Sunday Afternoon Creativity

So, Fisher had a great idea this afternoon. He is such a creative little boy. We had to modify the original idea a little (cause Mama can't engineer just ANYTHING) but here's what we came up with. One persons trash...








Now, we are no strangers to the wonders that live in our recycle bin. Many amazing things have come out of there. Halloween costumes and airplanes to name a few. (hhmmm... I smell a post there.) But this one was really fun. It's been a good 3 or 4 hours non stop. Piper even joined in the fun when she woke up.

Love ya'll
JKFP and Bob

We're still here...but just barely

Hello people!!

It's time to put my BGP's on again. (Big girl panties) I've been thinking about this little blog a lot lately but I just haven't been able to do it. I've been overwhelmed and a bit sad. Not feeling the blog stuff. But here I am...

I do have very exciting news. Our passports have arrived!!!!! I think it's really crazy (and super exciting) that my two and five year old children have passports. So now we just need tickets.



James left for Germany on January 24th. And yes, he arrived safely. He's only started actually working the last few days. (he was getting paid though - no worries) So he's been sitting around watching movies mostly. Which really sucks if you think about it. If we'd been able to go in the beginning we could have done LOTS of sightseeing together. He'll be working 6 days a week by the time we arrive. Oh well! Next trip. He's good though. He's made some friends and done some sightseeing. They even tried to go see "The Hoff" (David Hasslehoff is really big there - I still haven't figured out why) a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, they didn't realized how long it would take to get there and they couldn't get in. They got t-shirts though. :)




Honestly, I would be lying if I said I was great. I'm overwhelmed. I feel like if I had tickets and a date on the calendar to mark off I'd be doing better. (or a dishwasher) As it is, I have no definite end in sight. I have an approximate time we are shooting for. (Well, that's great) I am planning to get tickets in two weeks so that'll hopefully make a big difference in my mental state.
But, next week I get a recharge! Carly's going to keep my kids and I'm going to get caught up on the house, get a massage, get my toes done, and go shopping. Wow. I should be much better by the end of next week.

I have been sewing a BUNCH! It seems to come in circles. One week I sew/craft and the next one I don't and am sad. It's weird really. I posted once about "sewing for sanity" and it turns out I wasn't too far off. So I actually have tons of projects I've finished up that I plan to share with you. (Not to mention the handmade christmas stuff I still haven't posted about) So keep your eyes peeled for that!

The kids....

(this is terrible of Fisher but I wanted you to see Piper's face - marker)

The kids are doing okay. They miss their daddy, of course. We have become experts at skyping though. They LOVE seeing him (and themselves) on the computer. Piper especially.

Fisher seems to be going in circles with me. When I'm more stable he's pretty well behaved. When I'm on the downward slope he's a complete turkey. Pushing every freaking button I have! I find this all really interesting actually - just how much we all feed off each other.

Piper can be summed up in 6 words. A. Cupcake. Baked. By. The. Devil. Fisher said it best the first week James was gone. We were in their bedroom getting everyone dressed and Piper was kinda being a pain. Fisher suddenly (and very wisely) says, "you know what's interesting...it's interesting that I used to be a giant pain in the butt all the time and now Piper is. It's like we've switched places." Yes, yes it is. You'd think I would have had even one day off in between with NOBODY being a pain. But no. It was the. same. day. Maybe even a little overlap where EVERYBODY was a pain. Piper still has the occasional sweet moment but mostly she's terribly two. And exhausting.

I'm going to update you a little bit on Mr. Bobbert today too. He's had a rough patch lately. We had to take him to the ER last weekend. He was in pain and his legs didn't seem to be working quite right. Well, after several x-rays they figured out why. He has what they call "significant bridging spondylosis of his vertebrae". That means his spine is starting to fuse. He's always been a bit hump backed. (genetics were not kind here) Well, that's just getting worse and the vertebrae are fusing together. Then they pinch his little spine making stuff not work correctly. (mostly just walking) They think we'll be able to manage this pretty well with arthritis medication to keep him from getting inflammed. Right now he's on steriods (for another week) and painkillers. He thinks this is great really. He gets a little bit of peanut butter (that's hiding a pill) twice a day. We'll keep the pain meds on hand for flare ups as well. Poor little dog. Here's the day we came home from the Dr.

He's doing pretty good now considering. Our biggest challenge has been keeping him from jumping. We have to lock him in the kitchen anytime we leave now so he can't jump/fall/hurt himself while we're gone.

So there you have it. That's what's happening. I really do have lots of things I can write about - I just have to be in a good frame of mind for it. So, keep your fingers crossed or send us good juju or whatever!

Love to you all!

JKFP and Bob

House of Ill

Hi Everyone.

You may be asking yourselves about all the crazy fun we've been having around here while James has been home. He's been home for a little over 3 weeks now. It has been SO wonderful having him around. (He leaves in 6 days for Germany) But you still haven't told us what all you've been doing!! Well, after Christmas we had one week (which I'll post about later) for fun stuff...

Then the second week we had this....

And the third week we had this...

The kids are finally on the mend. Unfortunately, yesterday I got it. Thankfully it seems to be a bit faster for me as I feel MUCH better today. The kids were MISERABLE for 4 days and not fully recovered til day 6. Then the next one would get it. And so on.

I hope the next few days we'll be able to do some fun stuff I can share with you. You know like getting passports, doing taxes, power of attorney, oh yeah, and packing. Should be good fun. :)

Hugs -n- Pinches

JKFP & Bob

The Big News - Update

Okay, so we've had "marching orders" and they keep changing. I'm going out on a limb and updating you (though most of you already know it) and if they change - whatever!

Germany it is!!!! We are super excited to be heading to Europe. The date keeps changing so don't bet the farm on it. As of right now he leaves Jan. 24th. The kids and I will head over 6 or 8 weeks later. It's supposed to be a 4 month job - but we've been told those schedules change as well. So who really knows?? We (the kids and I) will likely stay for a couple months. I think the key is flexibilty and not get too worked up with times and schedules. (Yeah right! I'm a girl that likes set times. Guess we'll be learning to adjust.)

James' last day with Nunn Construction was Christmas Eve. He wanted to have a little over two weeks home with us (his first departure date was Jan. 10th.) before heading out. Then they moved it back a week to the 17th. Then another week. It's kind of nice having him home for all this time. Four weeks. He calls it his semi-retirement. I think he misses work though. I keep catching him checking out concrete trucks that are driving by. (I suppose there are worse things a guy could "check out" huh? )

I'm doing pretty well with it all. I'm trying to pack in my mind. Craft stuff, kids toys, a travel (and likely new) wardrobe. I'm not making lists yet - but I'm sure it's not too far off. This morning was consumed with figuring out what all I need for the passports. There is a lot of hoop jumping involved in getting passports for children nowadays. They want to make sure I'm not smuggling them out of the country without their dad's permission or participating in child trafficking. (Spell check says that's right but, it looks super weird.) Because of that, we have to do all their paperwork while James is still here. So that should be fun. Heading to Denver tomorrow to get Fisher's birth certificate corrected - long story. I'll let you know.

The kids are just beyond excited to have their dad home everyday! We've had snow days, rocket building days, and today is a park day. (I'm also enjoying some quiet alone time) Fisher is excited about Germany. Most days. I don't think he really understands what it means. He knows we'll be exploring and adventuring in a new place and he's cool with that. Piper is just Piper. She is along for the ride and excited about whatever we're excited about.

So, yeah. Excited is our word. Nervous excitement. And now you all know. I'll continue to keep you posted on all this. I think it's time to go make a list.


*** Added note - we now have Skype. So any of you who have webcams can sign up (it's free) and we can video chat. How cool is that???

Love,
JKFP and Bob

A Christmas Recap

Hello Again! It seems I blog in spurts doesn't it? Oh well....


Here are a few shots from our Christmas festivities. We really did have a wonderful time. I try every year to de-stress it all for myself but, that never really seems to happen. I always say I'm going to have all my sewing done by Thanksgiving so I can just enjoy the month of December. Yeah right! Maybe next year.

Anyway...

We got our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving and got it all decorated beautifully. I tend to lean more towards white lights for the tree but I get outvoted every year.

Fisher putting his ornaments on.

Piper just playing with ornaments. Again with the no pants! It kind of seems like theme around here doesn't it?

The boys putting the star on the top.

