In other words, Rocky Mountain National Park.

Lucky us, our first weekend here Mark’s brother Paul and his daughter Julia came to visit. They’d had a trip planned for a few months, and we happened to be here.

Paul has been to Colorado several times, and has wanted to take a special road up to the top of one of the mountains for a while, but it’s only open during a couple of months in the summer. It just so happens to be August.

After helping us move some of our furniture into place–Thanks Paul!–We headed toward Estes Park, gateway to RMNP. It’s a beautiful drive, and while on the way, Britton learned how to be a “guppy” from cousin Julia. It’s hilarious.

Mark got lots of the scenic pictures…maybe I’ll get him to post them some day, but driving higher and higher on the mountain on a one-way dirt road was quite fun. We did see a waterfall and creek…

Britton has a hard time looking at the camera. When we say “look at me” he looks up in the air way too high. Not sure where this comes from. He’s also saying cheese…

Finallly, we made it to the top. It’s known as an Alpine Tundra or something like that. Up at 11,000 feet, it’s winter most of the time. But it makes for gorgeous scenery!

Wow. So beautiful. Yes, that is snow still clinging to the hill.

And, I guess this will do for my 36 week belly shot too.

We had a great time at the park, driving over the continental divide and seeing so many lakes and streams. Paul was a great guide and we’re looking forward to going back. Now that we’re Coloradans I guess it’s a requirement.

Britton had a lot of fun with Julia. She was a great helper too.

Sprout Shell had a trade show scheduled the first week of August. It kind of fit in perfectly with the moving time line. We weren’t super excited about it though, since it did cause a lot more stress and coordination.

Back in May I scored a great deal on our hotel at the Golden Nugget. The north end of the strip doesn’t get as much attention, but this place was really nice and had a great pool–complete with shark tank in the middle and tube slide running through it.

Anyway, the trade show ended up not being what we had hoped or planned for. I did find some bedding for Kaia, scored some adorable Squeakers shoes for a great price, and we got a few orders, but that was about all.

Here’s our booth though…

So, we packed up and enjoyed the rest of our week doing this:

Chillin'

Reading

Drinking Coke

Trying on M&Ms hats

And SLEEPING!

Seriously. Our room got so dark with the curtains drawn it we wouldn’t know if it was 2:30 am or 2:30 pm.

Britton insisted on sleeping with me all week. He NEVER does that. He just rolls around and tosses and turns whenever we try it. He usually has to be in his own bed. Maybe he was traumatized from me being gone all day Monday, ’cause he was clingy all week too.

Our last night in town we went to a brand new restaurant–like, opening night–Max Brenner.

It’s a chocolate restaurant. Not everything has chocolate on it, or in it, but some things do. And especially their desserts! Oh my. We shared dinner so we’d have room for all the things we wanted to try.

One of the rare moments that Britton cooperated…until dessert came.

Our dessert spread

Dip your own ice cream, chocolate apple streusel with caramel sauce, Smores Sundae and Chocolate pizza with marshmallows. It was SOOOOOO good. We will definitely have to go back and try more of the chocolate deliciousness.

So, despite it not turning out like we planned, it was actually a very nice week. But, I was ready to get out of there and on the road to our new life.

Before we left we got together with a few of Mark’s former Napster co-workers (and friends, of course) for dinner at Chakra. It’s a great Indian in Beverly Hills for those of you in LA.

It was nice visiting and catching up since I don’t get to see them very often. Luckily the restaurant has a water wall that Britton found fascinating.

The Napsterites and friends…

Both Britton and Missy were unhappy at this point. I think for different reasons though. Missy–we’ll be sure to send you some Halloween pics, then you can photoshop yourself in.

The whole group. Thanks guys! It was great to see you.

So, when we flew to Denver to find a place to live we realized it was also our last little getaway before Kaia gets here. Britton was with his She-She (new name, we’re trying it out), and I missed him terribly, but we had a great time.

We went to see Inception–great movie. Though, I don’t know that it was entirely necessary to pay $17 for IMAX. Mark would disagree. We drove A LOT, had ice cream at Bonnie Braes, slept in, found a place to live (will take pics and get those up someday), visited the Temple grounds and generally enjoyed getting to know the area.

Since we’re super awesome, we didn’t take pictures except this:

and this:

The sunsets here are gorgeous!

On my way back to LA the clouds were awesome. I had to get some of them too.

It’s been forever since I’ve updated…and feel like I really should.

Yes, we have arrived in Denver, well Arvada, and we’re getting settled in. But, posts about leaving LA and all that will have to come a little later.

Here’s us at Disneyland with Gram

He likes to help shoot now. He does pretty well.

I found bunnies

Brit found the peeps in the cupboard and thought they were delicious!

Lay on my back?

He HATES to lay on his back in the pool. His teacher worked with him a lot on it.

Ready to launch

He does like to jump in though.

Drummer boys

Brit and his new friend Max drumming at the Grove.

But his favorite was the fountain

I tried to get him out the last few weeks and do things since I know he was bored if we stayed inside all day.

Whenever it’s Mark’s special occasion and he gets to choose dinner or dessert, he likes to challenge my baking abilities.

Usually he chooses some cake or something that I’ve never made before and is kind of elaborate. Remember the White Chocolate Raspberry Cake and Flourless Chocolate Cake? Well, this Father’s Day was no different. We made Raspberry Lemon Tart. It comes from one of our “Bride and Groom Cookbook” (from Williams Sonoma of course) I like it because using it makes me feel sophisticated and grown up.

