October

We have been busy here lately on Hycliffe.  A couple weeks ago we enjoyed a beautiful day of climbing at RRG with Dad, Mom, Renee, and Mike.  Last weekend we cycled out in Lanesville with Dad and Mom past rolling fields, whizzed by tall corn drying up for harvest, had picturesque views of old barns and homesteads, and glided past lazy dogs soaking up some sun on front porches.  This past Friday night, Johnny and I got to see our favorite musician, Bela Fleck (banjo), perform with Edgar Meyer (bassist) and Zakir Hussain (tablas) at The Brown Theatre in Louisville.  We talked with Bela after the show and found out he recently married Abigail Washburn (clawhammer banjo)....what a match made in heaven...they make some beautiful music together!!

Johnny's uncle was in town from Afghanistan and his family from Florida and we got to hang out with them all on Saturday after Mitch's last soccer game of the season. 

Today, Johnny and I did the Harvest Homecoming Bike Tour in Floyds Knobs and opted for 25 miles instead of 40 because we were so tired from the weekend already.  We woke up to a chilly 42 degrees outside and had frozen fingers and toes 3 miles into the ride.  We thawed out after about 9 miles and the sun kept us warm, even though it never got about 50 degrees while riding. 

I think we will wait for a warmer day before the next ride we do:)

Taste of Fall

The weather has turned amazing here.  The past couple of days we have woken up to temperatures in the 50s and have cycled after work with temps in the 70s...blue skies with puffy white clouds and sunny. Johnny and I enjoyed cycling in the park with Mom and Dad this past weekend, who just got their first road bikes!! We also enjoyed "Brew at the Zoo...and Wine Too" on Saturday afternoon at the Louisville Zoo.  Microbreweries from all over the country brought their finest stouts, pale ales, and other specialties.  The little 4oz tasting mug was very deceiving and soon the amount of beer consumed equaled massive amounts...not so great for the next day, but very fun in the process. 

I have my fall mums planted in hopes they will root deeply and come back next fall (being the perennials that they are) and their bright colors have livened up the front of the house.  Mr. Coy is still swimming happily in his pond out back and a yellow finch couple landed on our Purple Cone flowers and Black-Eyed Susan's yesterday and chirped about while eating the seeds right off the flower. 

Update

My hand is finally healing from horseback riding 2 weeks ago in Hoosier National Forest with Johnny, Renee, and Mike.  My horse, Shakira, had me gripping on to the saddle for dear life and I actually had a bruise on my hand, not to mention very sore adductors.  Johnny was on a horse named Bandit (the name tells it all). Renee told the owners we were all very experienced riders (Johnny has never ridden a horse before) so that we could run:) It was a blast once we got over the initial shock of gliding through the forest without one hoof on the ground. We had a great weekend with Renee and Mike in Bloomington, kayaking, hiking, riding, and eating some fabulous food. 

This weekend, we finished drinking the last of Johnny's very first homebrew (Hycliffe Hop Ale) and bottled his 2nd batch, a milk stout. He got 49 beers out of the batch!  I'm excited to taste this next one. 

Wilmington, NC

Last weekend Mom, Dad, Renee and I went to visit Megan, Bob, and Ella.  It was so fabulous to see them all and get to hold and snuggle Ella Kate. Here are some pics. Ella makes the cutest little expressions:)

Happy Birthday Ella Engelen!!

Today was the day!  Ella was born at 12:36pm weighing in at 7lbs 3oz, 21 inches in length by way of C-section (secondary to Ella being breech). Megan, Bob, and Ella are all doing well.  I am so excited to be an aunt and get to travel to Wilmington this Friday to spend the weekend and Monday with my new little niece.  I will post some pics as soon as I get some. Yay!!!!!

Happy Wedding Anniversary to Us :)

Today was our 1st Wedding Anniversary!!! We slept in for the first time in a long time, went to brunch at Wild Eggs in St. Matthews, took a 4 mile walk around Seneca Park and throughout our neighborhood, relaxed on our back porch, went out for sushi on Bardstown Road, and finished the night with Graeter's Ice Cream and watched the sunset in Cherokee Park....what a fabulous day.

We also received a very special present from Mitch last night.  He created a wedding DVD and we had the first showing last night at the Brinkworth's house after pizza at Richo's. It was such a surprise, and there was much more footage captured that we had thought...it really was like reliving that most wonderful day all over again.  Thank you Mitch for all the time and energy you put in to making that DVD...you are so talented and we love you very much. 

Philadelphia, PA

We had an awesome time at Erin and Jimmy's wedding this past weekend!!!

last pics from vacation- Arches National Park