Nine Years Already?

At 2:41pm nine years ago (on July 21st) a little boy named Keaton James came in to my life and forever changed me.  He gave me that perfect gift of motherhood and I knew at the very moment the nurse placed him in my arms, it would be impossible to ever be more filled with joy and love.  Suddenly the 41 hours of labor, sickness, pain and eventual C-Section stress melted away and I held the most perfect and precious little man.  I knew he was sent to me straight from heaven.  He was perfect and pure.  I am forever grateful for him.  He is still the sweetest thing and is growing MUCH MUCH too quickly.  He keeps telling me he's halfway to becoming an adult and this will be his last year in single digits ever.  While he's anxious to grow up, I would like him to be my little baby forever.  And he will be.  He'll always be my little baby boy, even when he outgrows me by height, weight and shoe size.  :)

Since we are brand new to the area, we had a little family party for him in a Harry Potter theme the weekend before his 'Real' Birthday.  It was a really fun day.  We had my 2 little sisters, their hubby's, and sweet little Lucy here to help us celebrate!  We even had butterbeer the official drink of Harry Potter Fans everywhere. 

And we all went to the pool!

Keaton has been saving up his money for years to buy something really cool.  He decided that he was ready to make his first real BIG purchase.  He went and bought himself a really nice new shiny Trek Bike.  He was very specific on what he wanted.  He wanted a front shock, 21 speeds, a kick stand, etc.  He was able to get exactly what he wanted and he is now OBSESSED.  He wants to ride all the time.  I know it was a perfect purchase and one he will always remember.  (I still remember my first big purchase.  An old school nintendo with a power pad and 2 guns for the game Duck Hunt)

(Notice we were counting the $ that has had his piggy bank full the past couple of years!  The nice bike shop was more than happy to have all those quarters and $2 bills I'm sure!)

On his real birthday, we had the typical breakfast in bed.

We went on a bike ride to the dirt bike park.

We stopped and ate a snow cone!

We went out to lunch at his favorite place, Noodles.

We went to spend the extra $ he got for his birthday.  He had enough from family to get his very first digital camera.  Another great purchase that gets used lots and lots.

We went to a party at Dan's new dental office where about 50 people sang to him and totally made him blush! (Dan had a ribbon cutting for his new office and we made it seem like a party for KJ.  The Chamber of Commerce scheduled this months ago and we couldn't change it.  It was fun.  It was catered with YUMMY food and desserts and we had prizes, etc.)

We ordered pizza and had cake and ice cream.

We opened gifts.

We watched Harry Potter.

Then we went to bed and I, as usual, got a little misty eyed.  I don't know why, but every time I put the birthday boy/girl to bed I get all sentimental.  I guess it's a mom thing.

I think he had a great birthday!  I can't believe I have a nine year old.  Holy cow!

Happy Birthday Bud!  We love you more than you'll ever know!

my trip to my grandma and grandpa's house (written by Keaton)

I got to take a trip to my grandparents house a few weeks ago all by myself.  I got to stay with them for 2 whole weeks.  I drove to Nebraska with my dad and little brother, it seemed like a day til we got to Nebraska.  When we were in Nebraska late that night we talked to Sam a little then went to bed.  Sam is my cousin and he is 9 years old like me but he is almost 10.  After that first night we went to the zoo and we ate lunch at Cracker Barrel.  I got a grilled cheese sandwich with 2 pickles on each slice.  Sam got chicken and dumplings.  We got to swim twice at the hotel.  I had pancakes for breakfast and at 10:00am Jack and my dad drove home to colorado.  And I drove to Illinois with Sam, Grandma and Grandpa.  I got to do a lot of things with my grandma and grandpa.  

*I got to drive Grandpa's tractor twice. And my dad didn't get to until he was 12 years old.  The second time I drove it, I was pulling logs to this place in their backyard where they burn wood.  

*I got to sleep at Uncle Brian's barn with my cousins and we had fun when we were playing his Wii.  

*We got to go to Toys R Us.  

*We went to the Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois.  This was my favorite thing that we did.  We went to this place in the museum called AT&T, there was this guy who talked about the people from the past.  My favorite place there was in this movie theater and what we watched was called Lincoln's Eyes.  My favorite part in the movie is when they shot a cannon on the screen and real smoke rings came at us from the sides of the theater and the seats shook.  It was very cool.  We actually got to look at real things that Abraham Lincoln and his friends used.  And we saw their real clothes.  There were those things that they put on the bad guys legs to keep them in a place that they want them to stay.  It only looked like it was 90 years old but it was really about 218 years old.  I liked his log cabin, I liked the ghosts in the library, and I liked all the wax figures.  They looked so real.  We had fun there and we learned a lot.

