Swallow, gulp, I'm 31!

I had no problem with turning 30 but for some reason this birthday hit me a little different. I have come to peace with my new age by telling myself I really feel 28 and praying I will feel that way for a while.

I had a wonderful, special, family filled birthday...just the way I like them. My husband arranged for Nick and Angie to watch the little guy so we could have dinner out at Cafe Prague! You two are the best!

The food was delicious. He also surprised me with some lovely earrings, a departure from his usual yoga pant and back-pack purchases! I love them! He had Mason bring them to me and my card. Mason said "Happy Birthday" and my heart exploded into a million pieces.

Saturday we headed to the mountains! My Fisher boy was eagerly awaiting our arrival.

Its hard to get Mason inside at my mom and dad's. This is my attempt at capturing a moment...I use to walk this trail to the barn every morning and night to feed our horses. I have many memories of heading out in the dark and my dad saying "Watch out for bears!" he is a kidder like that but really was that safe to send their only daughter out there?

Mason was disappointed that Papa had winterized the basketball pad. "Ball no bounce!"

Good thing the swings still work in the snow! Though the structural integrity of this swing set is in question.

My beautiful mother, thanks for still making my birthdays special and for being my best friend and mom! I love you! Oh yeah and why did you let me start drinking at 3?

Can you see the chocolate dog? My Hunter boy who Mason calls Nee Nee, hmmm.

 Never to old for balloons.

And fun gifts like an Ipad. Spoiled, yes I am.

Why is my son out in 20 degree weather with no shoes, coat or hat on. Who is in charge around here?

I'm sure this has nothing to do with the picture above. I liked this picture in a sepia tone, pure class!

Fish face.

Fish face in his hidding place.

Papa giving Mason a hard time, its a right of passage in the Armstead family.

Papa pretending like he is Mason.

Mason is very protective of his B (Blanket) and we all tease him about it. Poor kid.

Making "nakes" with Papa.

Toasted Almond cake ala Mom.

and chocolate covered strawberries.

And a 31 year old who still doesn't know how to handle her wine...oops!

Ode to October

October is a lovely month in Colorado and this one was no exception. It had a nice Indian summer feeling to it with pant and sweater mornings only to end in shorts and tees! Love it!

It included football games at our Alma mater!

Mason's first digger game...yea not much to brag about but they are pretty good this year. Plus his Uncle Nick played so that's something. 

Mason was not a fan of this guy...yes our mascot was a Miner and a Jack-A$$! Can you say weird?

Before the start of Nick's senior year a team-mate, Scott Hahn, was killed in a car accident. That season the team went on to win the RMAC and a playoff game. A memorial was dedicated to Scott at this Homecoming and his parents and brother were in attendance. Bittersweet.

Lets face it, engineers are weird and soon to be engineers are really weird. This is our swim team...burr!

A beer and some hot dogs while catching up with old friends was a nice way to spend a Saturday in October!

October this year also had a bitter sweetness to it! It was the first anniversary of Nancy's passing, 10/7/09. Mason and I spent the day with Angela and Grandma Bert. We went to visit Nancy's grave and Mason's lack of understanding of the moment kept all of us laughing.

Man do we miss her everyday!

October also means ELK! Lots of people like to hunt them, we just like to watch them. This was a fairly large heard near Evergreen, lots of babies.

The Bull Elk tending to his ladies and babies.

October also means picking apples. Grandma and Grandpa's tree fruited well this year.

Mason enjoys helping GG by picking up the rotten ones and really loves to eat the delicious apple sauce from the good ones.

Mason with his GG

Mason on time out!

 GG couldn't stand to see him in trouble so she decided it was a good moment for a photo, made me laugh.

October also meant a first birthday for a special little guy, Sawyer Phillips!

Their Little pumpkin turned one! I wish I had gotten more photos of Trisha's adorable decorations but here is a part of them.

 

Father and Son moments

Catching up with some of my dearest friends! Kathryn delivered 6 days after this, baby Thea Valdez is here and GORGEOUS! Another October blessing!

Family photos!

Sawyer with one of his grandpas (Trisha's Dad)!

October included lunch with Aunt Angela and Oreo cookies she had in her purse. Mason graciously accepted those!

 

October has meant zoo visits, the elephants are the favorite especially when they throw dirt on themselves.

Community Center art classes. Mason completed 4-weeks and stared at his blond teach the whole time. The last day he gave her a BIG hug and said "thanks" I beamed at how sweet my lil guy can be. I do think the "big hugs" for cute blonds he gets from my dad.

 

And as we all know, this beautiful month ended with Halloween! A warm one. Mason enjoyed his first pieces of candy a little too much! He did make one cute spider.

Matt went all out per usual with his costume.

Mason is still telling me "trick or treat" at all times of the day hoping magically that candy will appear in his Elmo. Guess he will have to wait a few more weeks until his birthday....

"Just before the death of flowers,

And before they are buried in snow,


There comes a festival season


When nature is all aglow."


- Author Unknown