A NEW YEAR + A NEW FAMILY PORTRAIT

Not much to say today, just want to share a family photo we took last week. The background kind of looks like something you'd find at a Kmart photo booth, but I assure you we really were standing in a freshly fallen foot of snow.  It was so cold that Brandon even refused to bring Piper out unless I promised to "make it quick." Thankfully, the little squirt was ready to get her baby swag on. Look at that face!

 

Ta-ta till next year folks.  Happy New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Another year comes to a close, and this time we have an extra giggly and slobbery reason to be thankful.  Piper Olivia joined our little band of crazy back in September and we can't imagine spending the holidays without her. She has been the perfect pairing to our family, with those chubby cheeks, concerned brow wrinkles, long wispy eyelashes and a smile that warms up the draftiest of rooms. Becoming parents (and a momma in particular) has been a beautiful disaster, overflowing with breathtaking love and our fair share of tearful frustrations. Thank goodness there's a therapist in the house! 

Brandon completed his Masters degree in Counseling earlier this year and is working as a provisionally licensed therapist for adjudicated youth. It is, in my opinion, one of the hardest professions a person can get into, but he handles the challenges with such wisdom and patience.

There are an abundance of things to be thankful for in 2014, but honestly, those two take the cake.  From our family to yours, we hope you are happy, healthy and joyful for all the wonderful things which make your life juicy and full. Can't think of anything?  Go breathe in the fresh cool air, snuggle under cozy blankets, gaze into a crackling fire, savor a cup of hot coco and laugh with all the special people in your life - that should jog your memory!

WELCOMING OUR NEW BABY

WE'VE BEEN BUSY

We're so excited to announce that our family is growing!  Baby Girl Cameron is due August 25, 2014.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

Ollie on the couch. Brandon on the dog bed. Yup, just another normal evening at home. 

OUR DOG THE WEENIE

You want to see our dog, Ollie, jump 5 feet in the air?  He'll do it.  Think he can guzzle 5 cups of food a day and still look lean?  He does.  Wonder who'd win between him and a home invader?  No contest.  Once that global thermostat drops below 65 degrees though, Ollie turns into the biggest weenie in the world.  His lack of an undercoat and zero body fat, sends him shivering to the closest sofa, bed, throw blanket or pile of laundry... anything remotely cozy. 

Exhibit A: On his bed, which is on our bed, covered by a thick wool blanket... laying in the sun.

The other day I tossed a folded blanket on the floor while I went into the next room and when I returned 30 seconds later, I found the him sitting on top of it, like a cat on a roomba vacuum, with that look of "what?" written all over his stupidly cute droopy face. 

Exhibit B:

Don't get the wrong idea. It's not like we're blasting the AC, sticking ice cubes to his fur and leaving the freezer door open... he really is just a weenie.  Six months out of the year anyway!

IT'S FALL Y'ALL

You know that moment when life has regained some semblance of control, and you finally feel like you can take a breather and go enjoy the summer with some friends, but then you look at the calendar and it's October 1st?  I hate that moment.

The pain is lessened, however, when I look down and realize I'm wearing an oversized cozy sweater and sipping on a frothy pumpkin flavored beverage.  Family visits, hayrides and apple cider donuts don't hurt either!

Here's to fall... the season that always manages to soothe the frazzled edges.

MUDDY BUDDY

This is my favorite photo from the Muddy Buddy race event I worked back in August... and yes, that is a real man of the law.  Glad I wasn't the only one having some fun on the job!

#REISWIMBIKERUN

Here's a quick weekend highlight from TriRock Triathlon; an event I helped work today. I may not have participated in the races, but I still shook the heck out of some cow bells... (cue Christopher Walken flashback).

via

I'll also be working the Muddy Buddy race in August, so stay tuned for another magazine cover.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

A NEW JOB, A NEW LOOK AND MORE

I have no idea how to start this post. I want to say something brilliant about how time flies or quote someone expounding upon the importance of mastering your moments, but alas, I'm without inspiration and all I can say is, WTF - it's July already?

Poetic, I know.

So much has transpired in the last 7 months that it feels a bit rude to post anything new without addressing that lapse in time first. I'll stick to the highlights to keep things interesting, but let's start at the beginning, shall we?

January
2nd annual trip to the Ouray Ice Climbing Festival.  5 friends, 3 days, -16 degrees, 2 beds and 1 jacuzzi; that's all I'm going to say about that.

March
Through a series of really random life choices, I found myself in a 4 month/200 hr Yoga Teacher Training. Hello flexibility! I've since graduated from the program, am registered globally through Yoga Alliance, instruct the occasional class and plan to go back for my certificate in Prenatal Yoga this fall.

April 
I landed my dream job! Yours truly is now the very proud and thankful "Outdoor Programs and Outreach Market Coordinator" for the Denver REI.  This is the main culprit for my recent absence, but c'mon, it's not every day a girl gets to work here:

and do all this:

May
Time for a new look.  In anticipation of another scorching summer, I chopped off a bunch of hair and love the new do thanks to the girls at Rebelle Salon. I've never rocked a cut this short, but I gotta say, I'm feeling pretty sexy with my new shag. What say you?



June
Family came to visit and I finally "summited" my first Colorado 14er (Pikes Peak).  Riding a cog train to top still counts right?

I also managed to squeeze in a quick little photo shoot for my friends clothing company.  Check her out at www.haikuusa.com

Now if you'll excuse me, I bribed myself with a tall glass of milk and a pack of double stuff oreo's in order to get this post done. Who knows, I might even take a nap after that. I'm feeling dangerously productive. 

HOLIDAY RECAP, PT. 3

Another post - hurrah!

Who: Her Family

What: Christmas & New Years

Where: Another part of Florida

When: 2012

Why: Because spending the winter holidays in a pool is highly underrated (and because I missed them too, of course). 

This is Charlie.  She get's dressed up quite often, so don't be surprised if you find a more than just a few pictures of her in this post. It's kind of hard controlling my shutter finger when she's around.

Brandon speaks to animals.

The ghost of Christmas Chlorine

Ugly Christmas Sweater contest - the DIY edition

Check out the official Family Portraits Album here.

Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals.