Gratitude Overflowing

The holiday season was oh so busy, but so worth it.  I feel like we squeezed every last drop of joy and togetherness out of it.  I'm still reeling from all the loveliness....

We were so happy to host the 2nd annual neighborhood holiday pajama breakfast.  This event, perhaps more than any other, makes me feel so thankful for the people in our lives.  We ate and drank, watched Christmas movies, and snuggled our kids.  As we lazed around on the couches and floor, in our comfiest clothes, I looked around the room and just thought to myself how very lucky we are to have randomly landed in this neighborhood of people who have become some of our very closest friends. And then we ate more bacon.

For the first time since I've known Brian, we were home together on Christmas Eve.  Knowing that we had some busy times ahead of us, knowing that although family gatherings are lovely, they can also be stressful and frustrating at times, I started my Christmas Eve celebration with a beautiful solitary walk.  I breathed deeply, I thought about all I had to be thankful for, and I set some intentions for myself about how I wanted to feel and act during the coming celebrations.  I thought about maintaining control with my eating, I thought about listening more than talking, and I thought about being patient and loving with my family members. 

 

And then I headed home to my loving family, and settled in to celebrate in our own special way.  

After a quiet Christmas morning at home, we moved on to Denver for a beautifully relaxing day with Brian's family.  The day was so lovely because it was so calm, restful, and we really had a chance to visit and connect. And this has been the first year that Sadie and her cousin Elias were both old enough to really enjoy each other...it was the best thing ever to see them playing together and being silly.

After a quick day of work, and a family day for running errands and squeezing in a viewing of Disney's Frozen, we packed up the car and headed to my parents' house for the weekend.  I went into the weekend with a wish list which included playing cards, watching christmas movies, hot tubbing, walking in the woods, reading, napping, playing my mandolin, and drinking beer. 

Done.  Crossed all those things and more off my list...it was such a good weekend of connection with my family.  Oh how I love them..and absolutely cherish nothing more than when we're all together in the mountains in front of my favorite fireplace of all.

We left my parents house and made our way to the Peterson cabin and settled in for the rest of 2013!  We loved having one more night with Brian's parents, and even had a sledding party the next morning before they headed home.  We spent a peaceful day with just the three of us.  We played and napped and I cooked up a storm preparing for our New Year's Eve festivities.  We anxiously waited for our dear friends to arrive and got ready for all the fun to come.  As soon as they were unpacked and settled, we got right to playing tunes, painting faces, eating, drinking, singing, dancing, and laughing. 

What a perfectly, perfect way to end the year...surrounded by beautiful children, good friends, cooking, eating, and drinking delicious creations, and playing fiddle tunes!  I am SO filled up with love and joy and thankfulness for all the beauty in our lives.  How on earth can we be so unbelievably lucky? 

Summering

Things are starting to wind down for us after a very busy summer.  The days and nights are getting a little cooler, it gets dark a little sooner, the garden is slowing down, and we're starting to think about house concerts and canning and football season.  But my what a summer it has been!  This has probably been my most favorite summer ever.  I feel like we've been going non-stop, and honestly, by this point I'm exhausted.  But all I have to do is think back on all the adventures we've had and I know that it's all been worth it.  In addition to the big trips and festivals that I've talked about....our summer has looked like this...

Plants coming home to the garden

Sadie's end-of-year preschool program

The boys playing music for Record Store Day at Bogey's West, our local record shop

A special birthday cake for my hubby..Guiness Cake with Bailey's Cream Cheese Frosting.  I LOVED this recipe and will definitely make it again.

A weekend of celebrating the fathers in our lives....first with my papa at Euclid Hall, a restaurant I've been wanting to try for a long time.  This Brat Burger on a pretzel bun was to die for. 

And then with the Peterson side of the family for a Sunday afternoon pizza date.

Sadie's had as musical of a summer as we have...and it appears to be rubbing off on her.  She's showing a LOT of interest in her fiddle and we couldn't be more thrilled with that development.

She loved watching friends play music at Park House, our new favorite bluegrass-friendly venue in Denver.

We had a great 4h of July celebration in downtown Denver with our friends the Friesens....saw three different fireworks shows and felt like we were right underneath the awesome display the Colorado Rockies put on every year.

Of course plenty of time hot tubbing at Nana and Poppie's...

Time with both the mothers and sisters in my life....

A special celebration to honor our friend Marjorie and the awesome advocacy work she does as part of this organization.

Hooping with our buddies the Jamiesons at the Institute for Spiritual Advancement

Date night to go see Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, with Edie Brickell at the Chatfield Botanic Gardens!

Goodness from the garden and a vodka tonic on a warm summer night. 

Early morning yoga with my girl

Celebrating the newest member of our neighborhood family, Dyer baby #2 is on her way soon!!!

The Avett Brothers and Old Crown Medicine Show threw it down at Red Rocks!

All this fun and adventure in addition to the five festivals we will have been to, the camping trips, trips to the east coast...oh and our jobs....whew.  No wonder we're so tired.  But I wouldn't trade any of it.  This summer has deepened my love for my family, my friends, this beautiful state we live in, and the music with which we fill our days.  Sure feeling thankful, lucky, and blessed as we turn into fall.