Denver Adventure Week 6

We were able to celebrate the 4th of July here in Denver. This is one of our favorite holidays. I love that we already have a lot of established traditions. Devon loves (and so do I), that this is one of the only holidays that still retains in original meaning. It's not defiled by commercialism, as are many other holidays.

We decided to kick off our 3-day weekend by touring the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. We started our tour in the visitor center...

We then, took a little hike to go see the Chapel. I had no idea that campus was on such a big, beautiful piece of land!

The Chapel blew me away, it was gorgeous! There was a wedding going on, so we weren't able to go inside, but there was still plenty to see...

Monday morning, we started out bright and early by going to breakfast at a little restaurant named the Egg & I. Unfortunately I forgot the camera at home, so no pictures. After breakfast we went home and grabbed the camera and then went bowling. I think West had a good time...

After reading a speech by Samuel Adams and the Declaration of Independence, we headed to a near by park to stake out our spot for fireworks.

West was mesmerized by the fireworks...

Well, for a little while...
It was a great day! We are very grateful for this wonderful country we live in!!!

Donald Duck Orange Juice

My mom didn't have much patience for illness when we were growing up. My dad, on the other hand, LOVED taking care of sick kids. So, needless to say, whenever we got sick we went straight to dad. He would immediately run out and buy everything we needed to get better; chicken soup, Dimetapp, Popsicles and of course Donald Duck orange juice. He never bought just regular orange juice, cause that doesn't have the special healing powers that the Donald Duck variety had! This became somewhat of a tradition in my home. No matter how old I got DD OJ always made me feel better. Then, the travesty of all travesties occurred....THEY STOPPED SELLING IT! I've been searching and searching for years, but no luck. Just last night I was searching through the weekly grocery ads; lo and behold on page two of the Albersons' ad, there it was, DONALD DUCK ORANGE JUICE. When I saw this, my first thought was to call and tell my dad the good news. Unfortunately that's something I can no longer do. That realization made me cry. I then started thinking about West and how much my dad would absolutely adore him and how much he's missing out on. That made me cry even more. But, I remembered that just because I can't see him doesn't mean he's not around. I don't know how it works in heaven and I don't know how much 'free time' you have, but I'm sure my dad's not missing much. And even though these little moments make me cry, I'm so grateful for them, they show what a big part of my life my dad was and make me feel so close to him. So, as soon as West is up from his afternoon nap, we're headed to Albertsons, because no matter how old I get there are two things that will always be true; sometimes I still need my daddy and Donald Duck orange juice always make me feel better!

Denver Adventure Week 5

A girl at church told me about this candy company that offered free tours. So, we decided to head down and check it out.

This is all we got to see...

Needless to say the tour was a little disappointing, but at least we got some cute pictures out of it!

VERY late Saturday night my mom came in for a visit. She was only supposed to be coming out once this summer, at the end of July, but she missed her grandbaby too much and decided to come visit us in June, as well. We had a great time, going on walks, looking at model homes, shopping, eating out, taking West to the park and shopping some more!

She even watched West Friday night, so Devon and I could go on our first real date, since he was born. It was so nice to get out and spend some alone time with my husband!

It's always fun when my mom comes to visit, I even think Devon likes it ;) Except this time he was little bitter that she didn't make him enchiladas. West especially loves it, cause he gets spoiled rotten! The joys of being the first grandbaby!

Denver Adventure Week 4

The Black family decided to all take a trip together this summer. When the idea first came up, we were pretty sure we wouldn't be able to attend. However, it worked out that the family decided to go to Steamboat Springs, CO, just a few weeks before we got our offer to spend the summer in Denver. Steamboat is only 3 hours away, so we were pretty excited that we would be able to attend, at least for the weekend. Even better, Western Union is really flexible about the hours worked on Friday, so at 1:30pm Devon had his 40 hours in for the week and we were able to head out. We had a great weekend eating, swimming, shopping, rodeoing (is that a word?) and just spending time with family!

West and Creed on the way to go shopping on Main St.

West dressed up for the rodeo

Yee-Haw

Our family on Main St.

