Happy Birthday, Meagan!

Wish we could all be home prancing around the house singing this tune like we have so many times before...

Nick of Time

Hope you're having a blast in the Northwoods! Sending love your way from Colorado on your big 25th!

A Very Merry Christmas (times two!)

Ben and I spent Christmas together and with both of our families this year. This type of trip was a first for us and meant traveling to multiple destinations. We are lucky that our families live relatively close to one another so that we are able to see most everyone during the holidays. The weather held out and we avoided any major delays which was fortunate as we only had three and a half days to spend in each place. The ability to spend quality time with the ones we love the most is something that I'm learning to cherish more and more as the opportunity become less frequent with time and with age. Despite the hustle and bustle of traveling, shopping, gifting and visiting, we had a pretty fulfilling trip and even left Minnesota with tentative plans for our next trip home.

We of course experienced the frigid temperatures and icy snow that always seems to "welcome" us home for Christmas, but we also had a rainy holiday - a first for me - as it rained on Christmas Eve and through Christmas Day in Green Bay. This year, I didn't mind rain for Christmas. Having had so much snow in Colorado leading up to the trip, the 40 degrees and drizzling rain were alright by me. I brought the camera home hoping to capture magical Christmas moments throughout the week, but as those moments piled on top of one another and as we dashed from place to place I lost my motivation for pulling out the camera. Next year, I'll be more diligent!

Here are some photos that were taken during the first few days in Green Bay:

We spent a day with Brielle and celebrated her first Christmas!

Brielle with Auntie Leah and Meagan

 

Nine months old!

She can give Daddy kisses...

And show us she's SOOOO big...

And clap, clap, clap her hands!

She can say mama and dog and point to noses. And the most recent news is that she's started walking! Such a big girl, that sweet Brielle BiNelli!

The four generations! Daddy, Great Grandma (GG), Baby and Grandma

Ben and I on Christmas Eve

Meg opening gifts on Christmas morning

And mom opening gifts

Blake, Natoshia and Birdie on Christmas morning

Ben napping with his most favorite little Bird dog.

 

Christmas Day at Grandma Streckenbach's house

Now we're back in Colorado a bit sleep-deprived but happy, no doubt, with our last trip of 2009 in the books.

Merry, Merry!

We're getting there. And you?

A Moab Thanksgiving

As planned, Ben and I spent Thanksgiving weekend in Moab, Utah. This was the second Thanksgiving we've spent together in Moab. Considering all that has happened this Fall, I feel like there was no better place for me on this day of thanks than here; here, in the vast and stunningly beautiful desert to draw up the quietude from the depths of my being. This place, for me, meant for reflection and praise.

We captured a few moments from the trip that I'd love to share:

We began our five day trip at the usual site in Sand Flats Campground. We expected chilly weather, but since the only tents we have left are backpacking tents, there was only so much we could do to fend off the cold.

 

A view of our campsite (and our little tent city!) from a nearby rock outcropping:

Byrdie found a special treat during one of our bike rides. The "treat" was all too similar to one of her own...

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 The morning after Thanksgiving, we awoke to frost covered heads and decided we would stop acting brave and submit to the cold. We found this motel downtown and happily dished out the money to sleep in the comfort of a warm bed.

 On Friday, we spent the day in town wandering in and out of the shops, and mostly spending our time in this coffee shop and bookstore. If you are ever in the area, try the gingerbread latte!

 

 

 

 

Ben and his girl:

 Ben and his other girl:

We also spent a day mountain biking in Fruita, Colorado:

 

So long, Moab. Until next time...

 

The snow is falling... again.

The morning is perfect for warm drinks, a cozy fire and listening to Christmas music while watching the snow come down. Here's a song that I've been enjoying this morning:

Winter Song

In a little while, Ben and I will venture out into the falling snow to meet friends for brunch here - Ben even admits that their food is better than his buttermilk pancakes which is really saying something! I've never been crazy about big breakfasts, but this place is worth the trip to Denver, even in the snow. If you come to visit us, I promise to take you to Snooze. :)

Happy Winter!

Thankful

I am thankful for so many things.

Today, I am especially thankful for the ability to pause in the midst of the nonstop -- somewhat chaotic life I have come to know as of late. I am thankful for these trails outside my door and for the fortune of catching enough daylight for a run on them. And for the solitude I found out there. And for the trusty dog by my side.

For this, today I am grateful.

And I think Byrdie would be thankful for booties. :)