World Series Baby!!!

Our Colorado Rockies just did what no team has done before in the history of baseball, swept both the division and league championship series. And yes, they did play the Arizona Diamondbacks whom I have been a fan of in the past (like 2001 when we lived in Tuscon and they beat the Yankees in the world series). But they are no longer the team I knew, with their new colors and players. So I have done what all Denverites must do eventually, and I am rooting for the home team. John went to the first game in the national league championship series while he was in Phoenix for business. He got a ticket at face value the day before the game. The playoff games here have been sold out for weeks and being sold for twice their value. People are a little crazy in Colorado about their sports teams, but it makes it all the more fun.

Can't wait for Halloween

We got this costume about 2 weeks ago at Costco and Jeffrey wears it constantly. He is very excited about Halloween and getting candy. He sleeps in his scrubs almost every night. And I think he looks really good in those scrubs (I'm already having proud parent dreams of my baby going to medical school)

Like Brother like Brother

Sammy likes to do whatever his big brother does. But at the same time Jeffrey likes to act like Sammy-mostly with baby talk. I caught them playing trains together one morning, and of course its the day I accidentally dressed them a like. Oh, and I keep forgetting to mention that Sammy is walking now (has been for a month). It was such a huge event when Jeffrey walked but with Sammy it was more like "finally!". I know that sounds harsh but I guess its the reality of being the second born.

Yummy Recipe!!

I got this recipe from Food Network's Everyday Italian. Its called Garlic and Citrus Chicken and its YUMMY!! We all loved it including the kids. Its very simple just takes a bit of time since its a whole roasted chicken. Click here to get the recipe. Try it....love it.

Goodbye Summer

On this the last day of summer (to which I bid a heartfelt adieu and a safe return), I am lamenting the loss of my dear friends, my black Reef flip-flops. Companions for nearly 6 years, they were worn almost everyday warm enough for them to be worn. Yes they were dirty, stinky, some said ugly, but by George they were comfortable! And that's what matters most to me-comfort.

If you have been overly saddened by the previous event please read the last post to brighten your mood.

The Peaing Story

Monday morning I went out front to get Jeffrey so we could go to playgroup and there he is with his pants down to his ankles, peaing on our front bush. When he saw me he smiled real big like he was proud of himself. Then says "Mommy, bushes are good for peaing on just like toilets!"

He's done it a few times more, each time I remind him that we have a bathroom just inside. Today Sammy was in front with Jeff, and I saw him walk up to the bush, lift up his shirt, then try to push his pants down just like his big brother does when he relieves himself. Sammy has done this same maneuver in front of the toilet so I'm hoping he will be interested in potty training early.

Oh Rise and Shout the Cougars are out!!

BYU and Arizona football played today and BYU won 20-3!! For anyone not aware of the history, John graduated from UofA and I graduated from BYU. Looks like Arizona will have another bad team. I'll be cheering for them again come basketball season.

Here's a shout out of thanks to the few blessed souls who have commented on my blog. I know some of you don't know how to leave comments so I will tell you: at the bottom of each post there is a "comments". If you click on it you can then leave a message in the comments box. You don't have to have a google account, but you can sign up for one if you want to under the comment box. So try it!

And for those of you who just don't comment because you are either out of time or lazy or maybe you don't like my blog (then I ask you why are you reading it?); well I take pity on you and if I were to die tomorrow you may feel guilty that you didn't leave your words. J/K, J/K its okay I'm not mad really.....

Jeffrey's New Hobby

The latest victims of Jeffrey's habit of picking things. The one on the left is a library book!!! ARGGGGGGHHH!!!

Pagosa Springs, CO Trip Aug 9-12, 2007

Here is Jeff at the Piedra River. He learned the joys of throwing rocks into the river. So the whole time we were there if there was water a rock had to be thrown.

We hiked to Piedra Falls (in the background). It was a short one mile hike perfect for the kids. John is sporting his new camping hat

This is everyone who came to Pagosa Springs. (We are missing half of my family) From left to right is my niece Danielle, my brother Brent, his wife Nicole, my Dad Dave, Jeffrey, my mom Betty, John, Steph, and a crying uphappy Sammy.

