Nomads No More

So about 6 years ago, we had our very first house built in Colorado Springs, CO. Cute little house on the outside, customized just like we wanted it on the inside, and set in the most ideal spot in the cul-de-sac with the second largest backyard in the neighborhood. We most definitely were spoiled.

It is much to both our excitement and through our tears, 6 years later, our very first little house has been rented out to some amazing tenants (we're landlords - eeek!!!) who plan to buy it in a year and a half OR keep renting it out on a month-to-month basis until it officially sells to someone else!! What a tremendous blessing, huh?

It is also much to our excitement to let you know we're the owners of a new house in Monument, CO! It's not brand new/built from scratch like our first house, but while we were in the "building process," we happened to run across THIS house for sale, and it just so happened to be the layout of a model we had looked at about 3-4 years ago and fell in love with! It's beautiful on the outside, customized and upgraded almost exactly how we would have wanted it on the inside (we do have a few more upgrades/changes to make though - but that's a fun project!), and it sits in a fantastic neighborhood! We feel truly blessed with this find and the awesome deal we scored. Now we can't wait to have all of you over! =)

Zoo Day

Today we decided to be skippers of church (ooops!) and took Noah to the little zoo we have here in town. His first time at the zoo, too! He didn't totally like it at first - was terrified of all the animals and animal statues - but ended up having a great time once he got used to his surroundings. :)

We saw all kinds of fun things today!

We touched a chipmunk (who eventually ended up in N's diaper bag in the back of his stroller - hilarious!)....

Tried to feed/pet the giraffes, but someone was afraid of them.... (we were lucky to get this picture before he freaked out!)

Eventually he warmed up, but still didn't get too close....

We played at the playground for a little bit....

Saw a photo opp for a family picture....

Saw a moose....

Saw some mountain lions....

Watched the fish....

Saw another photo opp for a family picture....

Took a picture of the most beautiful boy in the world....

Looked at the rabbits....

Saw a gorilla....

Had a snack while watching the monkeys....

He was exhausted at the end of the afternoon, but his behavior was beyond impeccable. Even though his nap was seriously being encroached upon, he did great! Even was good and being silly at lunch. Of course, when we finally got home, he totally crashed and took a 3-hour nap! :)

And so did we! ;)

It's been a good week last week and an exciting week to look forward to this week too. Last Monday we went to a Rockies game, ate at WhichWich for dinner beforehand, and got milkshakes for the drive home. It was such a fun date night. :) We went to some friends house on Friday night and were supposed to play a new game, but got caught up in just hanging out, drinking lattes and talking. That's always fun too.

This week, we're doing some shopping for new house things on Monday, celebrating Becca's birthday (surprise!) on Tuesday night, meeting her and having a picnic at her work to watch the AFA air show for the cadet graduation on Wednesday, doing some "business" on Thursday, and then will be crazy busy, sun-up to sun-down, the next 4 days.

We need some down time....will we EVER just NOT be busy? :)

My Papa

(By Jen)

2 weeks ago, on April 29th, I lost my spades partner. My driving teacher. My Dairy Queen/Taco Bell date.

The one who made me feel like I was pretty much the greatest thing in life, ever.

He was one of MY most favorite people ever too. So much so, that I named my son after him.

Just when I thought I'd already gone through the worst thing in life a kid could ever go though, I find out THAT didn't even hold a candle to THIS.

I miss him every minute of every day and I hate the ache and the hole I have in my heart. But I cling to the fact that I know he's with our Heavenly Father and that I'll get to see him again someday!

Beading

(By Jen)

For anyone who knows me well, creativity and craftiness are not one of my strongsuits. In fact, I have always been known to say that I'd rather pay someone to do something for me rather than to try to do it myself, have it turn out looking like crap, throw it away and waste all that time and money. =)

Well, things may have changed. A little.

