Reasons to Celebrate

November 10, 2009 was a very special day for me. My brother, Brett, came in town, and it was the first time in twelve years (since we turned 18) that we were able to spend our birthday together. One minute we were twentysomethings...and the next we were thirtysomethings. Strange.

On the way to Grand Lake:

My sweet sister-in-law, Karley:

Reading a mid-morning story:

An afternoon in Winter Park:

Lunch at Smokin' Moe's in Winter Park:

We also celebrated my dad's birthday--which happens to be the very next day! I have always found it very fitting that his birthday falls on Veteran's Day considering he proudly served this country for many years in the Air Force before retiring as a Lt. Colonel.

Ella painted this Christmas ornament for Brett. She was so excited to give it to him that she dropped it, and it cracked :(

Ella exhausted after the festivities:

My dad's birthday also happens to be my parents' wedding anniversary (37th). So, of course, we celebrated that too!

Times like these remind me of how lucky I am to have the family that I do. I'm not going to lie. The big 3-0 was NOT a birthday I was looking forward to. But it served as a significant reminder to me how fleeting time is and how important it is to treasure every minute. It was an extraordinary weekend that I will never forget.

Guess Who Turned 29...Again

My twin brother, Brett, that's who!

I might have turned 29 again, too.

Watcha Say

Daily we find ourselves laughing/confused/bewildered about things that come out of Ella's mouth. We can't even begin to fathom how she comes up with most of it. Here are just a couple of examples:

#1. Ella: "Mommy, do you remember when I used to be a baby farm animal and you and Daddy used to visit me at the farm?"

Hmmmmm. Not particularly.

#2. Ella: "Sometimes Sissy throws up in my room. So then I throw up in her dog food."

To my knowledge this has never happened. Either statement.

#3. Ella: "Mommy, did you know that I used to be a princess?"

Me: "I did not."

Ella: "Yes, I was a princess in that castle."

[She points to the Ramada Inn hotel off the highway as we are driving.]

Me: "Really?"

Ella: "Yes, it was a couple of years ago when I was a little girl."

In her defense, the hotel is shaped like a castle. And a past like that would explain the sassiness.

#4. Me: "Ella, what would you like for lunch?"

Ella: "A rollaton."

Me: "What is a rollaton?"

Ella: "A rollaton is a biscuit that lives in Target."

By the way, 'rollaton' is said in a slightly French accent. Emphasis on the last syllable.

And finally, a picture from Halloween:

Baby, It's Cold Outside

One of these days, I'm going to have something more interesting to blog about than the weather. Not today. In the last 24 hours, we've received over 16 inches of snow. John's been able to get to work, but Ella and I are going stir-crazy being stuck inside for so long. All schools in Denver and the surrounding areas have been closed for the last two days. The roads are awful, and my hatred of driving on ice has left us with no choice but to wait it out.

Ella looking out the window yesterday morning:

By mid-morning she finally talked me into playing in the snow:

Did I mention wind and blowing snow?

Rosy cheeks:

By 6:00 P.M. I may or may not have been waiting by the back door when John got home. I may or may not have thrown Ella into his arms. And then I may or may not have bolted in the opposite direction. With a bottle of vodka. Just kidding :)

Seriously though, twelve hours indoors with a 3 year-old is a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time.

John reading to Ella when he got off work (notice, she's wearing only one sock):

This last picture was taken this morning. We have a fenced-in patio that leads to our garage. The fence is about 5 feet tall. Needless to say, getting to the garage is an adventure.

Countdown to Halloween

Last weekend we met my parents (Nana and Papa) at a park to play.

Look how excited John is about pushing that swing:

Ella in her witch mask from Nana and Papa:

On Thursdays the Barnes and Noble near us holds "Storytime" for kids. They listen to stories and eat Rice Krispie Treats from the attached Starbucks.

Friday morning was "Boofest" for Ella's preschool.

TGIF!! Now I'm off to enjoy the rest of Ella's naptime!

Snow Day Top Ten

Out of the bosom of the Air,

Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,

Over the woodlands brown and bare,

Over the harvest-fields forsaken,

Silent, and soft, and slow Descends the snow.

