We're baaaaack

I know that I am completely biased but isn't Eli the cutest baby that you have ever seen!! Look at those big brown eyes and that blond hair. Eli is already 9 months and I just think that 9 months is the cutest age ever! 9 months is so fun because they are starting to explore their world and at the same time they are still little.

Eli is now an expert crawler. He can get from one end of the living room to the other in about 5 seconds. That keeps me on my toes. He's decided his favorite thing to do is climb up on the fireplace and pull all our library books onto the floor. When he has pulled every book onto the floor he looks up at me and gives me the biggest smile. He also loves to play with Owen. He thinks chasing Owen around is the funniest thing alive. That squeal of laughter as Owen plays the game with him is the sweetest sound to my ears.

Eli also likes to shake his head. It's so cute. He moves his head from side to side as if trying to tell me something. He loves to do this when music comes on or when I'm talking to him. It's his way of showing me how pleased he is and is excited about something.

As Eli has been growing by leaps and bounds the other two boys have also been busy. I have been away from my blog for the past month or so but, I'm back and will start posting regularly again. We are all settled into our new home and Gabe has started school. Things are getting back to normal and I'm starting to feel like writing again. I love to share all we do during our days and love that I will have this blog to look back at someday. I do have to mention that I have lost our camera in our move. That has prohibited me from posting. It's so frustrating to lose something so important!! Bryan reminded me that since we still have all our children and most of our sanity that losing a camera is not that big of a deal. We are here and together that's all that really matters.

The past month we have been spending lots of time with family. My mom and sister have been down to visit us twice since we have moved here. How lucky am I? I feel very lucky. We were able to spend two weeks exploring Denver and then going to the mountains and enjoying Breckenridge. We had a wonderful time and if I ever find my camera, I will post the pictures. Below are some pictures from our trip to the zoo (thanks to Megan) and spending time together at the house. We had a ball.

I have to say that Megan and I have some cute kiddos.

Sense of Purpose

Here I am sitting in my new home in Thornton, CO. It's our second day in our new home by ourselves and I'm sitting feeling many different emotions. It was so hard to leave our home in Sheridan. It makes me sad to think about all that I left behind. But even more then sadness I feel a quiet resolve to make the best of our situation for my family. While my heart mourns for my house, my mom, my sister, my friends....the life that I made in Sheridan.... no tears are falling from my eyes. This sadness isn't overtaking me because a sense of purpose has filled my heart. A sense of purpose to make this place a home for my husband and kiddos.

The knowledge that God has a purpose in our move brings a quiet peace that overtakes the dark cloud of grief that I'm afraid to fall into. I know that moving to Colorado has a purpose bigger then me and what I want and desire. This brings me peace and a small sense of joy.

So instead of moping around each day we are going to go out exploring our new city. Yesterday, we went to Gabe's new school and then to the library. We had a fun afternoon together. Today, we will go to the recreation center and maybe even swim. Who knows who we will meet or what we will see?

I'm leaving this post with some memories of my going away party in Sheridan. My sister and friends put together a little get together at the park and I had a really good time. Thanks, Megan and Regan for the wonderful afternoon. Thanks, Dara for taking the pictures.

Riding solo

I am so proud of Gabriel. He decided it was time to ride Poncho by himself. I was a little nervous but I put my fears aside and we put the bridle on Poncho and away Gabe went.

I can't believe what a difference it has made in his motivation. He LOVES riding by himself and asks me everyday if he can ride. Now that he is in control he loves riding Poncho. He is also a very good rider and getting better each time we go out. Here he is on his first ride by himself. Great job, Gabe!!

Now it's Owen's turn to ride. Gabe didn't want to get off so he settled for riding on the back. Two cute little cowboys on Poncho.

While the boys were off riding with Pop Eli found the polo ball. He played with this ball for over an hour! He loved chasing it around the polo field.

Baby in the sink

Baby Bathtubs? Who needs them. I have decided the best place to give Eli a bath is in the sink. He fits just perfect and I don't have to worry so much about him falling or slipping out of my hands. He loves to sit up and soak in the warm water. Isn't he cute?

cowboy boots, diaper, and fly rod

Cowboy boots, diaper, and fly rod. Owen at his best. A little bit of Dahl (fly fishing) mixed with a little Brotherton (cowboy boots). What a lucky little guy. He is able to take his dad's love for fishing and mix it with pop's love for horses and he loves both. When he grows up he will be playing polo on Sunday mornings and then head up to the mountains for some fly fishing. What a perfect life.

Here are the boys after a "hard" morning of fishing at Lake DeSmet. They had a blast while Eli and I stayed at home and spent some time together. Can't wait for our trout dinner!