This became a nightly ritual. Turning off all the lights in the house to look at the tree. Then the kids would run around the living room in circles by the light of the tree. Relaxing no?

So typical of this boy.


Little Sister joining in.

For the very first time IN HIS LIFE, Fisher ran in and jumped on Santa's lap. This is at James' work party for the kids. They have Santa come, crafts to make, and pizza. It's a great time and we aren't fighting crowds at the mall to visit with the big guy.

Last year I pretty much just got a shot of the top of Piper's head as she struggled to get off Santa's lap. This year.... she did much better with Anta, as she calls him.

Mr. Nunn (James' boss) showing Piper the ornaments on the tree.

Christmas eve is usually spent at Nana's house. We have a nice dinner then the kids bounce around waiting for the grown-ups to finish. Then we head downstairs to open presents. Sound like someone you know? You know you did the same thing when you were little!

Waiting at the top of the stairs for the go ahead.

I don't usually get pictures of the present opening itself. Piper is still a bit young to do it all herself and Fisher is just a blur of paper. But I did get a picture of Nana and the Colorado kids. (Sounds like some kind of weird gang doesn't it? Oooh or a band!)

And finally we get to Christmas morning!!! We immediately check out what Santa brought us. We play with toys. And we have Nana over for Christmas brunch. (and to check out our haul)

Santa brought Fisher a gnome tree house!!

And Piper got a fairy village.

They (very sweetly I might add) played together with each other's toys.

This is a terrible picture but they were playing well together.

Art Time together!

It was such a wonderful Christmas. It was filled with traditions from each side of our family blended together beautifully. We are all so blessed!

Thanks to you all for following us in our adventures. I hope your 2010 was great and that 2011 will be even more amazing. Happy New Year!!!

Love,

JKFP and Bob

Celebrating the Pipey

Hi! Have you all been missing me? Yeah, me too. It has, of course, been insanely busy around here. (As I'm sure it has been for all of you too.) My poor little blog has been terribly neglected. I have been sewing Christmas giftage pretty much non-stop. I lost count of the many up til 2:00 in the morning sewing sessions. I do have a post about our mostly homemade Christmas so stay tuned for that. But this post is not for that...

This post is about celebrating the Pipey. Our sweet Little Miss turned 2 years old December 4th!! She is so completely 2 years old that it's kinda ridiculous. Bless her sweet little heart. She is so much fun. As a pair, she and Fisher are nothing but trouble. The fun, crazy, wide open kind. Just this morning I asked her to look out the window. We had a bit of snow yesterday. She saw the snow and immediately says "Mommy, boots ON!" Nevermind that the temp. read 1 degree. ONE. We are waiting for the warm up?!?! That's my little mountain girl.

I was able (in the midst of all the Christmas sewing) to get her birthday banner made. All except her name. That'll be ready for next year. I think it turned out well. She was excited anyway. (Now I just have to get them sewn up for the grownups and we'll be set for life.)

Here's a detail shot. This was my first attempt at needle felting and I think I'm in love.

Opening her presents

Fisher helping with his gift to her. He painted a wooden jewelry box for her. He was super proud!


I know this one is a bit blurry but I couldn't resist. I love the excitement in her face! He did a great job helping her.

And here's her new birthday outfit from Nana. She LOVED the sound of her shoes on the floor!

We didn't do a traditional birthday party but we did attend one! Sweet Onora turned 1 on the 3rd so we went to her party. (Nikos and Melanie's little girl and Fisher and Piper's good friend. Well, we love her too.)

Here's the other birthday girl, Onora.

And here she is eating cake.

After the birthday party we headed over to Nana's house for some Nebraska Football watching. (or as Pipey calls it "feetball") Piper LOVES football. I'm not kidding. Anytime she sees it on tv she yells "FEETBALL" and runs around clapping. Again, her Daddy's child.

Relaxing watching Nebraska play.

Talking to Bella and Papa on the phone...and waiting for dinner. (We forgot a bib and it was chili - that's why she's half naked)

Blowing out her candles!!! With help from the boys.

All in all, I think it was a great birthday! She had so much fun with her friends and family. We look forward to another year filled with fun, love, and adventure with our Pipey!

