hometown happiness

 Monday we said goodbye to some wonderful friends of mine from Indiana! Jake & Melissa Tanner and Luke & Dani Furrer. We had a packed 5 days together! The more guests we have, the more I realize that there is a lot to do in the Denver area! I really appreciate the effort they made to come and see us...and for spending precious vacation time with us! It was wonderful to catch up with old girlfriends and to be with more young couples. Thanks guys for making the trip! We loved having you! (and you're welcome anytime!)

 Sophia getting "fresh" before the guests arrive. This little girl loves the water! (notice the little pot belly??!?!?)

 We visited a couple local tours...Celestial Seasonings and Coors. (Sophia couldn't go into the tea tour so I we stayed out and I didn't get any pictures. :(

 Big kettles! (in background)

 Ed and Boni graciously let us borrow their van for a ride up to Conifer to plat disc golf. (Boni also kept Sophia for us...it was the first time this momma left her baby for more than a couple hours! (I did ok...if you were wondering! And apparently, Sophie did too! Thanks Boni!))

 The course was a bit snowy...but it is such a beautiful hike!

 Dani and Mel

 Beautiful views as well...

 Luke found this "No Tresspassing" sign...ladies and gents, his wife is off limits!

 My studly disc golf winner!

 Free ice skating downtown! (skate rentals $2)

 Love is in the air!

 More love...

 And more love!

 How I loved being with you again!

 The group...minus Sophia who was sleeping contentedly in her stroller snug as a bug in a rug (the whole time!)

Ticket to Ride! I think Mel won the most!

 Bowling! Jake and Sophia...

 Luke and Dani... :)

 Sophia and Mel....no, Sophie wasn't spoiled at all while they were here ;)

So...Sunday. Dan's in a meeting and I have song practice. We send our dear guests home in the Jeep and I keep the car (Dan to get a ride). After practice I am getting ready to leave (Dan still in meeting) and I look out the church window at our car. My first thought, "Is that our car?" My second thought, "Our car has hub caps! (Rims!)" "Wait, why does our car have rims?!?!? Our car has never had rims in the three years of our marriage!" I make a comment to someone still at church. They don't know why we suddenly have rims either! Weeeeiiirrrrddddd. But I have to get home so I must drive said car. "Hmmm....what if I turn on the key and this thing explodes?!? Oh well, let's give it a try!" 

Sophia and I arrive home (safe and sound) and exclaim to our guests that our car has hub caps now!?!?! I then noticed some sly exchanges between the two parties..."WHY DOES OUR CAR HAVE RIMS?!?! WHAT DID YOU GUYS DO?!?!" I finally got it out of them. From the first time the guys saw the car (minus rims) they got it into their heads to get us some. When we sent them all home in our Jeep it provided the perfect chance for them to get them! 

The guys ended up picking up Dan from church....and his first thought was also, "Is that my car?!?!" We we both surprised! Thanks Luke and Jake for the surprise! Haha!

3 Months

My little one is getting bigger! Today Sophia Ann turns three months! Time is flying! She is such a good baby...I am so thankful! Though she likes being held, she often just likes to lay flat too. She loves her play mat and bouncer seat but her favorite toy/comfort for sleeping is her blankies! Sophie loves holding them, chewing on them and pulling them up by her face to snuggle in for a nap. Often, if she is tired, I will put a blanket up by her face and she'll be out like a light bulb! It is nice to have that for comfort!

She has been having a little more difficulty with the whole sleeping at night for long periods thing. She was doing up to 7 hours at a time but these last week or so its only been around 4. :( Any advice? Is she possibly going through a growth spurt? Normally if she wakes up in the night I can put in her pacy and she is good for at least another hour or more. But lately it hasn't been the case...she wants to eat!

Anyways, this mommy is still very much in love and thoroughly enjoying being a mom! Dad is definitely a fan too! :) Last night we went out to eat with Daddy after work and he just kept cooing at Sophia and telling her that he missed her that day. She loves him right back. I will try and not get annoyed that when she started cooing she cooed at him first! ;)

Hey! I'm 3 months old today!

 Oh wait! Mom, does this mean I'm OLD?!?!

It doesn't? Oh goooood!

 I'll smile to that!

 Have a great day folks! :)

Good ol' January

 January started on a good note with Dan's family assembling here in CO! It was so fun to get the cousins all together! They are sure to be dear friends! (Their mommies quite require it!) :)

6 weeks apart: Sophia and Graysen (Caleb and Erin's adorable little munchkin)

 The Leman Cousins Three! Graysen, the beautiful Soraya (Joel and Kristi's) and Sophia

 I think Sophie enjoyed meeting her other Leman aunties and uncles!

 She and Aunt Tif are already pals :)

 Playing with Graysen! (Sophia is quite fond of her uncle Jake too...and he her) :)

 Our beauties from Mexico!

 It was kind of weird having everyone over and it being our house...not Dan's parent's! 

Love Soraya's fuzzy bear coat! :)

 We have started having our time in the mountains in the summer since our family now has several youngsters and there is a lot more to do in the summer! So this winter we stayed around Aurora. Went to the Rec center a couple times for basketball, hot tubbing, and volleyball. We also explored the Western Stock Show! Even though it was really cold that weekend we sure enjoyed being all together again...and can't wait for this summer! :)

This little miss recieved this in the mail the other week! 

All ready to go to Haiti at the end of this month! 

(I think received her passport about 2 weeks after sending it in!!! Prompt service!)

 Excuse the classic teenage girl mirror photo...but I had to take a picture of Sophia all bundled up for a walk! It was such a nice day...but didn't want her to get chilled!

 Daddy took his girls to the RODEO!!! A first for me...and it was AMAZING! Sophia did great too!

 Smiles! She can be quite smiley at times...unfortunately, I don't seem to be too pro at catching those moments on camera!

 

 Fred, Jodi and Letty came to visit for several days!!! It was so good to be reunited again...

We went to the Rodeo again! Jodi and I agree that it was so fun to watch our husband be together again...such good friends...

 

 The girls did such a great job! Before too long they were both cashed out!

All prettied up for church!

 :)

 Sunday evening we were able to have the young people come over to spend some time with Fred & Jodi (and Letty too, of course!)

 Dominique, Sophia and Tif

 Monday we went bowling! "Uncle" Jared joined us!

(Jared is a brother to my sister-in-law Kristi)

 Go Daddy Go!

 The girls hang'n out while their mommies and daddies bowled

 I don't know why I didn't take a picture...but Fred and Jodi brought the "Farming Game" and we just might have spend hours playing it! We really had a great time with you guys! You are welcome anytime! 

Somebody is sitting in her Bumbo that we're borrowing from Mike and Sherice Reinhard :)

  

 Oh, hi there Mr. Monkey!

  

 We think she looks kind of cute in the buff...but she doesn't quite know what to think...

(Pretty sure she had just had a blow out!...goodness little girl....)

  

January was a fun month for us! We're looking forward to going to Haiti at the end of this month! So excited to take Sophia to meet her Grandpa Gutwein, Aunt Alisha and Uncles Mark, Derek and Joel! I know my mom is excited to see her again too! I'm really looking forward to introducing her to my Haitian friends as well. I already know how Mme. Lulu (our houselady) is going to respond: Jumping up and down (she's in her 60's mind you!) with raised hands saying, "Thank you Jesus!" 

Much love!