A Few More Photos From Out West

The Queen's kidnappers have requested that a few more of their photos be shared, so enjoy!!! These two decided to reveal their identities with the above photo. Either they hit the zoom button on the camera, or they intentionally only wanted to reveal a portion of their identities...

The snowboarding kidnapper loved cruising downhill through the trees. Here he is taking a break.

The kidnappers were fortunate to connect with some of our favorite people, Pete and Marta, as they traveled. They stayed up late, catching up with each other and eating fruit snacks. Bennett and Ainsley would have loved to have taken part in that!

A picture from The Queen's photo journal....she loves the chili at Runza!

Who in the world is this? Honestly, even I have no idea. Apparently, the new Real-Looking Fake Cats talked the kidnappers into giving this guy a lift. He appears to be some sort of caterpillar. I'll have to get the story behind this guy.

Safe and Sound!

Well, all demands were met and The Queen was returned by her captor, unharmed, on Tuesday evening! Below are a few snapshots from her photo journal... The Queen hit the slopes and took in the view from the top at Breckenridge. Riding the lift was a bit awkward for her, being as she is a winged creature, but she was cool with it.

The Queen had the opportunity to spend an evening in a home with seven children! They had a fine collection of dress-up clothing. She perched herself in them but was soon forced out by another bird occupying the territory.

The Queen also had a chance to see a guitar, up close and personal.

While traveling, The Queen befriended two Real-Looking, Fake Cats at the gas station along the way. She invited them to come back home with her. When she arrived home with her new buddies, Bennett and Ainsley were thrilled beyond belief!

The Queen wrapped up her first evening back home by reading a tiny book to all of her Real-Looking, Fake Friends. Oh, and to a little finger snowboarding set that she also brought back with her as a souvenir for Bennett and Ainsley.

Queen Update

The Queen is loving life on the road. Her kidnappers emailed us some photos of her, and she appears to be unharmed to this point. Here she is, out in the middle of nowhere, enjoying the view from the front dash. While she's been gone we've been trying to make the best of things. Bennett's nasty cough has slowed us down considerably as well. She's getting better though, and we managed a little roadtrip ourselves with Grandma for a tea time lunch. Ainsley did a great job of being a lady for the occasion. She even chose a dress to wear and some lovely beads.

It was still apparent that Bennett wasn't feeling 100%, but she also was a lovely lady and did her best to enjoy the afternoon.

Amber Alert!!!!

Dad left for a snowboarding roadtrip today. Is it any coincidence that The Girls found the following photo and ransom note taped to the back door? The Children are up in arms here, and the Jello Jigglers in being made as we speak!

Ha, ha, ha! Your Queen has been kidnapped and taken to a far away, snowy place! You may never see her again, unless you meet my demands before Tuesday! Dun-duh-dunt-duh……….

1. Make cherry flavored Jello Jigglers.
2. Go to Goodwill.
3. Rent a movie and watch it!
4. Sleep in your mom’s bed at least once.
5. See at least one set of your grandparents.
6. Clean your bedroom.
7. Draw The Queen a “Welcome Home” picture.

If you have not completed this entire list before noon on Tuesday, you will never, ever see The Queen again and she’ll be mine, all mine!!!!

Sincerely, The Queen’s Kidnapper

The Latest...

Aside from battling cabin fever and Bennett's nasty cough, here are some photos from a day in the life of Bennett and Ainsley... Nothing beats a battle of the drumsets in the basement on a weekend morning. Earplugs are a must!

Dad was asked to provide vocals during the drum duet. He is standing on a chair, singing into a spare drumstick. Again, earplugs were a must! (just kidding, Dear!)

The Girls enjoyed hanging out with friends for a Pizza and Pajama Party! Here they are watching Monsters, Inc. with one of their buddies. I'm not sure about the significance of the toy airplanes in this picture. Hmmmm.

Bennett performed a concert for us the other night, between coughing spells. She repeatedly sang "My Country Tis of Thee" from her paper she received in music glass. Who has been teaching her that standing on the table is appropriate? Probably her dad who was standing on the folding chair in the basement while singing a few days earlier.

Ah, what joy this brought to a mother's heart. I was so thrilled to find Bennett actually reading a story to her sister and cousin, again, between coughing spells! So cute!

It's a Boy Cousin!!!!

Bennett and Ainsley are thrilled to welcome their newest little cousin to the family! He was born late Saturday night, and the whole family was expecting a girl, based on the ultrasound. What a surprise! He is a darling!

Here is Bennett, holding the little man. This is the first time she's held a newborn "by herself" and she loved it!

Ainsley also held him and was happy as could be! This boy doesn't realize all the little mother hens he's surrounded by. Fun times ahead!

Random Picture Update

We've had some fun going on the last few days. Here are some photo highlights... Ainsley had to endure some serious end-of-season bargain shopping with mom recently. Her patience was rewarded with a ride on a coin-operated machine of choice. She could have chosen Garfield, a cute little car, a helicopter, and few others. What did she choose? A forklift, of course! It was no contest. As you can see by her expression, she was thrilled. Toby's mom and dad, if you're reading this, I think we should start arranging a marriage. I think we have heavy equipment soulmates at our respective houses.

Ahhh, Valentine's Day. Bennett and Ainsley were showered with love, Valentines and goodies galore! Here we have Bennett holding her Valentine "locker" from school. It's where the kids kept their Valentines from classmates. Ainsley is holding one of Bennett's Valentines.

Dad is rocking out to his candy iPod that Bennett and Ainsley helped make him for Valentine's Day. It was made of a Cadbury chocolate bar and some Rolos for earphones.

We did some Valentine's Day toboggan sledding at a place we affectionately refer to as Knicky-Knack Hill. Fun, fun times!

Here is the view from the top of the hill. It's hard to tell from a photo, but it is a good-sized hill, especially for little kids. The ride down was spectacular. The walk back up, usually with a 30 or 45 pound kid in tow, was not spectacular. It was a good workout and great fun on a perfect winter day!

Blast From the Past

What is Ainsley's newest form of entertainment? Watching a 1983 music video for the song "The Longest Time" by Billy Joel on YouTube. Why? It's a long story. She watched it 5 or 6 times in a row this morning, and I finally had to say, "Enough is enough." Now the song is stuck in my head.

Spring Fling

What fantastic weather we've been having. We have tried to spend as much time outdoors as possible over the past two days. This has meant neighborhood walks, driveway biking, digging in mud and of course, launching a toy helicopter from the roof of the garage! Actually, Dad started off launching it from the driveway but it landed on the roof. He went up to retrieve it and us ladies decided it would be most entertaining if he just stayed up there for the remaining launches. If you look closely at the top righthand corner of the photo, you can see the tiny chopper in flight. You may wonder, "Why the umbrellas?" The Girls did not want to be hit in the head by the landing helicopter, so they decided umbrellas were necessary safety gear. It was pretty fun watching dad pull the cord and fling that helicopter around. We're glad he didn't fling himself off the edge of the roof as well!

Bennett's ever-expanding nature collection made it out into the driveway as well. She spend a great deal of time playing with pinecones, feathers, bark, acorns and bird egg shells. If only we could keep this weather for a few more days!

The Sleepy Pioneer Gymnast

Ainsley concocted some new sleepwear the other night. She enjoys wearing a purple leotard with a night cap to bed. We discussed how Laura Ingalls Wilder wore a night cap. We also witnessed some fine tumbling before bed. Thus, we have a sleepy pioneer gymnast living with us. That's a combination you don't see everyday!