Catching Up—Longest Post Ever?

When I started captioning the photos for this blog post, I realized we’re wearing shorts in a lot of them! I guess it’s been a while since I’ve put anything up. Lucky for you, that means I can’t remember enough to write a lot, so this will mostly be photos and videos.

At the end of August we finished off the camping season with a YABS camping trip and a trip up to Nederland with the Wilensky/Berzanskis family. While we were in the mountains with our church friends, Dave fit in a mountain bike ride, and I went for my first-ever trail run.

YABS camping trip, the last one of the season.

Those shoes were borrowed from the Bronski girls.

The shoes go nicely with the football jacket!

Rain shelter, which we needed a couple of times.

Phoebe resting in the middle of the day.

We had a really fun time at Kelly Dahl with Andrew, Tilley, and Whitman. Maggie and tiny baby Milam even stopped by for a few hours!

As you know, the kids started school at the end of August. Benjamin still loves his Mickey backpack! In fact, he took it to church today (the second week of Advent).

I always travel over Labor Day weekend because that’s when the American Political Science Association holds its annual conference. This year I was in San Francisco, and I had a whole day to walk around the city! I also got to run from the hotel to—and across—the Golden Gate Bridge with my running friend Renee. That was a thrill, though I hadn’t realized the bridge was so long!

You don't see flowers like this in Colorado! — You don’t see flowers like this in Colorado!

I finally made it to Haight Ashbury, a high-school desire.

Pretty path on the way to Golden Gate Park.

Architecture on the way back to the hotel from Golden Gate Park.

Random Early Fall Photos

Wearing yet another pair of Phoebe's shoes and in dire need of a haircut. He may look like this again in college. — Wearing yet another pair of Phoebe’s shoes and in dire need of a haircut. He may look like this again in college.

Where's Phoebe hiding? — Where’s Phoebe hiding?

Phoebe reading a Phoebe G. Green chapter book.

Phoebe drew this amazing picture for our next-door neighbor, Pam.

My aunts Nancy and Shirlie came to visit for two weekends with a trip to Mesa Verde in the middle. Shamefully, we took no photos of them playing with the kids, even though Aunt Nancy and Phoebe spent nearly half a day at the playground and we all enjoyed a couple of trips to our wonderful rec center! Aunt Nancy bought Phoebe a sparkly airbrushed tattoo at Art Night Out, and I managed to get a photo of that.

Random Late September Photos and Videos

Plus, Benjamin turned three!

Sleeping in Phoebe's church shoes. — Sleeping in Phoebe’s church shoes.

Building a block tower while wearing Phoebe's tennis shoes. — Building a block tower while wearing Phoebe’s tennis shoes.

Decorations for the big 3-year birthday!

Breakfast before God's Work Our Hands Sunday. — Breakfast before God’s Work Our Hands Sunday.

The ELCA has a wonderful annual event called “God’s Work Our Hands Sunday.” We participated for the third year in a row. We helped clean the yard of one of Mount Calvary’s stalwart elderly members who happens to live a quarter mile from us.

Dragging big branches to the discard pile.

The whole family in front of the branch pile.

In early October, Grammie and Pappy visited and spent a lot of time playing with the kids. We also celebrated Benjamin’s birthday together.

A few of Phoebe’s Take-A-Break friends have gone their separate ways, so the moms planned an every-other-month playdate so that Phoebe, Isabelle, Kylie, and Calae can get together and the moms can yak about kindergarten, etc. The first playdate was at Lowe’s, where they were having a kids’ workshop. The girls built birdhouses.

Phoebe is adding stickers to her project.

Kylie, Phoebe, Isabelle, and Calae show off their hard work.

On October 11 (happy birthday, Erika!) Phoebe and her good friend Fritz each painted a window on a building on Lafayette’s main street. It’s an annual Halloween contest. Lafayette is such a great town!

Getting ready to paint their Halloween windows.

Benjamin had to entertain himself. Only kindergarteners and older kids are allowed to paint!

The paintings are starting to look pretty developed.

Random Mid-October Photos

After 27 years as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent, Ohio, my mom retired on Reformation Sunday. It was a momentous occasion, and we were delighted to be able to fly out to celebrate with her. Our good friends the Otts came to church, and Dave’s dad and stepmom drove all the way from Pittsburgh!

Daddy and Benjamin reading Where the Wild Things Are.

Luther seal banner. This year the ELCA celebrates 500 years since the Reformation!

Mom relinquishing the tools of her trade.

Grandpa and Grandma Gribble with the fam.

Phoebe and Alexander absorbed in their media.

Kaitlin is such a cutie, but she always looks like trouble!

Mom on Reformation Sunday, retirement day.

Phoebe and Benjamin were playing kitty at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

You’ve already seen our Halloween photos, but here are a few shots from my work on Phoebe’s pink and purple mermaid costume. I finished a whole day before the school Halloween party!

Ready to piece together the skirt and lining.

In mid-November, Phoebe went to a princess birthday party. The princesses got to be photographed on the red carpet.

Phoebe’s school (and Benjamin’s preschool), Alicia Sanchez International, held a talent show. Phoebe read a book like a librarian (Dinosaur Kisses—she only got one minute to perform). Her kindergarten class also performed a wonderful rendition of “Someone to Lava.”

Walking off the stage after reading Dinosaur Kisses for her talent show.

Phoebe is the orange fish in her class rendition of Someone to Lava.

The next day, Phoebe was invited to read her report about giraffes to the whole school at an assembly!

The kids went sledding with Tilley and Whit.

Random Photos from the End of November and Early December

Phoebe had pajama day at daycare, so she's ready for school! — Phoebe had pajama day at daycare, so she’s ready for school!

Talking to the doggy and kitty in his phone.

Early morning on Daddy's birthday. — Early morning on Daddy’s birthday.

On Dave’s birthday, Phoebe had a friend’s birthday party at the roller rink. It was the first time she’d ever roller skated. It was fun for me too; I hadn’t skated in years, but I used to love it. Turns out they don’t play “Hey Mickey” while you skate anymore.