Steamboat Springs

We just returned from a four day trip to Steamboat where we attended my good friend's wedding. It was the perfect weekend! We had great weather and were non-stop busy! We were so fortunate to have Grammy and Pepe join us! We can't thank them enough for watching the kids (and Sierra too) while Jamie and I attended all the many wedding festivities. I know Isabelle and Mark loved being with them and we were so happy to be able to hang out with all of our friends.

Having fun with Pepe in our fantastic condo!

 

 

While Jamie and I were out, Belle and Mark got to go on many adventures with Grammy and Pepe. There was a great playground next to our condo, the river, and the ski jump hill where you could watch them jump (yes, even this time of year with no snow). We also were right in town, so they got to go out and get gelato! Here are some pictures Pepe took while walking through town.

All my high school friends were there which was not only great fun for me, but for Isabelle and Mark too. We brought the kids to the playground one day and they had a great time playing together. This is only a few of the many kids having a snack.

 

 The last day we finally found some time to go to the hot springs.

 

 

Isabelle loved this slide. I'm not sure what it is? A crab? A ladybug? Anyway, she would go down, splash into the water, be completely submerged, and pop herself back up. She did it about a dozen times. She is so brave and such a good swimmer.

 At the kiddie pool...

FYI from Belle....mom's an alligator and Belle is the baby alligator.

Even though he never slept, you would never know. He is his happy, cheerful self during the day. Little stinker.

 A very rare moment....a picture of me and Jamie, dressed up. This was the view from the wedding. It only got better with the sunset. The next day the leaves totally changed colors. Amazing what can happen in one night. We hope to get to the mountains again soon, but this time to hike in the fall colors.

6 Months!

I'm not sure how Mark got to be 6 months old, but somehow the time flew by and here he is growing up faster than we imagined. We love every second of being with him, although if you asked me that in the middle of the night, you might get a different answer. The past month we have had LONG nights being up with Mark. He wants nothing to do with sleeping at night. I'm totally convinced that this kid would be in total bliss if he could be carried around in the Ergo carrier all day and night.  He loves to be in that thing, cuddled next to us, whether he is awake or asleep. Forget about mom and dad sleeping (or sitting) because he is pretty insistent that we must be walking around while carrying him. Aside from not sleeping, he is the best little boy in the whole world!

Two teeth suddenly popped out just after he turned 5 months old. Look carefully and you can see the teeth. There's definitely more on the way because the drooling continues to be a waterfall with a river flowing down the shirt.

 He can lift himself all the way up now and he rolls and scoots all over the place. He still hasn't figured out the knee action of lifting. We're fine with that. We are not ready for another mobile kid quite yet.

 

He just figured out how to sit on his own and he does a fairly good job. Every now and then you'll turn your head for 2 seconds and you'll find he has tumbled over. But no big deal, he will then roll around and smile at you.

Imagine some loud squealing. That is what is happening here. He loves to talk/squeal, especially to Isabelle.

Happy 6 months to our special boy! Now, if you could just conquer the sleeping through the night dream I have (even 5 straight hours), life would be even more perfect.

How Mom Gets Laundry Done...

Throw them in the crib with a few toys and I have just enough time to fold and put away the laundry. I love this crib.

 

Doing a little jig for Mark.

Hmmm. He'd be pretty cute as a girl too. When Mark gets older he can thank Belle for all the dress up pictures.

 My next post is going to be all about Mark, so soak up the cuteness of Belle in her favorite "dancing" dress.....

Feeling the Love...

We are so lucky to have such a gentle, loving dog. Sierra is learning to love Belle and Mark more and more each day.  Usually you find Belle climbing on, laying on, or chasing Sierra around, but today Sierra decided it was time to relax with the more mellow Mark. Mark still isn't certain about this dog thing, but he sure loves to watch her.

Sierra going in for the kiss....

Usually we're not so lucky with Mark turning his head in time :-)

Sierra jumped up on the couch (which she shouldn't be doing in the first place) and Mark tumbled over on top of her. I think Sierra planned this.

And now for some plain cute brother/sister love. Mark and Belle love to be with each other! Mark is constantly staring at Belle and he laughs pretty much every time she does something around him. She loves to take care of him and smooch and hug him all day long. Mark really couldn't ask for a better big sister.

Belle loves climbing in his crib to read or play with him.

Some morning play time in mom and dad's bed. Note: I am on the side letting them play for as long as they like so I can get 2 seconds of extra rest. How can Mark be so wide awake and happy after being up all night?? It's not fair.

 

Belle is very serious about her reading. She wanted to get a big book at the library for the sole purpose of reading to Mark.

Mark was too busy trying to stuff the big book into his mouth, so Belle gave up and went to the floor and Mark got his own chew appropriate book.

Some diaper free time for Mark = Belle taking all her clothes off to kick with him

The Long Weekend

We've been working hard on getting the garage completed and this is pretty much all we did over the long weekend. There is still a ton to do, but today was the most exciting day because for the first time I drove out of the garage to the grocery store and returned home to park back into the garage. I know most of you probably don't find that very thrilling, but I sure did love the feeling of it! I will especially love it on that first freezing, cold, snowy day!!

Sierra has been working hard at helping us get the yard fixed back up (so she thinks). Here she is frantically digging a very nice hole which became a very soft and dirty napping area. I think she'll be sad when there is no longer dirt for her to make her cozy hole.

 

Below is a very classic photo.I have a number of pictures like this, all the way back to when Belle was very little. Sierra knows exactly when one of us is going to arrive home. I remember pulling up to the house when I got home from work to see Sierra's little head peeking out the window. I have NO idea how she knows this, but somehow she senses it. Belle often joins her to watch out the window for Jamie's arrival. This is them the other day and sure enough a few minutes later, Jamie pulled up. I have always cherished this moment because it is so darn cute. I'm sad to say this moment may end soon now that we have the garage. That is probably the only downfall of getting our garage. Maybe they'll just move to the window in the kitchen?

We started Mark on some rice cereal which didn't go over so well. He liked the idea of sitting at the table with us and enjoyed the spoon in his mouth, but could care less about the cereal. All of which went into his mouth and back out, down his chin and neck. We'll wait a couple more weeks and try again. I'm in no rush to be making meals for two kids. His meals are rather simple right now :)

I know this is probably one of the most dangerous items you can give a 5 month old, but put that aside for a minute and look at how much fun he his having playing with this plastic bubble wrap. Complete entertainment for a very active boy who is now all about putting things in his hands and mouth. We no longer have the tiny little boy that laid around or was carried around and slept the day away. In fact, sleeping is a thing of the past for Mark (and us). He suddenly got some "stay awake all day and night" super power. He's still extra cute and extra sweet even though we're all sleep deprived.

Another item of pure enjoyment. The laundry basket. I remember Belle loving this too. He is starting to sit up on his own for longer periods, but still needs some support.

Since working on the garage we have spent a lot of time outside. Here is Mark enjoying time in his jumparoo watching us dig or carry heavy items into the garage.

And Belle having a little snack after helping us out in the garage (which usually means she is playing with the hose and getting soaking wet and muddy). She has dug a few holes with her big shovels just like Jamie does.