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