Tangled in 3D

Quite simply, the most lovely Disney movie in quite some time. We all loved Tangled! ♥

Light the Lights

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, Denver is illuminated... 16th Street Mall, Union Station and the City & County Building. To kick off the Christmas holiday season, we joined the festivities in Civic Center Park to watch the lighting of the City & County Building. It was a beautiful evening which included Santa, carolers and a LED light display to Christmas music. The highlight of the evening for Liv was her heart wand glow stick. Andrew wanted one, too!

What a pair!

Oh these two little cherubs just adore each other! Together they fill our house with giggles, wreak havoc on the play room and already get into trouble together. As the big sister, Liv loves to help brother, takes care of him and showers him with hugs and kisses. As the little brother, Drew follows sister around, takes her toys and likes to play in her room. They love to tease each other and play games and get into hilarious laughing fits together. I love watching the two of them together and I can only hope and pray that their sweet relationship continues to grow and deepen as they grow.

Bountiful Blessings

thankful

♥ Jason, I'm thankful for... your unconditional love, belly laughs, random outbursts of song, kind and gentle heart and your unwavering dedication to me and our family. You are hands down the best husband in the world for me and Daddy to Olivia and Andrew. I adore you.
♥ Olivia, I'm thankful for... your beautiful smile, contagious laughter, flair for the dramatic, silliness, helpfulness, unparalleled imagination and ever-growing vocabulary, enthusiasm for learning and exploring the world around you. You are the best daughter and the perfect big sister. I love you.
♥ Andrew, I'm thankful for... your lopsided grin, ticklish giggles, natural ability to run and throw, joy in all things, hugs and love and sweetness, determination and boundless energy. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful baby boy and sweet little brother to Olivia. I cherish you.

On Thanksgiving and always, I am eternally grateful for these three individuals who make me smile and laugh and have blessed my life beyond measure.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Magician's Elephant

In order to prepare for Stellar's annual Battle of the Books competition, I began reading books from the list that I have not yet previously read. First on the list, The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo. This story of love and magic held me captive from start to finish. While my children napped, I raced through the pages of this lovely tale. Kate DiCamillo is a brilliant story-teller who uses such beautiful language and is one of my favorite children's book authors. I have enjoyed each and every one of her books and this title is no exception. I am anxiously awaiting to discuss this book with my students. Next on my list, Deep and Dark and Dangerous, a ghost story, by Mary Downing Hahn.

18 months.

It is hard to believe that my little baby boy is 18 months old today. Translation: one and a half years old. Is that really possible? My growing boy is lean little guy weighing in at 22 lbs. 12 oz. (10th percentile) and measuring 32 1/2 inches (50th percentile) long.

He is healthy, happy and clearly does not appreciate being weighed!

But he loves Dr. Jordan who quickly had him at ease.

My CU Girls

Good friends are like stars... You don't always see them,

but you know they are always there.

We spent a lovely weekend in Boulder with our dear friends and visitors... Sam and John (and Sammy's sister, Jenny) from New York and Jen and Dave from California. The weekend was like a passport to the past... Delicious food and drinks. Chatting and laughing. Watching our Buffs win. Shopping along Pearl Street. Even though I don't see Sammy and Jen on a regular basis like I once did, spending time with them is as easy and fun and absolutely wonderful as it always has been. Love you two very much! ♥

(My Spotts made the collage, too. By chance, she and her husband Luke were at the game on Saturday.)

Happy 35th Birthday, Daddy!

Today is a day to celebrate the gift of "you" to the world,
especially the gift you are to the three of us! ♥