Through Aurora's Eyes

Aurora has had a camera for some time and likes to take pictures as well.  She also has a Fisher Price camera and I'm always impressed with the quality of her photos!  The last two shots here are from Carlsbad Caverns.

Through Alex's Eyes

Alex got a new camera for Christmas.  The Fisher Price Kid tough camera, which is definitely tough!  He's been wanting one for some time, and hasn't stopped taking pictures with it since he got it!  So now I present to you - the world through Alex's eyes.

Grandma's Scavenger Hunt

As I mentioned on the post about Christmas, we decided to do something different this year and designed a scavenger hunt for Grandma S.  She had been wanting a PS3 for several years, and this year we saved up to get her one.  Then we decided she needed to do a little bit of work for it!  She loves watching The Amazing Race and similar shows so I knew she'd get a kick out of it.

I picked up note cards and designed the clues.  Since they were coming over first thing in the morning, I had to pick clue locations that she wouldn't notice while walking around the house.

When we were opening presents, we presented her with this box:

Inside was her first clue..

And they were off! You can experience the fun for yourself:

Castle Rock

After a long winter break, we decided to make an impromptu road trip and spend New Year's weekend in Colorado!  I've mentioned before that we plan to move to Colorado at some point, so what better place to start out 2011?!  Unfortunately, Josh came down with bronchitis just before and ended up staying home, but the rest of us drove up anyway.  (I don't think he really minded 3 solid days of video game playing anyway).  Megan and her boyfriend came with us too and we loaded up the Jeep and went on our way!
  

This time we stayed in Castle Rock, Colorado.  Boy was it cold!  Two degrees in the morning and a high of 10 degrees the first day!  But we made the most of it and went out to dinner at a local brewery and then swam in the hotel's indoor swimming pool.  We are big partiers and stayed up until 9 on New Year's Eve! 

New Year's Day we headed up to Denver to visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  We have never been there before and it was very cool.  Alex was all about the dinosaurs, of course. 

Aurora liked the Amazon exhibit with the fish tanks, giant snakes, and art projects. 

I wish I had taken a picture of Aurora's face in the Egyptian section when I explained the mummification process! 

I really liked the animal sections, which were all done up with dioramas that looks SO realistic and had buttons you could press with the sounds.

Daddy missed the very cool space section with a shuttle dock simulator and moon rocks to sort.  It's a good excuse to come back!

In the afternoon we drove back to Castle Rock and braved the Castle Rock Outlets!  I got the kids out long enough to get them some new shoes at the Stride Rite Outlet, and then we tucked them in the Jeep with Megan's boyfriend to watch a movie while we speed shopped.

After another night of dinner, swimming pool, and games, we headed back on Sunday feeling relaxed and refreshed! 

Happy New Year!!

Wishing you a new year full of as much love and fun as we had this year!