CHEER FOR THE TROOPS CHARITY- PLEASE READ!!!!!

Hi fellow bloggers! First off thanks for reading, because if any of you out there are like me I tend to skip the blogs with too much writing...I'm more of a picture person myself:) Anyways, I'll get right to the point. As many of you may or may not know I danced with the Denver Bronco Cheerleaders for 3 seasons before Ethan was born. During that time I started a holiday charity called "Cheer for the Troops" inspired by Josh's 15 month deployment in Iraq. Although Josh is now out of the military...thank goodness...I am still heading up "Cheer for the Troops" for a 4th year!

"Cheer for the Troops" is just like it sounds....we are sending holiday "cheer" to our men and women overseas. We do so by collecting goodies, letters, and of course Broncos gear. Now we used to do this exclusively within the cheerleader organization, meaning we used to collect the goods, pack and ship them solely as DBC.

This year I have teamed up with my friend Bri, and our goal is make the "Cheer for the Troops" program bigger and better. After amazing responses from grateful soldiers we figured it was our duty to continue to let this program flourish and to spread more "cheer" to our deserving soldiers. So with this in mind that is why I am reaching out you.....Friends, Family, Fellow bloggers and of course blogstalkers:) I need your help to expand this program.

If anyone out there is interested in donating a gift we are collecting donations at the team store at INVESCO Field from November 27th-December 3rd. If you are not local, or are interested in hosting a donation box at your business, church etc. please contact me, by commenting below or at: Cheer4TheTroops@Yahoo.com.

For more info about Cheer for the Troops, and for a list of needed gift donations please visit our website at http://www.denverbroncos.com/; Click on "Cheerleaders", then the "Cheer for the Troops" link. I also am blogging on the Bronco's website where you can continue reading about our progress this season. You can find this blog on my friends list under "DBC Blog". Thank you all for reading and for your help.

Of course I can't blog without adding a picture of my little man. I sent this picture to Josh for Veterans' Day , but I figure it's appropriate here also:)

Halloween and New York

This past week has been such a blast. We have been busy with Halloween, Ethan's first Halloween...AAWWHH, and our trip to New York to visit Josh's family. Here are some photos from our trip.

Halloween Party with our friends Carrie and Leo









Sometimes I have to show Josh who's boss:)











Daddy getting Ethan ready for his 1st Halloween!











All dressed up








Our little monkey...











So cute....

Ethan, Mommy, and Great Grandma Drake handing out candy

Josh did some hunting while we were in NY. That's why he is in camo in most of these pictures.

Ethan and Grandma Woodworth

Yes, I know its unlike me, but I did go out hunting with Josh one day. I don't know if you would call what I did hunting. I just dressed up in a funny outfit, and froze my butt off in the cold:) We did see some doe while we were out, but Josh didn't shot anything with me there. And thank goodness I don't think I could have handled it. Although I can confidently say now that hunting is NOT my sport I'm glad I went and experienced it with Josh. It is so peaceful out in the wild like that, and I can understand why he likes it. Minus the shotting deer part:)

I had to get pictures of us all dressed up in our gear.

And in case you were wondering Josh did get a nice 8 point buck while he was in NY. Of course while I wasn't around :) He was so excited, and I couldn't be happier for him.

Josh, my father-in-law, and I at the Buffalo Bills game

Ethan's Pearly Whites!

On Wednesday I woke up to find Ethan's first tooth! I was so excited I could hardly contain my self! I kept looking at it and poking around his gums to feel it. Ethan didn't understand what all the excitement was about, but he made it very clear to me that he had had enough of me poking around his mouth:) Also on Saturday I awoke to find Ethan's second tooth. Now he has both his bottom teeth. Man this little guy is sure growning up!

Here we are after the 1st tooth discovery. As you can see I'm ecstatic, Ethan not so much :)













On Saturday we went to a picnic for Josh's work. Ethan was such a ham with the camera that I couldn't resist snapping as many photos as possible. I am the worst at taking those "hold the camera out in front of you pictures" so some of them are not the best. I wish I could crop myself out because Ethan just looks so stinkin' cute.

My Big Boy

I can't believe my little boy is already 5 months. Time just goes by so fast, and I want to savor each and every moment with him. Here are some photos of just how big my little buddy is getting.

Introducing the cup...
Although he can't hold it on his own, he was a natural at grabbing the little handles and bringing it to his mouth.










He pretty much just laps up the water with his tongue like a dog, but its good practice :)









So Cute...












The King of Tummy Time...
He just loves being on his belly. He's not quite crawling yet, but he is inching around like a little worm :)









I know this photo is kind of blurry, but I just love that little face.









My little man all ready for church in his "big boy" button up shirt












I love you Ethan!

Girls Day Out

On Sunday I decided to cut loose and go to a Broncos game with my good friend Mel. It was my first time seeing a Broncos game from the stands! We even went down to our old cheerleading locker room before the game to say hi to all of our old team mates! It was such a blast! Plus Ethan was at home having "Boys' Day" with Josh so I got a much needed break. I must admit when I first left the house I almost got choked up because I haven't been away from my little boy for more than two hours. However it didn't take me long to get into the spirit of Girls Day.

Mel and I in front of Invesco Field












There are all my girls lined up for the players intro









As much as I loved dancing for the Broncos I must say I enjoyed kicking back with my girlfriends in the stands.









What an intense game all the way until the end...
Go Broncos!

Happiest Kid on the Block

I am obsessed with taking pictures of Ethan! I did a little mini photo shot with him and he was just laughing away and loving every minute of it. He is the happiest kid I know. Here are some of the many faces of Ethan. When he smiles it makes my whole day. I love him!!

Look at this little model...
I think this is his "Zoolander" face...
We'll call this look Magnum...HA HA!

Kisses from Daddy












Tickling the baby's belly...I wish you all could hear his little laugh

I love this little guy

He loves his hands

Work the camera baby

I think this one is my favorite

25 and Lovin' It!

On Sept. 19th I turned the big 2-5...Yikes! I am so lucky to have such awesome friends, and of course a wonderful husband and son to celebrate with.

BIRTHDAY PART ONE:
The week before my actual b-day my best girlfriends, Mel, Bri, and Steph, took me out to a delicious Mexican dinner (my favorite) followed by presents, cupcakes, and a girls sleep over at my house. The only one missing was Emily...We missed you!

All the girls and Ethan at dinner










Me, Bri, and my little ladies man









Me blowing out my "cupcake" birthday cake...Yum!












BIRTHDAY PART TWO:
On my actual birthday Josh and Ethan took me out to a delicious dinner where Ethan napped through the whole meal, which NEVER happens! To be able to eat a meal without him in my lap was the best present ever. Ethan must have known it was Mommy's birthday. Thanks little buddy! After dinner Josh was going to take me on a much needed shopping spree, but after I stuffed myself I decided to post pone it. Don't worry honey I'm still going to hold you to that shopping spree:) All in all I had the BEST 25th Birthday ever!

The family before dinner