mommy conference

a month ago, i found myself in portland.  what a great place to find oneself.  seriously, a truly inspiring city.  even better, i spent my weekend there with two of my best friends and their ridiculously cute babies.  i cannot tell you how much i enjoyed being with them.  how crazy is it that my childhood friends are mothering alongside me?  i love it.  i only wish we could live closer together.  thank you, sarah and arlo, and abbie and henry.  i love all of you so very much!  and i miss all of you too!
 

loved getting to see adam as a dad too!

henry is making our silly face here.  he's the cutest little guy.

"carlyle, do not bite your guitar"

the band

i think there are a few grandparents who will like this video. 

halloween!

presenting johnny cash and june carter cash. 

i think this photo may have to be their first album cover.  

we went trick-or-treating this morning in old town at all the shops.  they loved it.  they scored quite a bit of candy and even got extra at some places because of their awesome costumes.  we'll continue trick-or-treating tonight in the neighborhood. 

a snow day is like a holiday!

have you noticed that i always blog about snow days?  i've been doing it for years! 

when all was said and done, we got a foot of snow.   we did lose a few limbs, but nothing too bad.  carlyle was so excited to get outside.

luella was not quite as enthusiastic.  she did like watching.

and then she eventually came around.  by the end of the day, i would say she was the more daring one...diving in and making snow angels. 

after awhile, we came in for hot chocolate.  that was quite nice.  we also made soup, but let's face it, the kids didn't really eat that.  but, the adults enjoyed it. 

we loved having t.j. home all day long...a snow day in october?  that is the best.

i mean, come on, these kids are ridiculously cute

okay, i'm a little biased, but seriously... 

we toured the fort collins museum of history and science.  a cute little place.  i think our favorite part was running through all the old buildings (a cabin, a homestead, a schoolhouse) they have on their property. 

alone time

i have recently worked in "alone time" into our daily schedule.  carlyle just thrives in this time.  i peek into his room and he is singing songs, happily doing puzzles, playing instruments.  it is clear that he needs time without anyone else around.  

 luella is another story.  she hates this time.  quite possibly, she is the most extroverted person in this family...this picture says it all.