Hello Fall

I can hardly believe it’s now fall again. What happened to summer? The worst of it is that it’s dark when you leave for work/school and it’s dark when you get home again. I don’t know about you, but that makes the days seem to fly by even more quickly. They also blend one into another.

Then it’s Sunday evening and you’re packing lunches, setting out school clothes, getting baths taken, reading books, saying goodnight…saying goodnight again…sure, you can have a little sip of water…goodnight. Okay, I’ll rub your back for just a minute. Yep, one more hug, then goodnight. I know, I love you too. Goodnight.

In the month of October we were invited to the 2nd birthday party for Violet. It was an afternoon party, set at the Portland Children’s Museum. What a COOL place. We hadn’t been in the building before…although it shares a parking lot with the Zoo. Inside the Museum is an entire floor-to-ceiling Legoland castle. There’s also a claymaking studio, a just-for-babies section – perfect for gentle tumble and play. You’ll also find a grocery store (with faux items kids can “purchase”), a theatre production (complete with various costumes), a pet hospital, a treehouse, a do-it-yourself face painting area and a waterworks. Hunter was in heaven!

That same day (before the party) we met up with the same photographer who did our family photos back when Hunter was Maddox’s age. We spent 3+ hours taking photos. It was eXHAusTInG! Getting Eric, Hunter, Maddox and Sadie to focus and look at the camera, smile, sit down, not pick their nose, or cry was nuts. (Yes, most of the crying was coming from Eric! ) Why oh why did it have to be the same day as the party?!

Luckily, we just got the photo CD in the mail and there’s a bunch of really good ones. (I was convinced we didn’t have but one or two.) I’ve included some here. Pretty happy with the results.

A couple of weeks ago we did a Dinner & Movie event at Wellspring. It was a kids day…showing Hocus Pocus. And, we invited all kids (and parents) to come dressed in their Halloween costumes. It was VERY fun, and all the kids had a great time. Hunter got to wear his “space man” astronaut suit and Maddox tried out his “monkey sidekick” suit. More photos to come from “real” Halloween, but thought you’d enjoy the cute shot of the boys with the daughter of a friend. Jaqueline is the cute firegirl. She attends the boys’ daycare. Hunter and she are in the same classroom.

Other news? Maddox got a really bad cough…sounding like a barking seal…which turned into bronchilitis (the baby version of bronchitis). We took him to see the doctor, who prescribed nebulizer treatments on him every four hours for four days. Wow! Those 2a.m. treatments were a killer for mommy. Luckily he’s such a happy little guy. He didn’t seem to mind it too much. A week later, he’s definitely better, and now down to only two treatments per day. His little cough remains, but he’s sleeping much better. Thank goodness!

Hope you enjoy the photos. Happy Halloween to you all!

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Silly September

On the first day of September our schedule included:
- an airplane trip to Denver
- 12 days with our family and friends
- two weddings in two weekends
- five different beds
- and an airplane trip back home
…all with a five month old and a 3 1/2 year old. It’s a good thing the boys travel well, or we’d have been in a lot of trouble.

Crazy? Yes. But SO worth it. We had an awesome vacation.

The first weekend found us celebrating with the Patrick and Nelson clans, at the wedding of Cheryl and Scott. A five-mile, 45-minute, bumpy, dirt road excursion led us to the mountain paradise of Piney Creek Lodge. Cheryl was a stunning bride. Scott was a dapper groom. And, every tiny detail was perfect – right down to the strawberry and lavendar jelly given as gifts to all guests.

We all stayed at the Vail Cascade Resort. The rooms were delightfully mountain rustic. The restaurant was delicious. And, there was a big salt water pool. One afternoon was spent lounging poolside, taking in the glorious mountain sunshine. We also walked around the Vail farmers market, sat fireside at the lounge and shared many laughs with family and friends. It was a perfect mountain weekend.

On Monday, Labor Day, we headed back down the mountain. Can you say BAAAAAD traffic jam!? It took 3+ hours to make the 1-1/2 hour trip. It provided a perfect opportunity to work on our patience!

When we arrived in Denver, we moved into the home of our good friends Andrew, Laura and Marli (our third bed, in case you’re counting). We spent three days and nights hanging out, swapping kid stories and watching the kids play. The first night, my friend Kelly and her husband Sean joined us for dinner. The second night, we met up with friends Renee, and Tom and Deb. On the third night Kelly joined us again. This time with her two kids, Jaiden and Jon. Many laughs and stories were shared, after too much time apart.

Our second trip up the mountains found us at the home of the soon-to-be-wed Jamilee and Tim. Being back in the Dillon/Keystone/Frisco area was like deja vu all over again (to borrow a Yogi Berra-ism). The fresh mountain air and endless blue skies were just as we remember them.

The second wedding weekend found us first taking a horse-drawn wagon ride to a chuck wagon rehearsal dinner. Then we headed up to Copper Mountain for the gorgeous wedding, where Jamilee (finally) took the name of Mr. Tim Coen! She was stunning. He was handsome. And we had a wonderful time reminiscing with old pals.

Now, it’s nearly a month later and we’re back in the groove of “normal.” Since that trip, we’ve had a couple of birthdays. For Eric’s birthday, we took a day-trip to the ocean. It was a gorgeous sunny day and we had a wonderful dinner in a cute little restaurant by the bay.

The other birthday celebration happened in Nevada, where my brother Stacy and his wife Robin welcomed their baby girl. Madisyn was born on September 23rd, a few days ahead of schedule. She was 5lbs 8oz and 18.5 inches long. Grandma Joan has been down there in Elko since the first of September as well (her flight departed within an hour of ours).

We will meet the new little Miss in a couple of weeks, when we meet up with Stacy, Robin and Madisyn to “swap” Grandma for pickles.

Hunter got confused and told Uncle Stacy on the phone that we were going to trade Madisyn for Maddox. (He still refers to Maddox as his little sister. If we DID make that trade, he would finally have that sister he’s always talked about!) Brotherly love…it lasts a lifetime, doesn’t it!

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