer and got lucky. Both boys caught two fish. Parker caught two enormous rainbow trout: (He said his favorite part was the feeling when you bring in the fish on the string and it feels like the string will break.)

Will caught a small rainbow trout and a (very special) golden trout: (The whole time we kept reminding Will to pay attention to his bobber. In the end, he named both of his fish "Bobber" as he thought we were referring to the fish.)

Afterwards we headed over for lunch and a small hike around Lilly Lake:

Interview With A......Zombie?

Today Parker lost his second tooth. The toothfairy left Parker $5 for his first lost tooth. In hindsight, the toothfairy thinks $5 may have been a little high. Luck may be on the toothfairy's side though after a conversation Parker had with his great grandpa Xelphin last night. P asked Papa Xelphin, "how much did the toothfairy leave you when you were little?" Papa Xelphin answered, "a nickel". So, today I heard Parker telling his friend that he thinks he'll get anywhere between a nickel and five dollars or maybe even six dollars.

HaPpy HallOwEen!

Yesterday was a Halloween Parade at school. Will was Darth Vader, Parker was a Ninja.

Parker and Will with neighbor, Grace.

Last night, we tried to finish carving our remaining pumpkins. Will LOVED the mess of it all. Parker was a little more methodical and made his own "templates" before carving.

Today there was no school (Teacher restructuring Day). This morning we went "trick-or-treating" at the "Grandma's and Grandpa's home". Will said he was going to make silly faces to the Grandma's and Grandpa's so they could be happy. After we left, Parker asked me: "Why does it make them so happy to give US candy?" A fun way to spend the morning....and then because of the unseasonably gorgeous (70's) weather, we headed over to our favorite park.

Tricks for Josie

Hi Josie! Thanks for posting some of your cool tricks for us to see. You're good at balancing. We wanted to show you something too:

We love you and miss you and can't wait to see you...

Meeting Silas and Kaiya.....

Sorry for not posting in so long. In addition to me being a procrastinator, we have had a little bit going on. I went to Chattanooga a couple weeks ago to meet Silas and Kaiya....AND got to see all my sisters! What a wonderful trip. Chris stayed home with the boys and they held their own very well. I came home to a clean house, carved pumpkins and a renewed thankfulness for my family. Here are some pictures of our new cousins:

Here is a link to a slideshow of a bunch more baby pics:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromsite&collid=53158019106.758161090406.1225424633385&conn_speed=1&localeid=en_US

Crazy Hair Day

This week is spirit week at Eldorado Elementary. Unfortunately, I didn't get the "memo" and we missed yesterday's pajama day. BUT today is "Crazy Day" and the boys wanted crazy pirate hair. After the hair-do was complete, Will thought his looked more like an ant eater. ?

Parker Self Portrait

Photos never seem to do justice for the real picture....but I just had to share this piece of art. Parker completed this watercolor self portrait in art class at school. How could you not be impressed!?!

Some other updates from school, Parker can officially read. It is so exciting!!! His love of books and the new ability to sound out the words in them is so fun to see and hear. Last week we contributed to a package that was sent to troops in Iraq. Parker wrote: "Thank you for being Army. Your friend, P" and added pictures and stickers on about 13 cards. He was cranking them out.....he was extremely focused. More often than not his "focus" is to his benefit. But I have to admit, it's hard (much to my chagrin sometimes:) to redirect a focus he has.

He also (like his dad) has a profound interest and grasp on math. He is constantly recognizing and creating patterns in our daily life... he manipulates numbers....including adding, substracting and even fractions.

He'll probably bypass my "math skills" by the time he's in 2nd grade.

I have a burrrr

Will has been sick the past couple days.

I told him he had a cold. He was explaining to Parker why he couldn't walk him to school:

"I sorry I not walk you to your school because I have a burrrr"

Silas is Here!!!!

Silas Dale Fincher

October 8th, 2008

22 inches

7lbs 9 oz

Silas and Mommy Allie are doing well!

Can I wait a whole week to go see him? can't wait!!!

Oktoberfest

Well, at least our little town's version of Oktoberfest was over the weekend. The boys had a good time....a little pre-Oktoberfest lightsaber warmup:

The boys (thankfully) do not know the "Electric Slide", and opted for some downhill rolling instead.

There were "old timey" ;) games and brats and pie.....

Blue Dye Tongues

Can the blue dye in these suckers really be harmless?

Tooth Fairy Suggestions

This just happened....

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the Tooth Fairy's going rate?

Chili Fest

So Saturday was the much anticipated town of Superior's "8th Annual Chili Fest" in conjunction with the "28th Annual Mile High Chili Cook-off" (a regional International Chili Society event). The winner walked away with a chance at the World Championship Chili Competition in Vegas next month which not only sounds fun but has a $25,000 prize. There were 18 entries and in my completely objective opinion, the best chili at this years Regional Event finished 4th.

Here are the best cookers of chili in the world and 4th place finishers (Chris and Katherine):
Meanwhile, in a galaxy far far away (and across the street at Flatirons Mall).......our favorite StarWars characters were in action. Parker, Will and I headed over there to meet them and kill time while the chili simmered. Here are some shots we got before we decided to leave. (Waiting in line for 1.5 hours was not on the agenda....we only made it about 35 mins....but still had fun and got to see Clone Troopers, Rebel Troopers, Darth Vader, Sand People, Jango Fett AND R2-D2!

And if that wasn't enough for a fun day......we came home that evening and got to spend a couple hours with Uncle Jeremy! He and his friend Michael were on their way back to Arkansas after having spent a week up in the mountains. My apologies as my head was not on straight and I did not get a picture to prove it. I am sorry Nana. We loved seeing you Jerm and Michael! Thank you for swinging by!