Happy Holidays!

This year, both Clark and Scarlett totally understand the concept of Christmas.  Make a list, and stuff will appear under the tree.  Oh, and Clark has concluded one more thing:  The only two things that are invisible are leprichans and God.  He's also pretty sure that if we leave cookies on Christmas eve, we'll likely be able to catch a glance at Santa.  We'll see about that.

Clark and Scarlett have said some pretty cute things in recent months, things that have sort of dawned on Clark now that he's in elementary school.  Right after Halloween, Clark (who is a math whiz and asires to be a bookworm) said, "Mom, did you know there are two kinds of NERDS?  The kind you get trick-or-treating, and the other kind, like me, a nerd."  We reassured him quickly that we love nerds, both the candy and smart kids.

Now that soccer has concluded and it's bone chilling freezing in Colorado, Clark is escaping early from school each Friday to attend basketball practice so that his team is fully prepared for their season debut come January.


We took a trip to see Granny "Tinker" Katharine Roe, Gates 95-year old grandmother over Thanksgiving and it was a long 15-hour drive each way from Denver to St. Paul, but it was well worth every moment in the car.  We got to spend tons of time with our beautiful and entertaining children and we savored every minute with Granny.  To top it off, we were fortunate enough to stay on Belfield Farm with Gates' aunt Kathy Roe Cross and her husband Tonny Cross, in from their place in Montana, and we just adore them. 

Just to give you a taste of how incredible Belfield Farm is, please click below and watch our fun little video.  It's an  8-minute summary of our time over Thanksgiving touring the farm.  This is where Gates' father and siblings grew up, and where his late uncle Johnny and aunt Sandra raised their now adult children (with their own children), Kip, David and Susan.  At the end of the video you get a glimpse of how our kids got to see their second cousins Haley, Liza & Ella on video doing the Nutcracker in a Nutshell in Bozeman, MT, and how they suddenly have an interest in ballet.  This could get interesting.

We look forward to the holidays and a new year.  Our thanks to you for visiting our web site and for sharing in our positive outlook for 2010!

~ The Roes

Soccer and Sushi

With K/1 elementary school for Clark and preschool for Scarlett, out week is a whirlwind with both of us parents sharing the duties of getting kids to-and-from their destinations and to our jobs on time.  We look forward to each weekend where this fall, we're squeezing in soccer and if we're lucky, some sushi! 

Clark in his team picture above                             

Clark and his big 'ole power leg above

               

Scarlett and her hand-me-down-Littleton-Lollipops-and-used-cleats outfit she so proudly wears each game!

On one recent Saturday we capped a big soccer game win off with a trip to Miyama of Colorado, a yummy and fun Japanese Teppan Yaki steakhouse in Lone Tree.  We have a some fun pics posted here from that trip, too!

Lost Valley Ranch Vacation 2009

The end of summer can be a downer, but we always have something to look forward to with our annual trip to Lost Valley Ranch!

The trip each Labor Day is basically a "plan to gain 5lbs and be really sore when you get home" type of vacation, and while that may not sound appealing, it's the most fun we have as a family all year.

Yes, we eat-eat-eat and ride-horses-all-day. Saddle sores from the 4-to-5-hours a day of riding along with tight clothes due to overeating are all a part of the deal.

A typical day starts with breakfast in the Lodge at 8am, followed by a first ride at 9:30am, at which time all kids under age six head to the kids program at the Ranch House. We're on the trails for about two hours only to return around lunch time and join our kids again.

Shortly after lunch, we do it all again, and take an afternoon ride followed by a nap, fishing, mountain bike ride, tennis, swimming, you name it. Clark (5.5) brought his bike up to the Ranch so he was eager to take it for a spin on the dirt roads. He was itching to head out on the trail rides with the 6+ year olds, and while he was size-wise big enough to do so, there were five other 5-year olds wanting to bend the rules, too, so he had to stick to riding "Dewey" or "Wendy" the two ponies that parents lead around the ranch. Next year he'll learn use reigns and head out on the trails with his cousins.


Aunt Erin Zahradka (http://www.z-pics.com/) captured some great pictures of our kiddos, including the one above of Scarlett not even noticing that a horse was trying to nuzzle in above her for a kiss. That little thing on her chest was a Sheriff's Deputy badge they made at the Ranch House.

We had two different hay rides down to "The Jail" on the vacay, and one great square dance where both Scarlett, Clark and their cousins really boogied down. They did a GREAT job listening to the square dance caller's directions!

We had an amazing time and it's always so depressing to pack up our cabin at the end of the trip and head home.

Us Roe folks think we might even all be cowgirls and cowboys for Halloween '09 so that we can give our rustic outfits one more whirl.

Thanks so much to "Mamie and Papa" for such a great vacation and such amazing generousity. we had a GREAT time!

Lost Valley Ranch 2010 - here we come!

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