Halloween 2015

A gorgeous Halloween day this year.  The anticipation is high, as always.  

Luca had a soccer game this afternoon and Mom joined us....on her birthday!  I love that my family is so supportive and we rally for each other when we can.  I'll miss these days.  

Luca's pumpkin

This one is one of Mia's.  The dry ice was new for us and pretty cool!

Some photos just melt you right away.  The moment I took this one, I just knew it would be one that bring me to tears when this kid is older and on his own.  He was happy today, and so excited to dress as a soccer player.  He is confident, and so proud of his great assets....one of which is being a great athlete.  

Mia is a cat this year.  She had another idea, with a costume she put together, but at the last minute, she decided she wanted to be a cat.  I told her to pull it all together herself and....not shockingly....she did.  She even had a You Tube video of the make up she wanted me to apply.  

Gilligan and a cowgirl

Mia and her bestie.  These two girls are so great.  

All of us at a neighborhood bonfire before the big event of trick or treating.  

A season to remember...

This was a season to remember for sure.  They boys figured it out this season.  Passing, Defense.  And ball skills.  I can confidently say these kids are soccer players.  

Throw Back Thursday

We LOVE to look through all of our photos.  I have archived photos for over a decade, carefully uploading and putting photos into folders by month for each year.  I often find the kids on the computer in a quiet moment looking back through a memory.

I did just that last night.  I gave myself permission to just sift through years of photos.  I found myself audibly gasping at how tiny the kids appear, or calling V over to remind him of a trip or a moment.  I kept commenting that we all look so young, but I know that in ten more years, I'll be saying the same thing about us now.

Here are two sweet moments...

February 2011.  Tulum Mexico.  I remember this vividly.  It was essentially beach camping for a week.  We love "eco-chic", because it means beautifully done but affordable and.....camping with a twist.  We were covered in sand and oh so happy.  

July 2011.  Backyard.  After sifting through hundreds upon hundreds of photos, this one just jumped out at me.  There are so many of Luca....that grin.  That doggy that he dragged around until this year.  He's such a playful spirit, always wanting to engage physically.  This is how he interacts with the world - with his hands, through his voice, through touch.  

She's 9!

Mia had a great birthday weekend!  I joined her and her friends at school for lunch on Friday to celebrate.  Her birthday was today, Sunday, so we started the party a few days early.  It's always so cute to listen to the kids together.  

She chose to have a sleepover with a handful of girls and did all of the decorating and planning herself.  

Gumball center piece with a number 9 sparkler candle.  

Ice Cream Sundae bar....

with tons of toppings. 

Pizza dinner....

followed by swimming.  

I screamed when I lit the sparkler because I didn't realize it would REALLY sparkle.  Mia said, "Easy Mom.  Haven't you ever done this before?"  After dessert, the girls watched a movie and finally asleep around 11:30.  

Her day was super special and I can't believe she's 9.  October 18th may be her birthday, but it's a day I got incredibly lucky too.  A part of me was born on that day, and I'm eternally grateful.
Happy Birthday Mia!! 

Football and Fall

I bet you'll never guess what Luca plans to be for Halloween.  

This is pretty normal around here these days.  

Luca's class had a small musical performance called an "Informance", which is half performance and half information for parents about the musical program at the school.  It was really fun to see Luca in action as a student.   

This is just behind our house.  I love fall, and walking with Bijou on the trail is something that will never lose meaning.   

This is her spot during the day.  Tough life but someone has to live it.  

Colorado Getaway

We took an extended weekend and drove around our great state.  Our destination was the Sand Dunes but we hit some cool stuff to and from.  The leaves were gorgeous and the roads were near empty.  Oh how we love Colorado.  

At the Dunes, you feel a bit as if you're on mars, a really sandy mars.  We had great sleds and hiked (and I mean HIKED...this trip is NOT for the faint of heart) up and down giant sand hills.  

We were so impressed with the kids.  They kept any complaining to a minimum and hiked through thick sand up and down, dragging their sleds behind them.  They would soar off across the dunes and skitter to stops only to get back up and continue trudging along.  

It was so beautiful it was breathtaking.  Just vast seas of sand.  Truly remarkable.  

You can see Luca half way up a small hill and V and Mia heading up behind him.  

This is in Hooper, CO.  I just love an open road.  Does it get any better than this??

Well, I guess backwalking down a hallway is better when you're a kid.  These two nutballs love hotels.  They just love to travel.  V and I are always exhausted after an excursion, but really proud of the kids.  

My little soul sister.  Being on the road and having no agenda for a few days was heavenly with the kids.  Sure, there are stressful moments, but overall I just felt lucky to be able to enjoy this great state with fellow adventure seekers.

We stopped at a janky RV Park that had a hot spring.  That water is 98 degrees.  Simply divine.  The kids threw their swimsuits on and loved it.  I kept smiling that we were having so much fun at a spot that isn't even on the map.  

There was a sand volleyball court, horse shoes, and basketball.  With the mountains as a backdrop.  It was the perfect pit stop.  

A cool colorful wall in Salida, CO.

We ended up in Breckenridge and stayed at a fun place with a game room.  Sorry, anyone?

This is what vacation should feel like.