Bode's Piano Recital

Ashley has now left Colorado.  She headed out early Friday morning with Joey (the boxer), Barry (the beta fish) and Cisco (the snail).  Prior to her leaving, the dogs were their usual active selves...it's hard to believe these two beasts are in the working-dog group.

It's weird having Ashley out of the house, but I think it's even weirder for Barkley.  She's just not herself without Joey.  I've tried to explain that she will be with Joey in eleven days, but I don't think I'm getting through to her :-)

Bode had a piano recital today.  It was his last time with Miss Pat--he started taking piano lessons with her in November of 2014--has it really been 3 1/2 years already?  Where does the time go.  Below is a picture of Bode and Miss Pat.

Bode played two pieces--Minuet by Bach and Spring Storm Melody Bober.  He did great, and I couldn't have been more proud.  Below is a movie of the grand event.

Dave, Jennie, Teddy, and Charlie were able to come down for the recital.  We all went to dinner at Dion's.

 

Not much else going on.  Bode and I are busy packing things up and finalizing the organization for the big move.  Ashley has made it to Penny and Milton's place in Houston.  She is going to spend a couple days lounging at their pool and drinking slushies.  Pleasant day to all.

The End in Near

We have started (sadly) to say good-bye to various friends in Colorado Springs.  Yesterday, I had my going away luncheon for my "previous" job at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.  We joked there was better turnout at the luncheon than staff meetings--probably because Peter bought all the drinks.

We also had a wonderful dinner with Scott and Lacey (Tylen's parents).  We went to Bubba's, and had a wonderful time, even though the service was a bit lousy--poor Lacey's plate was dropped, so her meal was late, and the waitress (for some reason) brought her food out as soon as it was done.  Thus, she first brought her a plate of mashed potatoes; a few minutes later was a cup of broccoli, and then finally her fish.  Not the best of service, but we still had a great time. 

They are planning on visiting Scott's family in Alabama in late July.  Scott's dad lives on a lake with a beautiful boat and jet-skis.  He had us at lake in Alabama :-)  More good-byes later this week.  It's all happening very fast right now, but also there is so much to do.  Pleasant day to all.

Mother's Day

The days are passing by fast and furious.  It is already the middle of May, and we've had quite an eventful month.  To start, we had our last Broadmoor Brunch a couple weeks ago.  Per the usual, we got all dressed up and took some pictures.  Here's a nice one of Bode.

We also stopped to get some pictures in front of the hotel.  Note the warm weather--first time in months that Ashley's wedding-dress-white legs had seen the sun :-)

We all feasted on the meats and cheeses and shrimps and fishes.  Bode even tried the Banana's Foster, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

My Mom (Grammy) joined us for the meal.  Afterwards, we posed for some pictures by the lake.

The middle of May also means the end of the spring soccer season.  Bode's team "tried real hard" which is code for didn't win a lot of games :-)  But the boys were all very fun to be around and they seemed to have a good time, both at practice and the games, even though we were on the bad side of the score.  I got the boys trophies and handed them out yesterday.  Here's a team photo.

Next is a picture of Bode and Dylan.

Today is Mother's Day, which is also Ashley's last Sunday in Colorado.  To commemorate, we went on a 10-mile bike ride.  Here's Bode getting ready.

Next is a before-picture of Bode and Ashley.

Finally, an after picture of a boy and his Mom on her special day. 

We had a lovely afternoon.  We spent some time packing, and then Grammy came over for a chili dinner (forgot to take pictures).  Bode has nine more days of fourth grade, and I'm basically done at UCCS.  The clock is ticking--tick-tock-tick-tock--and we are in the Colorado endgame phase.  Lots to do, but also time to enjoy ourselves.  Pleasant week to all.

Florida House

We are rapidly approaching the end of our time in Colorado.  We have mixed emotions, as it will be tough to leave, but we are excited about our new adventure.  I was able to fly down to Florida last week for some job interviews; still figuring out the final decision, but there's a good chance I'll be getting a "real" job.  I was able to go by the house we are buying, and I was pleasantly surprised.  The pictures Ashley brought back didn't do a number of the rooms justice, both in size and some of the nice features.  I didn't take many pictures, but I did take this one--the view from our dock as the sun is going down.  I see some peaceful sunsets in our future (provided my wife isn't hopped up on beer watching an Auburn game...)

Bode's YES club (young environmental stewards--sort of like a science club) finished up their semester with a presentation at Colorado College.  They did something on caves, and their project was very well done.  Here's Bode in front of their cave model.

Per the fall semester, there just happened to be the same number of awards as there were projects :-)  Here's Bode's team getting their certificate.

Bode is in the middle of soccer season--no pictures yet, as we keep forgetting to take some, but he's doing great.  He was off from school this past Friday, which happened to be opening day for Avengers Infinity War.  We scored us some seats, and Tylen, Bode's bud, was able to join us.  We stopped at Firehouse Subs for some lunch...

and then we headed to the theater.

Obviously the boys were pretty excited.  I think we all enjoyed the movie, and now we are also very anxious to see the Captain Marvel movie that is coming out next March--the ending of the movie was rough, but good.

Ashley is traveling tomorrow to North Carolina.  This is my last week of classes at UCCS...time sure is flying by.  Pleasant week to all.

Odds and Ends

April started with a visit from the Easter Bunny.  Bode, however, for some reason, thinks it was me that hid the eggs and brought him his Easter basket (Ashley was out of town).  I tried to convince him, but I don't know if I succeeded.  Still, the young master was all for going on the egg hunt.  Here's Bode finding a well-hidden egg.

The bunny hid 23 eggs, and we managed to find them all, unlike in other years when the bunny just hid them too well :-)

Bode's 4th grade class had a spring play/recital.  Last fall, we had the foresight to bid on front-row seats to the 4th grade recital at the silent auction of the fall carnival.  Thus, I had a great seat (Ashley was still out of town).  I took this first shot as the kids were entering--the little man leaning in the front is Bode's buddy, Tylen.

The songs were rather patriotic.  The first one was the 50-Nifty states, and I remember singing this song when I was in elementary school.  Bode seems to enjoy the singing, and he told me it was a lot of fun.

The concert was actually quite enjoyable.  Afterwards, they kids posed for pictures.

As our time in Colorado winds down, we realize we need to keep eating at the Broadmoor, as we have grown to love the Sunday brunches.  Here's a shot of Bode all dressed up--weather was very nice here this morning.

Per our usual behavior, we all feasted on the goods.  Bode has become quite the meat connoisseur, devouring some steak, salmon, red snapper, and leg-of-lamb.  He also had a couple helpings of the iced creams.

Afterwards, we went outside for some pictures.

Not much else exciting going on here--work, school, and practices.  Should keep us pretty busy.  Pleasant week to all.

Spring Break

No school this week for Bode and me.  Ashley and the little man went skiing last weekend for a couple days up at Keystone.  They skied with her brother, David, and his two boys.  Ashley took quite a few pictures, but I believe they are locked on her phone.  She did send me the below pic--it looks like Bode still enjoys hanging out with his Mom.

Ashley and Bode returned home on Sunday.  Ashley then left for Florida on Monday.  She decided to drive one of our three vehicles to Florida now and store it at her parents house.  Thus, it's just been Bode and me.  We've gotten so much done.  Well, not really--a lot of Netflix, as the weather was crappy earlier in the week.  However, we did get to the park a couple times and kicked the soccer ball around.  We also went to the store today and got some eggs for Easter.  We spent a couple hours coloring them this afternoon.

On Monday, we took Barkley to get fixed--no little puppies for her.  She was a bit out of it Monday night, but she was back to her old self until this morning.  I think the pain meds were upsetting her belly, as she had no appetite and I saw her often hurrying outside (thank heavens she knows to go outdoors :-)  She wasn't much interested in the egg-coloring.

Joey, on the other hand, is always around whenever someone is in kitchen doing anything.

Fortunately Barkley seemed to get her mojo back later in the day.  She ate her dinner and drank a lot of water, so here's hoping she's on the mend.

Ashley was at the house we hope to buy this morning.  She took some pictures.  First, here's the house from the front.

Next, we have a few shots of the back of the house.  It is on the water, which is very exciting for us.  We hope to purchase some wave runners so we can have some fun.  She's also talked about putting in a pool and some other add-ons--should be a fun getting everything how we want it :-)

    

We have a little beach area, a nice dock, and what looks like very green water :-)  Perhaps that is just how the sun was hitting it because I'm told it is usually very pretty.

Not much else--Bode and I are going to watch Agents of SHIELD here is a few minutes, so I better get ready.  Pleasant Easter to all.

Spring Orchestra

Bode's school orchestra had its spring concert.  We knew about this well in advance, and we often would ask Bode if..."there was anything special he'd be doing for the concert--any solos?"  He would ALWAYS tell us no.  However, we probably should not have been surprised when we got to the concert and saw the program.

Bode had not one but two special events.  We asked him about it afterwards as to why he was so mum about it.  He replied, "You asked me if I had any solos, and I didn't."  Hmmmm....I guess we need to learn to add some specificity to our questions.  Bode was one of the first to arrive, and he quickly settled in and arranged his music.

We then had time for a quick picture on the stage.

Before the concert, the ensemble gathered together for a group picture.

Next, it was time for the performances.  I got a close-up of Bode in action--he's very into it and serious when playing.

It was soon time for the "not-a-solo," meaning it was Bode, one other violinist, and a cellist.  They did great.

Bode also played a rainstick during one piece.  I'm not sure why he did this--his 4th grade teacher (Mr Glisson) is the tall guy holding the big rainstick.  It looked like they were having fun.

We are very proud of the work Bode has done--it is hard to believe he has been playing violin for only seven months.  At the end of the concert, they all took a bow.

Nothing too exciting going on here.  It is the last week before spring break, so we are all ready for some R&R :-)