Thanksgiving 2008

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving. This year we stayed home...no traveling through snowstorms for us, FOR ONCE! We ate at Jeff and Andrea's and Brooklyn had a fun time with Nathan and Jenna. It was delicious. But I sure missed my family.

I am thankful for everything in my life, but especially this sweet little girl and my loving husband.

Here she is showing me her "turls"...won't let me get a good shot of her face for once.
Happily stuffed after dinner.

Kitty Cat in the Mountains

We had a quick mountain getaway with some friends over the weekend. It was awesome. The best part for Brooklyn was the cat Ya-Ya. It was like the softest cashmere blanket that was actually able to hug you back! The cat was a ragdoll in B's arms and put up with all her lovin'!Snuggles face to face.

Denver Zoooooo!

This is a couple weeks ago...but we love the Denver Zoo so much, we bought a year membership. There was an extremely warm day for this time of year so Josh skipped out on work and the three of us had a fantastic day.

My future movie star...Brooklyn Shay

Working the camera, as always.
Her first experience with Ketchup. She is in love...wouldn't eat the fries but just used them as spoons to get the ketchup to her mouth!
Just me, Mama, and a sleeping Tapir.

Giggling at the penguins. She loves when they go swimming.

Climbing at Sinks Canyon

We were able to get some outside climbing in a couple weekends ago. That took us back to our dating days and made us realize how much we miss our hobby. We were such stronger climbers back then! Our goal is to try to go climbing at least once a week over the winter at the gym and possibly go to Shelf for another outdoor climbing weekend.Such beautiful calming views!
Here's Josh close to the anchors.
What a cute butt :]

Weekend at my Parents

We had a great relaxing weekend at my parents.

Brooklyn loves new cabinets to poke around in and also had fun with the dogs and horses. She was pretty scared of the ATVs this time around. Her new favorite toy is a push toy xylophone at Grandma's house. Here she is as Cindy Lou Who in the tub.

Snuggling with Grandma
Checking out the horses with Grandpa

Brooklyn's 100th Kiss Video

Halloween

Nick, Melissa, and Evan (aka. SUPERMAN) came over for margaritas and trick-or-treating. Brooklyn can only say "Boo" instead of the usual. She was a little scared with all the costumes. Evan, however, charged the doors and knocked himself. He also ate THROUGH the candy wrappers to get the goods.

Getting ready for the trip around the block.Brooklyn checking out her loot.

Post trick-or-treating celebration

Brooklyn's new favorite thing to eat...lollipops!

Norah's playdate

Josiah had to take a test up north, so he brought Norah to play for the day. The girls are four weeks apart and they act just like twins. I loved watching them copy each other.

PARIS! PARIS!

We finally made it to Paris! After 5 years of trying and TWO trips that were booked to Paris cancelled--the third time is the charm. The first couple days started out a little rough, mainly because our expectations were different. The Eiffel Tower wasn't even normal--it was blue for a European Union meeting. Anyways, we spent the days walking ALL over the city. We saw all the "highlights" of course and a few extras. Our fave time was going up the Eiffel Tower with a wine/picnic we had bought. Except they check your purse before you go and no wine is allowed. We then headed over to the park and drank it while dodging the different sets of cops patrolling the park. At one point, I had to chuck the wine under a bush but we rescued it after going to the top of the Eiffel. The fine for drinking is 22Euro, which is $33US Dollars.

It sure did make a great story.

We ate some great food, toured the catacombs (6 1/2 MILLION people, well their bones, in an old quarry which was pretty crazy to see), drank Angelina's famous hot chocolate, ate Bertillion ice cream, saw TONS of great art at the Louvre and D'Orsay. We shopped and I HELD (because I couldn't afford to buy) a pair of $3K Christian Louboutin heels. I also smelled the best smelling perfume in the history of perfume. We went to VanCleef and Arpels and marvelled at the $40K diamonds. Then I found out we were at the "low end" store. The high end store is around the corner by private showing only. Notre Dame was amazing, especially at night. We also hit Champs Elysees and actually ate a McDonald's that night so Josh could have FRENCH fries. What a nut.

Our cute hotel room in the 1st E. Next to the Louvre, Seine, and Shopping!

Two Cafe Krem with my FAVE dessert: Creme Brulee!

Worth all $30. The cute restaurant was were AMELIE was filmed.

Pont Neuf--the oldest bridge in Paris.In one of the "smaller" rooms at the Louvre. Note the Winged Victory of Samthrace in the doorway. AMAZING.
Josh "squishing" Mona Lisa's head.
Montmartre.

A BLUE Eiffel Tower.Best view from Trocadero.
Josh relishing the Tour de France at the Arc d'Triomphe
View from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Very windy and cold that night. Lots of cuddling!
This is from the balcony at Musee d'Orsay. Best museum in Paris in my book.

That's Sacre Cour on the horizon to the right.

Brooklyn's first "CAMPING TRIP"

So before we left for Paris, we decided to get a quick camping trip before the weather turned cold. We were too chicken to drive up the canyon since B had never slept in a tent--Didn't want to have to pack up at 3 am and head home. We played it safe and camped in the backyard. She was SO ecstatic. Didn't fall alseep until 10:30. Our plan was to have her sleep between us...but she was insistant about laying next to Kaia. I awoke at 2am to find a very happy girl just staring at my face...giggling and looking up at the tent. She must have woken up about 4 times that night. This was her Disneyland and she wasn't about to sleep through it. B and Daddy getting ready to turn in for the night.
We had to upgrade from our two man tent (VERY cozy) to this huge thing. But sooner than later it will be filled with many kids and our big dog.

Knable's Wedding

Malina (Brooklyn's nanny) and Rick's daughter got married this past weekend in Estes Park. It was a beautiful casual wedding. The scenery was breathtaking and B was in heaven with all the rocks and bubbles.

I do believe Josh got a little worried when Brooklyn kept dragging him down the isle. We know how quickly this time with her will pass. I wish she would forever stay a baby!

Video in Estes Park

B was so happy to walk up and down the isle on the white rose petals. She loved the hill and challenges of the uneven terrain and rocks.

Labor Day Weekend

Brooklyn and I flew out to Minneapolis while Josh stayed home to work. Dawn made us a delicious fish fry and the next day we helped out in her classroom. Well, Brooklyn mainly played with all the toys. She's gonna love school. It was great to see Dawn again!

Then we headed to Eau Claire to spend time with the Forsters.

Here's Auntie Em with the girls.

Cousin Sophie

Stick time with cousin Abby.

Boy I sure wish I had two of her!

5 Year Anniversary

Wow...doesn't this take you back? I can't believe it's already been five years. Guess that's what happens when you are having too much fun. We are heading back to Europe to celebrate...Paris watch out...we are coming the end of September. To make the actual day of our anniversary special, we took a trip to Lander/Jackson. Brooklyn stayed with the Grandparents while we headed to Jackson for some hiking, visits with old friends, and quality couple time. We camped one night at Signal Mountain and spent our anniversary night in a hotel. It was a great weekend. Here are some pics from that trip:

This is my rock sculpture I made during our picnic next to the lake.

My favorite mountain....Mt. Moran.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, B is enjoying corn on the cob with Grandpa and Grandma.