Pooh Bear Halloween

Ashleigh dressed up as Pooh bear for Halloween and we celebrated at our church's Fall Harvest Festival complete with games, horse and carriage rides, a bouncy castle, and lots of candy. She's a little young for the bouncy castle and they scare her right now. She did have fun with the games and candy though. It's great having a safe and fun environment that's indoors (it was 25F here on Halloween night) for celebrating Halloween. Last year, we tried door to door trick or treating and went to the neighbors we knew, but this year was much more fun seeing our friends and their kids dressed up in costume too.

On a side note, I started watching our neighbor's daughter on Halloween. Here's a picture of she and Ashleigh at the Harvest Festival. She's about 10 months younger than Ashleigh is and so far, they're getting along really well. There are some jealousy issues, but it's good for Ashleigh to realize she isn't the center of the universe.

Ashleigh's Two!

We celebrated Ashleigh's birthday this weekend with a big party, food, presents, and of course, birthday cake. It was such a difference from the previous year's birthday party. She understood the present thing this year too and can now chant 'We want cake!' thanks to my brother and sister. It was a fun party with a butterfly theme to it. More kids than adults, but that's what happens when you're the only grandchild on both sides of the family. Thanks to all our family and friends who made it such a special day. We love you all!

Rob, Hanna, Ashleigh and me opening gifts

Pretty in purple opening cards

Butterfly cake

Waiting for cake (Ashley, Ashleigh, and Eden)

Trying hard to blow out candles - she got a few of them!

Fall Playtime and Snow Storms

Ashleigh and I had a fun day trip with Amy and Hanna at Washington Park on Tuesday to see the fall colors and just play with our kids at the playground and have a picnic. It was awesome. We fed the ducks in the lake and stopped to play in the leaves and made a big pile for the girls to sit in and throw leaves up in the air.

Feeding the Ducks at Washington Park

Ashleigh and Hanna Throwing Leaves

Ashleigh and Mom after feeding the geese

We also got around 8" of snow today at our house and these pictures were taken after I spent an hour shoveling the walk and driveway. It took Rob a good three hours to get into work this morning and it always amazes me just how patient he is. The only thing he was complaining about after three hours when I called was that he may need to pull off and find a bathroom.

Ashleigh in the driveway where the snow from the driveway was piled up

Ashleigh on our front porch

Our deck and patio furniture

Other than that, this past month has been busy. Rob and I celebrated a late anniversary after he got back from China just last weekend. We also celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday, sister-in-law's birthday, my mom's 60th birthday, and Ashleigh's actual birthday this month (the big party's on Sunday with pictures to follow). We've also been shopping for a mattress and bedroom set which takes up our time on most weekends. We finally decided on a mattress last weekend and think we have the furniture almost nailed down.

More Wedding Fun

Andrew and Becky's Wedding Ceremony

Janice, Rob, and Ashleigh waiting outside the church

Leaving the Church

We got to see our friends, Andrew and Becky get married last Saturday in Golden. I've known Andrew for several years now and he is the brother of one of my roommates I had after college. Their ceremony was beautiful and done by the same pastor that officiated at Rob's and my wedding at the same church we attended while dating. They also had a fun reception at a Mariott hotel and I never knew Andrew could be so romatic with his singing and serenading his new wife in front of 150 people. Rob and I sang a duet together at our own wedding and while I was used to singing in front of people, and it was still nerve-wracking to add that to your wedding day. Kudos to you, Andrew (and Adam)!


I love weddings, as they're so fun and happy and makes you remember all the things you love about your own marriage and spouse. The day-to-day living can drag you down at times, but it's fun to celebrate with old friends and reminisce. Becky was just overflowing with happiness and the new married life she and Andrew were about to embark upon. Even Andrew who doesn't show a lot of emotion most of the time was happy as well with stars in his eyes. May God bless you both in your new life together!

The newlyweds, Ryan and Carrie

Sarah with Lucas (9 mo) and Ashleigh (23 mo)

Rachel, Lucas, Janice, and Ashleigh

Andrew and Becky's First Dance

Daddy and Ashleigh on the dance floor

China Adventures

Rob's two-week trip to China turned into a three-week trip as his work had no one else to send and his last day with his current job is rapidly approaching. No pictures on this post as the digital camera is in Xiamen for another few days. Luckily typhoon Shenshen curved to the north, so it looks like he'll be OK and back at the regularly scheduled time.

So far, he's worked six days/week so he's really only had Sundays to sightsee. He's visited the local Walmart and also toured the city where he's staying and the neighboring island. Xiamen is straight west of Taiwan and about 800 miles south of Shanghai, so no going to the actual tourist areas while he's there. The food is mostly seafood with rice, but he has eaten at McDonalds twice and also KFC.

He's doing pretty well, but ready to be home again. We have discussions on whether it's harder being away from home and the family or being with all that's familiar in the comfort of your home, but having everything around to remind you of that person. I think being on the road is easier since you have less around you to take your mind off of missing your family and there are things like work and sightseeing that distract you. The hard part about Rob being away is that I don't really get a break from watching Ashleigh. Especially with being at home all of the time now. There are nap times and sleep times, but if I want to go run an errand or do something for myself, it's much harder now.

Ashleigh and I went camping at the Sand Dunes with my sister and her husband last weekend and to Albuquerque with my in-laws over Labor day weekend, so this weekend is the first weekend where we've actually been home in a month. I'm looking forward to the down time and time to get the house back in order before Rob gets back. There are still a few projects too that I need to work on as well. It's been a long few weeks, and we're definitely excited to have life back to normal again shortly, including Rob working normal days.