Gatti's Circus

Heather is always coming up with fun things to do around town and this weekend was no exception.  Our two families were originally supposed to drive to Taos, New Mexico this weekend for a ski trip, but that had to be postponed last-minute due to blizzard conditions on the mountain.  She and I were more than a little sad that we weren't getting out of town.

Luckily she came up with alternative plans. Not quite skiing, but something to do with the kids.

Bound together, leading the way in and waiting in line for some cotton candy.

 

 Whether or not he wants to admit it, Ben wanted to come to the circus.

The Richard Family, February 2013

 

 Danni getting to ride on the pony.

 

Tasting and LOVING cotton candy!

 

 At first we were hesitant about bring Owen with us.  We had to wake him from his nap and we weren't sure how long he would be able to sit and watch. 

Owen did incredible!  Sat in his stroller and watched all of the action for the 1st 1/2 and then sat in my lap for the 2nd. 

Way to go Owen!



 Enjoying the show

 Elephants as the grand finale!

 

This is one of my favorite photos; Kaden & Danni look so happy!

 

 Everyone wanting to push Owen's stroller.

 



What's Up?

It's been a while since my last set of posts around Christmas time. I'm not sure what has been going on, but we have been BUSY!

 

·         Owen is dangerously close to letting go of the furniture and walking on his own.

·         Kaden has a good imagination, plays with his puzzles almost every night (the puzzle with the cards that tell you what design to make) and loves going to the library every week to pick out new books and movies.

·         I just started a new semester at Amarillo College, teaching Zumba to a full group and am still teaching plenty of classes at the Townclub.  I have also been trying to find time to run as I am training to run the St. Louis marathon with Kyle... There, I said it... it's in writing.

·         Ben is slogging though the school year.  (I think this might be his last year of teaching.)

January in (iPhone) pictures:

Kaden with his puzzle and Owen with his favorite blankie. 

There have been lots of indoor activities as it has been COLD and WINDY most days.

Although our house is kind of a wreck, these train tracks have been a huge hit this winter and make a daily appearance. 

 

Owen lovin' his bath time!

Kaden loves to help in the kitchen; always eager to pull up a kitchen chair and stand at the counter.  Finally able to use the hand mixer on his own. 

 

 

All bundled up... and then in his typical sleep position- on TOP of his blanket.

 

Notice all of the bath toys that get tossed OUT of the tub?

 

Yes, we still have THE box from Christmas.

 

A little bit of playing at the park in Wichita and then in the backyard.

Owen LOVES being outside and is crabby when he isn't out enough.

 

lunch

 

playing at Cheer Texas one cold Friday morning.

 

Dinner date with Danni (we were brave enough to bring Kaden & Danni out to a nice dinner with us).

 

Trying on a pair of ski goggles for our upcoming ski trip in February. 

Kaden & Danni are going to ski school! 

 



Grandpa Cook

Dad doesn't have a whole lot going on with the farm and his alfalfa business during the winter months, so he decided to take a road trip and visit us for the week.

Waking up to morning waffles with grandpa!

 

We started our week by going to the Amarillo Zoo.  This isn't quite the Oklahoma City, Phoenix, or St. Louis zoo... but it's free on Mondays and it's something to do outside.

Owen enjoying the ride.

 

 

Lions & tigers & bears... Oh my!

 

We also spent a morning at the Discovery Center, and a LOT of time at home playing with the train tracks.

Looping the tracks all around the living room and under the coffee table.

 

 



Christmas in Warrenton

The last stop of the nearly two-week Christmas extravaganza was at mom's house in Warrenton.  

 

 



 

Mom, someday I need to get all of your pics off your computer.

 

Playing in the Snow

The day after we made the all-day drive from Amarillo, TX to California, MO it snowed the entire day.

View from Steve & Dawn's kitchen window soon after breakfast ended.

 Beautiful!

 

Owen, not sure what to think... about the snow AND Tiger Joe.

 

I had planned on trying to take an afternoon nap with Ben, but Dustin offered to take Kaden outside and attempt to sled & play in the snow. 

Kaden and his makeshift ghetto snowboots.

Dustin pulling Kaden along.

Hard to see, but dad's little white house is over the hill, about a mile or two in the background.

 

 

Kaden telling Dustin how to make a snowman.

"First we need some buttons..."

"and a carrot for his nose..."

Dustin's dog, Mia, didn't know what to think of Oscar, our snowman.

As soon as she bolted from the house, her hair stood on end and she wouldn't stop barking at it.

What a great ending to 2012!

 

 



A Walk in the Park

Protcor Park in California to be exact.

My cousin Stephenie and I were wanting to get some exercise so we loaded up the boys and drove over to the park.

Owen all bundled up in Steph's (or Brayden's) new jogging stroller.

Even though it was COLD outside, Owen never made a peep as we wound around the park for the better part of an hour.

 Kaden & Grandpa (and the dogs) went at a bit of a slower pace, stopping to play every few minutes.

Kaden, Owen, mommy & grandpa

 

Kaden "helping" great-grandpa Cook open his Christmas gift.

boys playing with grandpa

playing "Holiday Memory" with Dawn.

 



Christmas at Home

Like I said before, we opted to stay IN Amarillo this Christmas and open presents at our house in order to ease the stress of trying to see everyone at once. Nobody had to be anywhere at a set time and nobody had to even leave the house.  And to make the day even better, we were able to watch it snow all afternoon.  It was slightly bizarre, but it was wonderful to spend the entire day relaxing together as a family. 

My pinterest cinnamon roll idea,

which wasn't a bad way to wake up & open presents on Christmas morning!

 

For months, Kaden talked about needing more tracks for his 12-piece magnetic train set.

Here the boys are diving into the box of 100 wooden pieces, sent by grandpa Cook.

 

Patagonia shirt from Mary.

 

Owen playing with ribbon.

 

continuing to keep the oven warm by making a big batch of Chex Mix

 

crashing on top of the tracks, IN the giant box (present from Papa Dow)

 

 

More pictures to come.

For some reason blogger will only allow me to upload pictures from my phone and not my computer.  Any else having this problem?!