Deschamps Family

Mom & Dad are home!

2009-11-03T04:29:00.000-08:00

Also posted these pics to facebook. Here they are again anyway....

Fresh of the plane at DIA, then later that night.

Family Food Storage

2009-06-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

Alright. We've finally re-done our food storage room. It is now somewhat organized....

...and is even cataloged in a handy-dandy database (courtesy of a rudimentary knowledge of databases in general and Microsoft -- erk! -- Access).

The pictures don't always do it justice...here's a short video narrated by Sharon.

April Snow

2009-04-19T19:32:00.001-07:00

We had a late-season snow storm over the weekend (don't have an official total). It turned out to be a heavy wet snow, so I couldn't abide not talking some pictures of it all. It was snowing quite heavily when I took the pics, so I had to duck for cover either in the doorway of the house or in the garage, standing back far enough to not get the camera wet. No pics of our house as I'd have to cross the street and didn't want to take the camera out into the wet mess.

This pic is of the tree down the street:

Stepped onto the pack patio to take this one at the height of one of the heavier bouts of snow:

Played around with the zoom and got a few good shots (once I looked at the photos at 100%. I've cropped these so that the good stuff (close-up of the snow) could be seen.

Sophie absolutely loves playing the snow and had a wonderful time running around in it. Oscar, on the other hand -- the softie -- didn't care for it too much and was anxious to get back into the nice warm house after a minute or so.

Sophie, trying to catch a snow flake on her tongue.

I love the snow! In my opinion, we had an entirely too mild a winter and not anywhere near enough precipitation for my liking. At least we got a couple of good storms in before the end of the season.

The forecast for the rest of the week is calling for 70 degree temps. The streets are already mostly dry. By tomorrow, the snow will be all but melted. *sigh* It was good while it lasted.

Night at the Museum

2009-03-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

Jake's 4th grade class went on an over-night field trip to the Colorado History Museum.

There were several classes in which the students could get a feel for life in the 1800s. They had the chance to try roping "cattle", bore holes into rock to plant dynamite (mining), and pan for gold.

Jake practices boring

Pans for gold (we actually found a few "flecks")

They also had the chance to try the school experience as if they were students in 1899. The 'teacher', Ms. Webster, was great and the kids loved it.

(Embedded youtube video)

At about 12:30, the activities ended and we went downstairs to set up camp and sleep. After getting Jake's sleeping bag set up, I went around to check on some of the other kids and ensure that they were all okay. When I returned, less than 5 minutes later, Jake was out.

The next morning, I opened my eyes to find Jacob lying and staring right at me. Our morning boy was certainly more bright-eyed and bushy tailed than me!

Jacob and his teacher, Ms. Sorensen

Fam at the Zoo

2009-02-09T06:40:00.000-08:00

Sure, we saw lots of ani-mules, but everyone can see them....here are some pics of the fam....

The Lion Sleeps tonight

2009-02-01T18:44:00.001-08:00

Cameron recently found his Halloween costume from two years ago. He turned his costume into pajamas (pyjamas for our fam down-under).

The first night we saw him wearing 'em, he was fast asleep and we managed to get a few snapshots...notice that he also wears the paw-print hand mittens.

It's official!

2009-01-26T06:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Sharon was sustained as the new Relief Society president in our ward. Before the actual releases and new callings were announced, the previous RS prez who sits behind us during sacrament meeting, shoved the binder (anyone who has been in an LDS presidency knows about the dreaded 'binder') under the pew to her so that no one but her saw it. Very subtle! Throughout the course of the three hour block, she picked up, if I caught it correctly, three more binders. Fun!

Throughout the course of the day people stopped her in the hallway, offering either congratulations or condolences!

Anyway, as a result of this, it several organizations were reorganized (there were presidency changes to RS, YW, and Primary...I'm sure it'll make for an interesting transition in the weeks that follow). We all met in the RS room after church to set everyone apart and, with all of our families there to look on or participate in ordinances, we filled the room.

We, her loving family, will miss her! We'll see you again in two to three years, Sweetie!

Happy Three Kings Day!

2009-01-06T06:17:00.000-08:00

Today, January 6th, is Three Kings Day. To the uninitiated, this is the traditional day in which the magi arrived to honor the baby Jesus. The three kings -- Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthazar -- arrive on horse, camel and elephant, bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Goodbye 2008, you were a good year

2009-01-01T17:25:00.000-08:00

Went to a rise with a lookout to the south west (off Smokey Hill Road) to watch the sunset on December 31.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T20:29:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from the Deschamps Family.

Oscar joins us

2008-12-15T08:04:00.001-08:00

Oscar is a two year old Boston Terrier. He's older and has some history which is making him a bit stubborn at times. Still, he's very lovable!

