Fall Reading Challenge

My reading-for-enjoyment time has really fallen by the wayside since the birth of my son 7 months ago. So I thought this challenge hosted by Callapidder Days sounded like a great way for me to try and make reading a priority again. I'll start with a short list and hopefully add more as I finish these. If you'd like to join in, head over to Callipidder Days and sign up or get some ideas for your own reading list.

*current reads are in red

• Sweet Dreams Drive by Robin Lee Hatcher FINISHED
• Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline M.D. and Jim Fay FINISHED
• Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
• The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare (Read Aloud with kids) FINISHED
• Parenting Teens with Love and Logic by Cline and Fay FINISHED
• Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand
• Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson
• The Choice by Nicholas Sparks FINISHED
• Playing for Pizza by John Grisham FINISHED
• Twice Freed by Patricia St. John (ReadAloud with kids)
• The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer
• Bungalow 2 by Danielle Steel FINISHED
• Consequences by Penelope Lively
• The 47th Samurai by Stephen Hunter FINISHED
• Legacy Lane by Robin Lee Hatcher FINISHED
• Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson FINISHED
• Shattered Dreams by Irene Spencer
• Family Baggage by Monica McInerney FINISHED
• Escape to Morning by Susan May Warren
• Sunrise by Karen Kingsbury FINISHED

Rockies go to the National League Championship!!

WOO-HOO!!!! Our Rockies swept the Phillies and are moving on to the National League Championship for the first time ever!!! YAY ROCKIES!!!

Buddy

We have a furry little visitor at our house this weekend. My son is dog-sitting for his Scout leaders' Shih-Tzu while they're out of town. His name is Buddy and he's been very good. He sleeps in his crate at night and when we need to leave. He gets along great with our Lab and is giving him some much-needed exercise. =) He really, really wants to play with one of our cats, but as you can see the cat's not digging that too much.

He's sure a cutie, isn't he?

autumn splendor

We are all healthy again at the moment. I'm hoping it stays that way. =)

Sunday we took a drive to the mountains with friends. We were about 1-2 weeks past prime-viewing for the aspens changing. But there was still pretty color around.

We went with two other families to take each other's Christmas pictures. I won't post any here and ruin the surprise, but here are some of the "outtakes".

Hiking deeper into the woods to find a good spot

"Carefully" climbing onto the rocks in the river (hey--anything for a good shot, right?)

We ended up with a lot of potential pictures. Of course, it was the most difficult for our family, trying to get 7 people all smiling and looking the same way at the same time. Especially Zane. We have several shots of him looking down or trying to reach out and grab the hair of the person closest to him. LOL But I think we got one we like for our Christmas cards.

We stopped for a picnic lunch amidst the trees.

Then we took some more pictures in a copse of aspens. The background was just gorgeous. When we were done, the kids spent some time playing and climbing on rocks.

These two don't look like they miss many meals, do they? =)

It was a wonderful day spent surrounded by God's amazing beauty and with good friends.

Rockies go to the Playoffs!

YAY Rockies!!! We are huge fans here, so we were glued to the game tonight. The older boys stayed up watching it go on and on and on.

We are so excited they are in the playoffs. Go ROCKIES!!