Balloon festival 2015.

Children looking to hitch a ride to the mountains.

Last weekend, we packed up the old family truckster and headed west to Steamboat Springs. Our 8-seater Pilot seated six comfortably. This year, Honey and Poppie came with us. It was a very last minute trip but boy did we have fun!

We drove up on Friday morning and stayed at Trappeur's Crossing near the base of the mountain. (Took a break from The Ranch this time.) Griff stayed there a few times with his family when he was a youngster and remembered it being nice. He also remembered a Baby Ruth-like incident occurring which involved one of his siblings who shall not be named but felt confident that 20+ years of chlorine had likely taken care of any lingering poo.

He was right about Trappeur's Crossing. It was nice. And, the pool was clean.

Saturday was the day we chose to attend the balloon festival. We jam-packed our day with activities.

6:30A Balloon festival. We left the condo a little after 6:00 to catch the shuttle bus out to the field where the festival was being held. The weather was PERFECT -- clear blue skies, cool temps, and no breeze. Saw some great ballooning (if that's a word) and enjoyed the event.

National anthem featuring US flag and Colorado flag balloons.

It was early and a certain someone wasn't ready to have his picture taken.

Mile High Madelyn and Griff suddenly find themselves in the shadow of another balloon inflating.

Honey and Poppie taking in their first balloon festival.

Up, up, and away!

Balloons skimming the lake.

Madelyn and Sawyer are looking the wrong way!

We even ran into the Nolte girls and AJ (Aunt Jen) at the end of the event. Unfortunately, they were headed out of town that afternoon but it was still a treat to see them.

10:30A Gondola ride. There were a few sweaty paw pads. BUT thanks to our expert kid skiers who learned all about riding the gondola when they were in ski school last March, we had nothing to worry about. It rained off and on at the top. As a result, we couldn't spend a ton of extra time but we still had a chance to walk around and take in the spectacular views.

Kids on the top of the world!

Standing on the download side at the top of Thunderhead Express lift.

Hello, down there!

Just enough time for a group picture in between rain showers.

Coming back down, we were some of the last set of passengers on the gondola before the lightning stoppage. As is the case in the mountains, ten minutes later, the weather moved on. Skies cleared and everything on the mountain went back to business. On to lunch!

12:00P Lunch at Slopeside Grill. Located slope side as the name would lead you to believe, we enjoyed a delicious lunch on their patio.

1:30P Quiet time at the condo. A movie for the kids and naps for the adults before heading out to the pool.

3:00P Swimming and ice cream social. Swimming was cut short due to lightning and bad weather. However, bad weather doesn't stop ice cream! We got our ice cream at the condo association's ice cream social and went back upstairs to wait for the weather to break.

4:15P Swimming part two. Good times at the Trappeur's Crossing pool. No Baby Ruth bars, thankfully. Just lots of jumping, splashing, smiling, and hot tubbing. Madelyn and Sawyer are getting to be such good swimmers. I love it!

6:00P Domino's Pizza for dinner in the condo. There's just something about Domino's Pizza and ski condos that just feels right.

8:00P Balloon glow at the mountain. Our condo was only 1/4 mile from the gondola so we just walked down for this event. Even with two tired kiddos, not to mention a few tired adults, it was an easy walk. As far as the balloon festival events were concerned, I think this was my favorite event. First of all, we had had such a great day that it was a nice way to wrap it up. Secondly, I was so thankful that Honey and Poppie were/are healthy and could attend this time. Thirdly, the event just seemed so much better than 2013. 2013 was fun but this just seemed better. Eight different balloon teams showed up and put on quite a show.

Our little photographer honing her skills.

Watching and waiting as the balloons get ready.

Five of the eight balloons participating in the Glow. It's such an amazing sight!

Sunday morning, we went to Winona's for the required cinnamon roll and breakfast before returning to Denver. It was a quick trip but we packed in a lot.

I love that Madelyn and Sawyer get to spend such quality time with all their grandparents. They certainly enjoy it. I know as they get older, they'll look back fondly on all the fun trips to both to visit family and with family.

Happy anniversary, Honey and Poppie!