He "burrows" under under his blanket and to keep himself cozy and warm; last night he got hot and -- in his sleep -- rolled over kicked off blanket of his lower half, two legs poking up into the air while the rest remained hidden. Cute!

-- update --
Alright. Allow me to clarify. Oscar is not a pure breed Boston Terrier, but rather a BT mixed with sheep/cattle dog...it makes him a bit bigger than your typical BT, but no less adorable.

Sophie

2008-11-21T07:17:00.000-08:00

....and introducing the newest member of our family:

This pic of Sophie was taken (on a phone; not the best quality) last night at the Denver Dumb Friends League. She's a seven month old Australian Kelpie and we can tell -- even from the limited time we spent with her -- that she's pretty smart. It didn't take long for every one of us to fall in love with her.

This afternoon, we're picking her up to bring her home. Needless to say, we're all very excited.

We'll no doubt, be posting additional pictures in the immediate future.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-02T06:14:00.000-08:00

Vamp-boy Nate
(by the end of the night, much of his makeup had come off).

Jake, pizza delivery guy --again!

Cam as Pumkin

Nate carving his pumpkin

Cam trying to suppress a his disgust while disemboweling his pumpkin.

Cam and his proud creation.

Jake and his completed pumpkin.

August Vacation, Day 2: Disney Post Script

2008-08-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

Okay.

So, we got back from Disneyland kind of late (well after midnight when we pulled off the freeway in Tarzana).

Naturally, the kiddies fell asleep on the way home. When we arrived back and Grandma Liz's place, Nate and Jake woke up just fine and we were able to coax them into the house to go to bed. Were unable to revive Cameron though, no matter what. We got him out of the car and onto the front steps, at which point he went down on his knees, dropping his forehead onto the ground (apparently, that's a comfortable position to sleep in). Then, we managed to get him inside the house and he promptly dropped back to the same position (at which point we took the picture).

Eventually, we were able to coax him into bed. According to Nate, the next morning he awoke in the same position.

August Vacation, Day 2: Disney

2008-08-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

Woke up bright and early on Tuesday morning and ate breakfast on the way to Disneyland.

We arrived when the park opened (at 8AM) and kept going for most of the day. A fun time was had by all.

Everyone was exhausted by the time we went home (we stayed until 11)...understandable considering it was a fifteen hour day at the theme park, packed with activities from start to finish.

August Vacation, Day 1: Beach

2008-08-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

After splitting our trip to California into two days (lay-over in Kanab with Kaye and Frank), we went to Zuma beach.

It has been too long since I played in the waves and spent as much time as possible in the breakers body surfing. Great fun! Jake and Cam had fun digging on the beach; Nate dared the waves quite a bit.

Sharon, after getting caught up in the surf (she claims I tried to use her as a surfboard!) relaxed on the beach and read.

(first pic was taken by me, the second by Nate; ergo absences from respective images).

Snow the day after Christmas

2008-01-05T20:30:00.001-08:00

As some of you may know, we had a White Christmas this year. The day after, the kids went outside and played in the snow. Enjoy the pics.

the "once" of "once in a blue moon"

2007-11-29T11:11:00.000-08:00

As you can tell from the scarcity of recent posts (and that this thing has been up since July and there are five entries -- six including this one), we aren't big on blogging.

However, I recently downloaded some pics and thought I'd post a few of them here.

Enjoy.

This is Cam and his chum from preschool and Sunday School, Kate.

Cam, in typical Cam fashion, plays to the camera.

The Boys. Picture taken outside the chapel prior to Stake Conference.

Sharon (also taken outside the chapel prior to Stake Conference)

She'll probably give me grief for posting this pic of her, but hey! If you don't do the posting, you don't get to complain. Right Robin?

9-15-2007

2007-09-17T05:58:00.000-07:00

At this year's stake fair, Nate participated in the watermelon-eating contest. Fun time was had by all.

(taken with camera phone, which accounts for the grainy quality of the pics; ah well)

Cam Goes to School

2007-09-03T09:44:00.000-07:00

Cameron plays to the camera. These pics were taken on his first day at school.

Saturday (again)

2007-08-25T17:04:00.001-07:00

This is a jewel resulting from my fantastic camera and its ability to take fantastic pictures with excellent quality zoom capabilities. Jake amazed by a butterfly at the Butterfly Pavillion.

Look how grown up Nate is getting! He's turning into one terrific kid!

Saturday August 25, 2007

2007-08-25T16:48:00.000-07:00

Mark has given me my first blogging lesson so here it goes!

This is Mark's current fav of Cam at the Zoo.

Kid Pics 07/07

2007-07-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

Nate, just before he turned 10. We were at Cub Scout Day Camp and it was VERY hot! Jake, 8 yrs old. I love this picture! The best one I had taken with my new camera thus far.
Another good one of Jake.
What more can I say? Cameron the 3 yr old witch ninja! He's 4 now so we're soooo over that now.