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow-

This past Saturday brought with it the first snow of the season (a little ahead of schedule). Here are my Top Ten reasons why I love snow days:10. The Quiet. I love waking up the morning after it's been snowing all night and opening the front door to hear...nothing. The sounds of cars and people seem muffled and distant. Maybe it is because people are staying in and not getting out in the cold, or maybe the snow acts as a buffer to some of the noise. Whatever it is, I love it.
9. Any Hot Drink. Coffee, hot chocolate, hot cider, hot tea: they are a wonderful way to warm up from the inside out!
8. A Fire. There is just something magical about sitting in front of a crackling fire. Even though our gas fireplace doesn't crackle, it is still mesmerizing and heats up the entire downstairs in minutes. I can stare into a fire for an absurdly long time and just zone out.
7. Warm Hats, Mittens, and Scarves. Normally, I'm not big on getting out in the cold (unless it is to ski). I would really prefer to stay inside and look out the window. However, there are times when I must abandon my comfort to walk the dogs or play with Ella in the snow. And when I do, I want to be cozy and warm with these accessories.

6. Mood Lightener. I remember when I spent my first winter in Colorado, and I assumed that the locals probably got bored/irritated with the snow early on. Boy was I wrong. Whenever I run errands and snow is on the ground or in the forecast there is just a contained excitement in the air. Snow wreaks havoc on John's job, and he dreads constantly checking the road conditions for Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. I feel like a traitor for getting such a childish thrill out of the snow when it is so hard on John's job. But I can't help it! I still think this might be a conditioned response dating back to my high school/college days when inclement weather of any kind canceled tennis practice. Ha!
5. Paper Snowflakes. Ella is really into art right now and loves anything to do with paint, glue, or scissors. We've recently taught her how to fold and cut snowflakes, and now she asks to do them every day. And since she's not too coordinated with the scissors, we end up making them mostly by ourselves. It really was fun the first time or two. But by the 5th, 6th, and 7th time....we were thinking that we might have dug our own grave :)

4. Living Vicariously Through Ella (and our dogs). Ella loves snow, and I really get a kick out of witnessing her joy. Whether it is building a snowman, throwing snowballs, or making snow-angels: it always feels like I'm experiencing it all over again for the first time. And something about the coldness and texture of the snow takes years off our dogs. They act like different dogs with a ton of energy and friskiness. It is hilarious. 3. Curling Up With a Good Book. My favorite place to read is in our love-seat in front of a window overlooking the front yard (if town homes have a front yard). Like rain, snow creates this calming atmosphere just perfect for reading. So when I put Ella down for a nap I hurry downstairs, flip the switch for the fireplace, wrap a quilt around me, and open the current book I am reading. Sometimes my attention is torn between the book and the snow falling outside the window. Like a fireplace, falling snow can be an intoxicating distraction.
2. Chili or Soup. For some reason my mind has made a mental attachment to cold weather and soup (or chili). On Saturday we enjoyed Frito Chili Pie for lunch. It was heavenly.

1. Staying in Pajamas All Day. Even if we step out to play in the snow for a while, we usually change back into flannel pajama bottoms afterward. Maybe it is because I indulge in Frito Chili Pie and Hot Chocolate and need an elastic waistband all day. Or maybe it is because it is so conducive to jumping right back in bed at any time of the day. Either way it just feels right.


*What I don't love about snow days: icy roads and the slushy muddy mess after it melts.

Fall in the High Country

"The mountains are calling and I must go.” - John Muir

One of our favorite families flew all the way from Texas to Colorado to spend 5 blissful days with us. It was Cash's first trip via plane, and he did amazing! He just turned 6 months old and can already sit like a pro!

Ella was smitten right from the start. We had to teach her how to give gentle hugs.

The first two days were spent in Denver. Lacee and Ella enjoying jammie-time:

"I moose have a hug":

Whispering sweet nothings before visiting the Denver Aquarium:

Friday morning we got on the road early and headed for the cabin.

We could not have asked for prettier fall weather.

Robert with the canoe paddles:

Slalom-style:

John and Robert fly-fished from the canoe and the river. Lacee and I had our cameras ready for the off chance that the boat would flip when they got in. But, alas, we weren't lucky enough :)

Hot chocolate was definitely the staple item of the trip:

Friday night we stalked some elk:

Ella perfecting the gentle hug:

On Saturday we visited the shops at Grand Lake.

John did odd/random jobs like chop wood.

I indulged in my obsession of smelling/kissing/snuggling Cash's cheeks/hair/tummy:

Our little punkins:

It has been some time since we have enjoyed ourselves this much. From laughing fits to mountain locals that all seemed to resemble Willie Nelson to fireside chats (and many more that are not appropriate to mention)...this memorable trip is definitely going down in the books. We already miss them terribly.