*We saw Fireworks at the Elmwood park.  Firemen shot up fireworks and when they exploded they were about as big as a tractor.  I spent the 4th of July there. 

*I ate at Steak and Shake.  This is my dad's favorite place. 

*I had pizza at Monicals.  This is the best pizza in the world. 

*I helped Grandpa on the train and rode a safari bus around the Wildlife Prairie State Park.  Grandpa is in charge of the train at the park.  We saw bison, deer, squirrels and a goat.  Grandpa and grandma bought me a really cool wolf t-shirt souvenier and an arrowhead necklace. 

*I rode bikes with Sam.

*We went to the movies and saw Cars2 in 3D and I liked it very much.

*A few days later I caught a LOT of fireflies with Sam.  We put them in a lightbulb shaped cage and we hung it on a hook on grandma's house.  

*We went swimming 3 times at the neighbors house. 

*And on both the Sundays, we went to a band concert at the park.  My favorite was the first time.  Because they played a Star Wars song.  

*I went to go see my cousins Emily and Sam's softball and baseball games.  

*I got to see my other Uncle Tim and Sheyenne, my other cousin.  Sheyenne stayed at Grandma's house for a few days.  We played the Wii a lot.  We played baseball a lot too.

*On our drive back to Nebraska to meet my mom and dad, we stopped at the Amana colonies in Iowa.  We ate lunch there.  We ate saurkraut, popcorn chicken and I dipped it in Honey.  It was yummy.  I never dipped my chicken in honey before.  

When we got back to Nebraska we met my family at a hotel.  The hotel had waterslides.  It was fun.

 Then we all went out to my favorite place to eat.  We went to Red Lobster and I got crab legs.  I love it when I get crab legs. 

 We watched Night at the Museum at the hotel and had popcorn.  I was happy to see my brother and sister again.  I love staying in hotels. 

I had the most fun on this trip than ever.  I hope I get to do it again on another summer vacation.  I love you Grandma and Grandpa.  Thanks for all the fun.

10 years ago today...

...we tied the knot!!

And 10 years later...life is still good!

Happy 10th Anniversary Babe! I love you to the moon and back!

We have this picture/quote hanging in our bedroom and it is so true. Dan and I share so much joy and that's why we have been so happy after all these years! Can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

The first 39 days...

I'm BAAAAAAACK! We have already had 39 days of summer break and it has literally just flown by. I hope it slows down a bit...I'm not ready for these summer days to come to an end just yet! Since I haven't blogged in a few weeks, I thought I'd pick the top 10 events of the last 39 days. They are in no particular order and I'm keeping it short and sweet because so much has happened, if I blogged in detail about everything, I'd be on this computer for hours and I want to get back to playing with my kiddos! (who are currently baking me some yummy lunch in Olivia's play kitchen) We have a date to go to the park this afternoon and I don't like to keep them waiting!

(remember, click on any collage to see larger)

#1 - Met cousins for the first time -

I have a cousin David (whom I adore) who lives in Texas and it's been so long since I've seen him that I haven't had to chance to meet his adorable wife and 3 little kids! It might be the fact that he's been in dental school for the past 4 years which has kept him pretty busy! They came up to visit us last month and we had so much fun hanging out! It was as if we had been friends for life. And the kids love their 'new' cousins!

#2 - Cub Scout Camp for KJ

KJ was super excited about this one and had been looking forward to it for months! A whole week of fun, dirt, hikes, rock climbing, fishing, archery, building, hanging out with friends, leather work, kickball, knot tying, etc. etc. etc. It was packed full of all things that make 8 year old boys happy! I was able to volunteer for a day and helped about 80 eight-year-olds build their own step stool. We had a great time and it was fun to spend the day with Keaton. He's such a super-duper kid. We learned new camp songs and learned how to be stronger in Body, Mind and Spirit.

#3 - Ears Pierced -

Olivia got her ears pierced! I'm a little bit scared to post this because our whole 'family' tradition is to wait til you're 8 years old to get pierced ears, but I just couldn't wait anymore...sorry mom! We were shopping for clip-on's for her and just decided to 'go-for-it'. So I called Coley to come and be there for the big moment (because she threatened to kill me if I didn't) and it was so exciting for all of us! She was super brave, didn't cry at all and she looks adorable with cute little silver balls in her ears! Coley, Liv and I all got matching earrings. Have I ever mentioned I love having a little girl?!?

#4 - Leaving the hood -

I took one last picture of the neighborhood kids playing together. Our last neighborhood was full of little kids and they loved to get together on those hot summer days to play around. We will miss them (well, most of them). Good-bye Kent Creek Kids! :)

#5 - Time at the park -

My children could live at the park. It's their favorite every-day summer activity (besides the pool). We love to search for new parks in the city since everything is so new to us. Here is one evening at the park.

