Following the recent reverse chronological order of the posts, here’s another that should have dropped before the last two….last week, I spent my last night on the B-Shift. For those that don’t know, we work 48-hour shifts at the firehouse and there are three of those to cover all of the days. I was transferred to C-Shift to help fill some department needs. It’s bittersweet as change can bring opportunity, but after almost 6 years on B-Shift it’s not as easy as it could be. For the entire time that I was there, I was partnered with Scott as his driver (add another year that we were together on the ambulance a long time ago, and 7 out of 11 years in Castle Rock we have spent together)….so I suppose that all good things must come to an end sooner or later. The good news is that in my spot, our back-step firefighter was promoted to driver; and I will still be driving the ladder truck at Station 5, just with a different crew.

(The photo is Chris, Scott, and I….our normal third – Troy – is out with an injury)

Just realized that I forgot to post these photos before the Anderson Farms day…earlier in the week, Ahna and I took some time and headed out for a night on our own in Glenwood Springs. We stayed at 4 Mile Creek Bed and Breakfast during our honeymoon, then again a few years ago; so it was a no-brainer to pick that spot as a place to target when we were looking to sneak a night alone. For the first time, we stayed in the red barn suite (new since we were last there), and it comes highly recommended for any couple out there. The colors of the trees and mountains were breathtaking – and a little of a surprise that they were so good that late in the season.

Friday brought us a cool fall day, and the last opportunity for us to head up near Longmont to Anderson Farms as a family (Ahna heads back to school next week after fall break ends on Sunday). We had a wonderful time exploring the corn maze, feeding goats and cows, riding on a lawn mower train, taking the tractor wagon to the pumpkin patch, and finding some pumpkins to bring home.

It’s the only question of the day that actually matters. Since getting up early with Ezra and reading through the newest editions of Powder and Ski mags, all I can think of is ski season. A-Basin season pass has been ordered (thanks family!) and their snowmaking has kicked off. We are making a trip to the mountains early next week, so I hope to have the pass in hand upon return. The skis have somehow migrated into a spot on the way out of the house (ignore the mess that is the pantry…..it’s the skis’ level of importance that the photo highlights).

34 years old. Wonderful cake made by Ahna. Hugs by Ezra. Dinner with the parents. A-Basin ski pass as the gift. More and more gray hair on the chin.

A 10-year, single car payment replacement plan has been implemented. This of course requires resetting our cars to one that will last 5 more years (see previous post about getting rid of the 2000 Outback in exchange for a 2002 Highlander) and trading in Ahna’s 2003 Outback for a new version. We were able to find a 2010 at a dealer that was returned with only 4400 miles on it….it made it affordable and we are now new owners of a black Outback. There is a lot more room to get kids in and out, and the doors/windows have been improved with this design update to make them seal better and the ride quieter. It’s been fun to drive for the past couple of days!

For the 5th (?) straight year, we headed to downtown early in the cool October morning to participate in the Race For The Cure. We are pleased to be part of one of the largest Race’s in the country – this year drawing more than 50,000 people. We again met up with good friends Ryan and Britta, and walked the 5k course (Ahna did amazing, but the really remarkable thing was that Ezra literally ran 1.5 miles).

We walked in honor of Nana as she bravelly continues to battle the cancer, and in memory of Savta Nomi and Marilyn  – both who passed away this past year.

The garage nears completion…..enought to announce it’s completion on the blog – with a final photo update once all of the organization has been completed (who knows when that will be done). Last winter we noticed, rather dramatically, that our bedroom – which is located directly above the garage – was cooler than the rest of the upstairs. The garage didn’t have any insulation on the outside walls, so one of the priorities this summer/fall was to get it done. Dad and I hung all of the insulation, then we found some workers on an off day in the neighborhood to do the drywall, and finally I painted the floor. Looks great and we are hoping for some energy savings as the colder days start to set in – in a few days we are getting lows in the mid-30s. 🙂