48 years, 8 cross country moves, 6 different states, 3 children, 4 grandchildren, a couple of cats, and you STILL look as happy as the newlyweds from Omaha that you were on this day on 1967.

Happy anniversary to you, Mom and Dad. I love you.

Hoppy Easter to you.

I hope Easter treated you well. We had a great weekend.

Madelyn and Sawyer are at such a fun age. Sure, there are times when the never ending competition that exists between siblings rears its ugly head. BUT, most of the time they are so sweet...especially with each other.

Ready to dig in to those eggs and see what goodies they hold.

Clowning around.

On Saturday we had a triple header featuring two soccer events plus a birthday party egg hunt for one of Madelyn's school friends.

On Sunday we slept in and enjoyed playing with the goodies the Easter bunny delivered. We went to late service (1100A) at Honey and Poppie's church - Our Father Lutheran Church. It was the non-traditional service with a band. Normally, those aren't my thing but I really enjoyed this one. Madelyn LOVED singing along with the songs. It was fun to point out some of the parts of the Easter story to her as the service went along. Bringing it full circle is what I'm doing.

After church, we joined Grammy and Grandad at Honey and Poppie's for brunch. We had an egg hunt, delicious food, and lots of good conversation.

Doting grandparents.

Hunting.

And, more hunting.

There were also plenty of sweet treats and goodies to go around.

The rest of the day was spent quietly at home. All in all, pretty good.

Pardon the sour puss face. Someone is finally WORN OUT.

Nanoo's table

Nanoo's table got a facelift.

After my Nanoo and Papoo passed in 2000 and 2001, respectively, among other things I received was Nanoo's dining room table. The price was right and I have an affinity towards family hand-me-downs and heirlooms. (My china is also hers.) Now, Nanoo never really used this table. I remember it being in the small dining room area in their house in Omaha. But, for the most part, they used their kitchen table. According to my mother, Nanoo purchased the table in the 1950's to go along with her (my) china that was purchased with her portion of money from her father's estate.

Fast forward to when I received the table. It was in like new condition. There were a few barely noticeable marks on the table and chair legs. I've used it as a kitchen table and we dine at it every day. Most days, we eat breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner at it. And, after two toddlers and countless meals, the table was not looking its best. So, we refinished it.

Before. We have re-cushioned the chairs twice -- 2007 and 2012.

The table had a very thin layer of veneer on the top. We weren't sure what to expect in refinishing it. Our hope (with fingers crossed and breath held) was that we wouldn't sand right through the veneer. First step was to use a stripper to take off as much of the existing finish as possible. We used CITISTRIP Safer Paint & Varnish Stripper in an aerosol can. It's supposed to be less toxic than some of the other strippers. Plus, stripper in a can reminds me of genie in a bottle which sounds like so much fun! So...spray and wait 30 minutes.

Ironically, in scraping off the existing stain and finish, we used two of Papoo's old ice scrapers. They were perfect for the job! After scraping was completed, we wiped down the table with paper towels and sudsy water to take off the remaining stripper and old finish.

Our trusty helpers watched as we worked.

Stripped, sanded, and ready for staining. I couldn't believe we got as much off the table as we did. Fortunately, we never went through the veneer either. (Uncross fingers and release held breath here.) At this point, I should disclose that Griff did way more of the work than me. He's so good at this sort of project and very patient with a newbie like me. So, thank you, Griff!

One coat applied of Minwax PolyShades in Mission Oak. Next we waited six hours before lightly sanding and reapplying.

Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock.

After. Two coats of Minwax later, the table came back inside for breakfast today. I can't believe how great it turned out. I absolutely love it.

Midway through the project, Griff asked if I thought it would look totally different or just the same as when we started. I told him that I didn't want it to look different. I just wanted it restored so it would look good again for another however many years.

Hopefully Nanoo and Papoo are pleased. I am.

Ode to Mom

You've loved us, laughed with us, and supported us through it all. Sally and Linda, here's to you.

Prom. Enough said.

University of Arizona graduation.

Witte-Gilbert wedding.

Rocky Mountain National Park.

