Ain't No Place I'd Rather Be

Jennifer and I did meet up for one crazy weekend in Tennessee. First and foremost, it was SO GOOD to see jen and the girls, I love seeing friend after a while and not missing a beat. So it WAS worth it, but barley. We did encounter some mishaps on our trip. Number one, it was raining, a lot, constantly. We did get to enjoy some time in the beautiful Smokey mountains, but in the rain. We hiked with the kids (who thought the rain added another element of fun) out to an old homestead building. It was really cool. We also saw dozens of deer in a field, it was almost zoo like, there were so many animals. That night I convinced Jen to go to Gatlinburg, I should have trusted her hesitation but I just have to see a new place when I can. I have NEVER seen anything quite like it. Imagine Disney World with a lot more airbrushed tee shirt stores. It was incredible. Hard to imagine that one might plan a trip here, I suppose if you are into Ripley's it would be worth it. The kids were running down the very narrow packed sidewalk while cars zoomed by...kind of nerve racking. But hey, I've been to Gatlinburg!!

The next day was not quite as relaxing. I went to get Nora's shoes out of the car bright and early to realize my battery was dead. Jen and I got out the jumper cables and the manual and set out to give my car a jump. The minute we got all four cables connected, my car alarm alarmingly went off. We immediately took of the cables and threw them in the bushes. The rain set in and we were starting to realize our day was going to be consumed by this. Jenifer luckily (and smartly) has a sort of AAA protection with her car insurance and in no time Big Daddy (this was his name on his coat) was out to boost us. Luckily, my dad and mom came down with us to hang out in Knoxville. They were touring a nearby plantation home when the distress call came. My parents drove out to the cabin (after getting lost and exploring the country) and Pop followed me back into Maryville to get the battery changed while mom stayed to help child sit. Keep in mind, my alarm keeps going off and we seem to have tried everything. Anyway, the boys at the Autozone might as well have had halos hovering because quickly they solved the battery problem(loose connection) and alarm problem (hit the unluck button on keys twice).

Jennifer was a little frustrated that we sort of "choked" but I think the torrential rain (this was some serious weather that caused major flooding) and four kids under six running around validated our panic.

We did get to hang out with our wine and luke warm dirty hot tub (perfectly fitting) that evening. Then, get this, as I go to bed, Drew wakes up to vomiting and well, loose stools, for the rest of the night. He has never been so sick and I was up ALL night. I think Jennifer was up most of it too... thank goodness my parents had taken Nora to the out-of-place posh and high tech cabin up Rudd Hollow Road where they bunked for the night.

I'm not sure where the lesson is. Had it not been for the rain, car trouble and sicky kid it would have been perfect. It was still great but next time we may just make the trip all the way to Columbia SC, to the comfort of Jen and Daniel's home...


Pictures to come, hopefully

Spice of Life

Nora now wears the sweater Arianna (who's holding her) had on. Nora was 2 weeks here.

Drew, Arianna and Ellen Halloween '04

Drew, Arianna and Ellen last time we saw them.


I'm not sure why cliche's have a bad reputation. In high school, English teachers swipe them out swiftly with red ink, leaving suggestions in the margins. Friends are the spice of life is one that I am thinking of now.

Next week Nora, Drew and I get to travel to Gatlinburg, TN to meet up with our friends Jennifer, Ellen and Arianna. We are renting a cabin outside the Smokey Mountain National Forest. I expect lots of play, talk, coffee, juice, wine and good food. If we get lucky, some decent weather and outdoor adventure.

I can't wait to see Jen and am blessed by every single friend I have. I know Val would agree (but paraphrase greatly)...Friends truly are the spice of life.

Drew and Nora's love for friends is eloquent. Evident in every movement, expression and exultation. They love their friends and more importantly, they love to PLAY with their friends. May be the best lesson we ever teach them.

Hangin' Around

As February comes to a close (isn't it over yet?) we are still pretty much home bound. Drew has had a cold bad enough to cancel the week's activities and Val is still on the job hunt. Needless to say, we have had a lot of family time and it has been good. Just hanging around...eating, playing games, reading and of-course watching T.V. (Drew has been doing workout and yoga tapes with me, he is very serious about his exercise). Although I am terribly anxious for the first signs of spring, I am thankful for this quiet time we can spend together.

I don't want a goldfish!

Yesterday Joanne, Drew and I went to the puppy bowl. It was an event sponsored by a local shelter. I wasn't sure if we would bring home a dog, but sure enough, this little guy caught my eye.

His name is apparently Jake. We have tried others out but according to Drew, that's his name and he's sticking with it.

He is part Australian cattle dog, other part, I think yellow lab, Val is leaning toward golden retriever. But really it's anyone's guess. He is very sweet, a cuddle puppy and so far, pretty good all around. Drew still misses Kizzy and is hopeful that Jake will never die:). It is hard to imagine that when Jake is old, Drew will be ready to fly the coop.

We are happy to have a new little one in our lives!

Some December highlights, what else, my birthday, Christmas and A New Year! I should also mention the solstice, I am glad to be tipping the scales back toward light. I had a very nice birthday, Val surprised me with tickets to the Yule Tide Celebration. It is this big, somewhat cheezy Christmas production complete with tap-dancing santas that really got us into the spirit. Drew was my date and he was on the edge of his seat for most of the show.

Santa was good to us this year...The new toys are a welcomed distraction as cabin fever sets in. Val and I got to celebrate the season with good friends, an even better distraction! Overnights at Grandma and Grandpa's house are fun for everyone.

I look forward to 2008. Hopefully yours-



Tickets for the show.

Nora LOVES Happy Cake!

Let it Snow!

Telluride Trip

Val and the kids on mainstreet in Uray
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The Youngs

Girls and kids

It snowed on our last day! Emily and Drew

The trout pond on the mesa




Drew took this one of me.

For us, a trip to Telluride is like many vacations wrapped into one. We are visiting family, coming back to a beloved place and picture-taking tourists all at once(we also re minis about being college spring breakers). We just got back from a week long trip and had a great time. Thanks to the exceptional nannying skills of our sister Emily, Val and I got away many times by ourselves. Two fat hikes, a nice dinner, a night out and an afternoon beer. That may be the most time away we have had in a year! The kids got to spend lots of quality time with their aunt. Drew rode the Galloping Goose (the local bus) all over town and Nora walked town at least twice. We also rode the gondola twice just for the views and a peaceful cup of coffee. Drew and I played at a beautiful river all afternoon one day (well, Drew played,I sunbathed), while Nora and Val shopped in town. (if you know Nora and Val, this is a funny thought, the two of them shopping).

We spent an afternoon at the house on the mesa complete with a stocked trout pond and hot tub with the best views on earth (at least in colorado) In a word, amazing.

We ended the week with a lovely Thanksgiving day. We had Emily's friends over at the big house in town (she is a caretaker for some very wealthy east coasters). We have known Chad, Heather and Mike since college so it was great to hang out with them and the new additions, Tate and Wesley.

All and all, it was a great trip. Now we are back to life, back to reality. Sure is hard to leave Emily and the mountains!
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Val and I up on Tom Boy Road

Emily and Nora "cooking" in her cozy alley house.


Drew looks right at home up at this multi million dollar mesa house.