There is an annual hot air balloon festival here. It has taken place every September for 32 years. We missed it last year, so I made a point to get Genevieve and myself up there this year. We were not disappointed. The photos don't do it justice, but it was amazing! As Genevieve and I rounded the corner heading up to the base of the ski area, it was incredible to see all of the colorful balloons with such a gorgeous backdrop. We were able to watch several of them inflate and take off from the ground. Without a doubt, Genevieve's favorite balloon was the enormous pink Energizer bunny; she even wore the bunny ears in support of it! We met up with our friends Matt and Whitney and their boys Will and Jonah. It's fun to have some college friends around. We had a great time and welcome any of you to come join us in future years!
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
What could be better?
Last weekend Genevieve and her friend Grace found this dirty puddle after dinner out at a restaurant. I know that I used to love puddle stomping when I was younger, (even in high school), but this was the best just watching them have the time of their lives.

Genevieve just kept laughing and shouting, "Go, go, go!", which has become a common phrase around here as she says it anytime she runs, wants to run, or wants to watch you run. (I love the excitement that suddenly appears on her face as she takes off and her glee and laughter anytime I run for her.) I have nothing with which to compare it, but I have had numerous moms comment on Genevieve's jumping for her age. Jumping is one of her favorite activities and, I guess, talents. She loves it! So put the three together: running, jumping, and water, - what could be better than that?
Genevieve just kept laughing and shouting, "Go, go, go!", which has become a common phrase around here as she says it anytime she runs, wants to run, or wants to watch you run. (I love the excitement that suddenly appears on her face as she takes off and her glee and laughter anytime I run for her.) I have nothing with which to compare it, but I have had numerous moms comment on Genevieve's jumping for her age. Jumping is one of her favorite activities and, I guess, talents. She loves it! So put the three together: running, jumping, and water, - what could be better than that?
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The things I love the most
The last couple of weeks, it seems that every time I turn around, there is yet another scene that warms my heart. Genevieve is learning and growing so fast. She has begun putting together full sentences in the last couple of weeks and her imagination with playing has seemed to taken off with her speech. I just love it! So, here are some of the things that I love the most, lately.
1) Genevieve and her umbrella. With rain and cooling temperatures, Genevieve took her first walk with an umbrella this past week and LOVED it! It was good that the rain was light and stopped while we walked as Genevieve didn't prefer to hold her umbrella upright during most of our walk. She liked holding it to the side and kept saying "I hiding!" She was completely enamored by her new accessory. Just yesterday, we had to get it out again so she could hold it while she was swinging. No, there was no rain, but it was still fun!

2) Dave and Genevieve. When I get home from my morning run, I often find Dave and Genevieve on the couch. They're, usually, cuddled under a blanket with her lying on top of his chest, watching either Sports Center or Backyardigans, (you can guess who chooses each show). I don't know if there is anything I love more in the world than seeing the two of them. I love how sweet are together.

3) More of Dave and Genevieve. Genevieve loves playing with whatever she finds in my nightstand drawers. Last week after she had put on her pajamas, she apparently found a little back massager. I had gone to put something away and when I returned to the room, Genevieve was lying in blissful relaxation on the floor as Dave massaged her back with the new toy she had found. I loved that he was showing her what it was for and that she enjoyed it so much. They are the two sweetest things in my life!
4) Exploring the backyard. Just in the last few weeks, Genevieve has discovered her independence in wanting to play and wander in the backyard on her own. I am often working somewhere in the yard or am in and out of the house doing chores. I, usually, find her in a flower garden in the sunken area of our yard, completely fascinated as she examines leaves, flowers, berries, or rocks of some sort. Such a little girl in this big yard, it seems like a whole world in comparison to her. It is so picturesque to me.

5) Princess Genevieve. Last Sunday, I realized that Genevieve had worn her Easter dress a total of only two or three times and knew that it wouldn't fit her next summer. I put her in the dress for Church and told her that she looked like a princess. The rest of the day she kept telling her dad and me, (and likely everyone else she saw), that she was a princess. I thought it was so funny. The talk about princesses has not stopped since. She puts necklaces around her head to make princess hats/crowns, wore her princess socks to go on a walk to look for garbage trucks (another recent fascination of hers), wears her princess bike helmet to play outside, puts on her princess dress-up cloths from her cousin, requests to see princesses on the computer, and points out any picture of a girl in a pretty dress and says "princess!" I let her watch The Little Mermaid for the first time last week; I think we may be in for it, now! Oh well. I think Genevieve is a princess!

