Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween!

Here are a couple of shots from our trick-or-treating adventures this evening. Parker liked wearing his costume and was a trooper as we made a couple of visits around to see our Ames-Friends-Who-Live-Here-Too and a couple of Mike's coworkers. Thanks to Grammy and Poppy for the cool trick-or-treat bag!

No candy for him this year, but sure liked the sounds of all the wrappers.

The team that pays the bills...

...gets the honorary logo carved on the pumpkin.

























Actually this isn't the handiwork of a Moresville resident, but one of the other staffers in Mike's office. Our family pumpkins from the patch are still on the front steps, and the green one is starting to turn a rather spooky color of orange. (It might be a good thing that Halloween is tomorrow!)

Happy Haunting!

Peek-A-Boo, I See You...

Parker is starting to take an interest in the camera (and why it's always being pointed at him!!). He smooshed his little forehead up to the lens hood and tried to see what's in that black box...

Coloring

Spent some time yesterday afternoon with our Crayolas...

Waking Up

Little man just got up from his afternoon siesta--a solid two hours of uninterrupted quiet time for mom and some much-needed rest for P. His right side molar is coming in so he's a little grumpy--I can imagine I would be too! He's ready and rarin' to go...good thing, we have to run errands and then maybe we'll head to the park this afternoon, and enjoy the sunshine!

Parker's projects

I'm putting this post together and realized...this really is turning into Parker's blog. Mostly since our lives otherwise are not really worth reading (or blogging) about!

Anyway, Parker came home yesterday with a stack of art projects that they've done at "school" over the last several weeks. Some of them include a variety of stickers and crayon scribbles, and some are just a splat of paint in the middle. I just love seeing what he's created. We color at home too--still figuring out the crayon-to-paper method, but there definitely is progress. I haven't been brave enough to do paint at home yet, although I know of a great recipe for pudding paint (actually made with pudding and food coloring) that kids totally love to use. That's from my toddler-age art teaching days, waaaaaaayy back when...

Bath and bedtime

Just winding down after another busy day. Parker wasn't too happy about his bath tonight, but I think he's since forgiven me. Time for some bedtime stories!

Sixteen Months and One Day

I meant to post this yesterday on P's actual 16-mo happy day. Here are some of Parker's highlights as of late:

• Weighs about 22.5 lbs

• Says "no no no no no no", momma, da-da, meow, woof, vroom, yellow (ell-ow), hi, bub-eye, night-night, all done, please, more, thank you, mine, go, car, ball, baby belly (while lifting his shirt and pointing to his bellybutton...really proud of that one, yikes...)

• Winks (as seen on the video)

• Gives his bears, Blue Bear and Backup Bear, "big baby hugs"

• Stacks blocks and loves to knock them down

• Has learned to like green vegetables!

• Can clink glasses/sippycups when you say "cheers" (we are working on getting video of this, it's a riot)

• Completely bottle free (going on 6 weeks or so)

• Loves to dance. Doesn't matter what's on the radio or iTunes, he loves to wiggle and stomp his feet.

We're definitely starting to notice his independence--a character trait he's always had, but he is really starting to assert himself and try and do things on his own--or help you. It's definitely teaching me more patience, and a good ear to decipher what it is he really wants!

Love you, little man.

Go Rockies!

So, our friendly Colorado Rockies have made it to the World Series. Even the milk jugs are getting in on the action!

Snowing!

I don't think you're ever really ready for that first snow of the season...and this morning is no exception. Guess we'll be doing indoor activities today!

(Click to enlarge...)

Market Treasure

Hooray for my awesome find at market this morning! I am pretty excited about this piece.



















Parker and I ventured to a market near Coors Field that we hadn't been to yet. I was a little unsure when we drove up--it honestly didn't look like much. (Which I now realize makes my favorite one in Littleton look pretty posh!) But we thought it was worth checking out.

I hope to use this as a TV stand/cabinet in the office (loft area) since it's a little spare up here. (It's staying up here one way or the other since I already hauled it up the stairs. Woah.) I think I'll replace the knobs (not my taste), but otherwise a little dusting and I think it'll be in great shape.

Wink

I couldn't help but laugh all day at our lunchtime antics. And I'm pretty excited I actually caught the moment on video. (No comments about the lunchtime selection, green veggie-haters out there...)

Peek!

Ironing

Mike is out of town for the weekend, and I don't sleep well when he's not here. I think it's more out of the feeling of extra responsibility for Parker and keeping tabs on the house. Who knows, but I actually used my insomnia to an advantage last night and ironed shirts. Lots of them.

Desktop

This is probably as clean as you'll ever see my desktop....complete with my new and improved background!

