Stock Show Fun!

Here are a few pictures from our Thursday evening at the stock show and rodeo. Good thing my niece, Lilli, brought her new camera. Because, right on par, I forgot to take mine again!! We had a lot of fun taking the kids. Lafai did not know what a cowboy was, so giving him his first lesson in that department, was very fun. I know, I know, how do you live in Colorado and not know what a cowboy is... Oh well! He does now. Leilani loved the cowboy princesses. And Lilli seemed to enjoy all of it, except for the allergies from the animals and the dust. Poor thing had an asthma attack and we had to cut our rodeo night a little short. But we had fun while it lasted!

Lilli loved the bunnies! Isaac still keeps asking if we can buy one.
But we are not quite ready for that adventure.

Lafai trying to feed the animals in the petting zoo.

Marina and the black sheep (No, I am not calling her the black sheep!)

Wow! Look at the size of that llama!

Lilli petting the pig.
We always think of my brother, Clayton's pet pig (named Pumba) from when he was a kid.

Dont' forget the face painting! I hear Lani had to keep hers on for school the next day:)

Celebrate Diversity!

Well, I am glad to see that Danny got on and posted. Those pictures really are beautiful. We hope to get out to Grand Junction over Valentine's weekend. We wanted to go this weekend, being that we have Monday off. However, we just weren't quite ready to go, and our nephew Tristan was having his 4th birthday party this weekend. Our niece, Jade has her 5th birthday party scheduled for next weekend. So, President's Day it will have to be. We haven't been since late summer. Way too long!!!
If I had been on top of things (remembering my camera) I could be blogging all about our family birthday parties and our annual trip to the Stock Show. Or should I say the Mexican Extravaganza. We went last weekend. And of course enjoyed ourselves immensely. Each year as I stand for the singing of the Mexican and American National Anthems, I always feel a little emotional. I am proud that Danny and I bring our kids to see an event that brings together two cultures both extremely important in our lives. Many of you know I have a passion and love for cultural diversity. I love that we live in a country, that despite its many faults, is made up of many different types of people. This weekend as we enjoy our extra day off from school, I hope everyone will stop and remember how recent it is that our world has pushed to accept and grant equal rights to all people regardless of race and nationality. I love that I work at a school that represents many different races and nationalities. Many of us partaking in the benefits of the culture of power do not need to think about what life would be like without these changes. But when I think of my own children's lives and their mixed cultures, and look out at the diverse colors of faces I teach, I know that I am very grateful for the sacrifices that people like MLK, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robison, President Kennedy and many others made to bring our lives together.
This clip shows me this past December directing two of our fifth grade classes singing a song to celebrate our diversity! Aren't they awesome?!!!

Beatiful Pictures

I know Vycci generally writes about what is happening with our family so I will give a brief update prior to sharing with you what my real intention is. After a fun New Years Eve and New Years Breakfast our family really took it easy the rest of our break and really enjoyed being free from the pressures of work and school. Now we are back and Vycci has had a cold this week. The kids are adjusting well and I am a bit melancholy about my soon to be busy schedule. Other than that these pictures really brightened my day as they reminded me how beautiful Grand Junction is. It was also nice to hear that Vycci's brother Eric who lives in Grand Junction will be expecting a baby boy at the end of May this year. I definitely miss a lot about the grand valley but views like this are one of the things I miss most. These pictures were taken by my co-worker over the Christmas break; she was born and raised in Grand Junction and still has family there.