The Evolution of a Christmas Tree

My house smells so good right now!

Yesterday cousin Michelle came over and we put up my very first Christmas tree in this house. It's a 9 foot fir that smells delicious! And combined with the cinnamon candles, it's like Christmas in your nose in here. Trust me, that's a good thing and not as disgusting as it sounds...



And what would decorating be without chai tea and boeter koeken? (Thanks Katie!)


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanksgiving

What a great week in D.C.! There was nice weather, great food, my family and of course the world's cutest 2 year old - what more could you want!

It was cozy at Katie and Alec's with Mom, Dad, Bob and I there - but a good cozy. Oh yeah, and the cats made their appearances too! After a wonderful traditional Thanksgiving dinner (YUM!) on Thursday, we relaxed and watched football and/or Luke - which ever was more entertaining at the moment.

Then on Friday Bob, Mom, Dad and I took the train downtown and went to the National Art Gallery and the World War II memorial - pretty impressive.

It's fun to see how much Luke has developed since I last saw him. He now has his colors, animal sounds and numbers down - up to 14, the number of steps in their house! And he isn't afraid to show off his talents to curious relatives! Can't wait to see him put sentences together the next time I see him! Oh yea, and Katie was pretty cute herself as she's nice and pregnant with my niece!

Things to do in Denver...

Wednesday night my friend Jason and I went to a Nuggets' game. In the almost 4 years I've lived here in Denver, I have yet to go to any of the many games available to us Denverites. But all that has changed! The Pepsi Center where the Nuggets' and the Avalanche play is super nice - clean and good seats from anywhere!

And it was a great game! The first half was pretty boring - unless you count the annoying little junior-higher next to us commentating and yelling "Snap!" after every play. But by the start of the second half my ESP was working and they began to play a little defense. Jason repeatedly told me that the players couldn't hear me from way up there, but I think it worked. Denver ended up being down by 2 with less than 4 seconds on the board. They threw the ball in play, got it to the man on the post, he shoots - he misses! But I'd rather go to an exciting loss than a boring shut-out any day.

Up next...an Avalanche game!