Piece of the pie

So, we are property owners. We bought a little slice of Lake City wonderfulness. The spot is across the river from where we know live and is still in town. An adjoining foot path will assure I can walk and bike everywhere still and it is about the same distance from the kids' school as we are now. The views are as follows: South--Roundtop, Red Mountain and T-Mountain, as well as a closer view of a little knoll and a lovely ponderosa pine. West--the foot bridge, Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, and Neoga Mt. North--Cannibal plateau and the ball-flats neighborhood. East--Station 11 Mountain. Our current house is the sweetest little antique place, built by Lake City's first doctor in 1874. Three of our four children were born in this house, called the Moon House after Dr. Moon. But, alas, I think we've outgrown the place. We shall see what lies ahead for us with this property. I'd like to build a log house that looks like it has been around a while. Think log/victorian/farmhouse. The property is kind of a knoll in itself and Christian wants to make the house as tall as possible. I'll attach a photo of our idea at this point. NOTE: we don't own the house...just the property.

Brudders

These boys sure love each other!

Are you freaked out yet?

Can you name the baby in these photos? Hint: they are twins born five years apart.

Cousins

Our kids are blessed to live within a few blocks of their cousins. We meet at the park or the ice cream shop that their grandparents own often in the summer and at the ski hill in the winter. We go on family hikes together, celebrate lots of birthdays together, go to church together, hit the streets on bikes together....etc. I was the only-child, youngest cousin on both sides of my family and lived pretty far from all of them. Many of my cousins have grandchildren. I haven't seen some of them since I was 2 years old. I don't know what the future holds for my kids and their cousins, but for now...it is jolly good fun to be all in the same place. As of now, I have five nephews and my sister-in-law is due in Feb with a mystery child. Priya is hoping for a baby girl cousin...but we sure make some cute little boys around here...we shall see. (I do have to constantly remind Priya that she cannot marry Judah or Titus.)

Oh, and a bonus photo of Mr. Toes.

Hartman Halloween

The kids had a carnival tonight with their school. Silas is my not-so-scary scarecrow. Priya is a flower fairy. Levi, of course, is my little surfer dude. Elliot made a showing in his dino PJs, but not for the camera. Silas and Priya won second and third place for their age group. Frankly, Levi was robbed!!! Looked how cute he is; dude definitely deserved a ribbon! There was some stiff competition (one of the cutest girls in town dressed up as Yoda!!). After way too much sugar...Silas went off with Papa to watch the world series (try tracking down a TV in this town). And, Priya and Levi spun out of control until they crashed. Whew, we haven't even trick-or-treated yet.

Best Ever

This photo of Levi is one of my favorites, because...

1. The Sign.

2. The lip.

3. The cat is wearing pink panties.

Translation: "I would have brought my dog, but being a rule-keeper, I had to bring this dumb cat, which is, I know, wearing a dress, and yes, undies."

Super Pops is 95!!!

The children's great-grandfather came out with his wife from South Carolina to Colorado to celebrate his 95th birthday. The grandchildren were all really excited to have them here and, of course, they were excited about the balloons and the cake! The photos are not great, but I was able to capture Super Pops with Levi, Silas smiling at the cake, Super Pops with an old friend from Oklahoma who came to the celebration, and all 9 grandchildren on the couch.