Last year for Mother's Day, I purchased the bracelet below for my Mom. Before I even became pregnant, I always knew I wanted to give my Mom a gift like this on her first Mother's Day being a Grandparent.

Gorgeous, isn't it?

Well...... after getting together one night with a friend to "bead" and thinking about it more after having 2 seperate friends on 2 seperate occassions tell me I should get more serious about making jewelry, I decided to give it a try and form a new hobby.

Lemme tell ya, it's fun! So far, nothing's turned out looking like crap, and I haven't had to throw anything away! ;) As I get better, I will start making gifts for people. Until then, this hobby will just be for me to enjoy.

I am also throwing around the idea of doing some woodworking - like pictures with cute sayings on them and etc. If this idea ever comes to fruition, I will let you know. =)

White Easter

It seems as though we're not always guaranteed a white Christmas here in Colorado, but the odds are quite good that we'll get a white Easter - and we did. Either way, it was too cold to wear the cute Easter "outfits" we had planned or to do some of the outdoor activities we had planned. But you know us, we had fun anyway! =)

Noah (and us!!!!) hit the motherlode this year with all the goodies he got in all 3 of his Easter baskets. He kept calling the eggs "ball-balls" so you KNOW he loved those! =)

Looking at the goods before church!

Our little family - Easter Sunday!

Our little man in his back-up Easter outfit. ;)

Digging in after church.

Another reason our (outside) easter egg hunt was cancelled..... (ha ha!)

EGG-tastic Family Fun Day

We got in the Easter spirit a little early today and took Noah on his first Easter egg hunt! (or to be politically correct, "Spring sphere" hunt. Yeah... ridiculous....) Some good friends of ours invited us to go with them and be a part of a massive Easter egg hunt that Way-Fm was sponsoring up in Denver! Over 8,000 eggs were put out! It was crazy as a zoo, but fun!

After the big hunt, we picked up some lunch and all went on a picnic here since it was a gorgeous day out. And then we went and found a a place to feed the ducks. Noah's first time. He LOVED it and didn't (surprisingly) try to eat any of the bread!

Such a fabulous day with such wonderful friends!!

Even the weekend got off to a great start! We left Noah with Mimi and went on a date last night. Dinner, movie, shopping. We went and saw Soul Surfer. It was such a neat movie and it REALLY made us miss Hawaii. ;) Already planning our next trip!

Earlier in the week, Jen went to JBF in the Springs (totally missed the Douglas County one last month). Last year she came home with everything on her list plus a few extra things. This year, she came home with everything BUT what was on her list. Maybe the Fall sale will prove to be more productive.

Tomorrow will be a day of napping and our traditional Sunday with the family. With a weekend like this, who wants the regular week to come?

Noah-licious (Part Two)

So we've been a little absent in "blog land" these days - as you might have noticed. One could say we've kinda been in a little bit of a funk - a lot going on too. Crazy busy. Nothing worthy enough to post on our blog though. So instead, we'll post some pictures of Noah and all his cuteness over the past few months. =)

Silly Face. =) "Bucket head." Brought home a cow hat from Chick-Fil-A!Being a ham.... or a cow? Playing outside at Mimi's. Wishing he had a riding buddy for the other seat. ;) First Happy Meal! (a.k.a. "smile box") Bestest bubbles in the world! Loves bubbles!

Noah!!! =) His spikey do after his bath. New silly face. Walking downtown Colorado Springs with Aunt Becca and Daddy. His new favorite - Jamba Juice. =) No comment..... ;) Chillin' in his wagon during a nightly walk. He LOVES his wagon!

Side note: Some have asked if Noah's talking yet. Oh YES! He's a little chatterbox - he says lots of words. Some of them don't totally make sense to us yet, but some of those that do include: please, thank you, mama, dada, casey, dog, up, down, ball-ball, binky, mimi, becca, bye-bye, hi, juice, etc. We just love it. He's so precious and more of a joy than we ever thought possible! =)