Little Snow Princess Prissy Pants

It's November and we're so excited to see our first snow fall in Fort Collins! When we woke up this morning, it was a winter wonderland and everything was coated with a thick layer of snow. We were especially giddy to see what Hannah would think of the snow, so much so that Chris and I rushed out this morning to buy her snow boots, a jacket and snow bib. It may sound like overkill, but she's going to need it anyway, right?!

So after we get back home, we immediately begin dressing Hannah to go outside. Perhaps we should have stopped to explain to her WHY we were bundling her up - she was about to have the most fun of her life. But I'm not so sure that would have convinced her to like any process of getting suited up for the snow. She screamed and kicked and flailed around as if I were harming her, especially when it came to putting on her boots. It took 10 minutes to get those things on as I worked to cram them on her kicking feet of fury.

So needless to say, we got her dressed and she eventually warmed up to playing in the snow. But my word. What an ordeal. Chris' parents, Jim and Barbara, are in town visiting for a few days. I'm so glad they got to experience our first snow with us! More pictures to follow!

The Battle of Wills: Beard vs. Bangs

So here's the deal: For the past four years, Chris has grown out his beard for the wintertime. He keeps a well-groomed beard year-round, which I really like. But once it begins to get the slightest bit cold, he aims to grow it out as long as possible. Against my protests, he grows this long, fiery red Yosemite-Sam-type beard that hides his handsome face. It wouldn't bother me so bad if with every kiss I didn't get a lip full of hair that may or may not have left over food in it. Yeah...

With winter quickly approaching, and the fact that we live in the mountains, Chris is already set to grow the burliest beard of all time. I mean, really?! He can suggest to me that he likes my hair longer and I willingly oblige him, but I have no say over whether or not the man grows an inch of hair on his face? That's just not very considerate.

So whether it's appropriate or not to air our dirty laundry out on the world wide web, I'm saying right here, right now, the battle of wills is on! I'm cutting my hair off. I'm starting with the bangs. Let's see how you like this, Christopher!

The Cutest Puppy Ever

This morning I took Hannah to the annual Tiny Tots Halloween in Old Town. Local businesses invite children to stop by their shops and trick-or-treat. So that's just what we did! Hannah and I met up with a few other Moms and their kids and away we went. She had a blast and especially loved the fruit punch flavored sucker that is all over her face. We really enjoyed our morning and the quality time we got to spend together after a long, busy week.

Welcome Fall

Rockin' Party

Our friend Josiah celebrated his 2nd birthday this week. We helped him celebrate at his rock themed party. Hannah's favorite part was painting the rocks and then putting stickers on her face. Somehow we forgot to get pictures with the birthday boy, but here are a few of her enjoying the festivities.

The after party at Chik-fil-A was not quite as rockin', though. There was a giant cow greeting kids and Hannah and Josiah were not too happy to be bothered by him. Nonetheless, Happy Birthday Josiah!

Little Miss Independent

Hannah is growing increasingly independent. This morning I heard her bumping around in the bathroom and this is what I found her doing.

Pillowcase Dress

I whipped up this little pillowcase dress over the weekend. Chris calls it her Fall Camouflage. Touché.

Happy Birthday To ME

We celebrated my 29th birthday with none other than the Suttons. We started the day at The Bartels Farm Pumpkin Patch to pick a few pumpkins and then get family pictures. It was such a beautiful day, and the mountains in the background made for an amazing view. Hannah was not wearing her happy pants, though, so we decided to forego any group photos. But we did get a few good candids from our outing. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and then ended the day at the Suttons for dinner and cake. It was perfect. Low-key days are my favorite! Happy Birthday to ME!

Another Dress

My dear friend Carol White loaned her daughter's old dress for Hannah to wear. It quickly became my personal favorite dress, so I put my girl in it every other day this summer.





Right before our move, I got to looking closely at how the dress was made and decided to try to make it myself without any pattern and with a little extra fabric I found. Well, I finally stitched on the bias tape tonight, added the elastic and buttons and VOILA!





Feeling pretty proud! Since it's getting cooler, I'm thinking it'll still look good with a cardigan, blouse and over tights. By gosh, she's gonna wear it! :)

My Mountain Man

Does he look in his element, or what?

