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Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge and Squaw Pass Road

Written by Joy
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Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge and Squaw Pass Road

I have mentioned before that our family loves to go on drives in our area. We also love to take pictures. This is a post that is picture heavy from a recent drive that we went on. We first headed to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. They have a beautiful visitor center with a lot of historical information about the place and how it came to pass. They have also just recently opened up a 9 mile loop that your family can drive. We were so excited that the loop was opened and we were able to take a drive around it. These are a few of the pictures that we took.

Buffalo

Buffalo

ducks swimming

Mule Deer

Prairie Dog

Prairie Dog

Hawk

After we left the Wildlife Refuge, we headed back towards Lookout Mountain to get on the Lariat Loop.  We took this picture of the town of Golden, CO and the Colorado School of Mines.  This is were we moved to, so my husband could work at that University.

Colorado School of Mines from Lookout Mountain Road

We some how another missed the Lariat Loop turn-off and ended up on the Squaw Pass Road.  While we may have missed the turn-off, we sure didn’t miss the beautiful views of the mountains and wild life.  I don’t think I will ever get tired of seeing God’s creation.

Echo Lake

Snow-capped Mountains

Mountains on Squaw Pass Road

Mountains with snow

Mule Deer on Squaw Pass Road

Mule Deer

Herd of Elk

Herd of Elk in Evergreen

I love driving around and exploring where we live with our family.  We always have so many wonderful adventures with one another!

 

2012, family, photography, , , , , , , , , , ,

Colorado Symphony ~ field trip

Written by Joy
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Colorado Symphony ~ field trip

We were able to go to the Colorado Symphony this last week.  I don’t know who was more excited, my husband and I or the kids!  My husband and I were in band when we were in high school and played in a concert group.  I played the french horn and my husband played either the tuba, baritone or drums, depending on where he was needed the most.  Our family has a love of music and this was just an amazing experience for our family.

French Horn player making notes before the start of the concert.

I loved how this group did the concert for all the kids.  The conductor of the symphony explained the different groups of instruments and introduced them in a way that highlighted the instruments.  He also talked about different composers and their music.

Trumpet player warming up.

The seats we had were amazing!  We could have reached out and touched the guy that was playing the Timpani’s!

The view from our seat.

They opened up with two groups of brass playing.  It was beautiful and brought back a lot of memories from when we played in high school.

Brass waiting for the conductor to begin.

The symphony ended with the 1812 Overture.   This overture was written by the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.  He wrote it in 1880 to remember Russia’s defense against Napoleon’s invasion in 1812.

This was a great field trip for our family, since we all love music so much.  It also got our kids to talking about what they would like to learn to play.  So far, they have mentioned a cello, violin and upright bass!

The best part about the field trip, besides spending time together?  The kids wanting to go again and soon!

Have you ever been to a symphony before?  What are your favorite instruments to listen to?

2012, homeschooling, , , , , , ,

Snow Day!

Written by Joy
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Snow Day!

Union Ridge Park

This was the 2nd snow of the season.  We woke up to 4-5 inches of snow on Thursday morning.  The kids were so excited!  Since we didn’t take a snow day on the first snow (only about 1-2 inches), I decided we would have one today.  The first thing the kids wanted to do when they got out of bed was go outside and play.  Then the hunt was on to find all of our snow clothes!

throwing a snowball at his sister

We are very blessed to live in an apartment complex that has a park right across from us.   One of the joys of homeschooling is having a park all to ourselves!

throwing a snowball at her brother

The kids had fun throwing snowballs at each other.  They asked to take the sled, but I said no.  I may have to say yes to that next time!

trying to figure out who to throw this snowball at.

The youngest may be small, but she sure did give the older two a few good shots to the body!

Union Park

We loved walking around the park and looking at the snow on the tree branches.  It was so beautiful outside today.

Freezing!

