Waldo Sighting

Misha spotted Waldo of Where's Waldo fame in downtown Denver.

Elmo Socks

One of Misha's bosses gave her a pair of Elmo socks for Christmas!

That's speaking her love language!

Thankful Day 29 - Cool Flowers

I have loved the flowers that have grown in my yard this past summer:

Dahlias

Peonies

Tulips

Hydrangeas

Jolayne's Eye Exam

Apparently in my mid-50s my eyes have pretty much reached the point where they are as bad as they are going to get. I just bought some +2.50 reading glasses which work better for reading than my bifocals. The prescription in my bifocals should stop changing every year and stay put for awhile.

That is...until my mid 60s when my Optometrist informs me I may start getting cataracts and the like! So much to look forward to.

Thankful Day 28 - Deseret Bookshelf

I am grateful for my subscription to Deseret Bookshelf. I love the podcasts, the books I read, the audio books...I love it all. 

Thankful Day 27 - Home

One of the hard things about moving is missing the place you have called home. I know our girls are already lamenting the idea that coming "home" won't be the same.

I agree. They will be coming to a new town and having to figure out new places to go and won't have the familiarity of Firestone to rely on.

We have lived in Firestone for the past 22 years of our life and it feels like home.

But home will be where mom and dad are, but most importantly for our girls, home will be where they decide to put down their roots.

Kristen's Calling

Kristen got a calling in her student ward to be on the Mingle's Committee. Not the Activities Committee, this is the after-church committee that works on meals and treats.

Thankful Day 26 - Sunrise

As a morning person, I love the quiet of an early morning and the beginning of a new day. I especially love it when the sky puts on a show and is painted in amazing colors.

Thankful Day 25 - Windows

I have loved our last few homes that have a wall of windows. I love how it creates an open and airy look in my home. I love to see the view and enjoy the sunshine.

I love that windows open up my world and let the sunshine in.

That's Where They Went!

I thought it funny to hear the conversation in the kitchen when Kristen found the Christmas treat plate.

She had left her eyelashes on the snowman last year and they were still there this year. 

Decorating for Christmas

Kristen made sure that we were putting up decorations for Christmas. In fact, I think she verified that it was going to happen at least three times before she came home for Thanksgiving.

I appreciate that she made it happen and that I had help. It made it so much easier than if I had to do it all myself.

I worked on putting up the garland on the banisters. Kristen decorated the tree. Amy put up the nativity. Misha did the small decorations around the house. And it all looked lovely once it was done.

Christmas Lights at Water World

Chris bought a gift for us to go to the Christmas Lights at Water World. We drove for about 30 minutes, spent less than 15 minutes driving through all of the lights and then went back home.

Thankful Day 24 - Glasses

I never really needed glasses until my 40s when I started to need reading glasses. Since then my eyes continue to require glasses for reading and daily wear.

I am grateful for technology that allows me to see clearly.

Thanksgiving Day

We enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner for Thanksgiving. It is nice to girls who chip in to help. They all know how to make good gravy!

Amy is our mashed potato maker and called dibs on setting the table before Kristen remembered to do it. Kristen settled for folding the napkins into a rose shape. Misha made the stuffing and everyone helped to get dinner on the table.

Thankful Day 23 - Car

I am grateful that my car is reliable. Chris has always made it a point to keep great maintenance on our cars and to simply buy cars that will last. 

Thanksgiving Eve Sky

I love to look at the contrails (condensation trails) that crisscross the sky on the day before Thanksgiving. 

It just reminds me of the importance of family and so many people trying to get home enjoy the holiday together.

Picking Up Kristen and Amy

After our meeting with Alliance in Monument, Chris and I had a couple of hours to spare before picking up Kristen and Amy at the airport on Thanksgiving Eve.

We drove the "new way" to the airport via Parker and then along the tollway. We stopped in Parker for dinner and then at Costco for a few last minute dinner items. It was dark, so there wasn't much to see.

By the time we pulled up to the Departure level of the terminal, two girls were standing in the crowd close to the curb waving at us so we would see them.

Apparently, Kristen had told Amy that she got to hug me first. It's been the longest this girl and I have been apart. Amy got her hug too after hugging her dad.

Alliance Pricing Meeting

Chris and I had our second official meeting with Alliance Builders to discuss pricing and options for our home. 

We set a "walk away" price if the pricing didn't come in line with our financial goals. Fortunately, the pricing was right where we thought it would be and then after looking at some of the options, we were able to reduce the pricing a little more.

Nothing is locked in stone yet, but at least we feel confident in moving forward.

Here's a fun tidbit. I had wanted to add stairs off the deck similar to the one's we have on our home in Firestone. Not only were the stairs  pricey, but they were also not really recommended because there are bears that often frequent the "Black Forest" area and the stairs would just give them access to our deck. So, we nixed the stairs.

Thankful Day 22 - Island Travel

I am grateful that Chris and I discovered island travel this year. It taught us to appreciate slowing down, relaxing, and just enjoying time to do nothing. 

She Decorated!

For those of you who know Amy, you know Christmas doesn't happen until at least December 1st. That's why we were all surprised when she sent pictures of her partially decorated apartment BEFORE she came home for Thanksgiving.

Night Sky

While maybe not the clearest picture of the night sky, I quickly snapped this picture of a star-studded sky.

Thankful Day 21 - Love

I am grateful to be married to Christopher Kline, for loving him, and being loved by him. Like I mentioned earlier this month, his superpower is being a cheerleader and I am so grateful that he is cheering me on every single day.

I am grateful for the roses he stops to pick up on his way home from a work trip, or for the time he takes to wash my car, or even for the simple moments when he is happy to reach something for me that would take me getting out a stool or chair.

Thankful Day 20 - Answer to Prayer

I am grateful for the small answers to pray and the mighty miraculous moments.

Sometimes we take for granted that everyday answers that we don't even recognize them for what they are. We are so used to guidance from the Holy Ghost, we just don't even think twice.

I am also grateful for the powerful answers that affirm: "Yes, I know you. Yes, I hear you. Yes, I love you."

Misha's Friendsgiving

Sadly there are no pictures, but Misha had a Friendsgiving with her friend group as well. 

She came home to do laundry and make rolls. I helped make the rolls since she fell asleep when it came time to roll the dough.

Thankful Day 19 - Holding Hands

My girls used to hold my hand when they were little. I loved the feeling of them slipping their tiny hands into mine as we walked along. It was a comfort to them and to me.

I love holding hands with Chris. Somehow his manly hand is just the right size for my hand. I am grateful that our hands fit so well together. I am grateful when he reaches for my hand as we drive or walk or moments before we both fall asleep at night.