If only life came with a pause button ...

Good Job, Mike!

It is not a huge secret that one of the reasons I fell in love with my husband was for his mind. On our first date he took me to see the re-release of "Star Wars" (at that time he was an MIT student and that was the epitome of romantic. Admittedly, at first, I thought it was odd). In the middle of the movie Luke or Obi or Hans Solo or R2D2 said a word - parsec -and used it incorrectly. Mike turned to me and earnestly said "that is a measurement of space not time". That was the moment I was hooked. I knew that I wanted that man to be the father of my freakishly intelligent children someday.

Well this past week, 5 years after graduating from law school, he passed his third bar exam - the patent bar (he previously took the Massachusetts and Colorado). For the past little bit, he would work all day and then stay at his office and study into the night. But he did it! We are so proud of him.

two witches and a little tinker fairy

Kate is absolutely obsessed with all things Tinkerbell. She even carries their little action figures with her at most times. I think the two big girls make smashing witches. I also thought it was sweet that they wanted to be the same thing. I just love holidays with these little ones.

Holidays are always a neighborhood event. There is never a question as to whether the neighbors will celebrate a holiday together. The only question is, who will host? The neighborhood has a tradition of getting together before Halloween for a huge potluck dinner. They say it is to ensure the kids eat something healthy. But the truth is, I think the adults enjoy it as much. I truly am so grateful for this group of neighbors that have become extended family to us. I cannot imagine Colorado without them. Since we tend to have a pattern of moving every three years (which except for the incredibly sad Boston move, I have always enjoyed) I am sure the realization that we truly have the most kind and supportive (and social) neighbors will factor into our decision when we get antsy again.

Here is the group below. How absolutely fun is this to grow up with? We feel so lucky.

Blizzard of Oct' 09

Everywhere we lived we have always been quoted the Mark Twain saying "If you don't like the weather - wait a minute." He was, of course, referring to New England. But I have to say that in all the places I have lived I have never seen the weather change as dramatically as Denver. From Tuesday night straight through Thursday we got about 2 and a half feet of snow. It was amazing to watch the constant snowfall over two days. (It actually made me homesick for our Nor'easters.) It was absolutely beautiful in Colorado. But, here is what is so unique to Denver, by Saturday the weather was close to 50.

School was canceled for three days. I almost feel guilty in saying this but I love when school is cancelled for snow. The girls and I have such a great time. The girls love playing outside until they are near icicles and are unable to feel their extremities.

The neighborhood kids are one big moving party, from morning to night. They seem move in a herd, spending most the day outside but then floating in and out of each other's homes

I love this group of girls.