thankful

 

Well its that time of year again- one of my favorites- thanksgiving. I realized today that I have not had a "real" turkey day in 4 years. Each of the last four we worked then had a gathering with coworkers. Not traditional but just as special- maybe it was the shared time with friends under foreign circumstances- not sure but I loved them all.

I hiked up ski cooper the other day (also something I had not done in 4 years) and in between huffing and puffing had a chance to be pensive. Pensive about all the things I have to be thankful for. Here are a few:

 This neighborhood. Moving back has made us realize how much it is a part of us. So many fun things to do and see. Like a fox cruising right by the kitchen window.

 

 

Halloween: Lisa has always wanted to do a scary neighborhood walk- well this year she did, and with the help of Jim they hung masks all along a path in the woods. They are still there and I dare not go unless the sun is shining.

 

I even have been thankful for neighborhood chores! It feels great to be chopping wood again. Check with me in February to see if I am still pumped to be shoveling snow.

 

Here I am in the roof while cleaning the chimney- yes crocs were a bad choice.

 

And with the neighborhood comes the neighbors. So thankful to be back with the Mortons. We seem to always be laughing when we are together.

 

 

 Always setting the hood fashion trends

 

 

 

The lovely Lisas- out running in the dark most mornings- or in Moab.

 

 Mi familia. I could never say how thankful I am for these 3. I love you all

 

 

 

 

I love them so much I talked them into taking "shelfies" which apparently are all the rage these days. Wilder kept muttering something about "you just don't get it" but in the end they came out nice I think. 

 

 

So much more to write about- and I haven't forgot about you (rest of family and friends) but we will just have to wait till next time- for now its time for bed. I have to get ready to eat too much turkey tomorrow.

Gran Turismo

Which to me means big ol tourist. Which is what I feel like in a way. We have often been asked since returning if we have felt culture shock. Not really, its more a big feeling of "WoW this place is amazing"- kind of like what tourists say. So its been a nice fall of watching things that I haven't been able to watch in a while.

enjoy,

 Here are a few shots of the lake just down from our house. We drive by it all the time and finally stopped to enjoy it- cool stuff.

Tried setting up the self timer while waiting for Luca and Lisa on a bike ride. It looks more like I'm being chased by bigfoot.

 Here they are.

 Objects in mirror are crazier than they appear

Always have liked the fall colors and the mtns around here but after being gone for 4 years I have really liked them this year.

A few day ago we got 2-3 inches of snow. We arrived back from school and Luca asked if he could put his snowshoes on! He is ready.

tastes great too!

Have spent alot of time in Denver watching soccer lately. Can you guess who Steve and I's favorite goalie is?

 Wilder is!

and one last one of Luca and Izzy having a heart to heart.

JULY!!!!

Ahhhh July, a month so nice it needs to be in all caps and trailed by 4 exclamation marks. You should all be thankful I don't know how to use emoticons.

Our big deal was that we have returned home- and it feels so good- as the reunited song goes. One of the hardest things to get used to is the nights are absolutely silent, weird.

We also had baseball games, cousin Angus coming on his own, climbing a 14'er, hikes, soccer golf, lake Powell, and a trip to Denver.

But first- Baseball.

The field of dreams at 10,000 feet. and this year Jim even stole a sign from the Rockies.

Just a couple of Caraquenos

Opened the grill and- surprise! a weiner from last year. Losing team eats it.

"3 strikes yer out!"

Love this one, Wilder pitching the heat to granddad Steve.

Luca and Eisen between innings

Not able to resist all of the cousins in one place at the same time Grandma Eula came out for a visit. She also said, again, that this was her last time coming out. No one believes her.

Did I mention how happy we were to be home?

Great hike to Whitney lake with Caryn, the cousins, Nonna, and Lisa

Bear!

mmmm home.

We were happy with our new carpet but Elmo was really really happy with the new carpet.

oh, and it snowed. Well hailed but if you can make a snowball it counts.

Ever play soccer golf? you should.

Caryn driving back to Tuscon does have one silver lining- we get to go to Lake Powell on the way.

Surfing behind the boat. In my mind I looked like Kelly Slater. In the photo I look like a 43 year old middle age man.

Lisa up!

Lisa down!

Corn Bomb. 1 bag match light, 1 can corn, mix, light, sit on beach, drink, wait for the show.

why light one corn bomb when you can light two?

wait for it

why? why not! Thanks Judd for enlightening me to the corn bomb.

We hiked a 14'er

Mt. Sherman cool views and cool rocks.

and a trip to Denver where Jim always has some interesting things to check out like:
ski jumping

playing for the Rockies

Good diners

scooter rides

toy museum

and a cruise down the platte on a trolley.

So we are back, school is next and a whole slew of new things as well. I'll keep throwing posts out there if you are interested.
cheers