Denver Life

Settling in to life in Denver...

We have been living in Colorado almost 4 months. We still miss so much about California... all of our loved ones, grandparents, the beach, my mamas group, Bear Flag, everything about Corona del Mar, Cafe R + D, Sunday dinners at my dad's, the fellas, everything.... but we are finding our way in Colorado. We love our neighborhood, especially now that all of the trees are full, its gorgeous. We have some great neighbors with kids the same age as ours. A bunch of us enjoyed an adults night together with dinner and some games (Saukkolas took home the winnings!).

Mark and I also got out and saw a Rockies game with some friends. So fun. As Mark would say, Colorado does professional sports right.
After the game group shot.

Confession: I didn't watch one play... at the end of the game I didn't even know if the Rockies won or not. I did enjoy a beer and a hot dog, and lots of great time chatting with the girls.

Our house is great. We are definitely still settling it in, and every week we try to tackle small projects that make it feel more like home. Mark has done wonders with the grass, Peyton gives him moral support.

We planted flowers around the yard... and are attempting to keep them alive. Owen loved helping us plant, he got out all of his sand toys and used them in the soil. He keeps asking us if we can plant more.

Since we cant go to the beach everyday, we brought the beach to our backyard. One of our kids loves this plastic paradise, the other doesn't...sorry Peytee.

Owen is in swim classes with some friends. I love watching him learn to swim... its precious. Although he is very afraid of going under water, he goes for it. Im amazed at what his swim teacher, miss Kendal, is getting him to do. He LOVES her. He bobs under water, he jumps in toward her, he is blowing bubbles, and having a great time. I love his blue goggles.

He loves his blue goggles too.

Our Peyton turned 1 this week. She brings us so much joy... a burst of sunshine into our lives. She loves clapping, she says baba and dada (and mama when she is sad), she can stand on her own and took two steps two days after her birthday... otherwise she still seems so much like a baby to me and I dont want that to change. Our Peytee girl is the sweetest.

Mauna Kea Part 2

In keeping with the

"our baby just turned one and we desperately need some time away, ALONE" vacation tradition...

our pictures are few, and very blurry...

we were toasted after Peyton's first year and moving out of state. We got away for 4 glorious days and All we did is relax. I read "The Help" (amazing.) in three days, we sat and watched the ocean, we worked out, we ate so many amazing meals... and just enjoyed being together.

We LOVE that beach.

Clam bake.

Mark golfed and hit at the driving range everyday.

And what were our kids doing while we were gone?

Loving every second of staying with Bella and Papa.

Lost in Play

One of those rare, beautiful moments...

I walked in on both of my children playing, so into their own world, completely unaware that I was even there.

They love to play side by side...

and sometimes together, but the side by side works better.

Thrill of the Hunt

Owen fell in love with Easter this year. We did about 10 egg hunts... 8 of them in our backyard the week before Easter, so by the time Easter weekend rolled around he was a real pro. Our church held a big egg hunt in the park by our house the day before Easter. Even though it was FREEZING outside, we went with some neighbors and had a great time.

I love the look of sheer happiness on Owen's face.

Every egg has a surprise. How exciting!

Running so fast!

Peyton all bundled up, cheering on the sidelines.

The play group we meet with had an Easter party in the park downtown. We decorated cookies, made a craft and had an egg hunt around the playground. Here are the kids, lined up and ready to run!

Eating his loot!

Some of my new mom friends in Denver, so grateful to have met these girls already.

Gramps comes to Colorado

Gramps came to visit the other week. We all loved it so much. Our week was full of new adventures and just enjoying being together. Lots of long dinners and great conversations over wine, early morning walks to our local coffee shop for coffee and scones, Coors factory tour, train museum, and an adventure to Boulder.... such a great week.

Owen was looking forward to dyeing eggs and hunting for them.

We did that quite a few times during Gramps stay.

Lots of fooling around... I walked into this one morning?

Peyton wiggled her way into my dad's heart.

They really enjoyed bottle time together.

We all hated to see him go... Miss you dad. Please come back soon.

Miss Thang and The Evil Dr. Porkchop

Our sweet Peyton has an alter-ego, we call her Miss Thang. She is sassy, determined, tough and means business. Usually "Miss Thang" comes complete with crazy hair, funny faces, and trouble.

Here is Miss Thang after her nap... HOT MESS.

Miss Thang at the Easter egg hunt, watch out.

Mark and I laughed so hard when we saw this picture, the kind of laugh that is silent with your mouth open for the beginning until you gasp for air and cry. It might be the funniest picture I have ever seen.

Owen's alter ego these days is The Evil Dr. Porkchop...

he has the glasses to prove it.

Bittersweet

Im reading a book, Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist, that my best friend Hilary gave me the morning I moved. I began reading it on the two hour plane ride to Colorado and cried the entire flight. This book has been my spiritual therapy in this season (the move) of so much change and so much loss for me... its calling me out, stretching me, and giving me permission to feel the things I need to feel. If you have ever been through any season of loss, if you are a mom, if you are a friend, if you have ever needed hope to get you through a season of brokenness this book is for you.

Some of the questions she asks that I have been thinking about a lot: What am I in danger of missing this season? What are the things that really do matter more than anything else? What will I regret, if I get the balance (of my life) wrong?

I love these questions. My answer:

1. Seeing God in my everyday... connecting with him, listening to him, watching for him, remembering he is with me and that this story is about him.

2. Giving my best to my husband and my children. Its too easy for me to think about myself or all of the other good things I can do with my day besides just giving my attention and affection and time to the now with my family.

This season of simpleness is helping my fall in love (again) with being a wife and a mom.

Sweet Peytee girl is seriously so much fun. Can you see those teeth?

Owen is all about measuring and drilling these days.

What are you in danger of missing this season?