a few more trip pics

We spent a few days at my parents house. Aidan loved playing with Charlie, I don't know that the feeling is mutual. However, for the first time ever Charlie slept in the same room as Aidan. Usually Aidan tries to force Charlie to sleep in his room and Charlie endures for a few minutes and then whines at the door until we set him free. This year they must have come to some kind of understanding, or maybe Charlie is just getting too old and tired to put up a fuss. Regardless, Aidan was thrilled to wake up one morning and find Charlie was still on the foot of his bed. And yes, these photos make me want to buy Aidan a dog.

My Mom and Dad put us to work. Aidan hauled about 25 bags of mulch and apparently acquired some huge muscles while doing so.

Enjoying a well-deserved break from Aidan.

its almost december

so i figured i should finish blogging about october.







we went to visit my parents and spent a few days at their home and a few days in Estes Park, CO.




Here's a few pics.



We had a good time with some great company.








(Aidan receieved a free deoderant at the cabins we stayed at. He kept it in his pockets the whole trip
and would whip it out and re-apply every so often)

This is the the man who has owned Tiny Town mini golf course and cottages for the past 50 years. My dad golfed there when he was a kid and we have been golfing there every year as well.

Our trip to the mountains was short but while we were there we enjoyed some of the most perfect fall days. Thanks Mom and Dad!

today

making this

Christmas shopping here and here. (and I can now say I am almost done!)

listening to this

doing this

photos here, here, here, here.

catching up

I think I was so excited to blog about the party I failed to share a couple things with you, like pictures of our trip to CO with my parents, or Halloween, or an amazing little table I found at a sale. You know - all the important stuff.

Today Aidan and I are hanging out. We slept in a secret fort in the living room last night, laughed over some poems in "Where the Sidewalk Ends," played some games, and pretty soon we are going to head out to the gym and visit a friend.

Back to my Halloween pictures. This year Aidan dressed up as a cowboy - thankfully he was willing to "re-use" a costume he had worn this summer at YMCA camp because I didn't have time to be very creative that week. However James also had purchased an astronaut costume when he was at the Smithsonian recently so Aidan wore that costume to the Halloween party at church.

Either way, I think he looks cute - wouldn't you agree?

morning surprise

It is mid-November. My mums are still alive, I can still pick herbs out of my garden and the pots on my deck, we went for a bike-ride last week. I am still heading to work barefooted in my shoes and Aidan has yet to wear a jacket to school. That is why I didn't really get too concerned when the forecast predicted lots of snow for us.

Look what we woke up to!

This is the view from our bedroom window and one of my favorite scenes every year. Our backyard almost looks magical when the trees are all frosted in white and today the leaves we failed to rake up are also blanketed in fresh white coat . (So is our deck furniture and garden ornaments......... oops.)

But today we will just forget about all the unfinished work under the snow and instead we are going to build a giant snowman.

Better go - Aidan is already outside waiting for me!

What would you do?

This morning I came in to work and found a sweet card and gift on my desk.

Even though my friend Darlene is in the hospital in critical care she still managed to find a way to brighten my day.

She has been a good friend. The kind that pushes you to stretch and grow even though it is a painful process. She keeps encouraging me to find my passion and take risks. I am not ready to do that yet, but when I do find the courage she will be one of the people I have to thank.

a sneak peak

i only have a few photos as I was just a little busy last night, i will share more later.

i think the evening was a huge success. the meal, the music, the wine, the decor, it was all perfect. Darlene thought she was going to my house for a small party, so she was absolutely surprised to see everyone there.

I also have to say that while all the food was good, the meat was out of this world. (this coming from an almost vegetarian.) As a matter of fact, all i ate was meat and dessert. I will have to share some recipes later.

The chef and his wife

the cooks with Darlene

explaining the desserts

Darlene and her mom enjoying some piano music before they were serenaded

talk about service! we enlisted a few co-workers and their spouses to help serve, do dishes, help out, etc. They all worked so hard.