Thanksgiving 2018

We had a great family reunion this Thanksgiving!  My lovely mom hosted all of us on Thanksgiving day and it was so nice to see the transformation in our family.  We no longer have a "kids table"....my mom designed a lottery to determine who sat at which of the two tables.  I love all of these people so much. 

Funny to remember that Emily is the reason I know Vince!  She introduced us all those years ago.  Their friendship makes me smile. 

Some of the girls.  I have so few pics from this reunion and in a way, it was so nice just to truly be present and not worry about capturing any of it.  I have the memories and that's good enough.  

Luca's Macy's Day Parade at School

The entire 4th grade puts on a great "Macy's Day Parade" just before Thanksgiving at Luca's school.  This year, the theme was "Be a good human."  The kids are given total freedom to design any type of float they want to design.  Luca and his buddies created theirs, "Snoop Dog Picking up Trash"....it's Snoopy!

Just a cute pic of Luca and his friend thinking hard.

Mia's Confirmation

Mia was confirmed on Sunday, November 18th at an evening mass.  She worked really hard to prepare for this....attending classes, studying with Nana, and reading on her own.  She chose the name "Francis" as her confirmation name, for St. Francis of Assisi.  She chose this in part because it was my confirmation name, and her grandfather's name, whom she is named after.  (Both of my mother's parents were named Frances/Francis!)  Nana was her sponsor and it was a so special for them.  

Some Extra Pictures....

Mia and Baja

Mia and Baja....what a pair!  

Halloween

Ant Man and Super Girl 2018

Luca and his friends at school.  No masks at school and Luca was pretty disappointed about that.  

Some of the neighbors before taking off for trick or treating.

The snack for Luca's school party which I was pretty proud of!  I asked him when he got home if people liked the fruit.  Typical boy.....he responded with, "I don't know...."

Mia and her gal pals after a Halloween dinner and party.

12th B-day Sleepover with School Friends

The celebrating continued with a sleepover for school friends.  

Mia decided the girls would swim, which they loved.  They are all swim team girls too so they could spend all day in the water. 

She wanted to do a craft, so they painted canvas bags.  

It was really cool because they all chose inspiring quotes to paint.  So proud of who these girls are becoming.  

Happy 12th (again) to Mia!!

Celebrating 12...

Three English riders walk into a Western barn....

To celebrate her birthday, Mia invited Tilly, Maddie, and Luca to go on a trail ride.  It was a gorgeous day and we had a great time!  Seeing the girls in their English boots made me smile.  They kept comparing the styles of riding and felt funny in the huge Western saddle. 

They all three LOVE to ride.

We went to dinner afterward and then home for dessert. 

Happy 12th kiddo!

Farm Museum!

Happy 12th Birthday Mia!

When I think of this year with Mia, this picture says it all, a whirl of lovely speed and accomplishment.  Perhaps a bit of a blur, as all years tend to be.  Mia loves riding now and watching her fetch a horse from a field with total confidence, untangle a mess of  a leather bridle, saddle up effortlessly, ride with precision.....I just see how deeply capable she is.  When I was younger, I don't think I understood what a compliment that was, to be capable.  It didn't sound pretty or exciting.  But here I am, watching this girl in awe, realizing that being capable is one of the best attributes one can have.  I see her getting older and just see more of this amazing quality unfold.  Happy 12th to my girl!

I took this photo somewhere in Wyoming on our road trip this week.  A beauty. 

We had a great day out celebrating her birthday as a family.  She chose to head downtown to tour the Molly Brown house, have lunch at Crepes and Crepes and then stop into the Brown.  She was in for a treat there. 

A cake with horses, mountains, and a Colorado flag....perfect for Mia.  

Nana came over for dinner and gifts and then we watched a movie on the couch.  I'd call it a pretty great birthday!