Springtime in the Rockies and Flamingos?

Barb and I woke up this morning with one of the "Joys" of working with high school kids: Pink Flamingos in the yard? Our Technology Students TSA club has a fundraiser going: It costs $25 for the club to fill up someone's front yard with Pink Flamingos... and we were "selected" for "flocking" this morning. Neighbors were calling us with : " Are you aware that you have Flamingos in your yard?" Brad called me from California and said: "I heard you have Flamingos in your yard!" I asked" How did you already find out?" He told me that it had already hit Facebook from our neighbor Eddie Compoz. Great!

Can you say "Pirate Flamingo?"

I called Cara and she brought Payton and Brady by before church. They loved running around in the middle of the Flamingos!
Payton's outfit even matches!

I think that it goes along with our springtime yard colors.

Not only are the Pink Flamingos "beautiful" as Payton suggests, but our yard is really beautiful at this time of the year:

The Rhododendrens were quite something:

Tulips for a "Dutchman" are essential!

Tulips and primroses. There is nothing the speaks more of springtime!

Hope everyone is doing well.... and may you all enjoy the love of Pink Flamingos some day in your life!

WalMart greeter hopeful

No big parties....at least not yet, and just an announcement that I have actually put in the paperwork to start my retirement process. My last day of official employment at Grandview will be the last day of June THIS SUMMER! I will start getting my retirement on the last day of July in 2010. Wow, that sounds final. However, due to a clause allowing me to work some in retirement, I will actually keep my current job through next year and work until the end of June, 2011.

After that Barb and I will be looking at some options. I know that I will work. Consulting? Blending a passion (cycling) with organizational skills into a job as a bike tour leader in Holland and the Colorado mountians? Wal mart greeter? Sales? I have always said that if I could "sell" nouns and verbs to 7th graders... I could sell anything.

So, if you have ideas for my future employment, let me know. I am networking. But Barb and I got a little taste of retirement this weekend. We drove up to Copper Mountain this Saturday morning and skied all day Saturday, stayed over night in Breck and skied again today. Two bright, sunny, great snow days in the CO mountains. So far, 60 is looking good!

Thanks for reading..... and eat your heart out, Kwas!

By the way... this is downtown Frisco after a wonderful day of skiing.

Winter Olympic Hopefuls!

In the spirit of the winter Olympics, Barb and I drove up to Copper Mountain for some skiing this past weekend. After two days and 8-10 inches of new snow, a bright, sunny yet cold day greeted us ... perfect winter conditions. A few runs in the morning. Coffee. A few more runs until a late lunch. One more run in the afternoon. (Our legs were dying as this was our first time up this year.) Quitting time at 3:00. A quick trip to our time share so we could sit in the hot tub in Breckenridge, and a glass of Cabernet before the ride home. Now that's a good day.

It is days like this that makes retirement look better and better all of the time.... and who knows... maybe they will start a senior division of the Winter Olympics. Barb wants the downhill. I'm thinking ski jumping!

Now check out this amazing footage of Barb... the speed... the grace.... the precision. Lindsay Vonn has NOTHING on this gal

And of course we have real time video footage of Bruce " Bode" Jansen on a daring Olympic run. Notice the commentary from the crack Olympic reporter! Not sure what she was doing with the creative camera angles, however.

T'was the night before Christmas...

T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house,
People had been busy, 'specially Mrs Griswold's spouse.

The Christmas lights were hung around the whole house with care,

in hopes that the family soon would be there.

Yes,house lighting takes time, take it from my mouth,

You've got years to catch up, my friend Mr. Krauth!

But on to the story of Christmas "09

We started Christmas eve morning with our family so fine.

All gathered at our house for breakfast and gifts,

First there were stockings, with an interesting lift...

Mark and Wes were quite something; they both were the star

playing in shorts they were "Heros guitar!"

And Nolan at opening presents was dandy,

but he was most focused on his Christmas candy!

A highlight of the morning, the best picture we did,
was at the foot of our tree with all four grandkids!

And certainly we paused to consider the charms
of new baby Heath in father Mark's arms

And nestled in Heath's arms, no, it isn't funny,

clutched in his hand is his first Christmas money

Later that day was the family awash

in the love of Christmas Eve in the home of Oma Bosch.

For over fifty years the tradition is alive
She's now 92 and and we still make the drive.

To sing Christmas carols and wait for "Jingle Bells"

to ring in Santa who brings presents so swell

For all of the children who sit in his lap

And a present for Oma before her nightly nap.

Thanks "Auntie Sue" for preparing the evening so fair

You did earn the right to sit in your chair!

Christmas day was dinner at Cara and Wes's

Home made lasagna was great I confess.

But nothing next to family and spending time with ones dear,

We just wish that Brad and Jayne soon would be here!

So now Christmas is over and we get back to the norm,

But we did babysit the kids and have an evening so warm.

Of playing some games and the wonderful hooks

"Oma" snuggled with Brady and Payton and several good books!

