The Nutcracker Ballet

Rachel, Elise, and I went to the Pikes Peak Center to see "The Nutcracker Ballet" this past Saturday night, and we had the best time! We've talked about going in the past, and it never happened. We were thrilled and blessed by "Groupon" when they offered a great deal on tickets... we purchased $45 tickets for $20 each! We've also never actually lived closer to the Pikes Peak Center, so that was a convenience factor.

We decided to surprise the girls, too, with a trip to "The Melting Pot" fondue restaurant for dessert before the show. Yes, we ate our dessert at dinnertime and thoroughly enjoyed every bite! Then we walked the short distance to the show.

Below is the inside of the Pikes Peak Center...

The ballet was really, really beautiful. The "winter wonderland" scene was my favorite,

but we enjoyed the whole performance and had truly special night out.

Green Mountain Falls

In mid-October, we made a little trip up to Green Mountain Falls. It's a town we've driven by often, but never actually stopped at. I can't believe we've never done that! We've been missing out. It's very simple and slow, and quite honestly "my speed." I think I could live there! We ate delicious breakfast at a place called "The Pantry," and then sat at the little lake with the gazebo and geese. The kids fished, ran around, and played at the small playground and by the creek. It was just a beautiful little place to spend an amazing Colorado October afternoon.

The kids got this next thing going round and round pretty fast...

You knew it wasn't going to end well, right? :)

They were very tolerant while I tried to take some pictures,

with excessive "goofy-ness" on the side!"

Look closely at this next photo!

We're moving...

No guest room furniture.

Then we had guests!

They never complained about the air mattress,

not even the last night.

No living room furniture.

Then no family room furniture.

No table on the sun porch.

The outside play set is gone.

I need a place to sit.

Aha! There's one chair left in the other room.

Nope... it's wrapped in plastic.

I'll sit on the edge of the tub.

No more dining room set.

Anywhere.

We had three!

I don't think I'll ever be done

packing up the kitchen.

What do people in other countries

do without all the specialized mixers,

cutters, blenders, makers, measure-ers,

cookers, stirrers, choppers, gadgets, and

other various kitchen tools that we have

here in America?

Or is it all just in my kitchen?

Two refrigerators gone.

The washer and dryer are gone.

The kid's beds are down.

Ours isn't yet.

We've hung on to that as long as possible.

I'm not sure how many boxes are gone,

but I actually need to pack more.

Pretty soon the last dog and the cats will be gone.

It may seem odd, but I think that will make it all seem final.

Almost every thing's in storage.

What's next, Lord?

I'm feeling a little sad today.

"Hear my cry O God, listen to my prayer;

from the end of the earth I call to you when

my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock

that is higher than I,

for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

Let me dwell in your tent forever!

Let me take refuge under the

shelter of your wings."

Psalm 61:1-4

Colorado

Does the Lord create sunsets and set the sky on fire

anywhere else in the world

like He does in Colorado?

I just don't think so,

and I stand in awe of His masterpiece.

"On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and on your wondrous works, I will meditate."

Psalm 145:5

Dahlonega, Georgia

My goal here is just to shock everyone with getting a few new pictures posted.

Let me know if I was successful!

(I have to start somewhere after so long, right?)

On July 3, we were in a beautiful, beautiful little town in north Georgia called Dahlonega. These pictures will give you just a little sampling of how vintage and quaint it was. They were completely decked-out for the 4th, and I also read that it's a site worth seeing for Christmas.

Maybe...

We just windowed shopped here,

but, oh my, the chocolates!

Patriotic music playing...

You know you're in The South when you see "General Lee," right?

A funny story about these Coke bottles...

Kyle opened his bottle with a little force and it tipped and sprayed Coke (like out of a hose!) all over Daniel (including his eyes). While we were trying to calm Daniel down, Elise did the same thing all over Kyle!

Later, we walked out of a little store with ice cream cones which the Georgia heat/humidity instantly attacks. Daniel's ice cream was on the ground within minutes, and so was Kyle's!

Kyle said, "What is it with this town?!?!"

(We were all thinking, "What is it with Kyle?" ha ha!)

One of my favorite pictures of some cute kids!

Boys

Boys. We found some boys in the dungeon (aka "basement") a couple days ago.

Isn't it the greatest when old toys become new again?

(Anybody out there recognize these?)

All these boys needed was a bath.

Here they are at the spa (don't tell my real boys I said that!)...

Then one of the real boys needed a bath with his new old toys!

Boys are the greatest!

Making my life something so beautiful......

Hey, everyone, this is Elise!

I found this in our old picture file and fell in love with it.

And God said,"Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed..." Gensis 1:11