4th of July: 2011

Our 4th of July weekend was awesome, but EXHAUSTING!

 We wasted no time breaking our new camper in as we headed to the lake on Saturday afternoon to enjoy the weekend.  We couldn't have asked for better weather - It was actually hot, hot, hot!  It only took about 40 minutes or so to get the camper situated correctly on our camp site - props to my husband who managed to back-in a 30' trailer between two rocks - I can't even parallel park my own car without hitting something.  It fit perfectly like it was meant to be there!  Then it was off to leveling the camper - we are still trying to figure this part out.  Needless to say the camper slopped forward a bit all weekend, so hopefully we can adjust that soon!

 After getting comfortable, we fired up the bbq and cracked open some drinks and finally got to relax at pretty much the most beautiful place ever...

 Eli was most fascinated with the stairs at the camper.  It doesn't matter where we are the boy gravitates towards stairs.  We were constantly pulling him away from them...need to put baby gate on the camping list!

 See this grungy, cute baby face...this is what my kids looked like all weekend.  Dirty faces, messy hair and by the end they were just in diapers or naked because I couldn't keep their clothes dry or clean, so we ran out!  I guess that's the reality of living on a camp ground...

 We woke up Sunday to a peaceful morning at the Lake, and then by noon the crowd poured in and we had a wonderful afternoon with friends and family - boating, eating, laughing, and drinking...

 The kids could not get enough of the tubes - I remember the day me and my cousins would ride the tubes all day long - and now I am the old lady in the boat managing the flag.  It was so hot out, so it was a perfect way to stay cool...

 Eli chillin' in the boat...

 Eli loves to drive the boat with Papa or Uncle Kevin...

 Emily and Sarah goofing around on the tube...

 This is where Ashtyn spent all Sunday - sleeping!  The poor girl was exhausted from all the excitement the day before!  Even with it being so hot out the camper provided a comfy spot for her to sleep...

 ...and here is where Eli slept.  Mari was the only one that could get him to take a nap - PITA!

 After everyone left around 8pm, we lit up the campfire to enjoy S'mores - which were yummy.  This was the first time Ashtyn could roast them on her own.  She actually did very well - no burned marshmallows here...

 After another good night sleep, we woke up Monday morning and after a quick trip to Starbucks (I just couldn't take it anymore, I needed my fix) we spent another day boating, drinking and eating.  It was a VERY hot day - so most the time was spent in the boat - tubing again...

Even Ashtyn got on the big green tube and loved it!  She kept telling us to go faster...

We enjoyed every minute of our 4th of July weekend at the Lake.  It truly is one of my most favorite places to spend time with my family.  When we started packing up, Ashtyn got sad and said

"But Mommy, I love our new house..."

Such good memories already...

Our New Home...

We did it!  We bought a new home...

 Well not technically, a home, but for the next 20 years we plan on living our summers in this beautiful new camper, exploring Colorado with our family and friends! 

 Matt and I love camping and being outside, and there is no better vacation with your kids then camping.  I always wished when I was little that my family would go camping, and so now that we have the opportunity we did it!  I love that we can spend our summers, taking our children all over the state and across the country to see everything there is out there - oh the places we will go! 

The camper we bought is brand new to the industry - it was a pretty good find, but it flies off the lots when they get them in so we have been waiting since May for it to arrive!  We eventually want to buy some 4-wheelers (another fun hobby of ours) so the camper has a trailer on the front to load the wheelers and whatever else cargo we may have.  Then the beds flop out like a pop up camper, so they feel more like tents and you can still sleep under the stars!  You can't ask for much more than that...so when we got the call on Friday that we could finally pick it up we jumped at the chance!  Matt took the day off and we spent all day loading it up, showing it off to our neighbors, and then headed to Baseline Lake for the weekend to break it in!

 The table and sofa slide out to make the main cabin more roomy - it's actually pretty big when you go inside.  Perfect to set up pack-n-plays and store all the other crap we bring along...

Matt and I are so excited.  We still cannot believe we own a camper!  I am sure we have a ton of learning to do - like how to pump out, so not looking forward to that - since we are new to the RVing world, but I am so excited for the memories we are going to make. 