#6 - Our new home -

I'm a little embarrassed about this one....we moved...again. I swear our family calls us gypsies. Yes, over the past few years we have moved a few times. We are hoping we can call Fort Collins home from now on. Yes, we just moved last June to Colorado Springs, but to make a LONG story short...it didn't pan out for us there. Dan has started a new practice here in Fort Collins and so far we really like it here. We moved in to a small/cozy home (much smaller than I'm used to) until we get our feet on the ground, get the practice up and running and decide on what neighborhood we want to ultimately end up in. We picked our current neighborhood simply because of one thing...An Aspergers program at the elementary school. It sounds great, we are hoping for the best! Turns out the neighborhood is actually great. Close to shopping, lots of green space and trails, a park directly across the street, and a neighborhood pool which we've taken FULL advantage of the past couple of weeks! So this is where we call home. We are slowly getting unpacked and organized. One good thing about moving so much the past couple of years is that all our clutter and junk gets weeded out and I love that! I hate clutter!

#7 - My 30th -

I turned 30. I have had a lot of people asking me if it was a 'hard' birthday, but it really wasn't. I actually feel happy to start a new decade of life! Like a new excitement in a way. It's hard to explain. The only reason I was sad to be done with my 20's is because those past 10 years have brought me so many amazing and wonderful things and I have a feeling none of them will be able to be topped! I got married, had 3 amazing little ones, became an aunt multiple times, traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world, moved to lots of different places, have made spectacular friends and I feel like I have learned a wealth of information about life whether it be good or bad. I mean for heaven's sakes, 4 years ago on my birthday my friend Rebecca flew my family to Maui on her private Gulfstream jet where we had our own personal flight attendants to change diapers, make lunch, and spray us with Evian water (seriously, that really happened), and then she put us up in a $5,000/night hotel suite. I know THAT will NEVER happen again in my lifetime. Unless I happen to win the lottery! I have had the opportunity to have done a lot of really fun stuff! But I do think with the 30's, I know that I have lots more to learn, I will love watching my children grow (holy smokes, I just realized I'll have an adult by the time I exit my 30's), look forward to discovering more about life and love, I look forward to making new friends and keeping in touch with old friends, I look forward to helping/supporting my hubby grow his new practice, I have a new desire to start a new hobby, I'd like to go back to school when all my kids are in school (which scares me, but I can't wait), I want to travel more, I will also need to start shopping for anti-aging creams, and possibly have to start to cover up some gray hair. :)

Here's to a new decade!!!!

On my 'real' birthday, Dan surprised me by taking the day off of work and we just played and spent the whole day together which is exactly what I wanted. KJ is gone staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house for the past couple of weeks in Illinois and comes home this weekend. So we missed him, but he's having a blast! I'm sure I'll blog about that later. Or let him blog about it!

We ended the fun-filled day with a ferris-wheel ride. I love them!

#8 - Birthday (day) party -

All I wanted to do for my birthday party was to spend the day outside. I didn't want some fussy/fancy party. I'm more about the laid-back, relaxed type of day! My sister and 2 brother-in-laws came to town to celebrate with me!!

We went to my FAVORITE new pizza place. It's right across the street from the college campus, which means it's cheap, busy, delicious, loud and EXACTLY what I wanted! :)

Then we walked around our new down-town area. I was actually impressed. I love a good downtown. It's not too huge, not too small, but just right.

Then we came home and went SWIMMING! Being in the water and sun is my favorite thing to do. We spent a long time at the pool. Mostly watching the guys try to hit the beach ball 50 times in a row without letting it drop. Ha! It was fun though and Jack and Liv loved showing off their swimming skills to their aunt and uncles.

#9 - Spoiled for the night -

My brother-in-law Jason is an amazing chef. I'm not kidding, everything he makes is my new favorite food. So for my gift from him, he spent the night preparing me a birthday dinner! It was AMAZING! Coley was his sous chef for the night and decorated the house with fun 30 party type stuff! :)

Then we had dessert, gifts, and a slumber party. Everyone spent the night. It was a blast. Just what I wanted. I just need to turn '30' every year!

(and look how my birthday cake is smoking, haha!)

I just realized that my 30th birthday got 3 posts...which is okay right?!?

and lastly...

#10 - Let Freedom Ring! The 4th of July -

We had a jam-packed day! Ate a lot of junk food and frozen yogurt, found awesome running trails, a new splash park, went to the pool for the neighborhood party, watched fireworks at night, and had our own little fireworks show to end our day!

I love the 4th of July. We missed KJ but we will see him this Saturday...we can't wait to have him back!!!!!

Hope you are all enjoying your summer!

And sorry for the long post! Moving just messed up my regular routines!

We are off to enjoy some sun...