We love Joe and Jen!

While in Tennessee, we got to see our beloved friends, Joe and Jen.

They moved to Atlanta from Denver last winter and we hadn't seen them since. So we all drove to Chattanooga to meet in the middle. Joe and Jen are special people.

Jen - special in the normal sense.

Joe - he's just special.

It's always encouraging to be around them and see how passionate they are about serving God. They're going to have their first baby about two months before we have our third so Jen and I are having fun being pregnant together.

The two preggos...

Like I said, we love Joe and Jen!

Joe's getting ready to go to Africa on a mission's trip so pray for him!!

Fifty-Years!

I'm back-tracking a little here to tell you some about our Summer...

This August we got to spend ten days with Patrick's parents in Old Hickory, Tennessee. The purpose of the trip was to celebrate Ann and Forrest Wilson's 50th Wedding Anniversary. Our sister-in-law, Suzanne (event planner/designer/Martha Stewart's mentor extraordinaire) put together a beautiful reception, complete with a recreation of Ann and Forrest's original wedding cake.

Forrest and Ann next to a replica of their origional wedding cake!

I was thoroughly amazed at the number of people that came. 400?? Forrest introduced me to someone that he had known since he was in the second grade! It was neat to see the relationships they have as a result of having roots in one town for so long. Forrest also introduced me to a lady that was "new to Old Hickory" -- she'd only lived there eight years! And I got to meet so many people that had a huge impact on Patrick and his brother's lives while they were growing up.

Steven, Ann, Forrest and Patrick

Daniel and Caleb were a huge hit at the party. They were pretty much an extension of the recieving line. And they held it together so well!

Either a rare moment of affection toward Caleb or "psst... you distract them, I'll go for the cake."

The boys with their Grandaddy!

The Wilson daughter in laws...

Trina, Deborah and Suzanne

It was a wonderful day. I think Forrest and Ann felt truly honored and that was the goal.

Daniel getting to watch Cars on Mommy's iPod while everyone else cleaned up. The boys were so good!

Oh yeah, and at the very end of our trip, we found out that I'm going to have to rename this blog, "Wilsons 5 of Colorado!"

The Great Pumpkin

I loved "The Peanuts" comic strip when I was growing up and used to read about Linus' Great Pumpkin. For awhile, I thought my parents had jipped me out of an extra occasion to get presents. I eventually figured out that the Great Pumpkin was only a figment of Linus' imagination, but we went looking for him this weekend anyway.

The Denver Botanical Gardens near us has a Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch every year. Last year, we did the corn maze and got hopelessly lost and frustrated --- almost ended our marriage. This year we avoided the maze all together, mostly because since Daniel turned three years old we have to pay for him at everything.

We did have a ton of fun wandering around the half rotten pumpkins (thanks to the recent snow), looking at scarecrows and eating funnel cakes!

Update on Dad - 2

Praise God!!

Dad saw his oncologist on Thursday and his report was that Dad's cancer is in "almost complete remission." Whooo hooo! The two tumors that were near his lungs are gone. The one in his abdominal cavity is gone, but there is 'cancer residue', however, those cancer cells are inactive. Dad has two more chemo treatments and hopefully that will be that!

We are so thankful for how God has taken care of our family over the past few months. Thank you again to everyone that has prayed!

Update on Dad

So many people have asked how my dad is doing after being diagnosed with Stage 3 Lymphoma back in August. It's amazing how many of you have told us you are praying for him and really care about his progress.

Thanks for praying for my dad, John Tallman!

He has had four of six chemo treatments. We were in Idaho for the first three and got to spend some time with him while he was at the hospital hooked up to the "poison machine". He has handled the chemo amazingly well. Many people get so sick and he has not had that reaction. The main thing is that he really tired for about a week after treatment. Then he will have a week of feeling well and energized. Then it's time to start it all over again.


Dad had a PET scan on Monday, Oct. 22 and we will find out on Oct. 25 how much the three tumors have shrunk and how effective the chemo had been. Up to this point, his oncologist has had nothing but could news in terms of his progress so we are expecting a good report.

Mom and Dad on a hike with us in Northern Idaho.

Thank you for your continued prayers! They are working. Mom and Dad are planning on spending Thanksgiving with us in Colorado and we are really looking forward to their visit.

The First Snowfall of the Winter!

As I sit here typing away on my blog and trying to figure out how to attach these pictures, it's 70 degrees outside. It's sunny. There's not a cloud in the sky. Three days ago, we had five inches of snow on the ground. Now there's not a snowflake left... anywhere. It came and disappeared. That's Colorado for you! And it's one of the things we love about living here. The snow is fun and gorgeous, but it never stays cold for too long.

Check out my new snow boots!

A few days before the snowfall I bought Daniel some new snow boots because I wanted to make sure he could go out in the first snowfall. That boys has outgrown FOUR shoe sizes this year! But that's another story. So when he woke up the morning of the snowfall, the first words out of the mouth were, "Put my snow boots on?"

It's becoming a tradition that Daniel slide into the pile of snow at the bottom of his playground with each new snowfall.

Nothing's better than Hot Chocolate after playing outside on a snowy day.

He had a lot of fun wiggling in the snow, eating the snow, throwing the snow at Mommy. And now he is confused as to where all the snow has gone... And I'm not very good at explaining temperature, evaporation and cold fronts to a three year old.

Caleb Turns ONE!

It is hard to believe, but Caleb really had his first birthday on Monday, October 22nd.

There is nothing innocent about this guy!

A few words to describe Caleb after getting to know him for a year:

Happy

Content

Stubborn

Persistent

Funny

Outgoing

Sweet

Mama's Boy

He has a BIG personality and loves people and being the center of attention.

"You have the right to remain silent."

Yeah right, there is no such thing as silence with Caleb around. Here he is with his little friend, Whitney, as they wait for their frisk and handcuffs.

We celebrated the Big Day in full-fashion the evening before, having all Mommy and Daddy's friends over and eating Mac 'n Cheese, Sloppy Joes and Chips and Salsa -- not a very healthy menu, but it was yummy! The Mac 'n Cheese was a hit with all the kids that came. (Mommy forgot that all the adults she invited also had a ton of kids of their own!)

All our little friends... Daniel is sitting in the back on the left.

Caleb (who is proving not to be too shy) loved all the attention. As everyone sang "Happy Birthday" he looked around with a big smile and clapped! A strong contrast to Daniel who buried his head in Mommy's leg, even though no one was singing to him.

All the other kiddos not understanding why they didn't get to open presents.

The highlight of the party was the squishing of the Red Velvet Cupcake. Mommy stripped Caleb down to his diaper and let him go to town! He loved squishing it in his fingers, rubbing it in his hair and on the sides of his highchair. Then he took a bite. And started to cry. The party was over. Mommy was highly offended.

"I spent the first year of my life being told not to play with my food, so... I'm confused..."

It ended up being a fun time for all of us and a great way for Mommy and Daddy to catch up with so many friends they had not seen since spending a month away in Idaho. Mommy and Daddy and Daniel are so thankful Caleb is a part of their lives.

Still Here!

Everyone keeps asking where I've been and when I'm going to update the blog. I'll get to it, I promise!! We have had a crazy, crazy last couple of months! But I think we are finally home for a little while. Looking forward to being settled again.