{Happy October 1st Eve...

Anyone that knows me, knows that I love fall! I love apples and cider and chili and hot chocolate and colorful leaves, EVERYTHING about it! Of course Halloween is included on that list. I like Halloween better than birthday's, anniversary's, and any other holiday! I love the colors and the pumpkins and the costumes. You name it and I love it! I got a little jump start on a few Halloween decorations thanks to Sam's birthday this year. My favorite and only new decoration comes from a website that I discovered about a year ago. It's right up my alley... everything handmade. It is fabulous for ideas and inspiration and for those "that is so cute but I can't take on one more project" moments when you just have to buy it! I ordered this sign from Homespun Raven's shop. She has other really cute Halloween signs, but this was by far my fave!



My mom is the RS President in her ward, and last week they did a mini "enrichment project" at her house. I was the grateful recipient of one of her "trick or treat" banners made from ribbon and paper. It is adorable and add's just a little more fall flair to my mantle! Thanks madre!

{Todd's big weekend...

Last weekend Todd and a few buddies hiked four - fourteeners in one day! For a guy that's never hiked a fourteener before, I was pretty impressed. He said it was tough but very rewarding. They went up on Friday night and slept in the car (and outside on cots) so that they could start hiking early in the morning. They hiked Mt. Bross, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Democrat, and Mt. Cameron. 6 hours and 20 minutes later they were thawing out and on their way home. I told Todd that I'm all in next year but we've got to start out earlier in the summer when it's a little warmer at fourteen thousand feet!

{and the party continues...

This weekend was so fun! Mom and Dad came down from Loveland right after Tanner's football game. Todd was off with some buddies hiking (pics to come later... as soon as I can get them imported from my camera)! He met me at Saydie's baptism (Congrats Saydie!) and then we headed home to have a small family party for Sam. We had a nice dinner, ate cupcakes and opened presents. By 8:30 we were all exhausted! Good times, Sammy. Good times!


{We broke out the bubble machine!}

{The best kisses ever!}

{Massive amounts of presents!}

{Enjoying a little carrot cupcake.}

{Happy Birthday to you! ...

I can't believe our Sammy is one! Where does the time go? It really just seems like yesterday that Jackson was at preschool and I was at home working in the office when the phone rang and it was LDS Family Services asking if we could work a trip to Vail into our schedule. Seriously, who would have said no? I remember calling Todd to tell him that we were headed into the mountains the next day and having him lovingly tell me to keep my emotions in check! That night I went to a fireside to try and keep my mind from racing about the next days events. I don't think Todd or I slept a wink that night. The next morning we packed up the car and drove to Vail Valley Hospital to meet our potential birth family. While we were waiting for the social worker to come down and get us, in walks two of the sweetest women ever! I was reading to Jackson and one of them came up to me and asked if we were there to meet a baby... It was Megan's aunt and grandmother and they immediately helped to put our nerves at ease. The next couple of hours was spent in the most beautiful hospital room I have ever been in. It included a panoramic view of the changing colors on the Vail mountains! We met and talked with Megan and Mackenzie while Jackson entertained himself by throwing paper airplanes with Aunt Christine and Grandma. We held their sweet baby boy and fell in love! The social worker asked us to go and grab a bite for lunch and he would be in touch... That was the longest lunch break I have ever taken!!! Not more than 30 minutes later, we got a call from Kelley and he asked us to come back to the hospital. He didn't say why, just that the family wanted to talk to us some more. When we walked into the lobby, Mackenzie didn't say anything he just put his arms around us and thanked us! It was short and sweet and when he walked away Kelley said, "Well, they liked you. Can you come back tomorrow to pick up your baby?" I think we were in shock... but completely excited and blown away! The next 18 hours was a complete whirlwind of trying to prepare for a baby. We did laundry, set up the nursery and got ready to bring home a baby! We went back to the hospital to pick up Sam and while we were in the waiting room, we were able to meet Megan's little sister and her father. We talked for a little while and then Kelley brought us to a room where Mackenzie handed Sam to us. He kissed him goodbye and left us to be with our new little babe. It was such a sweet time for us. Words can not even begin to express our appreciation for what Megan and Mackenzie have done for us. Adoption is one of those things you just have to experience first hand to know of the perfect love that is involved. I feel like it brought more than just my family together, it brought a lot of families together! I wish everyone could have an adoption experience. There is nothing greater in my book!

Happy Birthday baby Sam!
You have brought so much joy to our family! We love you!