Sunday, November 1, 2015

Hello November!




The month of November will have a lot to live up to, as October was a very busy month for my family! My husband and I took some wonderful local trips to celebrate our anniversary, (click here and here, to read those posts), and we also took many leaf peeking trips to see Colorado's beautiful autumn foliage, (click here to see those posts).  We also took a trip with our children and grandchildren to a local pumpkin farm to pick our holiday pumpkins.  Unfortunately, my oldest grandson was sick at that time, so he stayed home with our son that day. 
(All photos will enlarge for easier viewing if clicked on.)


We also spent many weekend mornings watching our two grandsons play soccer....


...and went to my oldest grandson's first karate tournament, where he won two medals for his performance!


My husband and I also went to Colorado Springs one weekend to attend a US Air Force Academy Football game!  There was quite a bit of pageantry involved with the game which we enjoyed.  Air Force Jets flew over the stadium, parachuters landed on the field, the cadets paraded onto the field and sat in the the stands along with the Air Force Band. Every time the Air Force Falcons scored a touchdown, a regiment of cadets would come out of the stands and do push ups to equal the score, plus one extra push up.  Happily, the Air Force Falcons won the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs, by a score of 42 to 14!


One of the Air Force Falcon's touchdowns!


I was also excited that my younger brother was in Denver a few days to attend a work related convention recently. He was free one day, which also happened to be his birthday, and my husband and I took him to Colorado Springs so that we could make a visit to the Garden of the Gods park, and also ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railroad up to the summit of Pikes Peak.  My husband and I drove up the Pikes Peak Highway this summer, (click here to read that post), but at this time of the year the road may be closed due to inclement weather. The Cog Railroad trip to the 14,110 foot summit of Pikes Peak takes about an hour and a half, one way. As we slowly ascended through scenic views, the weather changed from the 60's at the base, to a chilly and windy 22 degrees (minus 5.5 Celsius) at the snow covered summit. 
We did not stay outside on the summit of Pikes Peak too long, but I still took a lot of photos which I may show more of on a future blog post. 
After taking the railway back to the base, we drove to The Fort restaurant in Morrison, so my brother could enjoy their signature game plate of elk, bison and quail meat for dinner. Because we told the waitress it was my brother's birthday, they placed the bison hat on him during dessert, and he was given their famous three cheer "Huzzah," and drum beat ceremony. It is a fun way to celebrate a special occasion!


My brother and I at the Balancing Rock formation in the Garden of the Gods Park.


Halloween was a fun way to end the month. My oldest granddaughter dressed as a kitten for her pre-school class party, and to see a "Shrek" character at a local mall on a "trick or treat" day, and my youngest granddaughter looked stylish in two different costumes for her first Halloween. Star Wars was a major theme for my family's costumes this year, plus one little "Jake the Pirate," grandson.


On most days my husband and I take care of our oldest granddaughter while her parents are at work. She is an active two and a half year old, and keeps us very busy, but we love all the interaction we have with her. She really keeps us young!  

So this was my October!  I hope that November will be equally happy and busy.  We have had a warmer than usual autumn on the Front Range of Colorado, but I know our first snow will soon arrive.  I'm looking forward to all that winter will bring, are you?


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32 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a lot of fun you've had!

SmilingSally said...

Morning Pat,

October was a full, fun month! You two know how to "retire." Your grandchildren are just darling, and your time with your brother sounds like a day you'll remember.

Thanks for sharing.

Have a Happy Blue Monday!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat, you had a busy, but fun October. I love the shot of you and your brother. Happy Birthday to your brother. The little ones in their costumes are adorable. Lovely collection of photos and post. Have a happy new week!

Linda Kay said...

Football and Halloween....a great autumn combination!

Pondside said...

How lovely to catch up with you, Pat! Your grandchildren are getting so big! Imagine - you have four now! You have adjusted and embraced life in the west in such a big way. It's wonderful to see.....and you look great!

Gracie said...

Well, you're not having a boring life.....lol..

Jeannie Marie said...

What a great month you had. I would not stand too close to that balancing rock formation! Happy Blue Monday!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi, I love keeping up with you and your wonderful life and experiences.. You DID have a fantastic October. We had a wonderful October also --but don't have the fantastic option of being near any of our family much... AND--all of my grandchildren are all grown up now... Mercy Me --how time flies.

We had two great happenings in October: 1. walking every day and enjoying our Fall Colors around our area --and yard; and 2. our trip with good friends to West Virginia...

