havin' fun

The kids have enjoyed the lovely weather of this past holiday week. We have been having fun riding (new) bikes, playing at the park and I have been having fun playing with my new "toy". Jeff got me a new wide angle lens for my camera for Christmas...it has been super fun trying it out! (Liz, I wish we lived closer...I could use some pointers!)

more Christmas...

our annual walk through the botanic gardens on Christmas Eve...equipped with hot chocolate.


opening presents

the aftermath

Enjoying every moment of the holidays and the precious break from work and school.

in the moment

So happy to be on Christmas Break with my family. These two little ones of ours make me smile so much. Yesterday, Ryan informed me that she was going to get married when she gets older. When I asked her who she was going to marry she said..."I am not sure, but I know I want to marry someone that has not been in jail and someone that does not already have a girlfriend." Setting the bar high (we'll have to work in raising it a bit but it's a start!) I just love how kids think. Jeff and I are both feeling like kids these days enjoying our time with our own and anticipating Christmas morning. The holiday cheer is definitely surrounding us...from Santa to making and decorating cookies (including the festive Christmas stegosaurus).








Happy Happy Holidays...cheers!

little gymnasts

Today Ryan and Cole had their gymnastics meet. It was super and fun to watch what they have been working on in class. This was Cole's first time taking the class now that he is old enough. They both loved tumbling and learning all of the events, and I loved a whole hour of knitting on Saturday mornings during class. I would say it was success for all.

the floor exercise

uneven bars

high beam

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

now just waiting for a little snow around here...it's such a fun time of year!

it's getting chilly

3rd annual Knit for Paris is underway! It took a while for it to feel like fall in Denver but the cold weather is here and there is a lot of knitting being done! Thank you to those who have contributed already...




Any knits waiting to warm up little heads, fingers or necks send my way. It is such a joy to see the fourth and fifth graders starting to wear their hats, mittens and scarves given to them in previous years on cold mornings. They always take the time with smiles of gratitude to make sure I see them wearing the hats knitted for them. So...
thank you, thank you.
-jordan
jhoeksema@hotmail.com

I am thankful for...

having the zoo to ourselves the day before thanksgiving



our salad course
cole's salad course


these two...melt my heart


brothers



our annual thanksgiving walk to our feed our neighbor's horses


things that make me smile


uncles


finishing our walk through the golf course and finding lost golf balls for all

happy happy thanksgiving.

Happy Lazy Day

hope your day was full of...

finding the bits of sun to sit in throughout the day.

sitting by a fall fire



Always grateful to spend a lazy day with my family doing nothing...but doing so much.

such a long long time to be gone...and a short time to be there

My parents just left Colorado after being here this past week. Every year my folks come out to help me celebrate my fall break from school. As my dad would say..It was time for them to go home but I sure wish they could come over for dinner again tomorrow night.It is so hard to have the "all or nothing" sometimes but I am so grateful for the long trip they make to see us.
It is always a week full of family, activities and laughter. Here are just a few of the highlights...

We spent a beautiful afternoon at the alpine slide and riding the python "roller coaster."









We carved our home grown pumpkins and did a little trick or treating.








We even had enough time to get a little putt putting in.





thank you.thank you.thank you for coming.