Jammin

In my last post, I showed a picture of Liam playing the guitar with my friend Dave.

The band Liam is playing with is called Jake's Leg.  They are a Grateful Dead tribute band, and I've been going to see them for years.  Their fans are a tight knit group, and I count many of them as close friends.  I even met my husband while out hearing them play! Needless to say, I'm a big fan.

They play a few times a year at one of the wineries outside of the city.  We usually try to go because it's a beautiful setting and outdoor shows mean we can take Liam.  The last time they played, Liam joined my friend Ryan in playing the drums.

This time, he brought his guitar along and joined Dave on stage.  

I must say, this makes me one proud mama.  I also just love how the band is so welcoming to our little guy.  They love him and just let him do his thing!

I'm pretty sure he's a little rock star in the making....

Enjoy!

Grateful Monday

To start my week off here are five things I'm grateful for:

• A beautiful fall weekend.  It was gorgeous!
• Liam has a bad cold, I'm so grateful that I was able to stay home with him today.  We snuggled up and took it easy....well, as much as a two year-old will take it easy anyway!
• We are looking forward to a backpacking trip with friends this weekend.  I need a little time in the woods.
• We are also looking forward to a Halloween outing on Thursday night.  This will be Liam's first time trick-or-treating!
• On Saturday we went to a winery to see some music.  Below is a snapshot of Liam playing his guitar with my friend Dave.  I'll be posting a video soon.  He definitely stole the show!

Have a wonderful week!

xoxo

TOCO Family Festival

Happy October!  Welcome to one of my favorite months.  Living in the Midwest, October tends to be one of our most pleasant months of the year, meaning that we have lots to look forward to!

We spent this past weekend at the annual TOCO Family Festival.  We've been attending this small music festival for years, and it's always one of our favorite weekends.  It's small and all of the proceeds go to charity.  It's also very safe and family friendly.  They have several events, workshops, and specialized areas designed just for children.

Liam was old enough this year to really enjoy himself as well.  Here are some of my favorite pics:

Costume Parade

Post-parade shot of the guys

Andrew and I both got the chance to catch up with old friends

Family time

View of the stage

Super Liam!

Liam and his friend Cecelia went to the kids' Music Maker Workshop

Liam and his wild curls

Liam rocked out to the music all weekend long.

Thankfully he still wears his ear protection!

Liam LOVED the music.  He was drumming and dancing and playing his guitar all weekend.  Many folks said that he was the king of TOCO this year!  So. much. fun.

Have a wonderful week!

xoxo

Ginkle Ginkle Little Star

Liam has started singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

I can't stop watching this video.  He is so sweet I can hardly take it!

I have to say, I'm loving this age....he is almost two and full of so. much. joy.  It's definitely high maintenance but so very worth it.

Enjoy!

Grateful Monday

I'm back with my grateful Monday post!  To help me start the week on a positive note, here are five things I'm grateful for:

• Once again, we were spared from any major storm damage.  On Friday, we sat in the basement for 40 minutes as four different tornadoes were spotted around us. These storms definitely scare me more than they used to!
• Pedicures.  On Saturday, I was able to sneak away for a bit and relax while getting my toes done.  It's such a treat these days to have an hour by myself!  

• Liam is cracking us up lately.  Here he is doing his exercise.  He dragged my yoga mat out and started doing some of the moves he sees me do.  I think his downward dog looks pretty good!

• Since defending my dissertation proposal, I've had a couple of nice, relaxing weeks.  I have definitely enjoyed the slower pace, but now it's time to refocus.  This week I plan to hit the ground running!
• Summer concert season has begun!  We took Liam to our first outdoor show on Wednesday night.  Needless to say, he really enjoyed himself, and he impressed the crowd with his moves! 

Have a wonderful week!

xoxo

Colorado

It's been a busy couple of months for us.  In fact, it's been a bit of a whirlwind!

For now though, things are settling down a bit, and I'm starting to look forward to the holidays.  I will be really happy when this semester is over.  It's been a rough one for both Andrew and I.  After this semester, he will be one semester away from graduating.  And I will, hopefully, have my comprehensive exams under my belt and be on my way to writing a dissertation.

Here's a little peak into one of our recent adventures.

In late September, Andrew and I took a long weekend getaway to Colorado.  We spent the weekend at a cabin in Evergreen, CO with some dear friends.  We also journeyed to Red Rocks Amphitheater to see a couple Further shows.

Mule deer at the cabin

My long-time best friend

At the show

I have always wanted to go to Red Rocks.  We are huge music fans, and its sort of a concert mecca.  It did not disappoint.

The timing also coincided with fall in the mountains.  The Aspens were beautiful and the weather was perfect.  We managed to fit in a little hiking as well.

Maxwell Falls

He's much braver than I am!

It was an awesome little trip and gave us some much needed time to relax and just be with one another.  I held onto that mountain air for as long as I could!

Listen to the Music

We are music lovers.  In fact, my husband and I met through our love of music.  

We have music playing almost constantly at our house and various instruments hanging on our walls.

He's pretty much a walking encyclopedia when it comes to music...and he's introduced me to several new artists.

For my birthday, he gave me these two albums, which I just love. They've become my most recent obsession.

Ray Lamontagne...this guy is just amazing.  I love his voice and he's such a talented songwriter.  At the end of the day, I get into my car and his music takes me to my happy place.

Sarah Jarosz

I pretty much want to be her.  This girl is twenty years old, just adorable, plays the guitar and banjo, writes her own songs, and sings.  She's been called a "contemporary bluegrass prodigy".  Seriously, she's my new idol.    

What about you?  What are you listening to these days?

Weekend

Here is a single, perfect moment from our weekend.  

I just love these lazy kind of mornings.