Our Holiday Book

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Christmas forest

That's not a tree it's a forest!

Farewell purple palace

This home has served me well for three years, but next week I'm trading coyotes for mountain lions, transient renters for kids next door, and ranch vistas for aspen groves. There are certain things I will miss about the purple palace, like sunsets and moonsets over Blue Ridge and walking to the grocery store or riding my bike to work (ok that was just in my dreams). I will miss the wide open sliding doors in my bedroom but not so much the cold seeping through those doors in winter. I won't miss thin walls and asphalt yards ... Though come mud season I'm bound to miss paved roads, having a garage and plentiful storage space makes up for it. I'm moving into a neighborhood filled with kids and friends and our new house will have expansive spaces ... 4000 sq ft and ... The kicker ... A pool table ... Plus trails from the end of the street. Fare the well purple palace. Fare the well.

My little marine biologist

Arden who is deathly afraid of flies and bees shocked us with her natural affinity for creatures of the sea. She loved picking hermit crabs out of tide pools and delighted in finding the shells of horseshoe crabs on the beach after a storm. Made me wonder what was crunching under my feet when I was jumping in waves with the kids.

Love

Treasure hunt

Cape cod day 1

Pilgrim tower

Sawyer and friend made it to top!

My Leftie

I know nothing about baseball. I didn't even think to have a mitt for Sawyer's first practice this year. So my poor kid is standing out there with the rest of his teammates, wearing a borrowed glove that's three sizes too big for him. Halfway through the practice, watching him play with all the athletic grace of his grandfather (eh-hem), I realized he was trying to throw the ball with the wrong arm and was batting from the wrong side of the tee. My son's a leftie — has been since his first experience picking up Cheerios as a baby. I had to special-order him a small right-hand glove from Ace. I also had to remind the coaches to line him up as a leftie at the tee until Sawyer got used to the feel of swinging. While he's not a superstar on the field (yet), he's really loving tee ball. However, I do have my suspicion that it's more about the outfit and all the gear than the game itself.

The Graduate

O'blah-de, o'blah-da

I struggle, lately, with this blog because I find that I censor myself to the point of being mute. I haven't figured out how to bridge the long stretch between what I would say and what I should say. With that in mind, let me try to catch up.

I am doing great. My relationship with Brussels Sprouts continues to be a blessing. He and his daughter bring warmth and joy to me and the kids. I am working full time now. For the first time since the kids were born, I'm in the office five days a week. I count this new job with the FS among my blessings, every day.

Sawyer is 100% ready for Kindergarten. Holding him back was the best choice. I am feeling that slight sorrow that comes with the realization that my babies are growing up. I am sitting on a precipice, about to become an elementary school mom, with all that comes along with that. Feeling too grown up myself.

 Justin moved to Colorado last fall and completed 8th grade with fabulous marks. Scott remarried in November and the kids now have an extended family that includes Justin, 14, an 11-year-old step brother and a 9-year old step sister. In February, Scott was diagnosed with some sort of nervous-system disorder (not MS but docs still not positive what it is), and he is working hard to rehabilitate himself after an attack that put him in a wheelchair in April. The kids still see their dad every other weekend. They seem to take it all in stride and have been very encouraging of his recovery process.

Summer is upon us, and I have so many plans. These weeks will fly by, and I will only have the kids every other week, so they will fly by even more. I wonder if I will fit in all the things I hope to do. Festina Lente.

My Birthday

 Can't imagine a better way to start my 38th year than this right here. 

Sunrise on Glebe Creek.

Easter

Headed to Virginia for a little dose of real spring, the kind with flowers. 

Had to post this classic. Think my brother and I have one similar. 

Moonrise on Glebe Creek

Visit from Puerto Rico

 We enjoyed another visit from our Puerto Rico friends at the end of March. 

 Took a hike to Adams Falls. Practiced a little map read/compass navigation.

Grand Lake, Colo.

The Cake

So Daddy Scott did it again. He figured out how to make a Barbie cake. Driving with it over Berthoud Pass caused Barbie to shift a little in her skirts, but it just kind of looked like she was sashaying.

Barbie Monster Truck Party

Arden's 4th Birthday, a set on Flickr.

Here are some more photos from the Barbie Monster Truck birthday party.