No more squinting.

We pretty much love our afternoons at the park. The fussy, waiting for dad/joel to get home time is no longer a nuisance , it just gives us an excuse to get outside. Im hopeful and excited for what is to come. A walking/thinking/independent toddler opens up the door to so many fun activities. And I am slowly learning to ignore all the sand that is being tracked into the house. Dont fret over the small stuff right? That's always been really easy for me. ha!

PlayDates.

Baby Giada. Biggest, brightest, eyes Ive ever seen. My friend, Blythe's baby girl. Holding up her head so high!

Young Love.

Jackson makes me smile, but last weekend I coudnt quit smiling for a different reason. Joel and I spent 2 nights ALONE. In a hotel, eating at adult restaurants, taking naps, and watching movies. gasp...I know.

We said our sad goodbyes on Friday and left our little blue eyed boy at home with Grandma and Grandpa. Joel and I needed some time to ourselves. Time to talk about things other than how Jack's cloth diapers leak (we switched!) and how fast we go through a gallon of whole milk.

And it was amaaaazing. Not as though I didnt miss Jackson, cuz I did. Not as though Im not thankful for our healthy/loud playin little 1 year old, cuz I am. But as though we were young again. Able to hear each other speak without a toddler interrupting our every thought. Able to relax and not have to worry about the cheerios that will later need to be scraped off the floor.

So here's how it started....We drove downtown, Joel dropped me off at the door of the restaurant, and I coudnt quit smiling. I sat down at the table, read over the menu(!), and waited for Joel to walk in. All the while smiling away. Because the weekend held such excitement. For it had been a such long time since we had 2 full days to be in love again. It was just us. And for that, was reason enough to smile.

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Some here and there pictures from the past few weeks.
Jackson is such a boy. rock crawling on the beautiful pearl street mall and enjoying every second of the coatless, sunscreen on every inch of his body weather. favorite game. playing im gonna get you with daddy while learning how to run/fall everywhere.

And then there was snow. lots of it. sending us back to the coat closet.

But, the snow gave Joel a day off work so we were happy.

kark- a million times a day.

Jackson is becoming quite the little wanter. He wants everything Joel and I have. And by everything I mean everything-tv remote, glasses of water, knives!, pens, and of course the vacuum extensions. We try to be strong and tell him no to the things he cant have. Except for when Im too tired to care and he sneaks the tv remote from behind my back. Then we have to wait for daddy to get home and reset the cable box. Not usually worth it. So we are learning and practicing the meaning of no. On a more fun note Jackson is consistently saying cracker. Not mommy or daddy, but cracker. Strange. Oh and he also says park, but pronounces it kark. We know what he means.

The smell of outdoors.

Waiting for spring. hoping for warmer days ahead. And pretending the grass is green.
deep in thought.

Auntie.

Icy, cold, and stupid. nothing more to say.

Bloggers Block

It's been days, but we are still alive. We really just havent been doing anything cool enough to blog about:)

But I do want to mention this (just click it). One of my favorite bloggers is in Kenya right now to raise awareness and support. I know, I know, dont quit reading yet. The post from today is eye opening, convicting, and downright gut wrenching. You should definitely read it. Right now Im pondering what my family could give up in order to support a compassion child (It's only $38 a month!). Im pretty disgusted with myself that just 2 days ago I was down and out about not being able to buy some new spring clothes or bedding for our freshly painted master bedroom. Honestly Emily. I really need to get a grip and open my eyes to the rest of the world. So, this weekend, (with Joel's help) Im going to figure out something we can give up. I guess I didnt realize until reading the above blog how much sponsorship really does help a family in Kenya. So Im not sure what it will be-cable tv, clothes, or gourmet meals. But it will be something. Maybe you would like to do the same? Click here to view the profiles of some children in Kenya that need our help. It breaks my heart. To look at the pictures and think each child is somebody's baby boy, somebody's daughter, somebody's reason for getting up every morning. They need our help.

On a completely different note we have been hanging out with family. And since we dont get to do this on a day to day basis we are soaking it up. Today we plan on heading to Boulder to enjoy the sunshine and hippies. I love hippies. Did I mention I want to be one? I also love spending time with sisters and brothers. Family is one of my favorite things.

This weekend. Sarah and Caleb. Jackson is obsessed with having 2 extra play partners around. There is a lot of squealing going on in our house right now. And I love it.

Last weekend. A few hours spend with Blake before he headed off to ski.