So as Christmas moves on out of our sight

We wish you the best.. to all a good night.

But remember the first gift given so long ago

A child in a manger, one who all Christians know.

A Savior was born on a cold winter's night

A star led the way with its brilliance so bright.

May we remember each year in the gifts that we give

The first gift God gave us, so that we all may live.

As the pictures all tell, and this poem has confessed,

God has showered this family, yes, we know we are blessed.

May you all know that blessing; may you all know the King

and the reason for this season and the Joy that He brings.

Blessings this Christmas season and in the New Year,

Bruce and Barb and family.

Gifts at Christmas Time!

Last week Friday night, Barb and I had our first experience babysitting all four grand-children! Mark and Abby went out to dinner and Cara and Wes were shopping.... so all four! We are old hands at three with Nolan, Brady and Payton. But this time we added Heath, who was born on November 22. We were so busy we forgot to take pictures, but we did have some fun. These were some of the highlights:

1. Brady sitting on the potty and pushing so hard that he shot straight out into Barb!

2. Nolan reaching down into the unfilled tub to grab a ball that he and Brady were playing with. He ended up head down into the tub with his legs sticking straight up into the air. He was mad!

3. Changing Heath's diaper. Remember how small newborn diapers really are?

4. Payton consoling Heath with two bean bag Santas that Barb made years ago. He must have loved his two companions, because he fill right asleep. Then Payton took his picture:

Pretty cute, huh?

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We will have everyone at our house in the morning for presents, so that each family can have Christmas day at their own house. Christmas Eve will be at Oma Bosch's again despite the fact that she fell and broke her hip a week ago, but she is back at home and doing amazingly well for 92 and 1/2. Pray for her and her recovery and for Barb and Sue who take on much of Oma's health management. But considering all, God had indeed showered us with the Christmas gifts of new birth,( Heath to Mark and Abby) new babies on the way ( Brad and Jayne are due in June) and good recovery for Oma Bosch. May you too, experience the Joy of our Lord's blessings this Christmas time.

Beatles, Beetles and "Grand-bugs" in the mountains

BEETLES:

School has started already for a month, but Barb and I were able to sneak in a couple of fun get- aways during the past month. In the middle of August, we joined our friends Barry and Rene Meyer at their Grand Lake Cabin for the weekend. That was the Beetles! Their cabin overlooks Shadow Mountain Lake which in past years had no view of the lake. But because of the tremendous amount of beetle kill near Grand Lake, we actually had a great view of the lake from their deck. Can you say wine and cheese with great friends?

On Saturday, we hiked above timber line and had lunch at about 10,000 feet. It reminded me of scenes from the Sound of Music and was just a great day! On Sunday we hiked to some falls above Grand Lake and spent the afternoon driving over Trail Ridge to Estes Park... another wonderful day in the Colorado mountains.

BEATLES

The next week end we joined some of Barb's friends from work to attend a Beatles concert at Red Rocks, an amazing natural amphitheater just outside of Denver. The group is called 1964- The Tribute. They look exactly like the early Beatles with black suits, skinny ties, boots and beetle hair cuts. They also sound exactly like the Beatles and play their songs straight. We joined 10 thousand screaming fans in singing along with every word. It really is amazing. As they played, the words and harmonies came back immediately. If you ever get a chance to see these guys, do it!

Barb and I couldn't help ourselves and danced to a few of the Beatles greatest hits!

Red Rocks and Beatles...does it get any better?

GRAND BEETLES:

Yes , it does get better: No matter where we travel or what we do, we can't wait to get back to our grand-kids. These little bugs are the best!

God is so good!

Can you say Chowda?

Last week Barb and I traveled to Boston and now I am actually posting this from San Diego..once again suffering for work! In Boston I was attending the NSDC ( National Staff Development Counsel) summer conference and had been selected to present a session on some professional growth intiatives we are doing at Grandview High School. I co- presented with Alicia Pray, our Technology Coordinator. It was a great professional stretch and it went well.

Barb decided to come out with me a couple of days early so we could tour Boston. Four great days of Boston weather and lots of fun before the work.

Barb and I in front of the USS Constitution.. Old Ironsides!

Barb sitting in the right field "good seats" in right field at Fenway PAK. Can you see the "Green Monster " behind her? This was a really great tour: Saw a red seat in center field marking where Ted Williams slammed the longest homerun in ball park history... over 500 feet from home plate!

Bunker Hill. We climbed all 290 steps to the top.

On the right is the tower of "Old North Church, where Paul Revere sent the signal: "One if by land, two if by sea!"

And no trip to Boston is complete without an "al fresco" dinner in Little Italy. Barb and I enjoying dinner at Vinny T's!

Barb must have walked 15-20 miles during my conference sessions. Several trips to the Boston Common to walk the Freedom trail, visit Paul Revere's house and Beacon Hill and many more historic sites.Took a harbor cruise. Quite a city and quite a trip.