Hello Holidays

Here are some photos from our Thanksgiving travels this year. Mason went on his first airplane ride (actually 6 since there were quite a few connections) on our cross country trip first to Texas, then to Indiana. He was unbelievably amazing, like always. Here he is with his 6 month old cousin Logan. Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that, for a while, I didn't really want to be a part of given its violent historic roots. Thanksgiving dinners at La Puente Home (the organization I work for) changed that for me. It became my job to coordinate a huge meal and celebration for 200 plus people at the local homeless shelter, and though a lot of hard work, the day became one of love, celebration, and yes, giving thanks. While I still refuse to celebrate some of the traditional historic events surrounding the holiday, I've found a way to make the day my own. I love the gathering of family and friends, the wonderful homemade food, and the opportunity (if you take it), to truly reflect on the year and to give thanks. That being said...here are some photos from our family Thanksgiving get together this year.

Great Grandma Granny Jane with her three new great grandsons.

Three new babies, Mason, Logan and Aidan...all born this year!

Three new babies, Mason, Logan and Aidan...all born this year!

Mason pulling cousin Stacia's hair. Mason and cousin Kylie!

Mason in the cockpit on his first airplane ride!

Mason and Aaron in the cockpit.

Yum...bunnies!

Is it already November?

Mason spent his first Halloween cozy in the Creede house. He was dressed as the cutest little lion ever. He's a leo, so when he was born our friend and neighbor Paula got him this little lion outfit...and it just happened to fit him perfectly for his first Halloween. No trick-or-treating yet, but he's certainly not ready for candy yet anyway. It struck me this Halloween that this year is going to be a year of firsts for Mason in so many ways. First time to be alive for all the different holidays, not to mention all of the things he's learning to do! What an exciting year of first smiles, first laughs, first time to smell Thanksgiving turkey, first time to see snow...such a long list of firsts. Aaron and I are loving watching him learn to explore his world. I can't believe how quickly he's growing. Here are some recent photos...enjoy!

Mason loves tie-dye...or is it just me??

Seanna loves holding Mason.

Happy baby!

Cozy sleeping in his handmade sweater.

Family photo - Halloween 2008

Back Again...

After a long hiatus, a medical crisis and many requests to see photos of our new son Mason...I've decided to start blogging again! It's been so long that I'm tempted to go back and explain everything that has happened in the meantime, but I think most people who will be reading this already know. Besides, if there is anything the past 3 months has taught me (actually I've learned countless things from those months), it is that right now I want to focus on the present...on this day, this moment. And in this moment I'm looking at my sleeping baby boy in amazement, so happy that he's here and he's healthy. His name is Mason J Miltenberger, he was born on August 6, 2008 and I'm completely in love with him. He's certainly a little Leo...always the center of attention! I'm still feeling excitement, peace and pride in our country following the election of Barack Obama! Those two thoughts belong together because I feel that Mason's future got a little bit better on election night. I think he was the youngest person at the celebration party that night, and even though he slept through much of it I'm so glad he was alive for the making of history. It's nice to enter this season of quiet and stillness cuddled up with Mason and Aaron, watching the first snow fall outside. Fall was a fleeting visitor this year, but the colors...the colors were incredible. Here are some photos of us enjoying the golden leaves, and some of Mason's first days. I have too many photos to post right now, so I'll have to add them gradually. Enjoy these, and I'll be back soon (I promise) with more.

Fall is almost over

Ok. I actually wrote this in early November, but never posted it...so here is my one fall posting. I promise that it's soon to be followed up with something more current, and new photos!

I know, I know. I'm such a slacker for having let the entire month of October slip by without a single blog update. I especially apologize to my wonderful grandma, Jane, and sister Sara, who are probably the biggest fans of my blog. Well, that being said, I thought it was about time for an update. Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year, and I've been busy enjoying it. It's that time for slowing down, for starting the wood stoves and fireplaces, for taking long walks among the fallen leaves, for putting the garden to bed, for curling up with a good book (and in my case, a new kitten), and enjoying life. (This is a picture of our new addition Athena. This is a picture after we found her in our barn. She was very sick and thin, but now she's as healthy as can be.) Here in Alamosa it also means the smell of green chili's roasting, the site of pumpkins everywhere, and the city-sponsored holiday decor going up around town.

My garlic is in the ground (11 different heirloom varieties) just waiting for the first snow to come and blanket it. Well, I guess technically we had our first snow, but it was just a dusting. We haven't noticed a drop in egg production yet, we're still getting almost a dozen a day. I did just recently learn that the drop in egg production in the winter has more to do with the hours of daylight than with the cold, and giving the girls a few more hours of light a day through the use of a light bulb will keep them laying all winter. Here's another piece of information if you're interested...chickens keep themselves so warm by roosting together that many people around here will actually use them to keep greenhouses, pump houses, and other outbuildings warm when the temperature drops well below freezing. If we ever get a greenhouse built I'm definitely trying it. (The trick is keeping them out of the plants...)