Orange ya glad I didnt say banana

 That title happens to be my girls favorite joke right now- 

ya know, the one where they say Knock, Knock over and over and over and over again...

Anyway, this weekend we took a short jaunt over to Thornton to pick some pumpkins.

It was a bit of a "ghetto" pumpkin patch ( I miss New England) 

and of course not at all what they advertised

But the kids didnt care and had a blast!

 Plus, I got some awfully cute fall pictures!

and it was all free- even the hayride!

 Sophia took the one above and immediately it reminded me of the days when 

playing footsie under the table with Mark was quite the thrill:)

Confession: I still like to!

 We were hard pressed to find 6 GOOD pumpkins in this "Pumpkin Patch"
 so we settled for 3 big ones and then 4 baby pumpkins.

At least they were cheaper than the grocery store.

All in all it was a fun day! and another memory was made:) 

Thats what its all about!

Good Friends

I have been meaning to post these pictures for a while now- 

a few of our little friends around here-

Julia Endyk

Julianna Mondragon

Clara Lutz

Elijah has his pick of some pretty special little ladies! 

First there were 3. now there are 2

 Birds, that is.

Jeffery died.

That leaves Daisy and T- 

I speculate that there was a love triangle and

T took matters into his own hands and offed Jeffery.

Needless to say, we have 4 sad kiddos.

Sophia took it the hardest since it was her pet.

We gave Jeffery a modest burial and service.

complete with flowers and speeches by each family member

(all Sophia's idea)

RIP, Jeffery... you'll be missed.

Refreshment

I am back and ready to go!

I was able to get away without children or a husband:) to my hometown of PA and what a wonderful time of refreshment and relaxation I had. I feel like a new woman! I feel rested and just recharged. 

I spent almost all my time talking with family, sleeping in, shopping and eating.

It was GREAT! 

I cannot believe the difference it made in my everyday life to get away like that with nothing really planned. My wonderful mother(and brother) cooked every meal, washed every dish, picked up the house, drove me around (I think all I did was make my bed and to be honest, I think I left it unmade more than one day)! How amazing is that! I was VERY spoiled!

 I think my favorite part of the trip was just hanging out and talking with my family!

I got to see most all of my nieces and nephews in PA and my step sisters and brother.

Justin made me his famous linguini with fresh clams 

and his homemade chili- which were both amaxing!

Mom made her sweet and sour chicken- 

our favorite growing up and lasagna- mmmm!!

 I was also able to meet up with 2 of my best friends.

Karly and I have been friends since we were VERY young

and its SO cool to still have a close bond even after being apart since college! 

She is truly a kindred spirit (we loved Anne of Green Gables) 

and a wonderful mom to 5 kids!

 

I was also able to see my sweet friend Stephanie- 

Steph and I met at Camp Calvary in elementary school 

and wrote to one another for a few years and 

then went to 10-12th grade together at Faith and then to college together!

She is truly a great encourager in my life- 

and everyone needs someone like that!

She is also the mother of 3 little boys! 

We spent a few hours at Red Robin and the time just flew by!

 

I also got to enjoy the beautiful fall colors.. 

it was amazing and so pretty! 

I miss that. 

And now I am home!

The children survived. a bird died. the laundry is done. 

the house is clean. my fridge is restocked. 

I am ready to get back to being a mommy and wife.

I have a renewed passion for my family and for my role as 

caregiver to the most valuable treasures God has entrusted to me- my children.

"She looks well to  ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her." Prov 31:27-28

I have a renewed desire to meet my husbands needs 

and make my home a haven that he enjoys coming home to.

"The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain. 

She does him good and not harm all the days of her life."Prov 31:11

I am so blessed and overwhelmed by HIS goodness in my life.

and a special shout out of THANKS to my husband and my inlaws 

who kept life going in Denver while I was away.

Now off to do some errands...

Fall Celebrations!

I love fall birthdays and always wished one of my kids was born in the fall- its just such a great season. At least my husband was born in the fall:) 

Here he is at his birthday breakfast complete with bacon and orange juice  

(which we usually just have on birthdays!)

He opened his presents from the kids-

stuff he needed like socks, tshirts and a nice long sleeved black shirt..

My gift to him was dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and 

then I suprised him with a gift that had a pillow that said sleep and our hotel receipt.

It was great! A night away is just what we needed to recharge as a couple and parents! 

Special thanks to Megan who stayed with the kids at our house-

they had a blast as usual!

We also celebrated at Marks parents house- I SO enjoy our Sundays there with the family!

Another fall birthday was in September- Marks moms! 