Playing in Grandpa's truck. We drove up to Purgatory Resort near Durango to ride the alpine slide but just as we got there it rained and they closed the slide.

Rafting on the Animas River in Durango. I'm in the front with John and my parents are sitting in the back. August is NOT the best time to raft. This was one of a few thrill rapids for the trip.

First Tie

Jeff wanted to wear Daddy's tie. I tried to tie it but it didn't turn out. So this is after John saved me. He needs a clip on!

Hiking Devil's Head in Rampart Range

We went camping for the first time with the kids then the next day hiked to Devil's Head where there is a fire lookout tower that you can climb up. There is a man at the top who works there and has been doing it for 23 summers. He packs in his food once a week and gets water from snow melt. And he is real tired of people asking him the same questions over and over. The picture above is of John's sister Katrina, her husband Patrick, John, John's brother Spencer and Reno the dog. The kids are on the backs of Patrick and John but you can't see them, and I'm taking the picture so you don't get to see me (sorry).

Sammy fell asleep and this is him just waking up.

At the top of the tower, Patrick and Spencer.

Jeffrey-isms

In the past few days Jeffrey has said the following:

"Hot dogs are good and yummy and not yucky"

"Food makes poop and poop is in my tummy and bottom"

"I like to poop"

Jeffrey also has this weird habit of picking at things. He can't seem to stop himself from picking all the paper off his crayons-he doesn't color with them, just takes the paper off of them. And its like a drug, if there is a crayon near with paper on it, he has to pick it! He does this with books too or anything that is peeling.

Kjelstrom Family Reunion, July 2-9 2007

The Kjelstrom gang. The reunion was at our house. When we were all together, there were 16 people at our house. It was a bit cramped at times, but fun to have everyone. There was a lot of food, playing of the Wii, and Settlers. I think we all had fun seeing each other again.

Jeffrey and Jacob

Here we are waiting for the July 4th Highlands Ranch fireworks show. (I know its not a great pic) Jeffrey and his cousin Jacob were the most excited of all of us.

John had a project for the some the family to help with, planting trees and shrubs in our backyard. Earlier in the year John cut down some trees and here he is with Earl using a stump grinder to get rid of the old stumps. You can see Jason, John's brother, taking a break in the background.

The boys were "helping" me clean out my car on Saturday. It was Sammy's first time in the driver's seat. He was enthralled with all the buttons and levers.

Okay, I have another Jeffrey story. Last week while giving him a bath, we got him undressed and I said "okay, jump in". So he gets up on the edge of the tub and jumps in. I looked at him surprisingly and said something like "not that way". And he said "mommy, I jumped in!" Sometimes I forget how literally kids understand things.

So, we got a new computer. Its so nice and much faster than the old laptop I was using. John and I are setting up an office in our loft. We started with scraping the ceilings and painting the walls. Then John installed some pretty cool tract lighting. We bought a new desk and of course the computer. Next John plans to build some built-in bookcases. I'll post a picture of the finished project.

Potty training candy in nose

I actually took this about a month ago but forgot to post it. Jeffrey got candy while he was potty training and figured out he could stick it up his nose. (is that just a male instinct?) And the potty training is going great - now. We had ups and downs, but I wasn't going back to diapers and hung in there. Now he does very well.

Sunday morning I found him in Sammy's room hiding behind the glider with an opened bag of Starburst. He had climbed up onto the desk to get the scissors, which are up high, to use to open the bag. I was just glad there were not missing fingers.

Recent photos

Just recently took some new photos. Jeffrey of course is by his trains and Sammy is trying to sit in my lap. I took a "personal vacation" over the memorial weekend to CA. It was very rejuvenating! Now I'm back to real life.

Painted Plaques

Here are the plaques I painted with my mom for Sammy's room.

Fox in Yard

Another Colorado wildlife encounter! I saw this fox in our backyard this week. At first I thought it was a coyote because that's what I'm used to seeing being a desert rat. Jeffrey was excited to see it, wanted to go outside and get closer. But I decided to keep my distance since it was already scared from seeing us behind the door.

Sammy Turns 1!