We're 66 today

Today is our birthday. Brian and I are - big gulp - 33 today. I didn't mind turning 30, but I am starting to feel 40 looming out there. Anyways... I still find it crazy that we share the same birthday. In fact, that's the first thing we talked about and learned about each other. It was early October, seven years ago, that we were helping mutual friends move. Someone offered to help Brian move a big piece of furniture, joking that he was an "old man." I decided, seeing as how we hadn't said a word to each other yet other than "hello," that I'd take that opportunity to start a conversation. So I said to Brian, "so how old are you?" He said, "I'll be 26 later this month." I perked up a bit. "Really? When is your birthday?" "The 29th," he replied. "Wow - that's my birthday too! What time were you born?" He looked at me with this sort of who-is-this-crazy-girl look on his face. "I have no idea," he replied. I said, "Well, I was born at 6:10 p.m. central time, so chances are you are older than me."

Well, clearly we stared dating a few weeks after this first lackluster encounter, and it was weeks before we found out who was older. He finally checked his birth certificate, and determined he was born at 4:32 p.m. mountain time. So, when you account for the 1-hour time difference, he is exactly 38 minutes older than me. Isn't that crazy? We've been looking at our baby books and marveling at where we were and who we've become. Here's darling Brian at 6 months:

And me on my 2nd birthday:
So it feels more like an anniversary or something, a shared day rather than our own day. We celebrate together and it works just fine! Sometimes we'll wake up and wonder what the other has planned for our special day, and then quickly remember it's the other's special day, too. Tonight we are going to dinner at The Broker, a restaurant in Denver that does free birthday dinners. It's an award-winning restaurant that is located in the old Denver National Bank building; the restaurant is situated in an old vault. Normally, you buy one dinner and get a free birthday dinner. However, when I called and said that we share the same birthday, they said we could have 2 free dinners. We are planning to leave a very hefty tip as a thanks. Had the Rockies won and had a game 5 tonight, I had backup dinner plans with girlfriends. But I'm glad to spend it with Brian.

Connor told me he wants to give me a bunch of "big, biting spiders for my birthday." I have no idea where this came from - is he mad at me??? Really, I'd rather have a big hug and kiss.

Woody and a witch

We're all happy to have Brian home! He flew in yesterday afternoon, just in time for our Halloween party at church. Connor was Woody from Toy Story and Isabel was a witch. I found both costumes on Craigslist for a steal! I love Craigslist - we've bought and sold stuff through it, and it's fantastic.Connor had been wanting to be Woody for a while. We bought this costume a month ago, and it's had lots of wear in that time! He was thrilled to win a cupcake at the pumpkin walk game.
I really wanted Isabel to be a witch this year, as I have the perfect scrapbook page ready and waiting for these pics! She actually won the "cutest child costume" award at the party. Her reward was a carton of Play-Doh; she was one pleased little witch! Her costume consisted of a black dress with a spider web design over it, a black cape with orange feathers and a black hat with orange feathers. Being a candyholic, she couldn't even believe her good fortune at being able to take home so much of the sweet stuff!

Misterocktober

Brian is having a fabulous time in Boston, despite the complete pummeling the Rockies received by the Red Sox. That was really, really painful to watch. We're hoping the Rox give those arrogant Sox a better showing tonight!

Anways, Brian said the atmosphere there is beyond anything he's experienced career-wise. He sent us this picture up himself in the upper deck of Fenway Park on Tuesday, which was media day.

The kiddos and I are doing fine, the days are flying by. We've actually had a pretty packed agenda! Every time Brian calls home, I've taught the kids to say, "Hello, Bwoston!" in their best Bwoston accent. We're all anxious for daddy to come home tomorrow night!

And the days go by

To say this month has been crazy is a complete understatement.

On Thursday, my mom flew in for a visit. She came for our Primary program, and of course to visit her adorable grandchildren. We packed in lots of activities, including a trip to Estes Park, a visit to a pumpkin patch, the program, Isabel's first gymnastics class, and shopping excursions. See following posts for pics from some of these.

My mom flew out today, leaving me totally alone with 3 children, as Brian flew to Boston yesterday for the World Series. He is gone until Friday. Gulp. At least my mom's visit overlapped Brian's absence by a day. It's a little overwhelming to go from 5 days of extra help to 4 days with NO help. Fortunately, friends are rescuing us for dinner a couple of nights this week. This might keep me sane. I repeat, might.

If I didn't have a nursing baby I would have gone to Boston with Brian in a heartbeat. But alas, here we are and there he is. Walking through the bowels of Fenway park. Imagining all the greats who have walked those same steps. He says walking from the players' tunnel onto the field was one of the greatest moments of his life (after marrying me and having our children, of course).

Here's hoping we all survive the week!

Gymnastics!

Isabel started gymnastics on Monday. With her sweats and ponytail, she looked the part. However, in her own independent, 2-year-old way, she's going to have to warm up to things. The class is for 2- and 3-year olds, and having just turned 2, she was the youngest in the class. When we walked in the gym, she was beyond excited with all the equipment. But she didn't want to have to do what the instructor said. She mostly wanted to play on the things she wanted. They actually rotated between the beam area, bars, and jumping/sliding stations. She was only interested in the slide:
She also loved this ball, which was NOT part of the rotation. The instructor was kind enough to let her kind of do her own thing and get a feel for things, which is good. All the other moms kindly reassured me many of their kids took time to warm up to everything, so hopefully we'll get there! She was cute, though. And I had fun jumping on the huge trampoline with her, even though she had the look of terror on her face! Wish I had a picture of that!

Primary Program

Connor was in his first Primary Program on Sunday. He did so great! We were all so proud of him. His part was a scripture, and he memorized the whole thing. And the sunbeams all sang part of "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" and he sang that loud and clear. SO cute. I was doubly proud as his mom AND Primary president! He looked so cute for the program, even with his cheesy new smile.
They all looked so cute on Sunday, so I snapped pics of Isabel and Lucas too:
Seriously, is Lucas not the most handsome little boy? I really might just eat him one day. He is SUCH a lovebug!

Pumpkin patch

On Saturday, we took the kids to May Farms, a cute farm about 40 miles east of Denver (on the lovely plains). Other than the crazy wind blowing that day, we had a blast! Of course, you gotta have the staged photo...
A highlight for Connor and Isabel was definitely the pony rides. Isabel had been asking to ride a horse for days, and there happened to be pony rides there - lucky us! Connor rode "Precious" and Isabel rode "Sweet Tuesday." They were some happy kiddos!


Connor and Lucas with grandma on a barrel train ride. This ride was crazier than it appeared! These barrels were pulled by a tractor, which went quite fast and did crazy turns. I thought the kids might be a bit overwhelmed, but they all loved it! Even little Lucas seemed to enjoy it (or at least he didn't cry at all). Even Isabel, who rode with me, kept yelling "It's fast mom! It's really fun!"

Connor "driving" a tractor:
Isabel in the pumpkin patch. We let them each pick out a $2 pumpkin, which are the cute little ones. They were happy they could carry them.

Connor was fascinated with this kitty. He wants a kitty so badly, but is allergic to them (as am I). Even after repeated cat scratchings he wanted that cat. He still has the scratch marks to remind him of the day.