Let the good times begin...

One Year Stats

At Eli's One Year appointment, these were his stats:

weight: 18 pounds and 1 ounce

height: 28 3/4" inches long

No percentages because we are no longer on the charts - he is a little peanut for sure!  Dr.Greyson is still concerned about his low weight, but developmentally he is perfect - and he consistently gains weight just not as much as the doctor would like to see.  So we have to return in 2 months to recheck, but I am just accepting the fact he is tiny, which I am kind of OK with - it keeps him more of a baby.  Eli really doesn't even seem that small to me - he wears 18 month clothes and size 3 shoes - so I guess there are just a ton of FAT babies out there - just sayin'

 

Quick Update...

 So I am not going to lie, month 11 was a little rough - the above picture pretty much sums it up.  Between weeks of teething and colds, Eli was not a happy camper, and extremely crabby - who could blame him though.  Matt and I are exhausted after many sleepless nights and have about ran out of patience, and all we have to show for it is one lonely tooth! I guess the bright side is Eli finally has a tooth, but I am tired, and I know more teeth are on their way - so please pray for me!  Other then teething which has taken over his life it seems, Eli has been learning to cruise everywhere, still not taking any steps, but he will randomly just stand up all by himself for a minute or so and then fall back down.  He's been adding more food to his diet like jelly sandwiches, Oreo cookies, teddy grams, whole wheat crackers, yogurt, but oatmeal with fruit still seems to be his favorite. 

I do hope we get to see our normal, happy baby back sometime this month - I miss him dearly!  Even with all the teething he is still so sweet and loving.  Emily is teaching him to sign I-love-you and he almost can do it - which is just so precious. 
We have a summer planned with tons of new adventures and I cannot wait to watch Eli experience all of it.  It should be fun...

Friday FUN!

 Friday was one of those Summer days I wish could be every day- repeat, repeat, repeat.  Ashtyn was invited to a friends house to play, so Eli and I met Shannon, Payton, Melissa and Maddie at the Broomfield Bay.  All the children were in rare form - Eli was teething, Payton got sunscreen in her eye and Maddie was actually perfect, but we ended up not spending to much time swimming because they were so crabby, and more time just hanging out on the blankets.  It actually was more enjoyable that way - Eli took a nap, Maddie hung out contently and Payton made friends with everyone around us while us mommy's got to gossip and soak up some sun!  It's amazing how things work out sometimes!  I will say I missed Ashtyn, but only having one child was super easy and very relaxing!

 After the Bay we went home for naps and then met everyone again at the Orchard for dinner and the live music and festivities they have going on Friday nights.  We ate dinner at 3 Margaritas (what were we thinking?), and as usual with three children it was a disaster!  Eli whined, Payton hit her lip on the table and cried, and Emily spilled water all over Shannon!  On lookers must just shake their heads when they see all of us and the chaos that surrounds!  I am sure one day when we are sitting around having dinner and our children are off in college we will laugh, but for now we are doing PICNIC dinners - no more restaurants!

 By the end of dinner Shannon, Kole and I were the only ones left and the rest made it to the splash park, where the children were much happier!  This is where the picnic dinner may have been a better option...oh well, live and learn, right?  The Orchard is so fun on Friday nights - it has the best atmosphere and the weather of course could not have been better - I am already excited for next Friday night...

 Payton is a girl after my own heart - we love water!  She went straight to the fountains and with no hesitation stuck her face right into the water!  She cracked me up!  I love this little girl just like my own daughter - she is so animated - since the day she was born and I love it!  She would smile and giggle every time the water would hit her in the face - my kids just cry!  After awhile I could tell she was a bit chilly and I asked her if she was done and she said "Yah!" - oh she is so precious - love you Payton...

Shhh...don't tell Shannon, but Ashtyn is feeding Payton ice cream!

Afterwards we went to the Carnival they are hosting in the parking lot at the Orchard.  This was Ashtyn's first time going on rides, and of course she loved them!  I think the roller coaster was her favorite - the camera died so I have no pictures, but she definitely enjoyed herself and keeps asking when we can go again!

I loved our family Friday night!  More please...