November should be terrific also with a trip to Florida to spend Thanksgiving with George's son and family...

Keep those awesome pictures coming... LOVE them and LOVE Colorado.
Hugs,
Betsy

Unknown said...

Hi Pat, I met you first when you were in New York. So glad to be back blogging again. What a fun family time you have written about. So had you are doing well.

Rajesh said...

Wish you Happy Anniversary. Great time with family.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

That's a busy month indeed! The baby in the first collage looking so serious, cracked me up! :)

And that balancing rock looks scary in a photo with it just above your head :)

Unknown said...

amazing efforts,
Happy Blue Monday.

podso said...

Hi Pat, You've had a busy month and your photos are great. The grands are really growing. Enjoyed seeing their Halloween costumes!

Donna said...

What a fabulous family....you certainly enjoyed yourself this past month. I love the Cog Railroad. I don't see my nieces nearly enough although 3 of them were at the wedding in Denver!

Ruth said...

Looks like you had a month full of fun with your precious family. Love the photos of the Colorado Springs area. Hope I can visit one day.

genie said...

Wonderful mosaics. I loved getting to see the Balancing Rock again. It's been 15 years since we were there for my sons wedding in Cuchara. You all look so dear in that shot.

Sheila said...

Hello Pat, I sure enjoyed reading about your October. Your grandchildren are growing so quickly. It was nice to see them in their Halloween costumes. Have a good November!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Certainly you had a fun packed October. It was lovely you could spend time with your younger brother and your grand daughter is lovely. Keeps you on your toes, I am sure.

Pamela Gordon said...

You certainly had a busy and fun month Pat! I love all your photos and mosaics. I hope you have an equally great November!

Vee said...

Oh the grands are all so cute and growing fast. We are living parallel lives as far as soccer and karate go. Guess that's it because I am not looking forward to ALL that winter will bring. Ha! I know better than that. What a nice time you showed your brother, I know that he enjoyed his visit.

likeschocolate said...

I was just in COlorado a couple of weeks ago. So much beauty! Looks like you are keeping busy. Happy Fall!

http://travelingbugwiththreeboys-kelleyn.blogspot.com/2015/11/halloween-15.html

A Colorful World said...

Wow! Quite a busy month! Great photos of all the excitement! Love the balancing rock (Garden of the Gods is so awesome!) and that Shrek! All of the photos are just great. Hope your November is just as good!

carol l mckenna said...

Such happy family photos! Gorgeous!

Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol

Betsy Brock said...

Beautiful photos....what perfect weather you had for those activities! You sure are enjoying life in Colorado with your family...so happy for you!

Al said...

Looks like a lot of fun times. We were at that same Air Force football game, it was a good time, although when Fresno went up 14-0 we were a little worried!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The balance rock is a good photographic metaphor for your month ( and your life!)... Family activities, wonderful trips with just the two of you, nature, city, busy and quiet ...l sounds perfect! And I love Autumn and if it would last until Spring I'd be happy. Cheerfully admit I am not a fan of cold and damp and gray. So ... Florida again if all goes according to plan.

diane b said...

You sure pack a lot into your life and looking after your granddaughter. I don't know how you do it. Well done Grandma. It must have been fun going up on the cog railway but obviously very cold. Looking forward to those shots. It must have been nice celebrating with your brother. Summer has arrived here 31°C today. back into shorts and T-shirt and lunch on the deck.

Linda W. said...

Looks like a lot of fun times with grandkids! What could be better?

Claudia said...

Pat - I am exhausted reading your post! I must go rest! What fun you are having! The photo of you beneath balancing rock - just a wee bit scary. Is it really going nowhere? How wonderful that you have all that time with your grand daughter - all your grandchildren. These times are building blocks.

Cheryl @ TFD said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cheryl @ TFD said...

Great post! Lots of fun and special times in October with the grandchildren and having your brother visit, too. I always enjoy seeing your beautiful photos. It's been so long since we visited The Garden of the Gods that I don't even remember the balancing rock, so I'm glad to see that. Have a nice day and weekend, too!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

You were busy and looks like you had a wonderful Oct. Glad you got to spend time with your brother. About 6 or so years ago my sisters and I took a trip to Co. Springs to visit cousins. We road the Cog railway and went to Valley of the Gods as well. Beautiful! I'm sure Nov. will be as full and as fun! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann