THANKSGIVING!!!

Emma ADORES her stepsister, Christina (on the left). We spent Thanksgiving this year with her and her husband/fabulous cook, David. Christina's friend, Briana, was there and did up Emma's hair and we just had to get a shot of the beautiful girls!

Last year for Thanksgiving, Emma's kindergarten teacher asked all the kids in the class to draw a picture of a turkey and then write a sentence describing it. I will never forget what Emma chose to write. When her teacher showed her picture to me at conferences, I teared up, I swear! She wrote "My trke is beoodifl." (Translated: "My turkey is beautiful.") Is that cute or what?

Kile has a saucer now!

Kile spent over an hour in the saucer the first time I put him in it. He absolutely loved it! He was enthralled with the noises and colors and everything there was to touch and feel. The kids, not suprisingly, enjoyed on the bells and whistles on the saucer, too!!!!

Out for a walk

We went for a walk both days last weekend in the canyon just a couple of miles from our home. For November, the weather was unbelievably gorgeous. It was a great weekend for seeing wildlife -- many deer and bighorn sheep were seen all around us. There was a small herd of about 20 that blocked the trail. They were very entertaining and we enjoyed the break from the trek. We went about 4 1/2 miles on Saturday and about 8 1/2 on Sunday (which Emma did on her bike!). We had a blast. Kile, of course, enjoyed being in the carrier and seeing the sights the first day; he was pushed in the stroller and slept the whole way the second day. We'd like to get out there again soon when it's lightly snowing for a short walk to enjoy the scenery....

Recent candid shots

Here are just some fun shots of the kids in action with Kile and one of Emma getting ready for "Crazy Hair Spirit Day" at school.

Last Sunday Emma created a to-do list. She wrote:

On Sunday

See if my frens can play

Rolr blad for 1 owr

I am saving this little note of hers FOREVER!

Avs Game

Konnor & Jeff went to our school district's "Avs Night" recently. They had a blast! Here is Konnor with his buddy, Henry. Jeff is taking Evan tonight (we have season tickets) and will be getting Konnor a free Avs jersey. Konnor is pretty excited!!!

Kile's First Meal

How funny. Like most babies, the first meal was met with a little hesitation. I'm sure he couldn't quite figure out what that "stuff" was I kept putting in his mouth. He is getting better about the food but still isn't completely thrilled. Of course, it will go much easier when he gets to start on fruit & vegetables!

He is also drinking from a sippy once or twice a day and doing very well. He'll take a full eight ounces from it and hardly drips at all. It's so exciting but crazy at the same time, too. Time flies!

Handsome Konnor!

This boy looks so handsome in these pictures! I love how these turned out!

Some more of Emma!

So what do we think? Is she adorable or what? She had just turned six years old in these photos. I couldn't be happier with how they turned out!

Spectacular photos of Konnor & Emma

These are some photos of the kids I had taken at Target last April. They turned out so incredibly well and I just realized that I should really post them here for you all to see!!!!

New Cover for reprint of Jeff's first book

Jeff recently found out this is what the cover of the reprint of his Dog Soldier Justice book is going to look like when it is released next year. Wow, huh?

Jeff's second book, Custer Into the West, is due out any day now and we are pretty excited to get a copy of it in our hands! I am so proud of my honey!!!!!

Konnor in the school talent show!

Konnor had a blast performing in the school talent show to a song from High School Musical 2. Here are a few shots of him with the gang. What a cutie, huh?

HE FINALLY DID IT!

This past Sunday was a big day for Konnor as he got to enjoy his first hockey lesson. He has been begging to learn how to play hockey for about three years now and we are finally doing it! He was anxiously awaiting Jeff's arrival home after being gone all day to help him get ready and desperately wanted him there to help dress him in the locker room, too. We got some photos (probably the only ones I will ever get away with taking in the boys' room!).

He had so much fun (with the exception of a helmet that was a bit too tight but he didn't let that stop him)!!!!! And Jeff surprised him with buying him a new stick of his very own (since all the rest of his equipment is hand-me-downs from his older stepbrothers) and that meant a lot much to him.

He worked very hard and is determined to be good at this. He's got six more lessons and chances are we will sign him up again just to get him more practice. We'll also be attending at least one public skate a week so Konnor can practice his hockey stops, crossover turns, etc.

