falling down

The last time we spewed was October 1st, and it was about what we were doing in July. So now we’re going to catch up on all we’ve done for the last 4½ months in excruciating detail, just in time for Christmas! Yeah…not so much.

By the way, this is Ryan posting. I had to put my foot down in order to crank out this post. I could see the twinkle in Amy’s eye: she was thinking about making another quilt! the horrors! I told her no more quilting until she got some pics uploaded for the blog. Two days later, she delivered. Victory! And she gets to buy more fabric. Win-win!

Every year we go to “Color Mountain” in search of beautiful fall landscapes. This year we were a bit too late for the best colors, but we had fun sightseeing and letterboxing in the Rockies. We started off by visiting San Malos Catholic church, which is a must see in Colorado…

Visiting that old chapel was really cool. Afterward we took a stroll around Lily Lake. Rowan was feeling very uplifted…

Drew ran into old friend at the lake! Unfortunately this great master was on the move and didn’t have time to give Drew another Kung-Fu lesson. Bummer!

Do as I’m doing…Rowan has kicked into full annoying little sister mode. She MUST be doing what the older kids are doing.

This was Eleanor’s first visit to our super secret favorite picnic spot. She didn’t seem too excited to be out of the car…

After a nice lunch we meandered around the area and relaxed by the creek. Drew used the force while Brinley won first place in the shot-put competition.

Hi Ellie! Welcome to Daddy Island. She looks a little on edge. It’s because we are, Ellie!

Keep it cool, hot head. It was a scorching hot autumn day and the kids used ice packs to keep cool!

Hey Scoob whatcha doin? Mining for gold?

Brinley can see some color. And I can see a cat & dog about to get into a fight!

Brinley found a Cinderella-certified ride in that bush!

These are our own accidentally-home-grown pumpkins. The plant just appeared in the grass one day and we watched and waited as it blossomed.

Of course the kids wanted some pumpkins they could carve. We were unable to locate any larger accident pumpkins in the backyard, so we elected to go the pumpkin patch and look for some winners.

Aww Rowan, very cute! But remember, when it comes to picking pumpkins it’s blah blah blah, science-science, BIGGER! And bigger is better!

Now you’re gettin’ it! But you gotta haul it out yourself. Say whaaaaat?

Not big enough Drew! Keep trying!

What’s this? Brinley declares the pumpkin upon which Rowan sits is the greatest pumpkin of them all? Now she’s trying to sweet talk her so she can hi-jack it.

Nice pose Binnie! This patch is our favorite; you can’t beat the majestic backdrop!

Ok, now that we have our winners picked out let’s have some fun. There was no leaf pile this year, but Drew still had some wicked levitation skills.

Hey Drew how ’bout you let an old man show you how it’s done? Don’t I look…focused?

The wind picked up and it sent shivers down our spines. Except for Ellie, who was nice ‘n’ toasty in her mama coat!

Here’s our best family portrait of 2010.

Here is what all the other attempts looked like. Nice!

Real pumpkin carvers do it topless!

Drew wasn’t the only one with his shirt off. But isn’t painting your hair orange going a bit too far?

Some of you may remember Drew’s first Halloween costume. He may have been a cute little dude, but nothing compares to this Elea-phant! Awww…

Behold: Elephant, Zebra, Candy Witch, & Toothless the Night Fury; no tricks accepted!

Those wings aren’t just for show. We made them out of sprinkler pipe and coat hangers, so he better fly!

Here is the Night Fury’s furious tail after it had been to a few parties and back. The back view of Drew’s costume is way cooler than the front, but alas such a photo does not exist.

I’ll get you my little pretty…and your little dog too yadda yadda…did anyone notice she has real power?! Her broom is killing the grass!

Trunk or Treat…It should really be Treat or Treat. Unless you feel like tossing your kids in the trunk…

Chikerchee! Chiker-cheee! That is the sound a Zebra makes when on the verge of becoming diabetic…

Hello dawling, was it a bit chilly outside? Good idea then to stop inside for a spot of chocolate and ice cream.

Hey Night Fury! If those candy bags can hang on your wings without breaking them off you don’t have nearly enough candy! Now get out there and get your dad some of the good stuff!

Eleanor saw a scary ghost and stampeded away. Careful Ellie! He’s still got his arm around you!

It was a hard night’s work for this little zebra. One Reese’s cup and she was out. Will she be up for round 2?

Ding ding ding! Good night!