Devon and West taking a rest

West all bundled up watching the rodeo

West all bundled up and sleeping at the rodeo

West and Grandma hiking

Fish Creek Falls

Most of the family on Sunday afternoon

All of the cousins

Devon and I have been near family since we started dating, so it's been different being so far away this summer. But we were really grateful, that we didn't have to go the whole summer without our family!

Denver Adventure Week 3

Our weekdays are pretty boring, we get up at 6ish, Devon works out, then I work out while he's getting ready. Devon leaves for work. West and I spend the rest of the day doing various activities such as, walking, shopping, swimming, watching The Hills, The Bachlorette and 16 & Pregnant, playgroups, cooking and household chores. Devon gets homes, we eat dinner and then hang out around the house. So, weekends are where the fun is!

This weekened we were invited to a BBQ at the home of a lady Devon works with. Despite the sudden rain storm, we had a blast! Devon's really been blessed to work with such a great group of people. It was nice for me to meet them and for both of us to get to know them on a much more personal level. Almost everyone had kids so there were tons of little ones running around. West was the only baby, so he got LOTS of attention. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics!

The next night we took West to his First Dodger game! Devon is not a baseball fan, so he doesn't have a team. I'm not a huge fan either, but I did grow up with the Dodgers. One of the most distinct memories of my childhood is seeing my Grandpa Pikop in his chair, watching the Dodgers on TV with the volume turned down and the radio broadcasting the game right next to him. Hearing Vin Scully say, "It's time for Dodger baseball," always takes me back to those days. But, my grandpa isn't the only Dodger fan in my family. My dad loved the Dodgers, my brother Ricky loves Los Doyers and my Mom loves Dodger dogs. So, it was inevitable that the Dodgers would choose us (Cause as Devon says, you don't choose your team, your team chooses you).

This picture was taken as soon as we got there by the usher. It was hard to see our camera screen in the sun, that is why Devon's head is cut off, but luckily he got the most important people in the pic ;).

Devon bought West this cute little outfit for Christmas last year. Even the Rockies' fans came up and said how cute he was!
I guess these games aren't as exciting for West as they are for us, we're just glad he lets us enjoy them!!

Denver Adventure Week 2

This was a pretty laid back week. West and I spent a lot of time walking and checking out the parks in the area.

I fell in love with City Park, so on Saturday we took Devon on a picinic there. (Sorry no pics)

Since there's not a lot to write about this week, I'll show you some pics of our little apartment.
This is supposed to be our dining room, but it's just turned into the ironing area and the place I let West swing when it's hot (it's the only place with a ceiling fan and we're trying to save money by not running the AC).
This is out modest kitchen with an even more modest amount of kitchen gear. We brought up the bare necessities and eat off paper plates and plastic utensils.
This is our living/dining/office/play area. The couches may be ugly, but they are pretty comfy!

t doesn't get much more classy than a TV sitting on the floor. We decided not to purchase cable this summer, but luckily we have netflix through the Wii!
Our/West's bedroom, Mickey Mouse comforter and all...

Grandma/apparently Hamilton's room. This was the only big furniture we brought with us and we lost a piece on the way up here, so it still hasn't been set up.

We think it's kind of funny that we're moving backwards. Instead of starting off in a little apartment and moving into a house, like most newly married couples, we started off in a house and have moved into a little apartment. While I miss my home TONS!!!! It's kind of nice not having all the responsibility that comes with owning a home. It literally takes me 5 mins to clean (10, if I do a deep clean). So, the rest of the time is spent playing with West!

West the Comedian

The other day I was getting West ready for bed, by swaddling him. In order for this to work most effectively, his arms need to be down at his sides, this usually takes a couple of attempts. The other night West was being particularly difficult. I would put his arms down and he would immediately lift them over his head. After he did this about 10 times Devon was ready to step in to assist. I tried one last time by myself and this time as West’s arms went up he let out the loudest giggle! It was as if he was putting his arms up on purpose, and then let out the giggle when he couldn’t hold the joke in any longer.

Just a few days later, I was sitting on the couch holding him. His head was cradled in my left arm and I had my computer on my right side. I was looking over at the computer, when I heard him make a noise. I turned to look and he was holding out his pacifier about ½ inch away from my mouth, ready to stick it right on in. Once again, he let out a loud giggle!

These are probably just coincidental incidents, but since I’m a mom I’ll just think that my child is a naturally gifted, budding little comedian.