Such a process

Just as most newborns do, Mason had his days and nights switched. In efforts to " set him straight" , I was instructed to wake him up every two hours during the day for feedings. Easily said, not so easily done! Mackenzie is watching herself on the computer which is what you hear in the background:

All in one year

It's nearly impossible to believe that it's been one year since we packed up our cozy lives in Michigan for the chance at an even cozier life in Colorado. All at once, it seems like just yesterday but also an eternity ago that we got the call that Mike was hired at the University of Colorado. When I think back on that time , I can still feel the complete tornado of feelings swirling in my belly- happiness, anxiety, fear and sadness to leave Michigan behind. Even after a year, I still feel a twinge of sadness when I think of the life we left behind in Michigan but the year has proven that distance can be over come and I am so thankful for the modern technology that knits those distances a little closer together.

What's even harder to believe is all the changes we've had this year. ( Cue the sappy music!)
After many  sad good-bye's , this is how the journey started:


After uprooting our Michigan lives and moving in less than a month, we landed at my moms and moved in. Not long after, I reunited with my brother whom I hadn't seen in almost 20 years. Now, after a year, he is one of my best friends and I can't imagine my life with out him:

The summer held lots of fun- trips to fairs, carnivals and parades, many bbq's and evenings spent with family and friends watching the Colorado skyline work it's magic:

Thanks to Mike, the house hunt began and we spent many days with Betsy on impromptu house visits and racing to get offers in on time in the busy Colorado housing market. After three failed offers, we found our dream home and everything just fell into place:

While we packed up our things ( again) and prepared to move, things got even more exciting:



Less than 12 hours after closing on our house , we traveled to Kansas for Andy's wedding where we got to spend the weekend with Grammy! Mackenzie still talks about going to Kansas because she is sure Grammy will be there.

And we can't forget Ellie:

We spent the winter anticipating visits from loved ones and watching my belly grow. Mike continued to plug away at school and also began charge nurse training at work which lead to a few nights at the helm of the unit. With a new baby on the way, we decided we needed one more addition before he came. Say what you will be about mini-vans but we sure are loving ours!:

Holidays and birthday flew past and before we knew it, Mason was born:

I'm tired just looking back and still can't believe it's all true! It's been one exciting year and , though I hope this next year doesn't include a single moving box, I do expect that it will bring just as much happiness as last!

New tricks! Part 1

We've been working with Mack on learning to make herself go on the swings. Of course, it's always more fun to have someone else do it, so this skill took a little while to master. Seeing the look on her face the first time she make herself go " Super-DE-douperdy HIGH!" was priceless. It was an amazing "high" to see her achieve a goal that she'd set and I can imagine how it will feel to one day watch her achieve even bigger goals.  I was so proud for her,  and she was proud of herself. This video is a little shaky ( Think Blair Witch Project) but still pretty cute. :

New Tricks! Part 2

Happy Birthday, Clay!

We got the chance to celebrate Clay's birthday with him this year, something I can't remember ever doing before!  Having him , and his family, in our lives and getting to know him this last year has been something of a dream come true. Seeing him hold Mason for the first time was a special moment! It was a great evening, all around!

 
The guys corner:

Mason got lots of squeezes but he didn't seem to notice:

For the love of trout

I received a Facebook message from Brian ( Annie's husband) asking if Mike could come out and play. More specifically, if Mike could go fishing! Knowing that I had just had a baby, Brian didn't want to steal Mike away if it would put me in a bind but I thought it was a great idea and " the boys" made plans to go fishing the following Sunday.

Check out their haul:

And look what we had for dinner:

And guess who ate TWO Rainbow Trout all on her own:

The guys had so much fun, they plan to go again. Mackenzie has already begged Mike to let her go! I have a feeling there will be more headless fish photos in the future!

Rockets again

This time, Mike and Mack made their own rocket!

This time they sent  a passenger along- one of Mack's Littlest Pets:

Don't forget to cover your ears!!


Tragedy almost struck as Mike and Mack lost visual of their Maize and Blue rocket as it landed. Thankfully, with Mike unwilling to give up the hunt, it was found in the neighbors front yard and all was well again.