The Glory of Fall

This is how Tess celebrated 10 months! Here she is on the California Zephyr train that we took from Denver to California. She's obviously enjoying the view outside our little sleeper car. Of course, there wasn't much sleeping in the sleeper car.

She loves traveling by train!

I know these are a collection of random photos, but I've been meaning to post our miniscule garden harvest. Here are the carrots we harvested the day it snowed in September. Don't these carrots have beautiful colors? These carrots are only about 2 inches long--definitely one bite snacks! Next year, we'll be able to plant much earlier and hopefully, we'll grow much larger carrots and well, other stuff.

I've been knitting nothing but pumpkin hats lately. I'm starting my 4th pumpkin hat for my niece, but here's Sammy wearing his pumpkin hat today. I'm so excited that he likes it. I'm anxious to get back to other knitting projects, but right now, I'm knitting a pumpkin patch.

Sammy started a kid's cooking class today and here he is all ready to go with his apron and of course, the pumpkin hat (in lieu of a chef's hat). He made salsa today, but he didn't taste it.

The two little chefs- next week? Pizza!

On the drive home today, I stopped right in front of myhouse to take a photo. It snowed very lightly today and seriously, all this early snow is ruining my Autumn! Fall is my favorite part of the year and October is my favorite month of the year, but the snow? Not so much. I'm not ready for snow yet. I want to enjoy the crisp weather and the aspen and maple leaves and the occasional Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks and I am, but the snow and wind must stop! I don't want the leaves to fall so quickly! Here are my golden aspens.

That's my home all snuggled in with those Evergreens and Aspens!

Anyway, I had a really good trip to California with Tessie and I enjoyed the experience of riding the train, but I was very happy to fly back instead of riding the rails. It's good to be home with the rest of my family. I can tell that Sammy really missed me. A few weeks ago, I talked about feeling burned out. I had a crummy September and my vision for the school year was blurry, but I'm trying to relax and to let learning be more organic and fluid. That has calmed me down a bit. I constantly remind myself that less is more whenever I want to add one more thing. I'm beginning to find our daily rhythm and I'm spending more time in the learning room with both the boys. Paul recently found another desk so that Sammy has a place for his activities too. I know that I'm recovering slowly. I'm optimistic about our work schedule now. I've added nature journaling to our days and somehow, this small task makes me happy again about schooling at home. I look forward to cozy cold days inside reading with the boys...always reading...always learning.

Easter Weekend in Review

I'm not really sure that this picture is from Easter weekend, but I'm sure I took this during Holy Week. I love Tess's expression!

Okay, this picture is out of order, but this is what I got from the Easter Bunny. After a long Lent with no new yarn, I was overjoyed to find new skeins Easter morning.

We went to the Easter egg hunt at our Parish which has become an annual tradition. This year, we were joined by my sister Kat, my niece Cecilia, nephew Mateo, The Allbrittons and the Seevers family. This is the first year that Sammy sat willingly with the Easter Bunny. In years past, Sam has either been in tears or Luke has sat without his brother in the photo. I'm glad to have all three this year.

Later, the boys put on very appropriate t-shirts for the egg coloring.

Here's little friend Ella joining in the egg-dying fun!

I boiled four dozen eggs this past weekend for coloring, potato salad and two dozen deviled eggs!

My niece Cecilia particularly joyful dying eggs

The kids are done with the eggs and Paul is surrounded!
Luke, Sammy, Tess, Ella and Evelyn

Here's Tessie with her bunny lovey from her first Easter basket!

Sam's already changed out of his matching shirt and put on his cape!

It usually snows on Easter and this Easter was no different. It was overcast when we took these pictures after mass.

Paul with the kiddos

Me with the kiddos- Look! Tess is smiling! Unfortunately, I'm wearing wool. It's never warm enough for Spring clothes on Easter. That's all! Have a wonderful Easter Week!

How can he be 9 already?

Despite having a Star Wars theme for Luke's birthday party, he opted for the knights and dragons on his cake.

It's hard to find 9 places for candles with all those dragons in the way!

Here's my mom giving Luke a birthday hug.

Uncle Markie, Cecilia and Grand Dad having a good time at Luke's party.

The pinata view!

I told you there was a Star Wars theme! I think Luke needs to "trust his feelings" and use the force!

Cecilia goes a bit easy on Darth Vader.

Luke just looking cute!

Here's Luke opening his birthday presents.

Luke, Mateo, Sammy, Cecilia and Ella sort of pose for a picture.

Luke's cousins, Mike and Daniel had just left and unfortunately are not pictured.

I really don't understand how my oldest boy can be 9 already. How did that happen?? I feel sad that it's starting to be a blur. It's true that time goes so fast and if you blink you could miss it all. Half my time with him is already gone. I know, I know I sound like a glass-half-empty kind of person, but in this case it's true. This time last year, he still had his baby front teeth and now he's looking so much like a big boy. Happy birthday to my darling Luke!!! Don't grow up so fast.

On another note, I have bake my last birthday cake this summer!!!

Ella's Fiesta!

We celebrate a lot of birthdays during July and August! Here are Luke, Ella, Sammy and Tate at
Ella's fiesta last weekend. In August alone, we celebrate my sister Kat's, mine, Stephanie's (Ella's mommy) and Ella's birthday. We eat a lot of birthday cake in August!


Here's Luke wearing the fiesta sombrero.


Just another cute picture of the birthday girl with Luke and Sammy.

Easter

I'm a little late in posting the Easter pics, but better late than never. There's Luke and Ella with the Easter Bunny. For the second year in a row, Sammy has refused to sit with the bunny. I thought another year would cure his fear of the big rabbit, but no. So, we'll try again next year.

I love buying the boys matching sweater vests for holidays. They look absolutely adorable!

Happy Easter!

Friends

Here's Sammy and Ella riding on Sammy's ultra-cool retro rocket. Aren't they just adorable?