Totem makes an apperance.



We have had a problem with our computers so we have not been able to post much recently; most of the recent pictures are stuck on that computer so these are all from cell phones.  There has been lots going on.  We visited the National Western Stock Show to view her painting and ribbon and to cheer on her 4-H friends as they competed with their llamas.  Izabel attended an event at the library all about science.  (Seamus attended one where he played with a parachute but those pictures will have to wait).  Izabel attended a choir workshop and preformed the songs she learned thier with her choir friends.  We have been exploring down in Pueblo trying to find a place to live closer to my work so the commute isn't so bad.  Everyone has been sick with colds multiple times.  We have also started up the bowling league again for Izabel and her friends and been able to take out my new ball a few times.  The other big change is that with my new job Matt is the primary learning coach and stay-at-home-dad. 

Izabel's school added some flourish to the description of Sir Walter Raliegh's career. 





At the Stock Show - we had VIP parking tickets from IQH's win.  It was still mud but closer to the venue.





Working on some lessons.

Science thing at the library.



One of Izabel's hisotry lesson's activities...the Globe.



Choir performance.



 

Seamus hangs in there with his cold while Izabel does mid-year testing for her school.





 

Checking out the main library in  Pueblo.





The canal walk in Pueblo.









 



Library in Colorado Springs - they have a touch-screen video that reads parts of books to the kids.

  



The end of winter break.

As the winter break winds down we have a few pictures from the recent festivities.  Izabel and Seamus playing pirates, and while Mom was out we had a gathering with my cousins and their kids at Uncle Muncle's.  I should have taken more pictures but I was distracted.  Plus Izabel shows off her new fencing practice foil she got for Christmas and Seamus his Buzz Lightyear.

Mythbusters studied the advantages of the eye patch for a pirate, it was very interesting, but I am not sure there is any advantage to the double eye patch.

Izabel's new practice foil.

Seamus' new Buzz Lightyear.

Seamus gets fancy to party with the cousins.  Credit for the shirt goes to Keegan.

Izabel and Seamus playing with Brian.  Brian is, in anthropological terms, their Mother's Father's Brother's Daughter's Son also in ego's generation (Mo Fr Br Da So).  So, let's just go with cousin.   It isn't often I get to directly show that I have a degree in Anthropology so I just had to do that.

Playing with cousin.

Walking with Grandma.

Finally a post...

We have been busy lately with the usual holiday stuff and close to end of semester stuff for Izabel.  Izabel is back in fencing class and there are a few pics here from her recent lessons.  She has completed 3rd grade science and math and received the 4th grade materials.  Her other subjects are not far behind. 

The first set of pictures are from Matt's phone and I just received them so they are a bit of duplicates form the last post when we visited Aunt Norelee's horse, Annie.    

While Grandma Ann was out here the kids tried on a new hat - firefighter.  We visited Denver's Firefighter Museum.  It is a cute museum, just the right size for little ones, and has a fire truck and firefighter clothes to try out.

The other big news in the house is that Izabel won grand champion for the second time in the National Western Stock Show youth art competition.  We will be planning our trip to the show around her 4-H group's projects, i.e. the llama competition, so we can root on her friends. 

Sparring

Denver FD uses white trucks because studies show white is easier to see then the traditional red.

Learning about communication centers and calling 9-1-1

Izabel showing Seamus a fire safety game - what can you play with?

Badges from around the country.

Back to the fire truck.

If you ask Seamus what a fireman does he tells you they drive.  At least this is a Mack truck.

Modeling their new hats.  These ones came home with us.

Catch-up in picture form

Hanging out with Annie (perhaps we should start calling her Cousin too?  She is part of the family)

Izabel practicing to be a fashion designer... she styled the outfit but this is mostly courtesy of Cousin Brianna.

Hanging with Cousin Conor after Thanksgiving.

Turkey coma. Seamus had a project at school where they teacher filled in the blank "I am thankful for... butter."  Makes me wonder what he does at school.  Too bad it is no more diary for him, his body just cannot handle it.

Making crafts with flour dough.

Story time for the kids.

 We were at the mall + no line whatsoever = the kids met Santa.  No pictures because I was not going to pay the crazy prices for a picture I will never do anything with but they were nice and let us take a pic outside with the decorations and Seamus cooperated, somewhat.

Izabel in her kids chapel at our church.

Seamus hanging with his girl Lexi.

He calls her "My Lexi" and sings songs about her.  He also asks, "Where is My Lexi?" fairly regularly.  He then argues with the answer.

Izabel and Lexi.   Izabel LOVES spending time with Lexi.