Countdown to Alana

Alana comes home to me on December 18th, arriving at the Denver airport at 8:47 p.m. I couldn't be more excited. She's coming permanently and she is going to love it here. Those who know me well know that I count down to everything I'm excited about. So here is my official countdown clock to the return of my daughter.

Cripple Creek

I'm all moved into Colorado now - I guess I should add a post about the move, my new house, etc. I'll get to that later. I do really like my new house so I'll post some pictures another time. 
Yesterday Aaron and I went to Cripple Creek, an old gold mining town. Gambling's allowed there so the main street consists mostly of casinos and some novelty shops, all of which sold fudge. We've had so much crap going on lately and things have been so tense, so it was nice to finally take a day for just the two of us to relax. We had lunch at one of the casinos then just ambled down the street enjoying the brisk but beautiful day. 
We found a shop that did those old tyme photos and we decided to do it. It was so much fun getting dressed up and playing around. There weren't many people in Cripple Creek (except for all the elderly that were gambling) so we were the only ones getting pictures done and the photographer, Cheryl, spent a lot of time with us. It was a great diversion.

Bike video

My beautiful, funny, darling daughter can ride a two-wheeler. I uploaded a video on YouTube. Check it out. It's heartwarming.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqYe1Ap3mI4

Halloween

I have to give props to Ryan (as painful as it is) and admit he did a good job with Alana's costume this year. According to her, he made it. In case you can't tell, it's Pippi Longstocking. 

More pictures from Alana's visit

Here are some pictures of Alana carving her own pumpkin. She did it all from scooping out the seeds to the carving. (With some help of course.) Afterwards, we baked the seeds for a yummy snack. 

Arches National Park

We went to Arches National Park yesterday and hiked up to Delicate Arch. It was a beautiful day and I'm am so happy I had the opportunity to see those natural wonders. I have seen so much beauty since moving here. 

It was a good uphill hike with so much to see on the way up, but I admit I was quickly out of breath. I kept seeing children and old people making it just fine so I wondered what was wrong with me. I go to the gym regularly. I'm in pretty good shape. Aaron says I don't breathe properly. Says I'm stubborn and won't even try. Well, that's just silly. 

Balancing Rock

Taking a break 

Alana came for a week and we had a great time. Oh my, how I'd missed her. She is so beautiful and sweet. A bit of a pain sometimes, I guess like any other kid, but mostly wonderful. She comes back just before Christmas to live with me for 6 months. We're moving to Colorado soon and I think she'll love it there. Also, she'll get the opportunity to know and become close to Aaron's girls. I'm so excited about that.

In our backyard

On the chairlift high above Park City

At Bridal Veil Falls

My little monkey at the zoo