duluth

The second stop on our trip was Duluth, about a 2.5 hour drive north of Minneapolis. Our nephew, Nathan just started college here in August. It’s a smaller town of maybe 80,000 + and the school has about 4,000 students which seems to suit Nathan well. 
Nathan gave us a tour of his dorm, which brought back many happy memories from our college years, and he showed us around campus. I hope he is really happy there. College was such a great time for me and I hope he has a great experience too. 
B’s sister and brother-in-law drove from Ashland, which is about 1 1/2 hours away, to meet us for dinner. We spent the evening catching up and then we surprised the girls with a stay at a local indoor water park. The hotel was similar to Great Wolf Lodge, but perhaps a bit more shabby. The girls didn’t mind at all though. They had a blast swimming their little hearts out.
She’s just the silliest: 
Annabelle’s swim suit tore right up the back. We caught it with one last thread to spare and had to head to the gift shop to get a new suit. Disaster averted. 
The girls woke up early the next morning and they had the pools all to themselves. B and I took turns getting ready and packing up the car while they played. 
And then off we went to Ashland. 
So long Duluth, you are quite pretty right there on the lake! 

minneapolis

We used the girls’ fall break to visit B’s sister, Christi. Christi and her family live in Northern Wisconsin, in a very small town (8,000 people) so we had to get creative on our travel out there. We flew to Minneapolis and spent the night at the Mall of American before heading out on the next leg of our journey. We had never been to Minnesota and we’re always up for an adventure so here we go…
We got to the airport early and had a lovely lunch at Root Down. 
American Girl dolls joined us for our journey:
Oh, these two:
I’m always the one behind the camera but trying to be better about that: 
We arrived to Minneapolis just in time to grab a quick snack at our hotel…
…and then off toNickelodeon Universe in the Mall. 
That is one crazy mall and we are not big shoppers, but the indoor amusement park was pretty great. It was a Thursday night and we had the place nearly to ourselves. We rode all the rides and never had to wait in line. 
And off they go: 
hilarious!
Annabelle is our thrill seeker. She loves all the rides. Gwyneth not so much. This was the ride that did her in. We went as a family and she hated it. She was tough though and didn’t cry, but I think she really wanted to. After this we split up. B and I each took turns going on roller coasters with Annabelle and then some of the more gently, swing kind of rides with Gwyneth. 
This is more up Gwyneth’s alley…
We took advantage of the after 5 deal at the park and stayed until closing time. We rode all the rides and had a blast! 
The next morning we packed up our rental car and went for lunch in downtown Minneapolis. We received a great recommendation for Hell’s Kitchen. The food was delicious and we got our first sampling of cheese curds (the first of many on our trip). 
I enjoyed Minneapolis. I loved all the walkaways connecting the buildings so you don’t freeze in the winter. It was a very fun first stop on our trip. 

painting for reagan

We hosted a fundraiser for Reagan at our new studio and were so thankful for everyone who turned up to support her. 
At one point every single table in the studio was filled and I was a bit frazzled and a bit overwhelmed, but most importantly I was incredibly happy and humbled by the all the kindness and love in my life. New and old friends, from near and far, from school and former jobs, new and old classmates –  all of them dear to us – arrived to paint, meet Reagan and to support our family. 
How lucky we are to know such kindness, to feel so much love, to be the recipients of so much goodness. Thank you to everyone who came out that day!
I was able to snap just a few pictures before it got too busy. I didn’t get everyone, but I really appreciate everyone who was there. 
The smiles from these cousins is everything!


Reagan treatment update: She has started another four weeks of chemo. Her body is responding well. No spinal taps scheduled and she is able to eat some and rest. That girls kicks ass!

It sucks to see her in pain. I hate it. It makes me sick to my stomach and I have to fight back tears.

…And then Reagan, Annabelle and Gwyneth find their groove together. And they laugh. They laugh so hard together and they are always smiling. There is so much good when they are together. And they never want to leave each other. They always want a little more time to play. I am so grateful they have each other. They are good. They are really, really good and that makes my heart full.

cupcakes and ice cream

Just a day of sweets! Gwyneth and I made some festive cupcakes — getting in the spirit of Halloween around here. It’s not my favorite holiday but baking sure does make it more likeable. Gwyneth is quite a natural, especially when it comes to sprinkles. 

Annabelle had a swim party with a friend and B had a birthday party but we all met up for dinner afterwards. The girls picked Hu Hot which is just a few doors down from our pottery shop. It is definitely not my favorite, but they really wanted to try it. I have to admit it was a nice change and the girls really enjoyed it. Plus, we let them get a cherry Coke. What’s not to like?