6) Reading in bed. Genevieve has always enjoyed books and often likes to sleep with a book or two in her bed. The other night as I went downstairs to get something for Genevieve's bedtime, I came back into her room to find her all cuddled up under her blanket, lying with her head propped up against the crib, and her book lifted across her belly as she was reading in bed. I had never seen her do this before and thought it was so cute. I tried to get a photo of her the next evening as she relaxed to do the same thing, but nothing could beat the mini-adult sight of the previous night. She's growing up, I guess.
1) Genevieve and her umbrella. With rain and cooling temperatures, Genevieve took her first walk with an umbrella this past week and LOVED it! It was good that the rain was light and stopped while we walked as Genevieve didn't prefer to hold her umbrella upright during most of our walk. She liked holding it to the side and kept saying "I hiding!" She was completely enamored by her new accessory. Just yesterday, we had to get it out again so she could hold it while she was swinging. No, there was no rain, but it was still fun!
2) Dave and Genevieve. When I get home from my morning run, I often find Dave and Genevieve on the couch. They're, usually, cuddled under a blanket with her lying on top of his chest, watching either Sports Center or Backyardigans, (you can guess who chooses each show). I don't know if there is anything I love more in the world than seeing the two of them. I love how sweet are together.
3) More of Dave and Genevieve. Genevieve loves playing with whatever she finds in my nightstand drawers. Last week after she had put on her pajamas, she apparently found a little back massager. I had gone to put something away and when I returned to the room, Genevieve was lying in blissful relaxation on the floor as Dave massaged her back with the new toy she had found. I loved that he was showing her what it was for and that she enjoyed it so much. They are the two sweetest things in my life!
4) Exploring the backyard. Just in the last few weeks, Genevieve has discovered her independence in wanting to play and wander in the backyard on her own. I am often working somewhere in the yard or am in and out of the house doing chores. I, usually, find her in a flower garden in the sunken area of our yard, completely fascinated as she examines leaves, flowers, berries, or rocks of some sort. Such a little girl in this big yard, it seems like a whole world in comparison to her. It is so picturesque to me.
5) Princess Genevieve. Last Sunday, I realized that Genevieve had worn her Easter dress a total of only two or three times and knew that it wouldn't fit her next summer. I put her in the dress for Church and told her that she looked like a princess. The rest of the day she kept telling her dad and me, (and likely everyone else she saw), that she was a princess. I thought it was so funny. The talk about princesses has not stopped since. She puts necklaces around her head to make princess hats/crowns, wore her princess socks to go on a walk to look for garbage trucks (another recent fascination of hers), wears her princess bike helmet to play outside, puts on her princess dress-up cloths from her cousin, requests to see princesses on the computer, and points out any picture of a girl in a pretty dress and says "princess!" I let her watch The Little Mermaid for the first time last week; I think we may be in for it, now! Oh well. I think Genevieve is a princess!
6) Reading in bed. Genevieve has always enjoyed books and often likes to sleep with a book or two in her bed. The other night as I went downstairs to get something for Genevieve's bedtime, I came back into her room to find her all cuddled up under her blanket, lying with her head propped up against the crib, and her book lifted across her belly as she was reading in bed. I had never seen her do this before and thought it was so cute. I tried to get a photo of her the next evening as she relaxed to do the same thing, but nothing could beat the mini-adult sight of the previous night. She's growing up, I guess.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Labor Day Treat
One of our favorite places to eat is the Village Smithy. It is not fancy, but it is a locals' favorite spot for breakfast. Even Genevieve is a fan. On Labor Day, Dave had a tee time to play golf with a neighbor who had been inviting him to play all summer. So, we headed over to the restaurant as soon as Genevieve woke up. Genevieve was very excited when we told her we were going to the Village Smithy and saw that we were dressed and ready to go. Given the option to go in her pajamas or to get dressed, she opted for her princess nightgown. Who doesn't like to eat breakfast in their pajamas? Going out in her nightgown made it an extra fun outing. We love the Smithy!
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Reudi Resevoir
At the end of the August, Genevieve and I went up to Reudi Resevoir with some friends. It is a beautiful spot in the lower mountains, not far from us, for camping, hiking, and so forth. We only headed up for the afternoon to play and have a little BBQ. With so many gorgeous areas around us, it was fun to get out and enjoy one that we hadn't, yet, visited.
Monday, September 01, 2008
A Search for Running Songs
As I have been running daily to the same music for the last few months, my playlist is beginning to lose its appeal, and I am in search of some new running songs. A friend of ours posted her list of favorite running songs and I thought that I might do the same in hopes of receiving comments of your favorites for working out. If not, hopefully, it at least gives you a few new songs to add to your own list.
Songs that keep me moving while I run:
How Far We've Come - Matchbox Twenty
She is - The Fray
Holding Out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler (*one of my favorites for running)
Let It Happen - Jimmy Eat World
In the Middle - Jimmy Eat World
Machinehead - Bush
Canned Heat - Jamiroquai
All My Life - Foo Fighters
Everlong - Foo Fighters
Movies - Alien Ant Farm
Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm
Hey Ya! - OutKast
Dare- Gorillaz
Feel Good Inc. (edited)- Gorillaz
Falling for the First Time - Barenaked Ladies
Shadow Stabbling - Cake
Read My Mind - The Killers
Somebody Told Me - The Killers
Songs that keep me moving while I run:
How Far We've Come - Matchbox Twenty
She is - The Fray
Holding Out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler (*one of my favorites for running)
Let It Happen - Jimmy Eat World
In the Middle - Jimmy Eat World
Machinehead - Bush
Canned Heat - Jamiroquai
All My Life - Foo Fighters
Everlong - Foo Fighters
Movies - Alien Ant Farm
Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm
Hey Ya! - OutKast
Dare- Gorillaz
Feel Good Inc. (edited)- Gorillaz
Falling for the First Time - Barenaked Ladies
Shadow Stabbling - Cake
Read My Mind - The Killers
Somebody Told Me - The Killers
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