The fact that I am posting this is also a testament as to how uneventful things have been around here lately. :)

Hm

Not much newsy on the day...things are just plugging away through another week. I decided today that my desktop at the studio needs some Parker-tizing, so I made a new background. Looks like Blogger doesn't want to let me upload it, so I'll take a screen shot tomorrow once it's in place.

Tomorrow is Wednesday and our favorite Big 12 volleyballers are in town for a match...can't wait to see them!

Road Trip!

Another busy weekend on the road. This week our travels took us the opposite way on I-70 to Manhattan (KS)...I think that makes for about 599 miles driven and approximately 9500 feet in altitude difference (Vail Pass=10,666; Manhattan=1,080)...in a matter of seven days!

Had a fantastic weekend, though, seeing lots of old friends and sharing stories. It was great to introduce Parker to the people we got to know so well during our time there (it was his first trip to the land of purple) And of course we ate at all our favorite places! It was a really fun visit, and felt so good to be in a familiar place.

A couple of shots from the game:

































Back to colorful Colorado...















Momma, are we there yet? Can I call Grandma?

A semi-quiet moment

Gotcha...just as he's about to scramble up the stairs to chase one of the beloved (and elusive!) cats.

More time, please?

I've determined that I just need more hours in the day for all the things I like to do. Beyond spending my time designing and photographing and all of their associated tasks, I've had the bug lately for nesting. (I think it's a fall thing--makes me want to cozy up and hibernate!)

One of the things I enjoy doing--although I'm not very good--is sewing. It's one of those things that frustrates and challenges me, and gives me the chance to create something really amazing with my own two hands. It's one of those things that I wish I had more time for, as I keep seeing fun little projects that I could do. Like these--I found them at Etsy (an awesome site where everything is handmade). Aren't they adorable?

Monday...

Parker and I are hanging out today as his "school" is having a teacher inservice day. It's nice to have the day together--I always love any extra time we get--but I wish today was going better. Guess it's just one of those days for the little man. He's getting more teeth, and I'm not sure if that's hurting him, or if something else is the matter. In the meantime, though, I'll keep pulling things out of my bag of tricks to see if we can cheer this boy up.

Hail, Vail!

We love to get away this time of year, and it usually happens to coincide with Mike's birthday. This weekend was a good chance for us to get out of the city, so we made the trek across I-70 and spent a little time in Vail. At 10,000 feet, the Vail Valley is beautiful, even without snow! We both commented several times how much bluer the sky seems, and how much more out of breath we were (especially after carrying Parker). Whew--but it was fun!

Tons and tons of photos to share. I'm posting them smaller so it doesn't overwhelm you, but click on any of them to get a bigger shot.



The aspens were amazing against the crisp blue sky.










Vail Valley, looking to the east.












Vail Mountain, where the good stuff happens. We don't ski (yet??) but the view is incredible.











We stopped at a little park and enjoyed the gorgeous fall day.

















Having fun!












































It was great not to be on a schedule, and we took our time (and a couple of fun detours) going to Vail and back to the city. we stopped in Frisco and enjoyed the view. Breckenridge is just 10 miles to the south of here. What a charming little town!





























Back closer to the city, we stopped at Red Rocks park for a little hike. Just over Parker's shoulder is Denver!








Another nice view of the city and beautiful day.

Bear gets a Bath

Parker has a beloved blue bear. Actually, he has two bears--blue bear gets the most lovin', but we have a spare just in case something ever happened to bear #1. His attachment to bear #1 mostly comes at naptime and bedtime, or if he's really upset at Mike or I and doesn't want to give us hugs. (Which happens, believe it or not.)

So. After several months of being thrown out of the crib, drooled on, dragged on a couple of airplanes, chasing kitties, being wrestled with, and the like, we thought it might be a good idea for blue bear to go for a swim with some Tide. Probably the most challenging part about washing the bear is timing the said activity--do you do it while he's awake and doesn't need it, or wait until he's sound asleep and risk waking up "bare" (Sorry--I had to!!) ??

We opted for #2 and had it washed, dried, and back in the crib within a couple of hours. He doesn't look any better, but he sure smells better.

You know you're a geek when...

One of the other graphic designers I spend time with is always telling me what a design geek I am. I think this is a good thing...

Today I stumbled on a blog that I plan to add to my list: ilovetypography.com. Today's topic: ways to know if you're a type nerd. Some of my favorites (mostly because I do them in one shape or form):

• Early-stage symptom: you stop actually reading type, and ask yourself, “What typeface is that?”

• You think The Hounds of the Baskerville is a book about fonts

• You seriously consider naming your children after typefaces (Georgia, Lucida, etc); that’s bad enough. However, if you actually do name your children after typefaces, then your condition is most likely terminal

• You buy things because the type on the packaging is nice. (I’m guilty of this one on several levels.)

• Your neighbor’s child’s homework looks like the sample on the left. Your child’s homework is on the right:

It's all very pathetic, but true.