Halloween

Madi and one of her closest friends visiting from Vegas, Jencynn, dressed as Ballroom Barbies (though they are a bit too old to trick-or-treat).   

My cute little Lion practicing his intimidating face

Trick-or-Treating with cousin Victoria

Visiting the Zoo

This Halloween Mike and I "classed it up" for a party.  What better way to do that than dress up as Pauly D and a knocked up 7 month pregnant Snooki from Jersey Shore?  Mike was frighteningly very natural playing the role of Pauly D.

My brother Christopher & sister Anne....yes she chose his costume.  He loves her very much!

October 2010

Although our house is always a work in progress as we add more furniture, art work, etc. we were able to managed squeezing in a little fun this month.  Other than a few movies and a comedy club, we seem to spend a lot of time with friends and family at our house.  Now that we finally have space, and bought an overpriced "man couch" to fit all of Mike's buddies, we find ourselves having guests over all the time for dinners, family visits, or some game night  (baseball, UFC, or football).  
Madi is busy at both ballet and Nutcracker rehearsals at Ballet West 6-8 times a week (on top of all honors classes at school).  She's usually able to designate Friday afternoons and one weekend night for play dates - or should I say "hang out" time.  We worked on a fun gourmet caramel apple project this week using caramel, white chocolate, and cinnimon/sugar sprinkles...mmmm.

I've been trying to spend as much time outside as possible while the weather is still nice.  Mike and I took Cy on a hike up in the mountains where we saw 2 moose 20 ft. off the trail!

Cy is obsessing over cars and trains and shows no interest in any other kind of toy right now.  He even hugs my car when he sees it every morning.

Another hike with family (photo taken BEFORE Cy fell into the marsh)

We've had unseasonably warm weather for the Fall, but the week of Halloween a short snow drift came our way.  Cy had so much fun playing outside and eating the snow which I'm sure is packed with delicious treats from the atmosphere to boost his immune system.

Yard work before the snowfall

Finding a grasshopper

This picture reminds me of Cy's cousin Jack...just a blonde version

September Changes

Mike and I never would have imagined we'd end up in Utah...at least not by choice.  I never understood people (women in particular) that made such an issue out of wanting to end up "back in Utah" where they grew up.  Neither of us grew up here, though I did attend High School and College in the Beehive State, and neither of us particularly though Utah was amazing in comparison to other options.  

After several years in New York with what would be considered a great job anywhere else, it seemed as though we would never break making 500k a year, which is sadly what we needed to live comfortably in our area.  Though we loved New York's flavor, culture, entertainment, natural beauty, convenience to Europe, public schools and especially our church ward, it just didn't make sense anymore with a daughter going into High School and our family growing.  

Mike got a job offer from a few companies; one in the bay area, another in Denver, and one in Salt Lake City.  It just so happened he preferred the position and company in Salt Lake.  We were nervous to come back to Utah, but have found the convenience of old friends and family to far outweigh any other worries we had.  I miss my New York friends dearly, but it's hard to complain after more than doubling our space, finally getting a second car again, space for our 2 year old to run around in, and a drama free teenager.   Here's to September Changes and a new attitude towards Utah!

Sundance

Madi's new posse

Cy's train day

How Could I Forget Paris!

I just noticed that I failed to include photos from our trip to Paris while we were in Europe this summer.  It happened to be the most exhausting part of our vacation, so I must have subconsciously forgot.

Cy flirting with another woman's camera

Moulin Rouge: it was actually a very disgusting part of town

Notre Dame

Madison's favorite thing about Paris: Nutella Banana Crepes

Double Rainbow

If you've followed the latest craze on youtube, you know who the double rainbow guy is.  Only a day or two after moving to Utah, Madi and I saw our own double rainbow (though not as vibrant)!

Outer Banks, NC

After our long, exhausting but exhilarating trip through Europe this summer we ended up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a Coleman Family Reunion!  Since Madi is the oldest grandchild by several years, she was able to invite her best friend Kenzie to fill in for the role of cousin/sister.  The beach house we stayed in was lovely, but required 4wd to reach.  We were lucky to have great weather and warm ocean temperatures the entire time.

Tom/Carolyn & their 7 "babies"

The Grandkids with Grandma & Grandpa

I have no idea what this face/pose is, but I love it!

Miles brought out the fighter in Cy

But then he showed Cy some loved 

This is just funny

Best Buds: Madi and Kenzie

Scenic Switzerland

Earlier this year we thought we were going to move to Zurich Switzerland.  I got my hopes up and things fell through, but Mike thought I would be able to travel with him on a business trip last Spring.  Again plans fell through.  This summer we were finally lucky enough to work both out of London and Switzerland, which is why we threw into the mix a detour vacation to Portugal and Paris.

I love this country!  We took a train from London to Paris, then Paris to Zurich.  A couple days later we took another scenic train called the Glacier Express to Zermatt (where the Matterhorn is).  Lucky for us Mike booked us in first class where we enjoyed lots of space and fewer people.  In just a few days we saw an enormous portion of Switzerland trekking through Chur, Bern, Spiez, and Luzern.

Luzern

Bern