Norman Family Reunion Day One

Our first day in Canon City was spent at the KOA campground. My mom organized a raft trip down the Arkansas River. The suggested requirements for a child were 6 years old and 50 pounds. With her shoes and clothes on Brooke weighed just under 45 pounds. When I told her that she wouldn't be able to go on the river trip she was sad to say the least. She is such a little dare devil and I knew she would love it. After a couple of phone calls from Grandma and one from mom to the rafting company, we decided that we would take her over a little bit early and have her try on a life vest, aka PFD. They put on the smallest one, cinched it up and then picked her up by the shoulders of the life vest. She didn't fall out, so they said she was fine to go on the trip. We were all so happy that we didn't have to leave her behind AND from the pictures you can see she LOVED it!!

The scariest part of the trip was the bus ride to the launch point. The guide described what to do if you were thrown from the boat, what to do if the boat landed on top of you and what to do if someone from your boat fell out. By the time we arrived Brooke and Erin were a little tense to say the least. I'm happy to say that no one fell out of the boat.

Erin, Brooke and I were in a boat together. I was proud of Erin that she didn't cry when she was splashed with water. Normally, she doesn't like water in her face even in the bath. Michael and Jacob were in two of the other boats with cousins, aunts and uncles.

We took a break half way through and the guides (we were on four rafts) offered to let us go "swim". None of us really knew what that meant, but followed like a bunch of lambs along a path to a point further up the river. They demonstrated where we would jump off into a fairly deep spot with a swift current. One by one we jumped. Of course Brooke was right there. After several guides fought over who got to "swim" with her - she ended up jumping off with the guide from our boat. She amazes me! She jumped into the freezing water went under twice and then floated down the river with a smile. I was just going to go up and watch, but once I was there I couldn't just walk back - I jumped, too. The water was breathtaking, but it sure was fun to have the current push you down the river.

She did it again.

The weather has heated up here in Colorado which means Brooke has complained a few times about how hot her hair makes her. Since donating it last year it has continued to grow and when I measured it was long enough to donate again. Brooke didn't think twice when I asked if she wanted to cut her hair short and donate it. So, off we went last Monday. After the haircut was done, Brooke looked in the mirror and said, "I think I look pretty good." I do too!!

Little Baker

Erin has become quite the little baker. There's not a day that goes by that she doesn't ask to make something. Although, she usually wants to make something sweet, she did make some bran muffins out of a cookbook given to her by Grandma Norman recently. Today she saw something on T.V. about homemade ice cream sandwiches, so after church I let her try them out. We found a recipe on allrecipes.com for a brownie cookie that looked like it would be flat for the sandwich portion. She made the batter completely by herself with me reading the recipe to her. After the cookies had cooled we filled the sandwiches with mint chocolate chip ice cream. They were quite tasty - a hit with everyone.

My baby graduated

Yes, graduated from Kindergarten that is. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday I brought her home from the hospital. I love that Brooke is still snugly and will always give me a hug. She is such a joy and there is never a dull moment when she is around. She is so thoughtful (Today she talked me into buying an eight pack of Lip Smackers lip gloss for she and Erin to share. In the car she decided to take all of the "boy" colors so that Erin could have the "girl" colors.) and loves to help with smaller children. Love you, Brooke!

Brooke and her teacher

New Countertops

I'm so excited - look at the kitchen makeover we're getting? It's not quite done - we still need to add the tile backsplash which we're going to do all the way up to the cabinets!! Oh and we haven't had water in the sink for the last 24 hours since we added an undermount sink and it's needs time to cure. Love it!

BEFORE

AFTER

Look, Ma, NO Hands!

Last Monday night we had the Missionaries over for dinner. One of the Elders is brand new to the mission and he was having an issue with his bike seat, so we went outside to see if we could help them. We were having a bit of trouble, but luckily our neighbor pulled up and since he worked for several years as bicycle mechanic he whipped the seat into shape in no time.

Brooke then asked Rex if he would fix her training wheels because one of them was loose and wasn't hitting the ground. Rex asked her if she would like to just take the wheels off. She was hesitant for a bit and then agreed. Long story short we took the wheels off, Brooke sat on the seat and literally too off! She still needs some help to start, but other than that she is a real pro. Was she ready or what? Since then she has been a bike riding fiend asking every day if we'll take her out to ride.

Hoppy Easter!

We were so excited to receive a spur-of-the-moment visit from Janet and the kiddos. The cousins had such a good time reconnecting. On Saturday morning (in between races at the track meet) we went to Suzi's neighborhood for an Easter egg hunt. Danielle and Kari were good sports and came along.

Enjoy the pics of the kiddos!