I am really enjoying Advent this year. Perhaps it is because I still have vivid memories of morning sickness from last year, but this year I am not wishing for the time to go faster, and I have taken advantage of my energy and time at home to bit by bit prepare our home and hearts for Christmas. We have made a different cookie or treat every few days, I have been slowly cleaning parts of the (town) house and we have lit the Advent wreath before dinner probably 4 nights out of each week. Maybe my expectations have become a little more realistic but I have simply enjoyed all of the preparations and the season. I don't have all these undone tasks. Granted, our Christmas cards are just an idea at this point, but we can do that during the Christmas season. I have especially enjoyed hosting small groups of friends for dinner each of the last three weekends. We are blessed to have our faith, our beautiful girls, our families and our wonderful friends.

Snuggle

These girls love to snuggle! My favorite times of day are when they wake up in the morning (it's even better if I have had 30 minutes or so of quiet time before they are up, but that's rare) and when they wake up from their naps. No, Ann does not sleep between her sisters, but I think if she could talk that's where she would prefer to be.

We loved having Papa Denny and Grandma Karen come for a visit! Cate and Jane chose pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, ran through the hay maze and checked out the farm animals. We strolled the river walk in Estes Park and made our usual stops at Starbucks and the hat shop. We already miss you!

A recent new discovery for the girls is hopscotch. ("hotchscotch," according to Jane) We pull out the sidewalk chalk and it's delightful to see them hopping along on the walk in front of our townhome.

Jackie & Ann Margaret

Jane Remembers Uncle Tony

First post - October 9, 2008

Greetings friends and family! This blog is for you, Uncle Tony (Brother Anthony) in France, Uncle Teddy in Maryland, Grandma Karen and Papa Denny, Aunt Mary and Aunt Meghan and all our Ohio relatives! It's also for our dear friends all over the country. We wish we could see more of you!

We hit a milestone a few weeks ago. Cate and Jane can now hike on their own! We went with my parents to Golden Gate State Park, about a 45 minute drive from us, on the most beautiful weekend to see the Aspen change colors. See the backpack Matt's wearing? Nobody rode in it! Jane and Cate each took a turn on daddy's shoulders (higher and more exciting than the backpack!) but for the most part each of them walked the 1.5 mile trail. Cate ran a little, too.
This is indeed a milestone. We'd like to be more "outdoorsy," living in Colorado. But taking our double stroller to the mall is often just easier than getting out on a hike. Perhaps now that the girls have fun, too, we will hit the trails more. We'd love to camp next summer - anyone want to come join us?

Ann enjoyed herself, too (see the little sleeper in the kangaroo pouch!) She continues to sleep through the night, sleep several hours a day, and has a sweet temperament. Here is a photo of her last week - 9 weeks old. Thanks to my sister Jackie who has the digital camera. I am still archaic with my "real" film. The girls want to see my photos as soon as I take them, and they can't!

Jane and Cate are still Sound of Music fans, but they are also very into gymnastics - they pretend to be Nadia Comaneci, Shawn Johnson or Nastia Lutkin, depending on the day. They love to wear their "leohards" (leotards in Janespeak) and dance around the townhouse and over the furniture. They also pretend to have medal ceremonies, using Uncle Teddy's old swim team medals.

Missing you all - time to start dinner and probably wake up Ann!