An update on my three favorite littles.

Milo,  you start kindergarten in two days, 2 DAYS!!!  At 5 (almost 6) you are a kick to have a conversation with. I can't describe the adorable way you have started to converse.  There is a lot of shrugs, winks, "you knows" and side smiles.  Words can't do it justice.  One of my favorite recent Milo stories:  While driving home the topic of another baby came up.  Side note: This mama is not interested in a fourth baby (Liesel brought it up).  Milo said, "Mom I don't think we should have another baby in the family, because I am already tired taking care of these two".  Milo, you are amazing.  This summer you have become a great little swimmer. You currently love the ipad, hockey, Power Rangers, telling jokes, watching Battle Bots with Dad and Papa, ice cream, and dancing.  We went to a wedding last Friday and boy did we dance.  The next morning while lying in bed,  I told you I had soooo much fun dancing with you.  You said, "Mom,  I didn't have fun (long pause),  I had a BLAST".  I hope you always love to dance and if you ever want a partner I am here for you.

Liesel,  Oh Liesel,  you crack me up.  You are obsessed with all things horses, unicorns, pegasuses, and don't forge about unicorn princesses.  You spend hours prancing around the house like a horse while neighing. When you are not pretending to be a horse you are playing with your toy horses.  Lining them up and pretending they are friends, family and/or enemies.  Your imagination is amazing! You love horses so much it seems to be the only thing we have to get you potty trained.  We have made a deal with you; if you go a whole week without pooping in your pants you will get to go on a pony ride.   This is actually what happened:  Dad had you kids one night while I was at a work event and he, Milo, and you made a chart that said "No wet farts, no sharts, and no pooping in your pants"   with 7 boxes for stickers.  There were no highlighters or fancy paper involved, but it seems to be doing the job.  Sometimes dads just know best. 

Maddox,  you are ALL BOY!  It is impossible to lay on the floor with you in the room and not be pile-driven.  You tend to get away with some naughty behavior due to your pure adorableness.  My absolute favorite thing right now is your "winks".  When you wink at someone you do a full blink combined with a show stopping smile.  Though you have had no trouble understanding or getting your point across for the last year, you are just now starting to talk.  You say all the typical first words; "mama", "dada", "ball", but my favorite is your very adorable "thank you".  You love to dance, especially in the car.  When we are driving and I am not paying attention to you I hear "MA",  I look in the mirror and you smile at me.  I love that rear view mirror!

Grammy and Grandpa came to Denver for a visit.  Here they are will all their grandkids. 

That face!

These two picnicking after some slip and sliding

progress. slowly, but surely. 

All three kids at 21 months (Liesel, Milo, and Maddox)

Getting his eyes checked for Kindergarten.

Liesel painted her own nails.  I would say that she does a pretty good job for a three year old.

A dance party on the table!

We went to a barbeque and the Aschermann and Sturges kids very quickly reconnected.  A lifetime friendship! 

Zoo time

July Already

 I can't believe that it is already July!!!!  The house is coming along, slowly, but moving forward.  We are staying hopeful that we will be able to move in the beginning of November.

Looking forward to our future

These little nuggets.

Scott and I went on a date night.  It was amazing.  We were celebrating 7 years of marriage.  Dinner, dessert, drinks, outdoor movie and stayed the night downtown.  We had such a nice time.  It is so nice to reconnect and remember that we enjoy each other. 

 One of my favorite parts of our house is the reclaimed portions.  Matthew recently worked on the Moffat Station (the original railroad station of Denver) and there was a beam no one wanted.  So we were able to claim it.  It is now in the entry of our house

The Front Door

The loft has been added. 

The view of our house from 80th. 

Milo hanging in the trailer, in his tuxedo coat.  Who doesn't wear his tuxedo coat to the construction site. 

More views of the loft

A great view. 

Fourth of July with the Cooper family. 

Hanging with Nana and Papa

Pool Fun.  We have spent a lot of time at the pool this summer.  Milo and Liesel have been in swimming lessons for about three months now.  The have both gotten so much more comfortable in the water.  

Liesel and Leighton

Milo and his buddy, Vinny

Need a ride?

Time off, Time to bottle it up.

