The Great Tree Hunt

Friday we drove up to Apple Hill to choose and cut our Christmas tree. It was FREEZING! You can see by the pictures just how cold we were. We got a beutiful tree though.

Finally, something GREEN!

S L O W L Y but surely, our yard is coming together. We've had a crew here the past three weekends and they have been smoothing, clearing rocks, adding rocks, and laying sod in the front yard. Here is the progress so far...

Josiah's newest 'trick'

Josiah has discovered his voice and is in constant competition with the girls. He has also discovered that he can make us all laugh at him. His newest 'trick' is to yell, open his mouth really wide, raise his eyebrows and tighten all the muscles in his body. We think it's hilarious, which makes him do it even more. He is such a joy!

Family Fall Festival & Tribute to D.O.

'Jasmine'


'Ariel'


'Daddy's little hunter who wouldn't keep the hat on'




This year Brianne dressed up as Jasmine and Maicee dressed up as Ariel. I think we're keeping Disney in business with my girls love for princess things. Josiah balanced things out by wearing his first camo shirt (from Belleza's) and hat (from Wylie's), much appreciated by his daddy. Mike was busy running the youth booth and I, Holy Grounds coffee so we went as ourselves.





However, the 31st fell on a Wednesday so to youth group I dressed up as a 'teenager from 1993'. I wore my old jeans, pegged my pant legs, wore a Del Oro shirt tucked in and bloused out, hair in a ponytail and curled my bangs and sported my Letterman's jacket. There's no photo, too bad ;) The students were impressed with my jacket since I'm convinced their only view of me is a 30 year old mom. I'm not sure how to take their comments of "you played basketball AND ran track?" Gotta love spending a lifetime with teenagers!

Fall

Autumn Breakfast


Apple Hill with friends



Dressing up as 'mom and dad'

Josiah (7.5 mo.) & cousin Graeson (9.5 mo.)

We love living up in the mountains now and love the colors and feeling of fall (except for this really warm past week). We had an autumn breakfast the week we got home from the hospital to celebrate and have enjoyed any time we've had together as a family.

A little birthday insight

On a lighter note...I think...today I turned 33. My dear husband made me breakfast AND dinner and my mother-in-law (who normally doesn't cook!) brought me a warm chocolate pie! It's all about the food, I guess. My girls picked out a Christmas cake plate to add to my cake plate collection and we had the infamious, 'make your own sundaes' for dessert...well, second dessert, ahem.

I have been talking to many of my friends in their 30's and we've decided we don't like the 30's. For lots of reasons. I think the 40's sounds good - more freedom, less hectic, more settled, more simple. Those of you in your 40's reading this are probably choking. Then I was reminded by another good friend that ten years from now, when I'm 43, I will have 16 year old and a 14 year old daughter and a 10 year old son. How is that less hectic and more simple I asked myself? Then I answered...don't wish this time away. I will look back on my 30's like I look back on my newly married, living in San Diego 20's now. Ah, such a good time of life! So, 33 it is!

the progression

Tuesday, Day 4, first signs of reaction to the med to Tuesday, Day 11, day we came home. Scroll down for the story.