Merry Christmas!

From our Family to yours - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Putting together this Christmas card was a bit challenging, as neither kid will sit still or smile! Thankfully, with a little vision and some help from Photoshop I was able to capture the chaos and fun at the Fezler house. Our little Elf Jacques even made it into the family photo. A little magic sure does go a long way.

Santa - I know him! I know him!

Steve's work has an annual Christmas party for the kids and families of employees - and I think that hands down they have the BEST Santa around. Third year certainly was the charm for Boden. I suppose that knowing this man brings gifts was a big plus. Boden eagerly told Santa what he wanted for Christmas. "A Candy Cane - and a ZURG"! (Buzz's Dad from the Disney Toy Story movies). As soon as we finished with Santa, and Boden was handed a candy cane he sadly asked "Where is my Zurg?". I guess we didn't explain that although Santa brings gifts... you have to wait for him to deliver them on Christmas eve!

Clearly Milo wasn't phased by the whole thing. Not sure if its just the different personalities or following his big brother's lead.

Gas!

Our house - it was coooooold out!

We seem to have had a lot of adventures since moving out here to Gunbarrel last spring.  A few weeks ago, during a huge arctic cold front we lost our gas (and thus our heat). Really, it wouldn't have been too bad if it hadn't been the coldest weather we have had all year. Temperatures were 5* as a high!

Ready for a night without heat

Thankfully, Steve and I rushed out to get a few more space heaters, and we all stayed cozy and warm huddled together in the basement. The power went out early Friday afternoon and by Saturday morning it was still getting colder in the house (although our insulation seems to be ok, as we stayed in the high 40s inside while some neighbors dropped into the 30s). I had signed up to do a local 5K aptly named the Colder Boulder with my friend Colleen (she was also out of power and lives in a nearby neighborhood). We both ran (my eyelashes froze) and hoped for the best when we got home. We ended up taking the kids to the mall so they could play inside where it was warm.

Fortunately, the gas finally was turned back on by Saturday evening, and we all eased back into the warmth of our modern homes.

kisses for Delilah while we all cuddle in the basement

Impossible to get a photo of both kids at the same time.

Warming up at the mall play area

hunkered down in the basement staying warm

11 Months!

Milo is becoming such little human being, with a huge personality! He runs - and plays with the boys in the basement (navigating pillow forts and rolling around). He sort of says "Lilah" and gives her kisses and sings and dances. I love this little guy. He loves his daddy and brother and lion "Lambert" (his little lovie). And I can't even believe that he is almost ONE! Seriously, my little snuggle baby buddy (I like to think of him as my buddy since we go running together at least 3 times a week, and spend so much time together), he has grown up so fast. I won't panic. I love every new little thing he can do. But, they sure don't stay little babies for long. Sigh.

Thanksgiving

The First Annual Fezler Turkey Trot; what an event. Families fly from around the country just to join in. At least one family did.... We ran/ walked over a mile with Boden taking the lead most of the way. Thank goodness we got our exercise in because the Thanksgiving meal prepared by Elaine with some additional help from Ed (cranberries) and Boden (cranberries and pie). Everyone earned a shirt that day. What a fun surprise! (photos by Steven Fezler)

Old Friends

Milosh, Nash and Nicole

No no, I'm not saying we're old. I'm just saying - we've been Friends for a LONG time. Middle School at least. Which means, we've official known each other longer than we haven't known eachother. Yipes!

Susan and Heidi were able to come down and visit while I was at my Parents House. Heidi and Susan each had babies last year (little Nicole is just over one years old, and little Nash was about 7 months old). Can you believe we have kids?!  It was great to see them and see how we are all grown ups with kids of our own (still can't believe it)!

The Mamas

Fair little Nicole swinging with Milo

Happy Babies

Disneyland

After the 90th Celebration, Steve had to go back to work and the boys and I stayed a few extra days in California with my family. We got to catch up with friends and even go to Disneyland with my parents and Uncle Brian.

The weather was perfect (70s), and Boden was at a great age. He had just started enjoying the occasional movie and was in love with Toy Story 2 (which has no real bad guy, no real scary parts and is just a great movie). The first ride we went on was the Toy Story ride. I thought he might be scared, but he was in total Awe. He looked at me after the ride and hands up yelled "I got to see all my FRIENDS!".

What an amazing adventure!

Waiting in downtown Disney to meet up with Uncle Brian to start our day! 

3D ride! 

Sharing a corn dog with Boden. 

New Buzz and new sweatshirt

The boys with Grammie and Poppi and Mater!

Milo watching the Pixar parade

Radiator Springs

Boden wanted to meet all his friends

What a great day! 

Walter...

Visiting Uncle Brian for a 2 year old, is like (and I can only imagine) a full fledged acid trip while watching Avatar in 3D.

Seriously, going to Disneyland gets its own little blog (coming soon). It was an incredible experience to see all the magic from Boden's perspective.

This photo alone totally captures "Brian's World". And yes, my nearly 40 year old brother travels around with muppets!

Muppet Walter having a discussion about thermodynamics with Boden. 

90th!

Joyce and Ed Brockett with all their Great Grandchildren

Right after Halloween, Steve, the kids, and I headed to California for the celebration of my Grandparents' 90th Birthdays the first weekend of November. The party was so much fun and even better was getting to (sort of) spend time with all my cousins. We grew up getting together at least every month, and after moving to Colorado, I still miss being that close to so much family! Although the kids kept all conversations to a minimum, I loved every minute of being with the whole gang. Lots of love and happiness all around, and we even have a short video of the trolley song (all the great grandkids sang it, and its Grandma and Grandpa's song ... they met on a Trolley Car during WWII in Los Angeles).

watering my sleeping child so he will grow...

The whole Fezler family

Melissa and I ... LAUGHING (not posing at all!)

Lap #2065

Not a dry eye - all the kids singing and playing bells!