Picnic in the park

Since we didn't make it camping over the weekend and the weather has been low 80's all week, we decided to BBQ at the park.  We had a perfect view of the lake (there are so many over here!) and best part is, we are 5 minutes from our hotel!  Tren and I enjoyed some delicious brats - cooked to perfection thanks to Tren and Pip enjoyed her usual - milk!  :)

 Piper LOVES being outside - especially when it's not too hot!  She was talkin, talkin, talkin almost the whole time we were there!  I just love my social butterfly!

 Daddy and Piper

 Piper loves laying on her tummy and touching/tasting the grass!

 Our happy little family



Another first...

Piper got her first taste of solids when she was just a little more than 4 1/2 months old.  I wasn't planning on starting solids this early but I am desperate!  This little lady decided about 3 weeks ago that she needs to wake up every 2 hours (no joke) to eat throughout the night, every night.  She goes just fine 3 or 4 hours during the day between feedings!  Needless to say, I am now a mad woman who is willing to try just about anything! (side note:  I have a fantastic husband who is willing to get up with Piper in the night but Piper will not take a bottle at night, believe me, we have tried!)

Unfortunately, the solids made no difference with her nightly feedings but Piper sure loves her solids and is an outstanding little eater.  (go figure - I am sure those cute little fat rolls are a good indication that she has always been a good eater) 

I just love that messy little face.  She wasn't sure what to think the first few spoonfuls but by the end, she had it down!

 We had one happy girl at the end of her feeding!  Tren and I had so much fun videoing and taking pictures of her hilarious faces she was making!  We just adore this little lady!

Something to remember

I came across this and absolutely LOVE this!  I feel like too many parents now a days are throwing material things at their children in place of time, love and attention.

Getting closer

What a whirl wind of stress, frustration and a spectrum of emotions we have experienced that last few months!  I think we are getting really close to having stability and a HOME!!!

After selling our home in Riverton back in May and moving more times than I care to think about we are getting soooooo close to closing on our home that we have been working so hard for and waiting so patiently.  Although it has been EXTREMELY difficult there have been so many blessings that have come along the way. 

We put an offer in on this home, which happens to be a short sale, back at the end of April.  After getting into a bidding war, we came out on top and $5000 under budget. (yipee!) (side note: this home is so spectacular that it has not 1, not 2 but 5 back up offers)  After playing the waiting game for a few months we finally heard back from the first bank. (this home has 2 mortgages on it which means we need approval from 2 separate banks = takes a lot longer)  This is where Tren and I received a HUGE blessing - not only was our offer accepted by the first bank but the bank dropped the price of the home $20,000 due to a (what we believe) to be a botch appraisal which was done (again, we believe) before the market started picking up.  (insert tears of joy here!)  This made us extremely happy!  (I'm sure you can imagine) 

This also took a HUGE weight off of my shoulders.  As many of you know, I am a bit of a worry wart and a very big budgeter/planner/control freak!!  (is that normal?)  Not only did we have to abruptly sell our home and make very little on it but we had to come up with a huge down payment for our new home after spending thousands on the birth of our child (why we have insurance is beyond me) - lets just say we were draining our savings VERY quickly and we went from 2 incomes to 1.  Talk about stress!!! (my worst nightmare)  So this $20,000 drop in price was an answer to my prayers and I am sure made me a much happier wife and mom!

One month later.....

We heard back this week from the second bank that our offer was approved!  (yipee)  We did our inspection yesterday and there were a few things that need to be taken care of (none of which the bank will do since it's a short sale) but since we are getting such an outstanding deal, we are happy to take care of them ourselves.  Needless to say, if all goes smoothly from here on out, then we will be closing in the next 2-3 weeks!  (insert sigh of relief here)

What an experience/ride/adventure this has been for Tren and I!  It has made us stronger and closer!  We have worked hard on maintaining a positive attitude throughout this whole process and I believe we are now much more positive people!  (thank you trials and stress for that)  We I am so excited for all the projects that are to come with this new home!  I will be posting pictures of a lot of befores and afters!  I can't wait to get started!

Shout out to my family and Tren's parents for taking such great care of our 2 dogs while we are cooped up in this hotel!  I am sure they are much happier being in a place with a yard than here with us!  We can't wait to get them here!  We miss them so much! 

On the move

This cute little lady is just loving tummy time!  Piper is almost 5 months old and she is scooting really well!  She can't quite get up on all fours just yet (which may have something to do with those cute little fat rolls) but she is getting pretty good at moving!

 Without fail - when Pip is on the floor then geech is right next to her!  This cat is CRAZY but we sure love her too!



It takes 4

Piper needs both hands and feet to play with her toys!  It's hilarious watching her swing one toy with her feet while trying to grap others toys with her hands to bring to her mouth!  She's a hoot to watch!

More camping fun

Tren found the absolute most gorgeous campsite last weekend.  Dowdy lake in northwestern Colorado!  It looks like it came straight out of a magazine, not to mention it was not packed like most other campgrounds we have visited.  This is the view of the lake from our campground.  (the picture does not do it justice!)

 Piper being big chillin in her chair while we get camp all set up

 One of our favorite things to do while camping... games!  Even Pip gets in on the fun!

 My own personal chef!  Tren is the designated cook when we camp!

 Pip & Dad taking in the view

 We did lots of walking and exploring around the lake!  Piper did great chillaxing in her carrier!

 Hanging out with mom while she catches up on her reading!

 Our happy girl!  Eeeeewwwww - We just can't get enough of her!

 She fell asleep before she could enjoy the sunset with mom & dad

I have to say that I am SOOO glad we have a trailer!  I woke up to a bear in our camp - he was going crazy trying to get the dumpster open.  I am not going to lie - I was terrified - but I definitely would have been hysterical had we been in a tent.  Naturally - Tren slept through the whole thing!  (what would it be like to be a deep sleeper??  I can only imagine!)

We have been loving our 'mini' weekend vacations up in the mountains.  It's been fun exploring and finding these hidden gems that we will be revisiting a lot now that we are slowly in the process of getting settled here in Colorado.

Just keep swimming

We took Piper swimming for the first time at the rec center that is a 2 minute walk from our soon to be new house.  She did great!  She wasn't scared but wasn't too overly happy either at first.  After taking everything in for about 20 minutes, she started smiling, laughing and splashing.  We plan on going back to the pool soon!

 In the kid section there was a water fountain - she couldn't take her eyes off of it!

The one smiling picture we took is blurry  :(  But I promise you, she was smiling and laughing!  It was fun watching her play!

Loving the Outdoors

This girl LOVES being outside!  If she is ever fussy, we go hang out on the grass outside our hotel and she is immediately a new baby!  We have met some creepy people out here but we don't let it get to us!  We make sure to go outside every day whether it be a walk or just playing on the grass.

 She is doing so good sitting up - she's 4 months old now!  Man how time flies!

Little bit about Piper right now.....

* 4 month stats are in - this girl is growing like a weed!  She is 18 lbs 6 oz (97+%) and 26 in long (97+%).

* She just rolled over for the first time from her tummy to back just last week.  She is so close from rolling from her back to tummy.

* She loves her feet!  She will lay on her back and just play with her feet for what seems like forever!

* She can sit up for a short time unassisted, however she is pretty wobbly and will fall to the side pretty quickly after you let go of her.

* She does the funniest thing.  When she eats, she puts her free hand up (the one that isn't against me as she nurses) above her head and it stays up until she is done.  She cracks me up!

* She definitely has a routine now - as long as I am on top of her feedings and naps, she is a fantastic baby with very few melt downs.  However, if I stray from the routine, even by 15 minutes - good night she goes from happy to angry in seconds!

Cluff Reunion

We were able to go back up to Grand Lake for my family's Cluff Reunion.  We had so much fun!  It was a much needed vacation and hands down the best camping we have done in a LONG time!  Grand Lake is gorgeous with tons to do!

Family photo in our trailer.  First time we have been able to take it out camping this year. (so sad - hopefully we make it up to the mountains several more times now that we have the trailer in Colorado with us)

 Piper in her own little chair

 Great Grandma Leisel and Piper.  I gotta tell ya - this wonderful woman is so proud to be a great grandma, she just adores Piper.  Doesn't she looks amazing?

 Dad and Piper chillin.  I was laughing when I found them!  Piper was content chillin on daddy's tummy!

 We were able to go fishing with my little brother Sean.  Tren did a great job teaching him everything he needs to know about fishing!  Sean just adores Tren!

 Me and my happy girl

 Tren was crazy enough to take a dip in the freezing lake...ok, it wasn't freezing but it was too cold for me!

 Not many people know but I am pretty amazing with animals. :)  I had this chipmunk eating OUT OF MY HAND by the time we were done fishing.  I am pretty proud of it too!

 Daddy and Pip chillin by the lake

 Stephen, Pip, Sean and Tren.  We just got done eating some delicious ice cream by the lake.  We had just finished shopping the boardwalk.

The Cluffs that made it to the reunion.  We had family come from all over (Boston, Wisconsin, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, etc)  And this is only about half of us!

Piper and Grandpa Buck

I just love this picture!

 We went on a hike to Adams Falls.  It was a great hike and Piper did awesome!

Piper is a fabulous camper!  She was such a happy girls the majority of the time!

 Piper loved watching the fire!  Eventually she will be roasting marshmellows and eating smores with me!  Can't wait!

We had so much fun spending time with my family up in the mountains!  He was a fun and successful reunion.  We can't wait for the next one!