First Real Snow of the Year

And the streets were only white for a few hours. But there was just enough snow to make two small snowpeople, Charlie and Shirley. It sort of reminded me of Adam and Eve. The kids made Charlie and then decided that even though he was very cute, he looked lonely standing there all by himself in the middle of the yard, so they made Shirley. Then the kids didn't feel bad about coming in the house to get warm because Charlie had a friend.

Thanksgiving

So much has happened in the last week that it's hard to remember it all. Jon and Becky arrived first. Then Ali and Adam came. Then Emily. Then Grandma Bowen. On actual Thanksgiving Thursday we also saw Great Aunt Ruth, Cousin Brandon, Grad Students Walter, Kazuyo, and Ricardo, Friend Jeff, and Sister Missionaries. It was epic.

Young Scientists

First we went to the University of Colorado to see what we affectionately call "The Large Factory of Small Balls." The next day we went to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science where the kids became paleantologists and dug up some dinosaur bones.

Monday Night Gift Exchange

The Tolman Christmas exchange took place Monday night. Jon and Becky gave dad a deodorant dispenser filled with butter that said, "Wendell's Good Butter." Adam gave Ben the most beautiful ball of dirt I've ever seen. Here Sam is playing with her colored pencils.

Wrestling at Fort Lupton

Spencer had a wrestling dual at Fort Lupton High School last Saturday. He won two and lost two. It was a very long and loud morning, and we ate lots of snacks. Spencer did great!

Quiz Time!

Here's a snippet of a karaoke song. Can anyone guess what classic tune Ben and Luke are singing? Are there prizes for this contest? That all depends on your definition of "prize."

Luke & The Cougars Come to Town

It was a weekend to remember. Luke came to town to go to the Air Force game, and we met Grandma and Grandpa at the stadium. Although it was a beautiful day, we were sitting on the shady side of the stadium. And it wasn't long before we got cold. Luckily, Grandma and Grandpa are always prepared, and they brought lots of blankets and hats and gloves and other things that responsible people think of. You can see Rebecca and Eva wrapped up together in one of the blankets.

It was a satisfying football game--for us. The impassioned Air Force fan sitting behind us wasn't having such a great time. It's always great to watch a game at the Air Force, though. The cadets are so well-behaved, the patriotism is refreshing, and the flyover at the start of the game makes me want to cry--until they announce that one of the pilots is named Greg "Booger" Picket. So here are some pictures of our fun weekend.

We're anticipating the arrival of cousins and aunts and uncles this upcoming week!

Rocco's Wardrobe

Much to his chagrin, Rocco is the best dressed dog on the block. Rebecca found a pattern at the fabric store for making dog clothes, and now Rocco has a closet full of clothes. The doll clothes that previously occupied the closet have been moved to Eva's room.

Here you can see Rocco modeling his favorite outfit, a stylish polar fleece number with green trim and detailing.

Spencer joined the Broofield Eagles wrestling team a couple weeks ago and had his first tournament this weekend. He was pinned in about 20 seconds by his first opponent. He left the mat sobbing and wanted to go home. Dad was working the score tables so he could not oblige. Dad talked him in to sticking it out, though. Good thing, because he won his next three matches. Here's the video of his second match.

Two Days After Halloween

And the

evidence is everywhere to be found. There are candy wrappers beneath the furniture, shrunken pumpkin heads waiting to be picked up by the garbage truck, and one Halloween costume with holes in the armpits, which has been worn almost constantly for three days. Time for the next holiday!

It worked out well for everyone, though. The kids made some money selling candy to their dad, and some unfortunate grad students at CU got stomachaches from gorging themselves on it.

Carving pumpkins is a feast for the five senses, I've decided. First, there's that sucking sound when you pull the top off the pumpkin and you first see all the pumpkin guts and seeds. Then you smell that pumpkin smell that only comes around once a year. But when you smell it you remember being a kid and watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" And then you feel the pumpkin guts and pull out the slippery seeds to put on a cookie sheet to roast. And of course there's the ceremonial lighting of the pumpkin to make sure it looks okay with the candle in it, so you see the flame and smell the smoke. Why do we do this only once a year?