While it was beautiful, it was also very cold!

making snow angels

Our family loves the cooler weather and especially love the snow.

snow covered trees

We are looking forward to many more days of snow to play in!

 

2012, family, , , , ,

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal

Written by Joy
The Homeschool Mother’s Journal

When we started the school year this year, it was my intention to blog about our school week every week.  I was able to do it that first week and have not done it since.  So I figured a good way to get back to doing that, was join up with iHomeschool Network with their weekly meme of The Homeschool Mother’s Journal.  I have does this before, but it has been a while.  I think it will be a fun way to share our week with everyone.

  • In my life this week…

    We have had a pretty good week.  After not feeling well the last couple of weeks due to a fibromylagia flare-up, I was able to get the house back in order.  It feels good when the house is clean and all the laundry is caught up.

  • In our homeschool this week…

    We were able to accomplish a lot of school this week.  We enjoyed doing a couple of science projects/experiments.  My kids are loving the Apologia Astronomy book.

  • Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

    Find a good support system.  Whether it be online or in real life.  Find those homeschooling moms to talk with.  I know I would be lost without my support system that I have.  If you do not have a good support system, please email me or message me!  I would love to help encourage you in your homeschooling journey.

  • I am inspired by…

    I am inspired by those who have fought for our freedom to homeschool.  To not give up when those rough days happen.  o keep going on!

  • Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

    While we didn’t go anywhere this last week, we have plans to go to a Symphony concert next week.  We also have plans of meeting up with the homeschool group at the local Recreation Center for a swim day.

  • My favorite thing this week was…

    My favorite thing this last week was watching the kids get excited about doing their science experiment.

  • What’s working/not working for us…

    As of right now, everything seems to be going great.  We are enjoying the curriculum we are using.  Mystery of History, Apologia Science, Bob Jones Math and English.

  • Questions/thoughts I have…

    I have had a lot of thoughts about our recent move.  It has been hard meeting people.  I hate that my kids have had to start over making new friends.  I am praying we can find some soon!

  • Things I’m working on…

    I am working on my blog, A Journey of Joy, a lot.  It is my goal to help and encourage others in their homeschooling journey.  I also want to be more open and honest about my love of Jesus and what he means to me.

  • I’m grateful for…

    I am so grateful for my online homeschooling community of friends that I have.  I know there would be days that would be rough if I did not have them to turn back on.  I am praying to find a group of friends here in our new area to be able to turn to.

  • I’m praying for…

    I am praying for our family to find a church soon.  We are missing that fellowship with other believers.  I know God has the perfect church for us, it is just a matter of us being obedient to Him and listening to the direction that he wants us to go in.

  • A photo to share..

    This is one from the kids doing their science experiment.  I have a post coming about it soon!

    Claire getting a turn holding the magnifying glass.

2012, family, homeschooling, ,

a celebration of life ~ happy birthday, daughter!

Written by Joy
a celebration of life ~ happy birthday, daughter!

Today, we are celebrating life. Celebrating the birthday of our 2nd child, our oldest daughter. We are celebrating Sarah’s 15th birthday.

Sarah loves Jesus and her family.  She is very artsy and creative.  She loves to draw and is very good at it.  she loves to dance and take part in musical theater.  She is also enjoying the riding lessons and taking care of the horses.

Sarah, age 5

Sarah is a joy to be around and is always making us laugh with her different accents and impressions.  She has asked to be homeschooled through high school.  She is already looking at Art schools to attend.

Sarah, age 15.

Sarah never asks for much.  For her birthday, she asked me to make her a Tiramisu (recipe to come later)  instead of a birthday cake.  She also asked for roasted pork loin, mashed potatoes and green beans.

She is always thinking of others and putting others before herself.  She loves her siblings dearly and is always doing something for them.  Sarah is a blessing to me and helps me keep the house in order and running smoothly on a daily basis.  We are truly blessed having her as a daughter.

Sarah, we love you so much and are wishing you a very happy birthday!

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