Two years ago today Rodeo passed away. Addyson, Zeena and I went to visit his gravesite at Angels Overlook at Best Friends today. I am so thankful that Daron had a beautiful headstone made because everytime I visit I see his amazing face and read the letter I wrote to him. The caretakers of Angels Overlook had just raked the sand around all of the memorial stones and it was a beautiful day out. He would have loved hiking with us this morning especially since we saw two does and a buck, horses and a jack rabbit! I am sure he was there in spirit!

om, Dad, Dan and Antonio celebrated Thanksgiving together in Fla. first time in a long time. Mom and Dad are so happy to have Dan in Florida again! I know Lisa misses him but he could only take KY for so long! I guess he is a beach boy at heart.

We had another great Thanksgiving at the Steimers house this year. They smoke a turkey every year and it is delicious! The weather has been gorgeous and although we missed our families we were glad to have friends to celebrate with.

Hmmmmm... I guess if Addy were Muslim and hijabs were made from daddy's underwear this picture would make sense.

A terrific birthday present for my big 40. A handmade pine bed from Rustic Mountain in Orderville, UT.

Aunt Lisa knows EXACTLY what a little girl needs for football sunday!

Thanks Pam for baking my 40th birthday cake~

Small get together to help me deal with the big 40

Addyson is not sure what to make of Isabella.

Addy creating her art in the Art Studio!

Since Veterans Day fell on a Wednesday and Daron had that day off we decided to to to the Zermatt Resort and Spa in Midway, UT near Park City, UT. Wow did we see some beautiful mansions around that area! We had bought a two night package last year that was offered to Best Friends employees. It took 5 hours to get there but it was really nice and the staff was very friendly. Daron got to spend some quiet time in the hot tub, I used my buy one massage get one free coupon and Addy had a nice time on the carousel. Although I think the fountain in the lobby was her favorite.

Anyhow, on a funny note on our way home I was driving and I had to go to the bathroom soooo bad. I of course didn't want to stop and by the time I decided that I had to go the next town wasn't for forty miles. Needless to say I took the next exit on an old dirt road and squatted down in front of the car. As I was squatting there I thought to myself "This is a stupid place to be - right in front of the car. Imagine if it lurched forward..." Daron got in the drivers seat to drive for awhile and said "Hey you left it in drive." Oh my gosh. I was lucky we were on an incline.

October was a beautiful month. We had a photoshoot with photographer Molly and she captured some great shots of Addy and the grandparents. Addy enjoyed trick or treating and her buddy Isabella was a bee. Addy has been reading and singing to her little buddy Bindi the cat. She knows moon and stars, trees and poop (hey when you have animals you have poop!) and many other things. Mom thinks there is a conspiracy going on to keep her from sleeping. Either Addy, Daron, Bindi or Zeena do something every two to three hours at night to waker her up! However, I just finished a grueling 40 hour work week (some of the hours with Addy in the backpack) as I helped run the How to Start an Animal Sanctuary workshop. Now I am working 5 hours a week and dedicating my time to being a stay at home mom! Here's hoping that my sleep improves and the house runs more smoothly!

Grammy and Grampa Andrews sadly are headed back to Texas today after a great week of Addy time. It seemed from the very start that Addy knew that these are her grandparents. It's kind of the first time that happened so instantaneously. She never let them sit down without bringing a book (nursery rhymes with illustrations) and crawling up into their lap. The break was much appreciated, and we're all going to miss them!
 

The weather is cooling off and all of the trees leaves have turned a vibrant yellow. When the sun hits the red rock it is absolutely gorgeous. Addy, Zeena and I have been taking morning hikes. Addy loves to look at rocks, flowers an birds. Zeena loves and needs to get all of her energy out on her morning runs. Here are a few photos from yesterdays outing. Addy is wearing her new fuzzy coat from Mimi and she looks adorable in it. I am transitioning from working full time to staying home full time with Addy. The days I was working from home were getting more difficult since Addy is only napping one or two hours a day! It's worked out well because now I have time to plan and cook meals and when I am with Addy I am not stressed out about getting all my work hours done! Daron will transition from working MWFR to working 5 days a week. He will miss his days home with Addy but I told him he could have all day Saturday and Sunday - Ha!

Addy hangin with her buddies in her newly converted day bed.