We'll Start at the Very Beginning...

…A very good place to start. I feel so behind with blogging that it feels exhausting to play catch up.  To kick things off, I thought I would let myself be sad by looking at pictures from our send-off party and blog about it. :) Don't get me wrong, I'm loving our new home and exploring the area, but my heart is still a bit homesick for the familiar faces and places of Castle Rock.

Elizabeth is the hostess of all hostesses. This gal loves to throw parties, and she is really good at it. She sent us and the McCracken family (a close friend of mine was also moving, literally across the country to Orlando) off in style. She opened up her yard for lots of friends to come and mingle while enjoying authentic Mexican food from our favorite Taco Truck, 'Tacos Contreras.'

The McCracken Family

The only pic I have of the hostess from that night! Love that sweet Edison!

At the end, Luke and Charlie were dunking their heads in ice water. The "frat boy" affect starts early. 

It was such a great evening spent with many friends. It made me realize (again!) how blessed we are to have such incredible friendships.  Adios Castle Rock.

Utah

The kids and I flew out to Utah for a week of fun.  Everything seemed to happen so fast with getting our home listed, showings and under contract that this was a very much welcomed/needed trip. We had a blast playing with family and friends, meeting my new niece, attending wedding "parties", visiting Great Grandma Munns on the farm and just having fun wherever we were going!

Flying with the two kids isn't bad, especially when technology is in our carry-on.

They were both so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa that they even pitched in around the house doing the dinner dishes.

Lots of time spent in the backyard. Grandpa help Luke dial in some of his batting skills.

I had Luke get his haircut while we were there. Emma desperately wanted her turn in the beauty chair. The stylist was super  nice and let her have a turn. No haircut, just a new do. Emma had quite the serious face on, but loved all of the attention.

Making the goats work for their snack.

My kids love their cousins and these guys were so nice to love them back!

One afternoon, Luke woke up to this project going on in the garage. He was in heaven.

Getting some good snuggle time in with Sadie, Tom and Staci's sweet baby girl.

Whenever Luke talks about Utah, he ALWAYS talks about the "big train" at Grandma and Grandpa's house. He has an absolute love for trains. I thought it was very fitting that he fell asleep while playing with it-I bet his dreams were filled with everything train. 

On our flight home, Emma set up a "diaper changing station". I thought she was pretty cute and clever. This was about 10 minutes before she lost the contents of her stomach-not quite as cute. Luckily, I managed to catch 99.9% of it in a ziplock bag. Another parenting milestone achieved. 

Local Library

I love our library. It has a great kids' section. My kids are excited EVERY time we go for a visit.

Emma always gives "Clifford: The Big Red Dog" lots of love. Pass me the sanitizer.

Luke has check out down.

Emma loves to get dolled up when we "go out".

Just keep pedaling!

The other day we joined our friends at the park for a picnic. Luke begged me to try riding one of the "real bikes" at their home (AKA one with pedals and a chain-not his balance bike). I thought we were going to be creating a mountain of frustration, but after literally 2 or 3 pushes this kid was off! Tour de France officials  called shortly after I posted this video on YouTube. :) For the grandmas and grandpas out there-this is why he doesn't have a helmet on-I was slightly skeptical that we were going to be moving much! It was so fun to watch him go! Loved seeing that confident smile.

Change

Change. It is a hard thing for me. We have a big change coming up. Bryan accepted a position in Sacramento, California with a solar company. I'm proud of Bryan for working hard and feel that this is a great opportunity for him and our family. I am excited to explore California and the new adventures that await us. In the next breath, it is extremely sad to think about leaving Colorado. We love it here. We have friends that feel like family and have been our family many times the past 5 years. To think about that aspect, breaks my heart.

Preschool Graduation

I can't believe that Preschool is over! I loved doing a Co-Op this year. Luke loved it, as well. Emma had to be right in the middle of it all-she didn't want to miss a beat. Many mornings he would ask me if he could go to Preschool that day. At the other homes, he would jump out of the car and make sure that I didn't get out. He didn't need his mother accompanying him to the door. :) Such a great year!

Edible diplomas-even better than those paper ones, I dare say.

Graduation hats-one might need to use your imagination to get this one. :)

Whitney made the video from pictures throughout the year. I don't consider myself a "cryer" but my eyes were definitely misty when I watched the movie. We're going to miss our friends so much!

Easter

We celebrated Easter with the traditional egg hunts, dying eggs and eating waaaay too much candy. The best part of Easter was when Luke said the prayer at breakfast and he thanked Heavenly Father for "letting Jesus live again."

Notice the snow outside???

Festive breakfast.

Luke was a little confused about the airplane ticket that the Easter Bunny brought for him.

I can see where the confusion might lie-not exactly like most airplane tickets I'm used to. 

When he realized what the ticket was for…and where he was going.  

He remained this thrilled when he learned Emma and his mother also received the same ticket. :) No solo flights yet.

Emma loved her duck (or platypus). Close enough.