Posing for a pic on a Carnival Cruise.

Exercising Lily (the cat) at a rest stop.

   

Chicago Marathon cheerleader for my sister Kate (in between banana phone calls).

Mother and son on our wedding day.

Mother and daughter on our wedding day.

Two foxy ladies cutting a rug.

"We laugh, we cry, we make time fly...we are the best of friends, my mom and I." - Unknown quote.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Casa Bonita, ole!

We made our first trip, as Team Anderson, to Casa Bonita last night with Honey and Poppie plus Uncle Jerky, Aunt Sandi, Emery, and Camden. Let me tell you about a time warp!

According to their website - yes, Casa Bonita has one - this is their 37th year of operation. And, I don't think much has changed in 37 years. The food was still alright, the sopapillas were delicious and plentiful, and Black Bart's Cave was spooky yet corny. All in all, a good time was had by all, especially the little ones. It was actually pretty fun to experience all the excitement with them.

A return trip has not yet been scheduled but I imagine we'll be back again sometime. Maybe we'll take a limo for someone's birthday. ;)

Tired babies

This morning, Sawyer, Madelyn, and I went swimming with Poppie and Honey.  Honey sat with Sawyer while Madelyn, Poppie, and I swam.  School is back in session so we had the indoor and outdoor pools mostly to ourselves which was a real treat.

We started at the indoor pool and went around the lazy river several times.  After a short adult swim (or safety break as they call it), we played briefly in the fountains and then went outside.

Outside, Honey and Sawyer found a nice table in the shade.  Madelyn, Poppie, and I played with an orange ball, did motorboat, kicked, practiced back floats, and jumped in the water among other things.  We swam until Madelyn got cold and then ate our snacks, cleaned up, and came home for lunch.

At 100P today, both of my babies were tucked in their beds and sound asleep.  This at least 30 minutes earlier than our usual nap time.  Additionally, it included no nap time shenanigans from Madelyn.  SO, it would seem as though if I really want to wear out my kiddos, all we need to do is pool it up real good.

Tomorrow's outing - Museum of Nature & Science.  Hopefully we have the same luck!

Father's Day

Yes, it was last month.  But, we just finished our Father's Day gifts for Griff over the weekend.

This year, we wents the arts and crafts route.  Madelyn and I purchased two stepping stone kits (in May) for Griff.  One for her and one for her soon to born little brother.  With Honey's help, we made hers in May and hid it at Honey and Poppie's house until we were ready to gift it to Griff. 

As for Sawyer's, rather than try to complete it after Sawyer arrived and before Father's Day, we decided to gift it un-made so Griff could help put it together.  It sort of seemed like the kind of thing Griff would enjyoing doing anyway.

So, on Saturday morning, the project began.

And on Sunday morning, the completed stone was placed in the yard next to Madelyn's stone.  The two look perfect together.  Madelyn and Sawyer get bigger every day but their hand and footprints won't change.  They will forever remind of us 2011 and our first year in this house.

God Bless America

Madelyn and Camden spiritedly waving their American flags.

Stay tuned for more pictures from our trip to San Diego.  We had a great time with Aunt Sandi, Uncle Jerky, Emery, Camden, and Honey and Poppie.  We saw Uncle Jerky's squadron fly in and got to run laps and laps around the hangar, ate In N Out for lunch, went to Sea World and saw Shamu, and played with our cousins.  What a great trip!

Our California relatives (the Kerkhove branch) along with Auntie Kate and Trish will be in Colorado for Thanksgiving.  So, we'll get to continue the good times then.

Westward bound

Honey and Poppie are coming!

They've sold their house in Illinois and are under contract on a house in Colorado.  We're looking forward to having another set of grandparents (and babysitters) close.

See you soon, Honey and Poppie!


Illinois house -

Colorado house -

It's Miller Time!

One of the stops on Griff's 30th birthday trip? The Miller (Coors) brewery tour in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Although we didn't partake in the brewhaus part of the tour -- advertised as 56 steps and 105 degrees...who wouldn't want to partake?! -- we still enjoyed our trip and complimentary post-tour samples.