Governor's Park and Benny's

(not Benny's)

We have spent the last three Saturdays at Benny's Mexican Cantina in downtown Denver. This is because of three reasons.

1. We don't have TV, but desperately want to watch the Olympics. Benny's has big screen TVs in nearly every corner.

2. Gotta get out of the house on Saturdays. It's my sanity, people.

3. Jeff is a little obsessed with their Huevoes con Chorizo. I love their salsa. Anna loves the $3.50 Saturday Pancake Special. Isaac likes the eggs on the Saturday Pancake Special that Anna won't eat. In other words: happy, cheap brunch for all.

Governor's Park is just down the street from Benny's and last week the weather was nice enough to play. The park sits right next to the Grant-Humphrey Mansion, a gorgeous historical building that housed a couple of famous Coloradan families.

Anna was really into gathering pine cones and hanging out under a pine tree with canopy-like branches and playing house. Isaac loved running up and down the hill, chasing dogs, and basically keeping us on our toes.

It was such a nice treat to spend time outside. (Today the park was covered in snow and full of sledders. )

Anna wasn't too happy I dragged her away from her "pine cone house."

Trying to keep up with Buds.

Valentine's Day 2010

We celebrated love day with a little treasure hunt around the house. Anna loved it. (In fact, there may be a reprise for her birthday in a couple of months.) At the end of the hunt the kids found capes and crowns made by yours truly. They are no masterpieces to be sure, but Anna and Isaac were pretty thrilled. Such great kids.

Riverfront Park or How Anna didn't want her picture taken.

We spent some time at a great little park downtown today. It was so fun that I wanted to capture the moment with some snapshots. Just a couple happy shots to document our day.

This is what Anna thought about that idea:

But after considering the bribe I was offering, she reconsidered her position and offered an oh-so-genuine smile for me.

After gazing at the river through the fence, Jeff happily obliged Isaac and took him down to the river. Anna? Not so happy about going down to the river.

Isaac was oblivious to the paparazzi, but Anna was mad I made her stop at the top of the slide for a shot.

What's that? A smile? Well, half a smile at least.

And finally, Isaac showing us his muscles. Such a tank, this boy.

The Sollis Cabin

The cabin is one of my favorite places in the world. We made it up twice while in Utah. Once with Jeff's family and once with mine. I, of course, failed to take pictures. So unfortunately, I don't have any with the Sollis family.

Luckily, my bro-in-law is a budding photographer and I was able to steal LOTS of shots from him.

Daddy-Daughter Date

Jeff took Anna on a special outing Saturday. Just the two of them. Anna was SO excited. They spent most of the day at the Denver Children's Museum. Jeff let Anna do whatever she wanted for as long as she wanted. Anna took full advantage and played for over three hours.

Anna requested ice-cream for a special treat after.

Christmas Festivities: Utah Edition

We drove straight from the Salt Lake Airport to Jeff's parents for the family Christmas party. Great food and conversation, but of course the night was really about the kids. They all made out like bandits!

Anna got a Curious George game and cupcake play set from Gpa Larry and Gma Marlene. Isaac got a blender toy and a talking puppy. Then some very generous aunts and uncles added to the pile with a Disney Princess snow globe and tiara, singing Mickey Mouse, doctor set, and a little tie for Isaac. Very generous indeed.

Isaac, Bradon, and Kayson playing with their blenders.

The only princess in this family. Anna is the only granddaughter on this side. (7 boys, including Jenny's yet-to-be.)

We were a little worried about Christmas being too hectic, but it was really a lot of fun to have our own Christmas morning, fly to Utah, and continue the festivities there. The airport was surprisingly uncrowded and the kids held up like champs.

We were able to see my family first thing the next morning and have a delicious day-after brunch with my parents and little sister.

Anna and Isaac continued their streak with stuffed animals, trucks, a doll stroller, and kid dishes.

No pictures of my parents house because I am lame and didn't take any. That was generally the theme for the rest of our trip--lots of fun, no pictures (unless stolen off other blogs.)

Christmas Festivities: Colorado Edition

Santa was generous this year at the Sollis household. He brought Anna a dollhouse. (Mom helped Santa make that one.) Isaac received a tunnel to play in. But both the kids were most excited about the surprise kitchen set. Even I was surprised. Jeff (and Santa) surprised us all by finding a kitchen for the kiddos. Anna had been asking for a long time for one, but we didn't think we'd be able to do it this year. Go Dad!

We had a lovely, relaxing morning opening gifts, sipping hot chocolate, watching movies, and playing with toys.

After lunch, our saint-of-a-neighbor drove us to the airport so we could catch a flight to Utah. Just in time for the Sollis Christmas Party...

Christmas Eve at the Marriott

Good work Jeff.

The tunnel and dollhouse. When Anna opened the dollhouse she started jumping up and down yelling, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" It definitely made all the hours that went into the project worth it.


Stocking stuff.


Making cinnamon rolls for Santa. Anna did not want her picture taken. If only you could see the stink eye she was giving the window.

Anna's letter to the big guy, dictated by Jeff.