Hannah vs. Black Beans

Happy Daddy

Me: "Hannah, say 'Happy Birthday, Daddy!'"
Hannah: "Hap-pee Dad-dee!"
Me: "Try again. Happy Birthday, Daddy!"
Hannah: "Hap-pee Bird Dad!"
Me: "Happy Birthday, Daddy!"
Hannah: "Hap-pee Dad-dee! Hap-pee Dad-dee!"

We celebrated Chris' 33rd birthday today! It was very laid back, enjoyed with none other than the Suttons over Mexican food and a slice of homemade chocolate cinnamon cake - which, might I add, is one of Barbara's greatest cakes!

Happy birthday to my Best Friend and Baby Daddy. I love you with all my heart.

Sew Mama Sew!

I've had the chance to sew a few projects lately. I'm not particularly talented, but I can follow a pattern pretty well. So when I complete a project, I'm just so glad it actually looks like something!

I don't have a picture, but I made Laura a set of dinner napkins for her birthday from this fabric. Way fun for fall!

And then I made this dress for Rebekah's little girl, Haven. She picked the style and fabrics, and I just put it all together.

And then I made this today. I think I'll add it to one of Hannah's cardigans for now. But once Hannah has a little more hair, it'll definitely look great on a clip!

My goal right now is to complete one project a week. Now that I've let it be known, let's see if I can do it!

How Old is Hannah?

Video Tour of Our Home

Who Is Messier?

Hannah or Josiah?











Josiah wins!

River Constantine

Carry me, Your love is wider than my need could ever be
Come to me, and I will walk along the shoreline
Where Your crashing waves sing in time with the pounding of my heart

Come down, pour out on me
Come down, pour out on me

River deep, could I know You as well as You know me
Constantine, we will travel faster, farther than these
Legs could ever trustworthy be

Come down, pour out on me
Come down, pour out on me

Carry me

by Jars of Clay

I've loved this song since my freshman year of college, but it's meaning resonates deeply within my heart now more than ever. When I became pregnant with Hannah, I sang this song every day. With so much on my mind -- the gamut of worries, fears, gladness and gratefulness -- God gave me a song that reminded me that He is my peace. Even now in my new home, I sing this song over Hannah on night's that she has trouble falling asleep. And in the dark as I sing my child to sleep, I see how my Heavenly Father holds me even still.

An Hour To Myself

The air is cool.
The sun is hidden.
My family naps.
The spiced candles are lit.
My mug is full of hot tea.
Ah, nothing but the sound...

Wawa, Day & Si

So Laura made the point yesterday that we've been friends for nearly one-half of our lives. We became fast friends in high school and it's really fun that we get to raise our families close by. Hannah adores the Suttons, too, and asks to go play with them all the time. Why wouldn't she?!

Tour de Fat 2010

Here's a picture of our riding crew for the Tour de Fat this year. Our group included Chris, Hannah, my Dad, David, Ryan and me. As you can see, we didn't dress up quite like we did last year and especially not as much as the other riders! But we all had a great time cruising through Fort Collins in the bike parade, talking to the other riders and checking out all of the other bizarre costumes. Even Hannah enjoyed everything, never fussing once.

There was a huge turn out this year - approximately 15,000 turned out for the ride! After the bike parade, we left Hannah with my Mom at our house while the rest of us went to the Celebration in Old Town. The Celebration includes live music, food, art and more - all enjoyed by a bunch of costumed crazies! There we heard one of our new favorite musicians, Ben Sollee, who rocks a cello like a champ. (He's the dude on the right not wearing a mustache in the picture below.) The folks there were a bunch of dancing fools, paying no mind to all of the dust they were kicking up. I felt as if I stepped straight back into the 60s.

As if seeing Ben Sollee wasn't cool enough, we saw one of the most incredible bands - Mucca Pazza. Though they describe themselves as an "astounding circus - punk marching band", you have to see the wonderment for yourself. You don't have to be a band nerd to enjoy them, I promise! Check out the videos we took and even experience a hug from Tony Danza in the second video - yes, those are his arms encircling the crowd for a group hug.

It. Was. Awesome. The whole day. If you don't have plans the first weekend in September of next year, why not join us!

I Love My Girl

Oooohhhhhh how I love my daughter. I love her for a million reasons that at times I can't explain how deeply or why. And when it seems that I couldn't love her any more, I do.

Here are a few recent pictures. She's growing up so fast!