THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

I LOVE Thanksgiving!!!! My love stared years ago, although I can't pin point an exact year. I guess it has to do with the tradition of what we do. I will say it has changed over the past few years, and that is to be expected as our family grows and changes. It is the one holiday in which my family does the exact same thing every year. We spend the entire weekend with family and friends in Aspen, enjoying food, drinks and laughter.

It is heartening that the original celebration is nearly the same of which we celebrate today. "The very first Thanksgiving celebration, was in keeping with a long tradition of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for a successful bounty of crops." Isn't that what we do today? We have added some American flair, sure, but we get together to celebrate and give thanks for food. There are food drives, people open their houses to share their food with those who may not have the means for a warm meal. We celebrate with food with others and give thanks.

For many years, at the dinner table, someone reads a prayer my mom cut out of the newspaper years ago. Throughout the meal , we go around the table and say what we are thankful for. Some times it is hard to think of things, other times, I have so much to rattle off my thanks. This is one of those years.
I am thankful for.....

• Kyle, my wonderful husband who I love more every day
  
• Family and living so close to be apart of big and small events in each other lives
• Friends
  
• A warm place to live
• Ice cream
• Good health
• A job!!!
• Optimism, in this state of economic unknown

I wish for you a fantastic Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and a full belly!

Chicago in November

Kelly and I had an absolutley awesome weekend in Chicago with Erin. We arrived Thursday night to a mild November evening. We stayed up entirely too late for a school night talking, no surprise, considering Erin had a few hours of work on Friday.

As some may or may not know, I am not a fan of public transportation. Why? I'm not really sure, I have had a few bad experiences, so I just perfer not to go there. Chicago is one of those towns that you HAVE to take public transport to get anywhere. So I proudly announce, Kel and I made it all by ourselves touring around Chicago.

We started our day at this adorable little breakfast place called Julis Meinl. It is an Austrian eatery and so European considering its location. We had a delightful morning, and headed out shopping in a cute little area I call Armitage. I found this spot about two years ago when I was there for work. There are so many cute shops, and my favorite, All She Wrote. This is the place I found my "blizzard" cups for our wedding. So, I seem to head back to this area each visit. I wanted to show Kel, and I think she would agree, it is a must! We took the brown line back toward Erin's place, got off and shopped our way back. Erin got home from work and we had some wine, and headed out for some dinner and Erin's chill hang out Guthries. Sadly, Guthries was entirely too busy, and not a empty chair in the place, so we headed back to Lincoln Square for a neighborhood beer.

Saturday we had a packed schedlue. It started at about 8:30am and out last event was at 7:00. We, again, shopped our way through the city from H & M to Old Town Oil. Kel and I took an architectural boat tour that was really cool. It would have been awesome if it was about 30 degree warmer. I'd recommend it to anyone, especially in the warm months. We attempted to keep warm with a hot drink, but just riding along in the elements, it wasn't enough. A mix of touristy sights, eating shopping and drinking, it was a great day!!!

Along with our boat tour, we went to Secondy City for a show. I have to admit, I have never really watched SNL, so I wasn't faniliar with this place. Erin hadn't been either, so we thought it would be fun. We had two show options. First was Le Coch Plastiue and The Audacity of Dope (pardon the spelling). Now, what exactly is the first title implying and is that dope as in drugs or awesome? Based on the schedule we had for Saturday, the first show worked better. We were quite concerned that this was going to be racey, vulgar, offensive, anf possibly down right uncomfortable. We sat down, chatted for a minute and Erin's spots a stage prop......no other then a 4 foot high candle stick with a plastic penis atop! We nearly fell off our chairs. I have to say, it was the only thing we laughed at. The show was completely strange, not funny, confusing....etc. Bottom line, we went, I can say I have seen a show there. CHECK!

Sunday we went to church, grabbed lunch and headed to the airport. It was such a fun weekend, and I was exhausted when I got home.

On the Bronco front, we won last weekend, which was needed more for morale than anything. As I always say, it is bittersweet to win.

Happy and Sad news

I am a ball of mixed feelings....A lot has gone on in the life of friends this week. Erin's dear friend Missy had her third child. She is adorable, and I am so happy to hear all went well for the Starr family. Congrats to J and Missy on being parents again. Congrats to Addie and Eli on having a baby sister.

Erin found out yesterday that a friend had died, very unexpectedly. They knew each other through church, and in her words, "he was a man of God." Prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends.

And lastly, very sad news about close friends in Nashville. Beth and Bryan are in our thoughts as they deal with a very sad situation. I can't imagine what they are going through. It is hard sometime to feel like you are a good friend when you feel so helpless. They are in our prayers!!

I guess this is a good time to express how blessed we are with wonderful family and friends.

Fall

Life has continued to be busy. I guess its that time of year.

Backtracking a few weeks to Halloween, post Nashville. We were both exhausted upon our return to run into a busy week.

Tuesday we carved pumpkins, something I love to do. I get out all the tools, and stencils, carve all the slimy stuff out, and then bake pumpkin seeds. We always did a lot of Halloween stuff mainly because Kelly's birthday is the day before. Call me a kid, but I just love carving pumpkins.

Wednesday we celebrated Kelly's 28th b-day at mom's house. It was a delicious dinner prepared by mom, laughter and family. Andrew even came down from the Fort!!! We all had such a great time.

Thursday we had a quick happy hour birthday celebration at the new location of The Tavern at Wash Park, and then went to Maddie's play at school. She has always wanted to be a star, and my goodness she proved herself! Her lines weren't easy, and she rattled them off like she was having a conversation. We headed to the Cramers for a little wine and cheese afterward. They have recently moved into a goregous new house, and it was the first time we had seen it. I can't believe the little girls that I started nannying nearly ten years ago are so big! Caroline is getting her license in a month, Maddies is 13 but looks 21, and Juliet is becoming a little lady!

Friday was Halloween. I went to the DU hockey game with my friend Peggy. College hockey is great!!! They played CC, their biggest rival, in state and maybe overall. We had a nice time chatting through the game and cheering upon a score. Kyle meanwhile was at home handing out candy. Funny to think of that. Someone wasked me, "Is that what marrieage is like?"

The following weekend was a home game. Mom and I enjoyed the game in the 78 degree November 2nd day! It was abnormally warm, but nice. This past week we played on Thursday night which means.......we had another weekend free of football games. Friday we packed up and went to Aspen. It was beautiful. It was pretty quite, as shops and restaurant are often closed for a short period before the "storm" of ski season. We got our Aspen ski passes, and picked up, unexpectantly, a few needed item for Kyle's big ski season. He is diving in and re-learning to ski this year. I am VERY excited about this!!! It is about the only sport do, and REALLY enjoy. I hope he loves it as much as I do, so when little ones are around it will turn into a family activity.

This week has been pretty quite. Kyle is headed to Atlanta for the Bronco game, and Kelly and I are headed to Chicago to visit Erin. I'm very excited. This has turned into a year fall/winter trip to see Erin. She is in a new apartment in the city and I can't wait to see it. I know we'll have a great weekend, and may the Broncos pull out another win!!!

Nashville Pictures...

Good times in Nashville once again....

Singing a little tune.....Mark is concentrating on his words

The Beautiful Tabb family

Kyle, Mark and Keith after the Preds game

The Girls at Second Fiddle

Eddie and Susan

Rock Band...part of our weekend entertainment

Such great picture takers!

Louisville Ladies

All the girls Saturday night