Colorado!

For Memorial Day weekend, we traveled to Meeker, Colorado to Steve's parent's new lodge. After 1.5 years of construction, it was finally complete! Everyone except for brother Andrew and his fiancee, Leah, were able to make the trip. The lodge was UNBELIEVABLE - the view was spectacular, the fireplace was HUGE, and the floors were heated. What more could you ask for?!

The lodge

Close up

Ty in the fireplace

The kids did AMAZING on the days that we were traveling. It is not an easy trip - a 3 hour flight to Denver followed by a 30 minute flight to Hayden and a 1 hour drive to the ranch.

We put a pullup on MJ just in case he had trouble using the potty during all of the flights/car rides- I was thrilled to find a dry diaper on him by the end of the day (on the way out there and the way back)!

And you will never believe what happened on the 3 hour flight back to Atlanta -- both boys slept. The. Whole. Flight. I'm not kidding...I have proof!

Sigh

We had a wonderful time with the family. We spent the days hiking, fishing, riding four wheelers, and exploring the 2600 acres surrounding the lodge. The nights were spent outside around the firepit. We saw deer, elk, coyotes, cows, and bald eagles. MJ had the time of his life exploring the land.

Grandma Eco with all of the grandkids (cousin James, Ty and MJ)

Riding in the Ranger

Kerry, Nick, Mike, and Lee on the 4 wheelers

On the first day, we decided to go for a hike up one of the mountains. We thought it would be a great idea to bring the babies in their carriers to get some fresh air. Little did we know that the MEN of the family would take us on a "short cut" - after 1.5 hours of hiking, we found ourselves scaling a snow capped mountain peak with screaming babies in tow. Needless to say, the WOMEN will be doing the navigating from now on. :)

Nick with James and me with Ty - this was taken on the beginning of the hike

The boys had a blast playing in the indoor sandbox!

James with Ty and MJ

This is fun, mommy!

The cutest cowboys EVER

Our family

Happy Mother's Day!

First, I want to congratulate my sister, Ann, and her boyfriend (now fiancee), Jeff on their engagement! We couldn't be happier for you two!

After church on Sunday, we celebrated Mother's Day by hanging out at the pool. It was a nice, relaxing day filled with lots of love from my boys. :)

MJ's preschool had "Muffins for Moms" last week where they presented us with beautiful flowers and laminated pictures made by our little ones. Ofcourse, MJ refused to look at the camera, but here is his work of art:

The rose petals are imprints of MJ's fist - I love it.

I hope all of you moms out there had a wonderful day- especially my friends who are celebrating their first Mother's Day. I cannot even put into words how happy I am to be a mommy; it is the best gift I have ever received.

And for my mom - thank you for everything. I can only pray that one day my children admire me the way I admire you.

Happy Mother's Day.

Ty at 7 Months

Sitting up all by myself!

Dear Ty,

At 7 months, you continue to be my sweet, happy, loving baby. You started sitting up all by yourself a few days ago - we are so proud! You sleep 11-12 hours a night and take 2 naps (about 1.5-2 hours each) during the day. The stage 2 foods seem to be doing a much better job at filling up your endless pit of a stomach. You are down to about 30 ounces of formula per day, in addition to the 5-6 jars of stage 2 foods. Your favorite foods are the homemade ones made by Ms. Lisa - especially the sweet potatoes and blueberries!

You still try to put everything into your mouth, and there has been a lot more drooling this week...I think another tooth is about to break through.

You love to watch your big brother, and he is equally crazy about you. Your daddy and I love watching you two play together - it is truly priceless.

Quite a few people have told us you look like the Gerber baby, and I think they might be right!

Thank you for bringing so much happiness into our lives. I love you, my sweet baby boy.

Love,
Mommy

Grand Fun

Bubbles!

Steve had a business conference in Turks and Caicos last week, so I tagged along for a much needed vacation. I hated to leave the boys, but they had a wonderful time with their grandparents (my parents watched them the first half of the week and Steve's parents watched them the second half).

Planting and watering the flowers

Pool buddies

Steve and I have been to beaches all over the world, but Grace Bay may have been the most beautiful beach we have ever seen. This is what we woke up to every morning:

Sigh....

We went out to dinner most nights with the other businessmen and their wives, and I enjoyed pina coladas while trying to get a tan. The last day, we all took a boat out to go snorkeling and free diving. The reef there was awesome - it was a close second to when we went scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef.

Now, it is back to reality. Glad to be home with the boys, but definitely missing my frozen fruity drinks. :)