Sushi Hai

Birthdays are kind of a big deal with our Denver crew of friends.  This past week was no exception.  We gathered the troops and booked a reservation at Sushi Hai to celebrate Bret and Cook turning .....older.

This restaurant is fantastic.  The sushi is de-lish and the service is fantastic too.  

Sushi Hai is located in the neighborhood known as the Highlands.  I love coming to this area of town. It is an older neighborhood similar to the part of town that Max and I live in, but it is located just west of downtown.  The location can't be beat. We hardly ever get to venture that way, but every time we are there I love that area of town more and more.  Can you believe that Christmas lights are already up?  Where does the time go?  

We were the first to arrive.  We got this cute little room all to ourselves.  At first Max was excited because he thought we could just let Chance crawl around, but then we discovered there was about a 4 foot concrete hole under the table to put your feet.  Serious baby hazard!!

Lucky for us we have lots of friends to help with Chance entertainment and security.  I have definitely learned what the old phrase "it takes a village" means.  I LOVE my village!!

Lauren, Bret, and Jerad settling in for dinner.  One of the birthday boys, Bret, is in the middle.  

Cook, Max, and Chance.  Cook was the other birthday boy.  

No sushi birthday is complete in this bunch without at least one saki bomb.  

The whole group gathering for a sushi feast.  

Even Chance tried to get in on the chop stick action.  

Quick family pic.  

Megan trying desperately to get a photo with Chance where he is smiling.  Guess we'll keep trying.  You look good though, Meg.  

Let the feast begin.  

It was so good, I couldn't even get a picture fast enough before half of the plate was gone.  We all laughed and joked all through dinner.  I think both Bret and Cook had a great birthday.  

AND

Just as we were paying the tab and saying our goodbyes....we heard a familiar sound from the other room.  

It was our LUCKY day! Sushi Hai has a back room that apparently turns into a karaoke bar at night.  For those of you that don't know.  Cook LOVES karaoke and is hands down the most entertaining karaoke performer I've ever encountered.  Max and I had Chance so we only stayed for one performance, but it was spectacular.  

Just look at the crowd and how much they are enjoying the Cook performance! 

Sing it to us Cook! 

*She's got hungry eyes*

Here's to another amazing night with friends!
Happy Birthday boys!

Halloween at Home

I can not even begin to tell you how much Max and I enjoyed being at home in Kansas with our families this past weekend .  There is something so great about going...home!
The event for this trip home was to meet Kennedy! Brad and Ashley welcomed Kennedy Lehman to the family in June of this year and I still had not met her (I know...you can send crappy aunt hate mail to my gmail account).  We planned this weekend way in advance so that we could also connect with Alicia, Lily, Terry, and Joyce (the Lehmans that I love from Illinois but unfortunately get to see only a few times every couple of  years :(
Now, enough of my babbling.  I know you all visit for the pictures!

  Meet little Kennedy...she's the one with the pink bow and the adorable tutu! 

Brad and Max adoring Kennedy.  Carol, please frame this photo somewhere in your home!!

Chance absolutely loved being with Lily and Adrian!
We spent all night Friday night at Mike and Carol's watching the cousins play, adoring little Kennedy, and catching up with the Lehman family.  

On Saturday morning, Chance and I headed out early to meet my family at the Making Strides for Breast Cancer charity walk.  I had such a good time walking with my family and just being around those who know me best.  

My father was born to be a grandpa.  He makes my heart melt every time I am around him with Chance.  Just look at him.  He is pushing Chance in one stroller and holding Addison's hand in the other stroller.  

It's all smiles with my mom too! This pic is my mom, Addison, and Chance after the charity walk at Union Station. 

Because the walk was so early in the morning, I decided to head to the Legends for Brunch with my family.  We ended up going to IHOP which I haven't eaten at in years.  After brunch we shopped around at the Legends. So simple and so fun!

I said goodbye to my parents and sister around 130pm because I wanted to get back to Max and I wanted to watch the KSU football game. 

While I was out with my family, the Lehman clan had been preparing for the Halloween carnival.  Mike and Carol's house was bustling with excitement and we were all getting our little ones in costume for the carnival. Are you ready to see some adorable little children in costume?  

Alicia found this strawberry costume for Kennedy at Old Navy.  I don't think I've ever seen such a cute strawberry.  

Adrian was a vampire! Adrian also made it very clear to all of us that he wanted to be a "nice" vampire and not a "scary" vampire.  He is the sweetest little boy.  

Lily was a witch! Her little costume was way too cute! (I secretly want Lily's entire wardrobe for my own). Including her Halloween costume.  

Chance was an angry bird! 

We loaded up our strawberry, vampire, witch, and angry bird, put the KSU game on pause at half-time (sad ending) and headed down to the Lansing Halloween Carnival for the kids.  I have to say that I was pretty impressed with this little carnival.  They had lots of interactive games for the kids and it was very safe and fun for all.  Here are some highlights from the carnival. 

Brace yourself, things are about to get c.r.e.e.p.y. 

Candy decorations make me smile!

Addison looks lovely as a pumpkin!

Ashley helping the vampire and the witch fish for some candy.  

After the carnival, we headed back to Mike and Carol's for more family fun time. Zach and Sarah Kittle also joined us with their son Liam. 

Max, Brad, Zach, and Liam. 

Uncle Max playing wrestling with Adrian and Lily.  

In this picture it looks like Uncle Max is winning, but in true life...I think Adrian and Lily wore him down :0)

Two of the "nicest" vampires I've ever encountered.  

Settling down for bed time.  Liam, Adrian, Lily, and Chance all playing puzzles together.  

No Halloween bedtime is complete with out a scary story.
Goodnight!
Hope you all enjoyed your Halloween!

Frist Snow Fall

It snowed this morning in Denver!!! Can you believe it?  Lucky for us we are a glass half full family.  Did you actually think that we would cry in bed and whine about the cold miserable weather....definitely not! We all saw this as an opportunity to try out Chance's new snow suit.  It's blue and puffy.  What do you think? We need to have Chance in stylish attire for ski season.

Max decided to take Chance out with him to brush all of the snow off of our cars.  Aren't my men great?  

This was my view from the window.  Brr...

Max teaching Chance to be chivalrous. "Always clean off mom's car first and then start on your own"...just go with me here.  I'm sure that is what Max is saying to Chance :) 

The view of the snow combined with the changing colors of the leaves was a really rare and beautiful sight. 

I'm so glad that we didn't have to rush into work this morning and we got to spend some time playing in the snow with our little guy.
Let ski season begin!

PS...Chance turned 10 months old today.