Anyway, here’s the final result:

Technically, it’s a pie, not a tart since I didn’t have the right pan, but it turned out delicious!

Side view

Both of my guys seemed pleased.

Britton loves his daddy, and often prefers him over me. Which I don’t mind so much, since I’m with him all day. Sometimes he actually cries when Mark goes to work, and loves to run up and give him hugs when he gets home. Sign of a great daddy for sure.

Happy Father’s Day sweetheart!

A couple of weeks ago when Mark was out of town Britton and I went down to Newport beach with my family. Even my great aunt and uncle came, so we had a nice group. What we didn’t have was sun.

It was beautiful and sunny as we were on our way; we figured the marine layer would burn off by noon. It didn’t.

This was our view until we left at 3:30 when the wind picked up and it got chilly.

We did have fun though. Britton loves his aunt Chezney.

And…

Swimming in the sand

Dumping sand on himself

Playing with Shells

Throwing dice

The girls…and boy.

Britton fell asleep as soon as we backed out of the parking space. Thanks for the fun day mom!

We go on field trips.

Last week we went with a bunch of friends to Underwood Family Farm. This place is great! There are so many things for kids to do and see. Britton fed animals, rode on a tractor,

sat in a train, ran up and down hills, climbed a hay pyramid,

and even picked a few strawberries!

These were maybe the best strawberries ever. So sweet and juicy.

Britton approved!

I quickly picked 2 pints. I could’ve been there all afternoon. I just kept seeing more and more delicious-looking bright red berries. I even picked my own cilantro and a few carrots. Plus got lots of additional goodness they picked at the market they have there.

He was asleep about 2 seconds after we left.

This week we visited the Zimmer Children’s Museum. The whole thing is full of exhibits the encourage kids to play, learn and discover. Britton was exhausted by the time we left!

The green circle is a button that activates lights in the bigger silver-looking circle. He loved it!

An interactive display where he could make different musical instrument sounds and have it play back. I’m sure you can imagine how long we sat here.

Playing with food in the restaurant (or market) There was also a big magnetic board with foam letters. He liked that too.

We’ll definitely have to go back. There is a lot more planned in the weeks ahead…and we can hardly wait!

Happy Anniversary…yesterday! It’s been 4 years already (I know, that’s not really that long, but it still seems to have gone by fast)

As the clock struck 12 to start April 22, 2010 I gave Mark a kiss and said I was going to bed. I could hardly wait for the surprise I had waiting there…no, not what you’re thinking. It was this:

The Hyatt Grand Pillow. We’ve been dreaming of them since our trip to NYC in December. It was the most comfy, cozy pillow (and entire bed) I’d ever slept in and could barely bring myself to get out of bed the next morning to catch the bus back home. I think missing Britton was the only thing that did it.

So, we talked about getting them for our anniversary since they’re pretty pricey for a pillow. But, I didn’t tell him I had done it. I was slightly worried he’d notice the completely different shape and color of the pillowcase as he got ready for bed…but no. He even leaned on it a little..but not until he actually laid down did he realize the surprise. He was really excited and we had a great night’s sleep on our wonderful new pillows.

We met up that night for a temple session and grabbed Yogurtland afterward. It’s the first time we’ve been there and it’s really good. I love that I can satisfy the part of me that wants sweet/candy bar yogurt and toppings and the part that wants something fruity at the same time.

When we got home, I had a surprise waiting for me:

Not positive what it was. Though, it was a surprise since the pillows were our gift.

You guessed it…and Ebook reader! Kind of like the Kindle, but better! Leave it to Mark to find an electronic with all sorts of cool things.

See that nifty color part at the bottom? It’s a touch screen for easy navigation. And the flower is my screensaver (or wallpaper, I’m not sure which)

And this is my library. It comes with 3 already. Super cool!

I’m especially surprised and excited ’cause Mark did this ALL on is own. Around Christmas I mentioned the Kindle, but whenever it comes to getting something for me our conversation usually goes something like this:

Me: Wow, that’s super cool. I’d love that.

Mark: Do you want it?

Me: No. Don’t even think about getting it for me either. It’s way too much/I don’t need it/etc.

So, he pretty much knew that I’d tell him I didn’t want it/need it if he brought it up, but knew I’d love it anyway.

Thanks honey! This was a terrific anniversary. I love you so much for all that you do and are!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Friday was a great/totally crappy day in our house. I was pretty sick most of the day (not sure why, my friend Paige had the same symptoms, but a couple of days before me and it was NOT the flu.) But, we got to find out what type of bean we’ll be having this fall, and that was pretty great.

Luckily the nausea stayed away while at the doctor’s office and we got some pretty cool pics.

Little profile

Tiny foot.

Well, Mark couldn’t be there, so I told them not to tell me what the gender was. From the beginning I’ve thought this was a girl. It’s just different than with Britton, and it just seemed that way.

But, I’ve been known to be wrong on occasion. I was thinking I’d seen a little something during the “bum shot.”

Opening the envelope in anticipation. Seriously, I could hardly wait all day!

I guess not! It’s a girl this time. So, yes I was right. I’m thinking 2 for 2 isn’t bad. We’re excited to be able to use a definite pronoun when we talk about the baby now. I’ve been saying she pretty regularly, and now and I won’t have to feel guilty about it.