Afterwards we stopped at Justice to get a few additions to their fall wardrobe and then stopped for a little scoop of ice cream. It was a wonderfully peaceful evening and so nice to be together as a family.

yaya was here

I sent my store manager (and friend) to California for training this week. I was happy to run the store during the day on my own but that left a half hour gap in the afternoon when I needed to pick up the girls from school and when the afternoon shift started. YaYa to the rescue. She flew out for the week to help. She did most of the driving to school and activities so I could work which was a huge help. She also watched the girls several nights so B and I could have some time together and attend some adult events. It was a great week and we are very appreciative. 
Breakfast for dinner with Yaya! 
Thursday night we celebrated our friend Don’s 40th birthday. 
I always tell my girls to choose their friends wisely. The same people they are causing trouble with right now could be the same people they are causing trouble with when they are 40 — if they are lucky! That’s the story of these guys. They met when they were 6 and 7 years old and are still friends ringing in their 40th birthdays. They are good guys. Really good guys. And they are funny. Really, really funny. 
Brandon and B. Brandon was the best man at our wedding! 

Lisa and Me. One of my dearest friends.
B and the birthday boy, Don! 
The party was a surprise and they had quite the turnout. It was a blast!
I love this picture of B. He never does shots and the birthday boy requested them. He looks both reluctant and mischievous. 

Friday night we received free tickets to the Avalanche game. It’s preseason, but that didn’t matter to us. We had great seats and cheered for our team. 

Gwyneth snagged one of thos falling parachutes and a free Avalanche tshirt. 

We went to see the Storks movie, which I have heard was really good. You can kind of see that Gwyneth was not doing so hot. This girl needs her sleep and she has been going, going, going. I got a gentle nudge that she wasn’t feeling well and we made it out of the theater in time for her to throw up – everywhere. I felt so bad for this girl. I took her home, she got a shower and then we ran back to pick up Annabelle and YaYa when the movie was over. Phew!

Sunday my mom watched the girls and B and I enjoyed an adult day downtown. We had free tickets for the Rockies game and we sat in the rooktop bar rooting for the Rockies AND watching the Broncos. That is a hearty helping of Colorado sports!

Afterward we cruised around downtown hitting some of our old favorite hang outs. Thanks to my mom for such an amazing week!

paint day with gwyneth

We are trying to figure out this double-business-owning-life. We’re not perfect and we have certainly had our setbacks. We have moments of near-tears and frustration and “what the…?”.  Beyond all that, it has been better than I could have ever anticipated. We are learning new things. We are working together as a family. We are dividing and conquering. We’re doing the best we can. We’re working hard and appreciation our opportunities and each other. 
Both businesses were hopping today, so Annabelle went to the Kitchen with B and Gwyneth joined me at Color Me Mine. It’s not sad to go to work with us. We work at pretty cool places. 
Instead of painting another monkey, penguin, or dolphin I told Gwyneth to pick out something big. Something that she could work on for a few weeks or even better a few months. She picked out this gigantic ice cream cone and got right to work. 
I adore this girl and her positive attitude and her fabulous smile. I was able to get so much done today and got to look over and see that sweet little face all day. I tell ya, this new gig ain’t bad at all. 
Our neighbor joined Gwyneth for some painting time. 
We grabbed a quick lunch and then met Annabelle and B at the Kitchen to help with a birthday party that evening. 
And then we went home and the girls got comfy together for the rest of the night. They were happy to be together and snuggling and watching a movie on Annabelle’s iPad. Our days are no longer conventional, but it’s working for us and we are just glad to have each other. 

rockies: kids run the bases

The girls’ troops joined forces for a running of the bases event at Coors Field. Both troops had a terrific turnout and both our ladies were so happy for the fun day with friends. We kept moving higher and higher up in the stadium for shade. It was a pretty warm day in the sun. 
All the kiddos enjoyed dip n dots and had lots of giggles. 
After the game we all got to walk on to the field which was pretty flippin’ cool and then the kiddos got to run the bases. There were lots and lots of people there so not many chances for pictures, but I was able to snap a few. The girls were thrilled with the opportunity to make such special memories with their sweet friends. 
Neighbors and friends
Ready to run: 
There goes Gwyneth: 
Annabelle in her fabulous tie dye maxi skirt and kangaroo sneakers. That girl certainly has style. 
They did it!

rain

Crazy Colorado weather!
We experienced huge drops of rain as the sun peaked through the clouds and was shining bright on us. Such a bizarre feeling and so, so beautiful. We just had to run around in the rain and splash in the  puddles that quickly formed. I love this time in Colorado. Everything is starting to change colors and the evenings are so wonderfully, nice and cool. 
Who doesn’t love fall storms and rainbows???

movie: petes dragon

Gwyneth went to a friends house, B went to the kitchen and I had a day with just Miss Annabelle. That one on one time is so special. She is such a character and cracks me up. 
We received two free passes from our neighborhood to critique a movie. Gwyneth was too afraid to see Pete’s Dragon so while she was with a friend we decided to check it out. I loved the original and I’m not a huge fan of remakes, so I was a bit hesitant. 
Annabelle and I both really enjoyed it! We got a bag of popcorn as big as her head and got comfy in our big ol’ reclining chairs. It was a little creepy at the beginning and quite sad (Gwyneth is a sensitive soul and doesn’t like to be scared at the movies and she hates when they kill off the parents, so it was a good choice seeing this one without her). It was entertaining and a great way to spend the day with this gal. 
I was catching up with Gwyneth and found Annabelle like this at the end of the day. Showered, doing homework and wearing heals. There are just no words….
You gotta love her!