Dear Friends and Family. This is so long overdo that it isn't even funny. I have tried since the end of October to post, but unfortunately my computer blitzed out and I have been patiently waiting for Jeff to get a new computer so I could have his Mac. Alas, the day has come :)
Much has happened since the end of August as I am sure it has in your lives as well. Some highlights by month are:
September - Jeff was became a member of the WGA (Writer's Guild of America). This is very hard to become a member of. They say one is more likely to be on a professional baseball league than be invited onto the WGA. We are so proud of him. Why was he invited you may ask? He wrote and SOLD a screenplay with another friend. We will keep you posted on the progress of it becoming a movie. Fingers crossed that it becomes a box office smash.
Hannah turned 39 and we celebrated in two ways. Jeff and I hiked to Conundrum Hot springs - an 18 mile hike in to beautiful hot springs up in the mountains. The next day, the whole family went to the Maroon Bells to see the leaves.
We picked apples, pears, choke cherries, plums, rose hips and raspberries. From all this we made butters, jams, breads, pies and simply canned fruits. We continue to enjoy the bounty now and it is very much appreciated mid winter.
October - Isaac turned 3 and had a train birthday party.
We had a very fun Halloween. Kai was Smokey Bear. Isaac was a ghost and I was a black widow. Jeff opted out of dressing up.
November - We had our 11th annual Pre- Thanksgiving Feast and enjoyed having all our friends join us at our home for the most yummy meal of the year. We stayed home for Thanksgiving and spent Thanksgiving Day at Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs (a great place for all our out of town friends to stay). We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with out neighbors and their family.
Kai took rock climbing lessons at the rec center.
December - Kai started Jiu Jitsu and he absolutely loves it.
I got super crafty and made a lot of stuff for our school's Winterfaire store - Gnome hand towels, hard lotion bars, beeswax food wraps and Swedish Tomtens (see pics below)
We went to Sarasota, Fl for Christmas. We, along with Jeff's family rented a house right on the beach which was absolutely divine. After having weeks of sub zero temps in Colorado, we were all very happy to not have to bundle up in a gazillion layers just to go outside. The weather was amazingly warm and we enjoyed the sand, sun and sea. My grandma, mom, 2 of my sisters and their families, 2 of my uncles, aunts and cousins were also there, so we had a grand gathering.
January - Jeff turned 50!
Some of my favorite quotes of the past few months.
Isaac and Kai were in their room and I overheard them talking. Kai said, "Isaac, I just love you so much. You are my favorite person." Isaac replied, "Thanks Kai, I am grateful for you love me. That makes me so happy because I love you very much."
When hiking back in October I said, "Who can find the trail?" Kai found it right away. I asked Isaac, "Can you find it too?" He replied, "I'm going to find it three because I'm not two anymore."
Isaac was singing one day. Here is how it went. "There's a gift to be simple, there's a gift to be free, there's a gift to be where you want to be." A bit of a change of the words, yet so true :)
Finally before Christmas we were setting up the Manger under the tree and we were discussing why Jesus wasn't in his manger yet, and that he doesn't come until Christmas, when he was born. I said to Kai, "You know who else was born on Christmas?" He said, "Who?" I said, "Grandma and we are going to visit her for Christmas." He then got excited and said, "That means she IS Jesus!" Then Isaac piped up and said, "Grandma's aren't Jesuses silly."
What Kai has wanted to be when he grows up. There are a few since it has been 5 whole months - Firefighting forest ranger, Arctic polar explorer, Helicopter pilot.
Here is hoping the next post doesn't take so long. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year from all of us. We hope that 2014 brings you much happiness.
Hannah gettin' her goof on.
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This is Luke and I taught him 1st grade when I lived down in FL. He now is a freshman in college. Talk about CRAZY time warp.
Enjoying a night swim in the pool of the house we rented.
Kai getting some love from Uncle E.
Jeff celebrates 50 with Mexican food and flan -pic above in Fl with his folks and below at home on his actual birthday.