I got teary-eyed watching him on the ice -- he is just growing up so fast!! He looked like a natural out there, though! Enjoy the pictures....

THE ROYAL GORGE, COLORADO

Labor Day weekend brought Grandma Donna out for a visit. Off we went to the Royal Gorge, which was a fun way to spend a day enjoying gorgeous Colorado scenery and nice weather.

The kids enjoyed the photo opportunities, especially Konnor as you can see. The bridge was a bit nerve-wracking as we could feel it sway and move beneath our feet as it was breezy and, after all, is 1000 feet above the Colorado River!

Evan joined us on this trip. He turned 14 this past February and is a fun addition to family events when we get to see him. Konnor particularly loves when Evan comes home!

Extracurriculars!!

So the kids are involved in many extracurriculars this year. Emma is in the school choir and is taking a drama class. She had her first choir concert a couple of weeks ago and got to sing High School Musical songs, which of course was right up her alley.

Her performance of Cinderella is coming up in early November and is a pretty big deal. She gets to play "American," one of the many mice named after cheese who help Cinderelly get to the ball.

Emma is also getting signed up for Girl Scouts and can't wait to sell Girl Scout cookies and get her uniform.


Konnor is also very involved this year. He is a First Year Webelo Cub Scout and got a new uniform this year and is very proud of it, which is great because he has worked hard to earn it. He was busy selling popcorn to make money for our pack activities and did great. He will get to enjoy fun campouts and hikes, and will be working on many badges related to safety and various skills that will come in handy as he gets older. Since I am involved as the Committee Chair for the organization, Konnor has no hope of dropping this activity any time soon!

Konnor joined the RoboRattlers League at school this year as well, which is a Lego club. The boys will be competing in Lego competitions several times in the next few weeks. Konnor is learning a lot and enjoys seeing his friends two to three times a week after school when their team project is worked on.

Hockey skills & scrimmage class starts this Sunday and goes for seven weeks. It will be fun for Konnor to spend the time on the ice and get acquainted with the skills he has watched performed time and again on the ice by his stepbrothers and stepdad. One of his best friends is taking the class with him and this will be an especially fun treat for Konnor.

Talent show performance is in one week and, like last year, Konnor is dancing with a group of kids to a High School Musical song. This is a fun group of kids and Konnor has been rehearsing once a week for a couple months now to get ready for the big show.

Lots going on in the Broome household so stay tuned for more pictures!!!

First Day of School

School rocks, right? Both the kids had great first days and I think it's safe to say they love riding the bus, they love their teachers, and they both have found many new friends in their new classes. Konnor started 4th grade this year and is hardly my baby boy anymore.... Emma is in 1st grade and thrilled she gets to be at school all day long and even eat lunch there, too.

Kile, Konnor & Emma

More baby pictures with this Avs one just taken today. These pictures of Konnor & Emma holding Kile were taken in late August and early September and once again show how Kile has grown and changed. I need some new pics of them with their little brother! They'll be home from their dad's tomorrow and I am anxious for getting this done!

Catch up!!!

Here's some pictures of our gorgeous baby (sorry, do we sound partial?) for you to take a peek at! We have been taking pictures; it's just a bit of an issue actually getting them posted. I couldn't even begin to explain why... :-)

The first photo is Kile's 3-month picture and I think most family and friends would agree he is a "Little Jeff." The second and third have been taken in the last few days and the last two are pictures of Kile when he was just a few days old. He's changing!

Kile turned 3 months old on October 11th. He is an unbelievably mellow and wonderful baby. If he fusses, he is either tired or hungry and that is rare. He is eating tons and growing very well. He loves to be talked to all day long and smiling at him gets his legs pumping and eyes open wide and bright. He has been holding his head up for weeks now and is a very strong little boy. He doesn't sleep much during the day but with a baby who not only goes to bed around 7 or 8 p.m. while still awake & falls asleep in his crib with no or minimal fussing but then stays there for 10 to 12 hours, I certainly can't complain, huh? I keep waiting for it to end but in the meantime I am enjoying it immensely!

Kile has his 4-month checkup soon and we are anxious to find out how big he is now. We are guessing about 12 to 13 pounds...? We'll keep you posted.