We had them over for dinner and peach cupcakes! 

We are so thankful for Marks parents- they love to spend time with the kids and us:) 

Confession: I'm Gonna Miss Them

 I know I said I wasn't gonna miss them at all, but today, I was almost in tears thinking about 5 days away from these two, especially. I dont know if its that the twins are older and not really that much "work" or that I think of them as much more independent, but I'm not feeling REALY bad leaving them:) 

But Ella and Elijah- I spend pretty much every hour of my day with these two cuties!

 And I think I will miss them (and the twins) while I am away! 

I know they will be in VERY good hands with Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa and all the rest of the family! I dont need to worry! I get very afraid that tragedy will strike(like me going down in a plane crash) and that their lives will be completely shattered and it will ruin them for good.

But I DO have a heavenly Father that I can trust to take care of them in the event this actually happens.

Which I know in all reality is a very minimal chance...

My mind just goes there...

 Maybe its the rain today that has put me in this melancholy mood..

We've spent a lot of time cuddling on the couch under a blanket! 

Its fun and cozy and warm...

Look at those eye lashes- arent they gorgoeous? or should I say handsome?

I wonder if he'll hate  his long lashes when he is a teenager?

well, off to cuddle again and watch a little tv ( I have a few shows to catch up on while the kids play)

2 days and I am leavin on a jet plane..

Fun Run

 Hopkins Elementary has a fun run every fall which is basically running to Twain school a few blocks away and then running back. Its sorta silly but the girls were SO excited! 

It was cute because they both split up with their friends. 

Above is Arianna with her best gal pal, Sydney who she calls Cindy:)

 Sophia tends to hang with Isabella and Miranda-

I am so glad that they gravitate toward other people and have different friends. 

Its good for them.

 Ella tagged along and Elijah rode in the wagon:)lol that I pulled.

I'll tell you, I got a LOT of good exercise that day!

The weather has definitely changed here in Colorado- its getting SO cool. I love it!

The Countdown Begins!

Till daddy turns 32- tomorrow! We have a fun day planned to help him celebrate!!

He's a great dad and husband- I really am one lucky girl! 

And the next countdown is 1 week- till I leave for PA to visit my dear parents!

I am SO very excited! I have never been away from my children other than overnight. 

Some moms keep telling me how sad they would be away from their kids for 5 days, 

but I really am not sad at all.

I am SO very looking forward to it! 

Just to relax, spend time with my parents talking, shopping, eating! 

Seeing all my other siblings and family.

I do wish we all could go, but thats not possible in the slightest, so

I am not going to feel guilty and I am going to enjoy the break! 

I probably sound selfish or not like a good mom,

but I think everyone should have a chance to relax and enjoy their extended families:)

and I will!

On a side note, if I had a husband who was adamant about me not going or unsure about taking care of the kids for 5 days, I really would reconsider going and stay home. But it was Marks idea in the first place, for me to get away and see my family in PA- He even purchased the ticket! 

I really do have a fantastic hubby and I know he will do an amazing job taking care of my little kiddos!

Milestone

 Sophia can tie her shoes!

Not sure if being 6 and just learning is that great but she is so proud of herself and her new shoes! I have never bought NEW sneakers for the girls. I always look at thrift stores, consignment stores,etc and buy used. Well, Sophia's used sneakers were way too small and the velcro was peeling off, so it was time for new shoes and we went all out and got them at Sears for $20! 

They were on sale though! lol

I feel good about the purchase seeing as they are super comfy and look durable. 

Lets just hope her feet dont grow too fast:) 

On a side note, my girls have VERY tiny feet- they both are in a size 10 or 11.

She really wanted ones with laces, so we went for it and within an hour she could tie them all by herself! I was so impressed! She runs everywhere now... its cute!

Arianna is next in line for  NEW sneakers- she's pretty excited.

A Walk in the Park

 Isn't it supposed to be fall? The weather here has been SO hot- today was near 85 degrees. I have 2 new Gerber daises that just bloomed in my plant pot outside, right next to the scarecrow and pumpkins! At least it is cool in the morning and evenings which makes for great sleeping weather!

October brings Marks birthday! 

We celebrated as a family on Friday( a week before his actual bday)

by going to Red Robin for his free burger and to our favorite park. 

It was a perfect evening...

 We explored all over the rocks finding nooks and crevices full of adventure!

Elijah was scared that a bear would come so we ended up leaving earlier than we wanted

 But not before we watched the sun go down- it was SO cool!

 On our way home from school the other day, I spotted this tree trying to change colors for fall.

Hopefully the next few weeks will bring cooler weather and more and more colorful trees!