Busy November with Lots of Visitors

After Halloween, things haven't really slowed down much around here. Great Grandma Luella was here until the 12th, the next day John, Jen and family came to town for a week, Anna and Caleb had so much fun playing, chasing and tickling eachother. John and Rachel enjoyed rolling around on the floor together...at least that is what I gathered from the baby babbles shared back and forth. A week later my parents and my sister joined us for Thanksgiving and some early Christmas presents for the kiddos. Doug made his official professional soccer debut for the Colorado Lightning on Saturday down in Denver against the Denver Dynamite. He had a successful game, even scored a goal as a primarily defensive player. It sounds like they expect him to continue playing on the team after proving himself this past weekend. Most of their games this month are away, so it doesn't look like we will be getting any less busy as Christmas approaches and he travels to Canada for a couple games. We went up to Red Feather Lakes and cut down our Christmas tree this weekend, Caleb really enjoyed putting the ornaments on the tree and both kids love all the lights.

Rachel playing with a balloon at Maia's 1st birthday party

5 of the 9 Brannan Great Grandkids together ages 6 months to 3 1/2 years
(Rachel, Anna, Maia, John, and Caleb)

Anna and Caleb sharing marshmallows

Rachel with Grandpa Jim

In the swing at the park on a beautiful 70 degree day



Caleb with his spiked hair cruising down the slide

Grandma Cindy with her 4 grandchildren

Driving the fire engine at City Park Poudre Fire Authority Station

Anna and Caleb with their fireman hats and junior badges on the bumper of the fire truck

Rachel and John having some wiggle time

Movie and popcorn (puffs for Rachel) night

Riding Cheyenne the wonder horse to Thanksgiving dinner

Happy Thanksgiving with Auntie Erin

New track (even without the trains) for Christmas is unbelievably exciting

Rachel loves her presents too...especially the paper

Day after Thanksgiving hike up the foothills trail overlooking Horsetooth Reservoir

Everyone must "play trains" watch out for baby disaster curve

Rachel is finally starting to like her rice cereal and fruits and veggies, but she is still messy

Disaster curve baby strikes again

Riding the motorcycle at the mall during a playdate gathering

Caleb feeding Rachel, who thinks she is really getting something

Outside during our first snow of the year, we got more than 8 inches, the photo is after I shovelled the driveway twice

Christmas tree hunting at Red Feather Lakes

Rachel the pink marshmallow, enjoying her search for her perfect first tree

Caleb hiking happily with grandma, big improvement over last years scream fest

What better way to end a tree hunt than with some yummy hot chocolate