06/02/2016:

My life is hectic.  It is no different than yours or anyone else’s, but hectic non –the-less.  I am really very proud of my career. When someone asks “what do you do?”  I am proud to say, “I am a civil engineer”.  I am proud to talk about the projects I work on in Denver and the impact of my career on Denver’s development.  I have some wonderful opportunities. I am currently trying to look pass the daily stress and minutia to clearly see how lucky I am to do this work.  This is something I struggle with, being appreciative, enjoying the moment for what it is.  I struggle with this in my career and in my personal life.  Moms, how often are you stopped and told to “appreciate this time, your kids will grow up too fast and before you know they will be off on their own”? I know this is true.  I can’t believe Milo is starting Kindergarten next year.  Where did the past 5 years go?  What I don’t know is how to make sure I look back and think “I got everything out of those years, I enjoyed them and I have no regrets”.  What I wish those wiser than me would say, instead of “enjoy it”, is “I have a secret, this is how you bottle up this time.” 

Today I got the kids dressed and fed.  I kissed each of them and walked out the door and headed for the train station.  Don’t worry I did not leave them unattended, I left them in good hands.  I am taking the train from Denver to Glenwood Springs. On Friday I am doing a race with some friends from high school.  Scott and the kids are meeting me on Saturday to go camping with Grammy and Grandpa.  But, today I am on a train for 6 hours, by myself, no husband, no work, no kids, just me (and hundreds of other passengers, but none of whom need anything from me).  When I arrive in Glenwood I have no obligations until tomorrow.  It is moments like this when I find time to pause and see my life; where I am, what I am blessed with, who I am with, and how lucky I am. 

So maybe I do know the secret to hitting pause and bottle up this time.  At least for me, finding time for myself is just as important as time with family and friends. This alone time often helps me realize how much I really do love my life, what I do, and who I get to spend it with.

06/12/2016:
…What a great vacation! A little time for myself, a little time with friends, a whole lot of family time, and some good memories with Grammy an Grandpa.

I love these three cuties.

This face.  Note the terrible haircut.  I tried my hand at cutting Maddox's hair and he turned out looking like Loyd from Dumb and Dumber.  The good news is he is cute enough to pull it off. 

We stayed late at friend's house.  Maddox got sleepy curled up on a doll bed.  

The best naps are accompanied with a snuggle. 

Ragnar Race in Snowmas.  There is a pretty good chance that I was the slowest one in this group of amazingly badass women.  There is nothing better for recharging the soul than down to earth, genuine, and funny friends.

The climb was something else, but the views were amazing. 

Camp

Liesel and the adorable Anton

After the race Scott and the kids met me in Glenwood and off we went to Blue Mesa.  This is the beautiful Black Canyon. 

This little cutie sitting on the back patio of our cabin.

Daddy and Maddox enjoying the the boat trip

Grandpa taught Milo (and Liesel occasionally joined in) how to fish.  He has declared fishing one of his new favorites!!

Maddox driving the boat with Grammy

Liesel driving with Grammy

Mom and her boys.

Eating Breakfast in the Cabin

Liesel's favorite part of the camping trip was riding Mama Horse.

She even gave Maddox a ride.

Maddox's favorite spot, the swing at the Marina

More Boating fun...

The water was VERY cold, but Maddox loved sitting on the back and dipping his toes. 

The beautiful Blue Mesa Lake

Grandpa and Milo finally caught a fish…

Turns out Milo is a little afraid of fish...

and finds Liesel to be a very good protector.

Liesel with her horse from Grammy and Grandpa, Trigger

More fishing...

Heading out to swimming lessons.  Liesel has become a avid wearing of her pink boats, which are a size too small.  She wears them everywhere, to the farm, swimming, grocery store, and most recently on her bike.  She learned out ride a two wheeler this weekend.

The house is coming along.  I have been waiting to post a blog just on the house one we are all framed out, but that is proving to take longer than anticipated.  Oh well, such is life under construction.  

I am sure I will look back at this picture when he is feet taller against this column and think "he was so little, and adorable".

The house is coming along nicely.  We are still missing the loft, but windows are starting to go in and MEP should start this week.

showing Nana the house

c

The reclaimed wood 

columns are one of my favorite details.

The beautiful composite beam

Feeding the cows (in pink boots)