New ORLEANS!!!

 In October, Jeff and I headed out with some friends to New Orleans!! It was such a unique, jazzy place, that I was honestly supersized by it.

 We did some quick shopping at the Piggly Wiggly, and downed some Louisiana Hot Sauce, and were on our way to site see!!

 Just off Burbon street, the amazing treasures you can find in all the shops, SOOO fun.

We went on the most amazing cemetery tour, talked about the history of Louisianan, how New Orleans plays so much of a part in his culture, and paid way to much for some amazing oysters!!!   

 There is is, Burbon street at night. We went to a Jazz concert, just some good old boys playing together, and it was a highlight for most of us!!! Below is the beauty the city has to offer in the day!!

 Cemetery. This one was off the tour, but such rich and old history, bodies and bodies burred with one another, and locked in these vaults, never to be opened or accessed again.

 The garden district. Ridding this charming old trolly, down rickety streets, breeze blowing through the open windows, soooo neat! This is where the wealthy area and homes are. Just to name a few, we passed the home of our Denver Broncos player, Payton Manning, and the actor, John Galecki. These homes were beautiful, and with the moist air, the gardens were spectacular.

 The tour of one of the plantations. What blew me away was these trees, that lined the property. The way their routs just bubbled was so fascinating!! The day was perfectly wet and rainy, and charming!!

 You simply cannot go to New Orleans with out stopping at Cafe Du Monte, and getting some sinful binyettes ( or however they are spelled!!!!) I think we went there one or two times....YUMMmmmm  Below, our boys, partying it up in the city ( just after the epic halloween parade the city holds every year) , for the last night, enjoying some fresh open air, live music, and topping the day off ( after eating oysters, a muffeletta sandwich and binyettes) with a cat fish po'boy!! !

 just a view down by the river, and a quick snap shot of some of the food consumed. We did tour the lower 9th district, that had most of the flooding from Hurricane Katrina :( and drove across the largest lake in the U.S. SUCH a neat place, great time spending some extra hours with my hubbie, and thanks to the great Grannie Dixie for holding down the fort while we toured!!! Next adventure, PORTLAND!

NOV, DEC, JAN

 We had a FANTASTIC thanksgiving feast with our friends, the Granges. Oh my goodness, just looking at the dinner makes me hungry! As usual, delicious food, played way to many games, had beyond a fantastic time!!!

 Visiting my new babies in SLC. Oh goodness me, Baby Andrew and Baby Benjamin, spend a few days helping Linds and Abe with the new (HANDFUL) of adorableness!!!

                                     Girls night out at the Denver Nuggets game

 Just being cute kids, and growing up, despite my dislike, spending free time all enjoying a good book

 The YMCA of ESTES PARK. After Thanksgiving, up in the Rockies, just playing old school with the fam.

 Getting ready for Christmas, frosting cookies and attending the famous Hammonds Candy "Candy Cane Festival"

 This is a usual sight, all huddled around Lucy bear as she reads her brothers books!!!!

                    Christmas Eve breakfast, out to eat. An old Sanders tradition, brought to life again.

 Family new years resolution, one hike each month. This was January. Brrrrrrrr @ Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs

Stripe day and cowboy day @ school. so fun
 ( Stripe day was UN-oficial. just happened to be all wearing stripy shirts)

                                              SUPER warm day to go for a sled!!!

 Legos reading legos reading legos reading legos reading legos reading legos reading.......

 First time ever making home made tamales!!! OH they were SOOOOOO good!!!! For an ethnic dinner night at our house.

 Charlie turns 7!! Opening his presents. He got legos ( no suprise) more legos, lion slippers, snow gloves, some great building kids and had a super mini golf pizza party with a few friends!

 Charlie is very kind, cautious and thoughtful. He regularly finds trouble ( when they are suppose to be getting ready for school or bed) with Hank, just being boys. Throwing articles of clothing on the fan (as it circles around) chasing each other in their underwear...
He is determined to be a great reader, and has done a great job this year in school. Has many leadership awards, and is a fun, quite, easy going kid. Happy birthday Mr. Charles!!

 We haven't had much snow, but the 2 storms have dumped so much we had 2 SNOW DAYS! One of the days following the boys and Jeff built snow forts out back!!!

 Leading up to Christmas!! The usual gingerbread houses!!! Tasty, messy and fun

Christmas Eve dinner. The usual . We always do a candle lit dinner, mixed rice, fancy salad and Cornish game hens. Ah, the food at the holidays, what a treat. 

 Reading Christmas stories, the birth of Jesus, telling of old memories, all around the glowing fire.

 CHRISTMAS MORNING!!! A favorite is always the Christmas stocking

 Christmas morning and Christmas Eve, showing off the new jams from Grannie

 How did I not get more pictures of Christmas gifts!!!?? The boys were overjoyed with bikes, Lucy roller blades, all got plenty of games, books, activities....it was a superb Christmas.

Below, dressed up for a murder mystery dinner party. I made my fabulous hat!! Cant wait to wear it on Easter!

Our February hike in Roxborogh Canyon  

Presidents Day weekend we found ourselves at Winter park, rollerskating, rock climbing, ice skating, tubing, making weird science experiments ....just havin a good time

 

Valentines Day and preparations leading up to it. Making boxes, and crafting our vday cards

 

A day hike with Aunt Holly and Gabe up to Red Rocks. Plenty of spring weather these days!