Happy New Year!
We are all very excited about the year ahead of us. My blogging goal this year is to write more with each post. In the past it has been mainly an online photo album. It's time to get these thoughts down on "paper"! I have been holding back on being myself and standing up for what I believe in for the past couple years. I think our personal blog is the perfect place to express myself. I want to lead by example and show my kids it's ok to have different ideas and that it's also ok to express those ideas, that's how you make a difference in the world. Some will be offended but others will agree, that's life.
I just spent a couple hours looking back at nearly all of our past posts, reminiscing about all the good times we've had as a family. We have gone on many adventures and have made many lifelong friends along the way! It's hard to believe we have had 6 different addresses since moving in together 8 years ago. We have lived in 4 different states, 5 if you count spending a summer in New York. We're celebrating our 7 year anniversary in February, it has truly been an incredible 7 years. I have so much love and respect for Mark. Anyone who takes the time to get to know him can't say enough good things about him.
After all of that moving we are ready to stay in one spot. We feel so content with our lives at the moment. We live in a town that we absolutely love, although there is still a piece of my heart still in Bozeman ; ) Bozeman is the place I realized that "home" doesn't have to be the place you were raised. I was raised in Wisconsin (mostly) and I never get that feeling of home when I return. I always felt like an outcast in WI, but when I moved to Bozeman I realized I was just living in the wrong place. I've had relatives get offended by my lack of affection for the midwest but just like anything else in life, we can't all agree on everything, it's just not for me. I don't enjoy it, period. Back on subject...Evergreen has an enormous unschooling community which I did not find in Bozeman, so while the kids are young this is truly the perfect place to raise them. The Evergreen elk herds also make this place special, I can't get enough of those beautiful creatures! Once again I'll mention the weather, it can't be beat as far as I'm concerned! We get to enjoy the four seasons but the seasons are all so mild. Short, sunny, warm winters with just the right amount of snow. Dry, mosquito free summers!
We bought a house that we adore with excellent neighbors(for the most part), it will break our hearts if we can't stay in Evergreen. Mark loves his job at NREL. I am working my way into an incredible birthing and breastfeeding community. I should be a certified Lactation educator by May, if I stay on schedule! Breastfeeding education is truly my passion and I can't wait to begin my career in this field. We both feel fortunate to be doing things we love.
Ella is starting an unschooling program 2 1/2 days a week starting in February at TLC, Gordon will start when he is 4. I'm going to tour the Woodrow Wilson Homeschool Connection school here in Evergreen next month. If I like what I see she will go there one day a week starting next fall. Gordon can start at HSC when he is 5.
After all of that moving we are ready to stay in one spot. We feel so content with our lives at the moment. We live in a town that we absolutely love, although there is still a piece of my heart still in Bozeman ; ) Bozeman is the place I realized that "home" doesn't have to be the place you were raised. I was raised in Wisconsin (mostly) and I never get that feeling of home when I return. I always felt like an outcast in WI, but when I moved to Bozeman I realized I was just living in the wrong place. I've had relatives get offended by my lack of affection for the midwest but just like anything else in life, we can't all agree on everything, it's just not for me. I don't enjoy it, period. Back on subject...Evergreen has an enormous unschooling community which I did not find in Bozeman, so while the kids are young this is truly the perfect place to raise them. The Evergreen elk herds also make this place special, I can't get enough of those beautiful creatures! Once again I'll mention the weather, it can't be beat as far as I'm concerned! We get to enjoy the four seasons but the seasons are all so mild. Short, sunny, warm winters with just the right amount of snow. Dry, mosquito free summers!
We bought a house that we adore with excellent neighbors(for the most part), it will break our hearts if we can't stay in Evergreen. Mark loves his job at NREL. I am working my way into an incredible birthing and breastfeeding community. I should be a certified Lactation educator by May, if I stay on schedule! Breastfeeding education is truly my passion and I can't wait to begin my career in this field. We both feel fortunate to be doing things we love.
Ella is starting an unschooling program 2 1/2 days a week starting in February at TLC, Gordon will start when he is 4. I'm going to tour the Woodrow Wilson Homeschool Connection school here in Evergreen next month. If I like what I see she will go there one day a week starting next fall. Gordon can start at HSC when he is 5.
We're hoping to see Aunt Melissa & Jeff in February. She might spend a weekend with us while Jeff skis. I wish we could spend every weekend with her! After all of those years of fighting as kids I would have never thought my sister would turn out to be one of my favorite people. We talk almost everyday, sometimes twice a day. Thank you Melissa for supporting me in whatever I do and for being one of the most open minded people I know.
