Happy Halloween G.G.

Today we went to visit G.G. for Halloween. The kids and I had the day off school, so I thought she would enjoy seeing them in their costumes.







HAPPY HALLOWEEN G.G.

Bah Humbug

Of all the holidays I really do not care for it would have to be Halloween. I'm not sure why. I used to enjoy it when I was a kid. But now, all I can imagine is twenty 5-7 year olds dressed up in costumes confined in a small space for 6 1/2 hours. The chaos, the noise, the lack of attention for anything other than playing and partying and eating tons of sweets. Not to mention having to dress up myself in a costume that seems a little ridiculous. Ughhh...Bag Humbug. Oh, one day I am sure I will appreciate it again. One day when I am old and gray and retired that is!!!

Okay...I guess I have to admit that they are pretty cute, and the smiles on their faces when they share what they are dressed up as it priceless.



In case you're wondering, I was the mouse from one of my children's books called If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. The kids really love it, because I keep my bag filled with cookies that of course I share with them!

aMAZing

On Saturday, we headed to Denver to visit our first corn maze. The kids had a blast. The maze itself wasn't as complicated as we had hoped. It only took us about 15-20 minutes to get from the entrance to the exit. However, the kids really enjoyed trying to ditch the adults. There favorite was doing the mini maze because they didn't have to have any supervision. Welcome FREEDOM!

The 7th Annual Halloween Bash

This year our neighbor, Ms. Barielle hosted the 7th annual halloween party! The theme was movie night. The kids and a few adults, as well, got to walk the red carpet. The hot question for the night..."who are you wearing?!!"


Taylor looking fabulous as Scorpia!


Austin...starring as the werewolf


Be sure to catch Alex and Nick in Clone Troopers


Chris playing the lead role in "Chris"


Emaleigh fashioning her Laura Ingalls look.
Wait...is that Caleb as Willy Wonka was trying to avoid the paparazzi?!


All the stars out for the night!

As always...Ms. Barielle did an amazing job. The kids and adults had a great time. Thanks Barielle!

What a Difference a Day Makes

So, after less than 24 hours a cold front came through...

...the beautiful fall foliage we were so enjoying disappeared.

Gotta love those Colorado wind storms. Our version of hurricanes!

Welcome Autumn

This is probably one of my favorite seasons of the year. The fall leaves are gorgeous this time of year. The weather is usually still pretty warm. I can wear jeans, a long sleeve shirt and my favorite down vest and feel very comfortable. I just love this time of year!


For my friends that don't get to enjoy this season, I thought you might like to live vicariously through these photos. It doesn't quite give the season complete justice, but at least you can get a small sense of what you are missing!


In the meantime, keep enjoying those 80-90 degree temperatures because before long I will be knee deep in snow and wishing I were with you there!

Well maybe not...because then it will be winter. Probably one of my favorite seasons of the year...

...skiing, hot cocoa, turtlenecks, hanging out in front of the fireplace!!!

Smile and Say Thank You

I've been finding myself being critical lately. Just the everyday things in life are getting me down and I find myself being overly judgemental and negative. I don't like it when this happens, and so I am reminding myself today of something I've been sharing with my Dad for a while..."smile and say thank you!" I'm tired of complaining. As my mom and I always joke join the campain.

"www.complaintfreeworld.org"

I am run down from the negativisms around me. Today I am saying thank you.

Thank you God for giving me another day to live.
Thank you for my daughter singing at the top of her lungs while I blow dry her hair.
Thank you for my son who is enjoying the new play mobile playset he bought with his own money this weekend.
Thank you for my husband returning home safely.
Thank you for some time off from work to heal my body.
Thank you for crock pots!
Thank you for a clean and empty email box at home and at school!
Thank you for bright sunny mornings to enjoy sharing my life with you!

For those of you reading this I send you my smile and I say thank you for being in my life!

The Annual Hunting Trip

This is the weekend. The one where I get to be a single mom for four days. (Let me say how much I respect all of you out there right now.) Although I really don't care for it, I am happy that my husband gets to go enjoy a weekend with friends doing what he loves to do. He truly deserves it for all that he does for our family. Yet, I really hate being responsible for EVERYTHING! Here are some of the things I really don't care to do:

*Letting Aspen out one last time before bed. Only to be awakened a few hours later because she's old and just can't seem to hold it through the night any longer. (Usually, I sleep through the barking becuase I know someone else will get up with her!)

*Having to close all the curtains, especially the one in the kitchen. It has a tendancy to stick, and I am so short I have to either jump up on the counter, or pull a chair over to do it. (To think when we first bought this house, those windows were one of the things I liked best about the kitchen. If I only knew then what I know now!)

*Having to make sure all the doors and windows are locked. I especially can't stand checking the doors. I always envision some stranger waiting for me on the other side. Probably as result from watching scary movies when I was younger.

*But most of all I just really hate climbing into our bed alone. He lets me put my cold feet on his to warm them up, he rubs my back until I fall asleep, and he always turns the tv off. (I woke up to it at 1:30 this morning!)

Craig, I miss you and I look forward to your return.

Mr. Hockey Update

This week Caleb celebrated a great accomplishment during his hockey games. On Tuesday, he scored his first hat trick. Yes indeed, our son scored three goals for his team...the Avalanche. Last night he scored two goals and had one assist. Craig had a name for that, too, but it has elapsed me for now. Player something, I think. His first grade teacher came to cheer him on, and I think her magic worked.
He was so overjoyed to have her there! Thanks Ms. B.

At this rate maybe he'll being going pro soon. Oh, I guess we would have to get him on ice skates before making too many big plans. Well, for now the Colorado Avalanche will just have to be patient!

Where Does the Time Go?

Now that the school year is in in full swing, I am noticing that I have less and less time to record the highlights of our life. I know we are still changing and growing and many wonderful things are continuing to happen, yet I sometimes feel overwhelmed with all that has to get done in a week's time. The scary part is this is my two day quarter. Next week I will enjoy my last two day week before working three days a week until Christmas Vacation arrives. I know this sounds horrible to be complaining about, but we all get used to our own lifestyles, and while I am looking forward to being with my students more, I am saddened that I will be losing a day to enjoy my kids without the pressures of work, care for the needs of my family, and take my dog on long midday walks...the weather this time of year is perfect for that! Knowing the value of living each day to its fullest is what I must continue to remind myself of! With that I am going to go dig out my fall decorations, so I can surprise the kids when they get home. They've been bugging me for two weeks to pull them out!