Love,

JKFP and Bob

Happy Thanksgiving...oh and Halloween

Hello All! I hope you had or are having a most wonderful Thanksgiving! This was my favorite one to date! Wanna know why? I ate turkey on the couch, in stretchy pants, watching a movie with my three favorite people in this world! (Four, if you count the dog. And lets face it, I do.) No rushing, no driving (unless you count hitting the grocery store for MORE butter), and eating in my pj's. Sounds perfect to me.

James cooked the most amazing turkey ever. EVER! Lets see...injected with a combo of butter, honey, merlot, and creole seasoning AND stuffed with apples. Stupid good. We also had super easy crockpot green beans (with brown sugar - yes they are the best ever), garlic cheesy mashed potatoes, fresh bread (breadmaker) , and salad. It. Was. Awesome. Just the four of us. No stress. Awesome.

My crazy husband has gone to Costco this morning with the kids to look at computers. Not to buy one, just to look. I tried to tell him black friday might not be the best day for this. Whatever! I'm not getting out of my pj's today. Which means I'm not shopping. And, I think all you black friday shoppers are crazy! (For the record.) Anyway, as I sat here thinking of you all I realized... holy cow I haven't done a Halloween blog! Sorry. Life happens. BUT, here we are. A little late.

Halloween Weekend Festivities!!!

This was my first year hitting the Manitou Springs Coffin Races. And it was pretty awesome. A little background: I guess back in the 1800's this lady, Emma Crawford, died and was buried on top of a hill. Well, it rained. A lot. And she was washed down the hill. So, they took her back up and buried her again. And it happened again. Seriously. (Supposedly.) So 16 years ago someone stumbled across that information and said "what a great idea!" And the coffin races were born. The basic idea - teams get together and come up with these themes. Then they super dress up. (all themey) Then they build a coffin on wheels and super dress it up to match, hold a massive parade to show everyone off, then have races. They push their team's coffin (with one woman inside it - the Emma Crawford's of course) through the streets of Manitou Springs. It made for a very interesting Saturday! Manitou people, Manitoids as they're called (not kidding), take Halloween VERY seriously.

Here we are waiting for the parade to start. We're getting a little sleepy.

Coffin example.

They also bring out their crazy pimped out hearses. And if your wondering If fire shoots out of this one somewhere...

Why yes, yes it does.

I told you they take this stuff seriously. Bob better watch out next year!

Fisher had the best spot for parade viewing.

A couple of my favorite themes... Smurfs.

And Star Wars. You can never go wrong with Storm Troopers and Princess Leia. Or people painted blue.

The parade was really fun. The kids were pretty tired by that time so we didn't stay for the races. After some lunch and a nap they were ready for... Pumpkin carving with Daddy!

The fruits of their labor. I think he looked fantastic.

Which brings us to trick-or-treating. We've been going to a different neighborhood for the last couple years and it's our new home for Halloween. Flat streets and wonderful people! What a combo. I made the costumes of course. After the success of the bulldozer last year - Fisher never even asked to buy one!

Piper went as Angelina Ballerina. She wasn't too sure about the whole knocking on strange doors and asking for stuff thing.

But she got the hang of it.

And after much discussion... Fisher went as a Robot!

Boxes, inserts that came in boxes, dryer vents (that were already in the garage), beer caps, duct tape, spare wire and tubing bits, and spray paint. If you're wondering.

Waiting...

Just a cute one of Piper and her Dad. A lovely fall shot.

I think this can be the last house.

They got a tremendous haul. This year we tried something new with all that candy. We had talked for several weeks about the "Candy Fairy". (Though some people call her the Spirit Sprite or the Halloween Fairy) She works along the same lines as the Tooth Fairy. And we LOVE her. The kids picked over the candy and got out a few of their favorites, then left the rest for the Candy Fairy. Fisher left her at least 3/4 of the candy this year. She leaves little toys or money for the candy you don't need. So we got down our Halloween tree and left her a basket of goodies.


Fisher (especially) is money motivated so the Candy Fairy left them each $5! They were super happy about it! Not a word was mentioned about missing any of that candy. I think they even have a little left. The Candy Fairy is sooooo sticking around!!

Well, that does it for us on this black friday. I hope you get the deals you want and eat yourself silly with leftovers.

Peace and full bellies,

JKFP