Good Bye Denver

Denver has been good to us! Just when I started to get a bit grumbly about our house being too hot (it was about 90 degrees inside at 8:00 pm), the landlord showed up with this little beast…what a life saver!

We started (Ethan) and ended (Caden) the month with pink eye…such a nice little set of bookends for our time here. But we’ve grown more than just bacteria in our eyes this month…here are a few of the other ways we have grown.

Clark grew one year older, and much wiser in the ways of podiatry.

Ethan grew to use the potty (yay!) He also learned about being politically correct…whether it is true or not, it is never okay to tell the lady in the locker room shower at the YMCA, “you have a really big belly!” I could have died.

Ethan also learned what a monkey trap is. He got his hand stuck in this park bench because he refused to let go of his Cheeto!

Caden grew to drink milk out of a cup and is now weaned (yay!)

As you can see from the bulging sides and wheels, Caden also grew out of his little wagon.

And me, well I grew some sore muscles. Have any of you tried the Will Power and Grace class? Wow, I haven’t been this sore since that fateful P-Day in Romania when Sora Sarah and I decided to get in shape by lunging all around a park.

I have a few observations about this gypsy lifestyle after our second month. I miss having friends in the same town a lot! I still can’t keep my house clean even with only a few possessions. I am a person that thrives on being busy, I miss having a church calling. I’m glad we are here with Clark, even though people warned us we would never see him this year, we do see him, and the weekends make everything worth it!

So off to our next adventure…luckily its only 50 miles away this time!

ONEderful ONE!

Having a one year old in the house is exhausting and wonderful all at the same time. He is big enough to get into EVERYTHING, but too little to not get hurt in the process. He is big enough to know what he wants, but too little to communicate - so he screams! It is a blood curdling, high pitched little scream that grates on my nerves.

Mid-scream!

But just when I think I've had enough, one of his adorable redeeming qualities comes out and I think I always want to have a one year old in my house!

I love how he toddles. When he wants to run fast his little knees don't bend and his head and chest stick out so far I'm sure he's going to face plant. I love that he is pigeon toed and bow legged when he walks.

I love how he gives the best hugs. He's the perfect size for snuggling in and his little head fits on my shoulder. He melts my heart with his open mouthed slobbery kisses.

I love how he ventures out to play on his own, but after going a little ways he runs back for a big hug and then goes back to play.

I love how he says, "HI." He has a low little voice and he loves to say hi and wave to everyone when we are out and about.

I love how the simple discoveries in life are such an adventure. I love that he smiles and laughs so easily. I'll take "the scream" any day for one of those smiles!

Caden's First Haircut

I know, I know it was more than time for Caden to get his first haircut. His mullet was too shaggy to be business in the front:

And although it was still a party in the back, I thought the constant little rat's nest in the back where he rubs food needed to go.

I was still hesitant though because I love his baby hair. But the little tuft that he was born with on the back of his head was long enough to be his bangs, and nobody looks good with a comb over...so it was time!

He was very serious and really held still on my lap for the trim.

Where did my baby go?! And who is this handsome little blue-eyed toddler?!

Saturday Excursion to Boulder

This Saturday we had a fun excursion to Boulder. We started out with a short hike to Boulder Falls. It was beautiful.

The trail was a little too rocky for Caden, but perfect for Ethan...however, our little mountain goat couldn't really stick to the trail. He was climbing boulders and scrambling up rocks and causing foot traffic to come to a halt!

We loved feeling the mist of the falls and somehow kept both boys from jumping in.

Then we headed to Pearl Street Mall, it is an outdoor strip mall. We were definitely entertained by the street performers and the street preachers...I think we actually only went into one store.

Then the boys were able to cool off in the pop fountains.

It never got old for me to watch Caden's surprised look when the water would come out!

We loved watching Ethan dance with the band!

It is so funny to watch Ethan when music come on, he can't not dance! I was looking back at some old blog posts the other day to remember what Ethan was like when he was Caden's age and I was reminded that he danced from the time he could bob his little head! Maybe he'll follow in Grammy Tammy's shoes and be a clogger!

Such a fun day! The boys were like this within in minutes of being in the car...this Saturday adventure was a success!

Rocky Mountain High

Clark has Saturdays off, so Saturdays we head for the hills...we can't get enough of the mountains.

Don't worry Caden didn't turn into a giant baby-this is Tiny Town, Colorado! We loved visiting Tiny Town, it is pretty much a mini town full of little houses, offices, buildings, everything you would find in a normal sized town.

We even found the American Gothic house all the way from Iowa!

Ethan called this next area "Big Town" because the houses were big enough to go inside.

The highlight was the tiny coal powered engine that gave us a ride around town.

Ethan really wanted to ride in the caboose.

After Tiny Town we wanted to go for a hike, we figured we could find a little trail around there. We drove into Mount Lindo Memorial Park and the road took us to the top of a beautiful mountain! This was our view as we drove:

We were really surprised when we got to the top to find a huge cemetery! It was really random and unexpected. There were some perfect little trails to explore. On one side we had a great view of Denver and the other side we had a great view of the mountains.

It definitely filled Ethan's need to climb a moutain which he has been asking to do almost daily since we arrived in Colorado. We loved our Saturday excursion!

Durango

Last week the boys and I ventured to Durango to visit Clark's parents for a few days. We had the best time! In one day Ethan got to drive a tractor, ride the 6 wheeler and the 4 wheeler, ride a horse, and celebrate Grandpa Johnson's birthday! It was the best day of his life!

First time in the saddle by himself.

Caden got in on the action too. He was terrified of the 6 wheeler, but loved the horses, and most of all he loved Jackson the dog.

We had a fun time catching up with everyone. The boys loved playing with their cousins Sam and Henry, and the attention from Derek and Delanie.

But the best part of all was getting to have time with Grandpa and Grandma! Every morning Ethan would wake up early and run outside in his pajamas to find Grandma in her garden. Once Grandpa came in from doing his morning chores Ethan was his little shadow, poor Vaughn never got any rest! Ethan wanted to do everything Grandpa was doing, he even insisted on having hot chocolate in a black cup for breakfast. On our way home about 40 mins. out of town the tears started wanting to go back to Grandma and Grandpa's house! My boys are very blessed with wonderful grandparents!