My dad came for the holidays and we see my mom every Thursday. Life would be perfect if we could have all the grandparents and Aunt Melissa here in Colorado with us.
We are planning a trip to Bozeman in June although something always comes up to make us cancel our plans to go there. We haven't been back to Bozeman since 2010! If we do make this trip, we are planning to drive so we can see sites along the Rocky Mountain range on the way there. We'd also like to stop in Boise, ID to visit our old roommate and his wife and baby.
We are looking forward to a visit from Mark's college buddies and their families this August. These old farts are all celebrating their 40th birthdays and gathering at our house for the occasion. We are entering the land of: a man in his 40's married to a woman in her 20's, what a scandal!! Back to the friends...I have never met a group of people so hilarious and easy to talk to. I think I'm just as excited as Mark for their visit. Judah & Steve, you better make it!
I know some of this is repetitive from last month's post but I'm trying to keep everyone updated since life seems to be getting busy around here!
We are looking forward to a visit from Mark's college buddies and their families this August. These old farts are all celebrating their 40th birthdays and gathering at our house for the occasion. We are entering the land of: a man in his 40's married to a woman in her 20's, what a scandal!! Back to the friends...I have never met a group of people so hilarious and easy to talk to. I think I'm just as excited as Mark for their visit. Judah & Steve, you better make it!
I know some of this is repetitive from last month's post but I'm trying to keep everyone updated since life seems to be getting busy around here!
"This snow needs to be cut"
This is one of Gordon's favorite christmas gifts, a toy chainsaw from Nana.
We pulled the kids around the neighborhood on the sled. We really do love our quiet little neighborhood.
Beautiful evening
Ella made this snow man all by herself!
Put in the comment section of the blog what you think this is. It's about the size of my hand. Is it just a dog?
Gordon breaking Ella's snow man, she was such a good sport about it.
A new creation - the next morning the head was knocked off and the carrot was eaten.
Visit from elk
I love to watch them run...
Ella's kid birthday party at Creative Bridges
The cat followed Gordon everywhere, he even went under Gordon's legs a couple times.
Ella & Nora
Miss Emilie, Gordon & Seb
The cat took over Nana's purse
Jane, Gordon, Nora, Ella & Brie
Gordon & Brie hammering nails into a log
The whole gang: Jane, Brie, Ella, Seb, Nora, Liv, & Gordon
Jane & Ella
Gluten and dairy free cupcakes with custom made yellow sugar, made by Cat Bendl ; ) Ella's current favorite color is yellow.
Video:
Saying goodbye to Nora
The birthday party crew
Kids in goggles, one of my favorite things.
I cannot get enough of these mountains!
We have spotted this poor fox in downtown Evergreen several times. The fox has seen better days.
I feel so fortunate that I get to see amazing views like these while doing simple things like driving to the grocery store.
A warm day at the lake. People bring their old christmas trees and put them in the ice fishing holes.
Video:
Video:
Denver Zoo
We watched the Sea Lion Show
The kids were all playing together while I chatted with another mom, then we look over and a kid is leading a yoga session! Only in Colorado ; ) Ella is in the blue hat.
Sharks 3D IMAX - Denver Museum of Nature & Science
We did a double day, Zoo and Museum, it was a blast!
Erik, Luna, Stella, & Ella
Ella's Destination Imagination presentation, videos coming soon!
Destination Imagination is a non-profit, volunteer-led, cause-driven organization. We inspire and equip students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders.
Videos:
I am too lazy to go through and sort these in order - the first half of the photos are from my camera and the other half are from my smartphone so they are not in order.
At TLC
What a nice day to take a bike ride...on the lake ; )
Denver Zoo
Giant turtle
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
I love his "thinking" lips
Sharks 3D Imax
Anyone up for a compost tea popsicle?
It was so exciting to see some old Bozeman friends featured in Sunset Magazine.
Yes, Bozeman is the best ; )
We were playing hide and seek, this was her camouflage!
Elk jam
Squirting deer with a squirt gun, the deer didn't seem to mind at all.
He was trying to slice an apple with an apple slicer, he wasn't strong enough to do it so he got out his tools. The hammer actually worked! I love seeing my kids solve problems without help from us ; )
Girls day!
I love it that we still can't figure out where to look when taking a picture on a smartphone!
Tubing in Frisco with some of our old friends from Gaithersburg, MD - they are skiing in Breck this week.
Breckenridge Brewery
Gordon loved Erik
Breckenridge snow sculptures
Mary's Mountain Cookies
Gordon & Nate, can you believe Nate is about 5 months younger than Gordon!
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