I'm still here

It's been a busy couple of weeks. I always have intentions of getting some blogs together and scheduling the posts, but somehow it doesn't happen. This past weekend we got to hang out with Grandma Hutt (Nebraska), Aunt Judy and Uncle Bob (Colorado). They usually make it to our area annually. They like to pretend it's the distance, but we know it takes them an entire year to build up the courage to deal with us again. As always, we had a blast.

We celebrated my thirty-onederfulest birthday (Sept 23 - and for those of you that like to say I'm allllll the way over the hill, I want you to know that I'm at the bottom of that hill, haven't even begun the ascent yet thankyouverymuch) and Wade's thirty-second (Oct 7) at Woodland Park. For my actual birthday, Wade made me some butterscotch finger cakes, which were almost ready to eat upon my return from my lovely pedicure (thanks Fox!). Talk about delish. Ava requested them for her birthday cake.

With the weather cooling off (except for today - 80s, get out of here!) I've been in a baking mood. Not being Jewish, I hadn't heard of challah. Since the recipe popped up on KA Baker's Banter, I decided to give it a try. If you like your girlish figure, don't even look. Good stuff. Really good. In fact, I'd make some right now, but I'm working on some Puffs. So far, pretty easy. As if that's not enough, Wade's getting some overnight cinnamon rolls (which you've all made, right?) for his birthday breakfast.

This weekend we went on a shoe hunt for the wee ones. And here's an idea, "shoe store" owners. Why not stock your shoe store so the descriptive word "shoe" is applicable. Huh? Why didn't anyone think of that? The "customer service" at Dick's lives up to the store name. And Stride Rite. Oh, don't even get me started. The employees act like they've been held hostage in the back and force fed the squished crackers that never seem to get cleaned up. Ava ended up getting a pair of New Balance from there partially because they were the only pair of 13.5s in the ENTIRE MALL. How is that possible? They were the first pair to catch my eye (and it was the first store on our long, long journey), not only because they were on clearance, but because they were cute. So, over an hour and several miles later we trooped back to get them. At the half way back point, I reminded Ava that I was going to be more than annoyed if she decided not to get them since we had to pass our exit to get back there.

Belle got a pair today. Guess what size she needs? 13.5. Crazy. She seems to have inherited my skis. Poor kid. Luke is still running around barefoot because there are no 9.5 wides out there. NB has the cutest Sesame Street shoes (my fave is Cookie Monster) out right now. For whatever reason, the powers that be over at NB decided that kids with wide feet shouldn't get the pleasure of wearing the cutest shoes ever and only made them in medium width. Hmmpff.

Don't forget to call and harass Wade tomorrow!