Some news...

We're enjoying all things fall around here:  pumpkin carving, raking leaves, taking in the last warm days.  The boys are so excited for Halloween.  We've got our game plan and look forward to a fun day.

Mommy and Daddy had to do most of the scooping -- the boys had zero interest in getting their hands into the pumpkin slime.  (:

Jacoby did enjoy stenciling the face onto his pumpkin and did a good job carving

Posing with their finished jack-o-lanterns

They had a great time building these spooky pirate ships--thanks to Grandma Pam!

They've been learning all sorts of geography from their new world map puzzle

We spent the morning raking leaves...and they were actually quite helpful when they weren't giggling and trying to wreck each others piles.

My sweet Momo.  We finally made it a week without any major GI issues.  Now I'm trying to figure out how to bake gluten-free without one of the key ingredients, which was the culprit for making Morgan really sick.  And we're also trying to get him to pack on some pounds!

Fall Things

Here's some of our recent news:

We made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch

 Justin and I got away for a weekend and visited Pasadena--home to our alma mater and some old friends

 New library on campus

 Prayer Garden

 My alma mater...many hours spent at this place!

 Lovely Pasadena at sunset

 We enjoyed an afternoon at Huntington Gardens

 Zen Garden

 Here we are--off to the banquet.  Part of the plan was taking part in the 75th anniversary celebration of the church where Justin worked while we lived in Pasadena.

 We did not expect to see so many from the youth group.  They have grown up into fine, lovely young adults (and parents, for some!) and it was so great to spend time with them.

 I was completely impressed with this young man.  And yes, we felt old, since our "kids" are now in their mid-twenties.  We left when they were in high school and middle school.

Really enjoyed catching up with this young lady.  It was a great night of celebration for the church.

 The Rose Bowl

It was a great trip, and we for sure came home with a greater appreciation for our blessed lives in Colorado after just a few days in crazy Southern California.  We definitely do not miss the snarly traffic and smog!  We really appreciated Grandmanette and Grandpa Michael taking care of the boys for us.  The boys did great, even Morgan, who is having a rough time with GI/eating issues right now.  That's our task for the next week or so, to figure out what the heck is bothering him and causing lots of vomiting and little weight gain.

Busy Times

Life is busy right now!  I've got a board meeting in a month.  Justin is cranking away on a dissertation.  And the boys...well, they are busy with boy things all the time.  We're also trying to kick some germs that are being really stubborn.  Here are some highlights:

 I got to join Morgan's preschool class on a field trip to the Boulder History Museum

 We took the bus...lots of fun for the kiddos.  And the bus driver blew a kazoo randomly, which made everyone happy.

The kids did a great job and learned a little bit about their town.

Finished Halloween costumes...I was a little nervous because they weren't Star Wars, or Legos, or Lord of the Rings related...

But I'm pretty sure they got a thumbs up.  (:

A beautiful sunrise on our way to school one morning this week

Finished bathroom project

Fall porch

My puzzle masters

Gluten free bread from the bread machine!

Gluten free pumpkin donuts...delicious!

I volunteered in Jacoby's class this week, and sort of got the scoop on who's-who and how the class rolls (I missed September because of the flooding).  Jacoby is doing really well and likes school a lot.  I discovered during our parent-teacher conference that he's pretty much taken charge of the food allergy management and even gets to go to the cafeteria on his own to get one of his cookies from the freezer when birthdays occur. To date, I've only had to supply one food activity for him.  By this time last year, I was up to two dozen or so. It's such a different year, and I'm so glad.  (: 

We saw a new endocrinologist today (it's a long story, but now we don't have to drive to the southern reaches of Denver!), and Jacoby's growing like a weed.  He handled a blood draw like a champ.

Justin got asked to teach a graduate course in the spring (mostly online).  Before he accepted, he had to promise the dissertation would be d.o.n.e. 

We hope to get to the pumpkin patch this weekend.  And then we look forward to seeing Grandmanette and Grandpa Michael next week before we jet off for a weekend away next week.  

Fall News

Happy Fall to all of you!  We're expecting our first snow flakes on Friday--the boys are so excited!  The mountains are already covered in white.  I've got bulbs to plant and grass seed to spread around our ghetto lawn before the snow flies.  I think most of us down here are bracing ourselves for winter after the crazy flooding and rain we've had...hopefully Mother Nature will be kind.  Anyways, on to the week's news:

The boys spent most of the weekend with a stomach bug...the kind that strikes in the middle of the night and is really icky and messy.  Here they're having a pedialyte party with books and buckets. They are much better today.

 Morgan's class spent the afternoon playing on this pile of dirt at preschool.  He loved this!

 Jacoby on pioneer day at school.  First grade is going so well. Parent-Teacher conferences are next week.  

 Aunt Kenzie went home today...sniff.  The boys declared that she should stay forever...I agree.  She watched the boys for us last night so Justin and I could attend a parent workshop on gender differences in learning.  It was very informative and we came home with several good tips for homework time, etc.

 Boys playing tether ball

 It's no secret--Jacoby can pretty much take his mom down during any wrestling match these days.  (:

 This boy...creative, fiercely independent, and silly

I ran my own half marathon on Saturday.  The race got postponed until next fall, but I decided to go out and run it since I'd put in the time to train all summer.  It was a great run and I'm so glad I did it.  But I'm even more excited that Jacoby ran three miles today as part of the 100-mile club at his school!  So proud of him!

Justin and I get a weekend away later this month!  We're really excited to spend a weekend in Pasadena, visiting some old friends and some of our favorite places.  Grandmanette and Grandpa Michael are graciously taking care of the boys for us.  That's about it from our neck of the woods.  Hope you all are having a great week!

What's Better Than Running 13.1 Miles?

Climbing a 14er with the sisters!  Even though our race was canceled, the sisters came down to Colorado for a visit and a hike into the high country.  We had a great day!

We were at the trail head and ready to go really early in the morning.

It was a beautiful day in Colorado...not a cloud in the sky!

The sisters

Taking a rest...not much oxygen to be had up at that elevation!

We made it to the summit of Greys Peak -- 14, 278 ft elevation. Yay us!

The views from the summit were amazing

Breckenridge ski area in view

And when we made it back to the ranch safe and sound, the boys enjoyed some quality time with their aunts, including making silly faces for the camera

We took a look at some areas that got hit by the flood.  Justin helped a friend pack up his house in Lyons, one of the towns most severely impacted by the flood.  There's a lot of recovery and restoration going on down here.

Momo and Aunt Kenzie--she's stayed for a longer visit with us.  The boys love it and ask if she can stay forever.

We visited Heritage Square for an afternoon of fun.  The boys received free ride tickets as part of their summer reading program at the library.  Momo made it around twice on this roller coaster before asking to get off.  (:

This one was much better!

Mommy and Jacoby on the ferris wheel--and yes, I did scream like a girl the first time around.

The boys loved this crazy bus ride, and even started putting their arms in the air.  (:

Light sabers from Aunt Megan.  The lights have since gone out, but they sleep with them under their pillows every night.  Jedis in training, you know!

Morgan is doing another soccer class and really enjoys it

Hope you all are doing well!