Missouri to Mohawk Lakes

Ok, before I start this posting I need to warn you that there are a ton of pictures. Since we don't live near our families we like to be sure they get to see what has been going on. So... sorry or enjoy whichever.

At the end of August we went home to Missouri for a visit to celebrate Dad's 60th birthday and Liam's 1st birthday. We all threw a surprise party for dad and we surprised him by coming home too. He had no idea and it was great. We had such a great time seeing all the family as well and can't wait to be back in October.

Also, I have decided to go back to work 2 days a week. So last week was the first week back. That meant I had to take Mari to daycare. I of course cried the first day, but she was loving it because it was a new place. The next day was easier for me, but harder for her. Overall it went well and I hope that this week is even better.

The Birthday Man!!

Enjoying the party! We were so thankful that the weather held.

Greg and Emmanuel trying to see who's legs are skinnier.

Cory and Liam just hanging out.

All the family from both sides came. It was great to see everyone. Even Aunt Debbie and Uncle Brian surprised dad. Thanks to all the friends and family who made it to celebrate our wonderful DAD.

Aunt Cindy and Omega playing with the kids. Thanks to all the Aunts and Cousins entertaining them. They enjoyed you all.

Here is dads yummy Harley Davidson cake.

Mom borrowed a jumpy castle for the party. All the kids loved it except my tired Mari. She partied to hard the whole time we were there. Didn't want to miss out on anything.

Family photo.

The Peck family.

The next day we celebrated Liam's 1st birthday! I can't believe that he is a year old. This gift was the hit of the party.

He enjoyed pushing it around more than riding at first.

Then Mari discovered it and decided that this was pretty cool.

Who says this is for boys?

The cousins play so well together and it is so much fun watch.

Liam got many John Deere gifts. I know that is shocking.

Not so into the cake. Sarah made a very neat John Deere tractor cake with a trailer. It looked just like the toy in the above pictures.

Grampy and Mari enjoying some time together.

Bath time.

Hey where is everyone going?

Ride'em Cowboy

Look at me I am such a big girl. Mari turns 10 months old on Friday.

On our flight home we had an extra seat so Mari got to have her own to play in. We put a video on my phone for her to watch, but she had to hold it herself, of course!!

Then over Labor Day weekend mom and dad rode their motorcycles out here with some friends. They are going all over Colorado and to the Grand Canyon. While they were here we took them all on a hike to Mohawk Lakes. This is one of the old mining cabins on the hike.

Our first family hike to Mohawk Lakes. Mari did go up here last here on Labor Day weekend, I was 7 months pregnant.

Some of the group. It was mom and dad, Tim and Laura, and Keith and Jeannette.

Mari decided she wanted to hike herself and not in the backpack anymore. She loved playing on the ground getting dirty.

Taking a rest while we waited for everyone to catch up.

Whoops I fell over I guess I will just lay here.

A few of us hiked a little further to the upper lake. Here is Dad, Tim, and, Laura.

It was a great and busy 2 weeks, but we love being with friends and family. We can't wait to see you all again soon. Love you!!!

Zoo and Splash with Friends

Hello Everyone!! :)

Just a few updates on Mari! She is getting more and more confident in standing with no hands and yesterday she stood up by herself with no help from me or any objects. I was shocked to see it and so excited. I have a feeling she will be walking before I know it. It is so great to watch her progress.

We have a bunch of friends that all got married around the same time and all have kids with in a year of each other. With these great friends we get together and have dinner twice a month. So every summer we try and do a little retreat, which before kids was a camping trip. This year it was a day trip to the Denver zoo.

Having lunch before we start the day.

Daddy and Mari by the giraffes.

All the moms and kids in front of the huge polar bear.

Look how big Mari is getting.

This was one of our favorites. We got to watch them feed the elephants and it was fun to see Mari react to them.

There is a water park down in Denver that is small enough for little ones called Splash. So last minute Mari and I decided to go, because Greg wasn't going to be home until late. I thought why not go soak up some sun before the snow begins to come here in the high country.

Here are some of our friends that invited us to go. They had so much fun playing together.

Bridger, Mari, and Jude

Erika and Jude, Heather and Bridger, Me and Mari

What a great day we only wish that Daddy could have been with us. Mari and I did go down the blue slide behind us and she didn't seem to mind it.

Birthday, Bearly Big, and Baseball

I can't believe how big Mari is getting and how much she has changed. It is crazy to think that she is almost 9 months old. We have had to officially baby proof the house. She loves the kitchen cabinets and ripping the covers off of any magazine she can get her hands on. She is getting faster at crawling and a pro at pulling up on anything. One of her new tricks is to stand all by herself for a bit. She did this for the first time about a week ago in the bath tub. Everyday she gets better and better at it. We have also been working with her to take a few steps while holding her hands and that is getting better as well. Today at work she actually used a pushing walking toy thing and did quite well. I was impressed and I know walking is right around the corner.

Jude, Mari, and Jesse (the birthday boy)

Last weekend was our friend Jesse's 1st birthday party. They had a pool party. The kids loved swimming around and playing together in the whale. Of course Mari was the only girl, but she held her own.

Cain, Mari, and Jesse

I have been working about once a week at the rec center in the Bearly Big room. This is just a couple of hours in the morning and I get to take Mari with me. We have been doing this since she was about 31/2 months old. Now that she is on the move she loves going.

The older kids that come on a regular basis love playing with her. It is cute to watch her think that she is a big girl and needs to be a part of everything. When we walk in she gets so excited, the only downfall is now she will not nap because there is just to much to do.

At one of the parks we take the dogs to run and just hang out in the sun for awhile. She loves watching Bogey fetch his tennis ball.

The park is right by the golf course, so we get to see Daddy sometimes while he is at work. That is always a treat.

On Monday nights Greg and I play softball and Greg also plays on Wednesday nights on a mens league. So this week Mari and I were watching, but she decided that playing in the dirt and rocks would be much more fun.

Trying to eat the rocks. By the end of the night she looked like she had a beard, but she had the best time.

My beautiful dirty girl.

Michigan again...

Well, we have made it back from our 2nd trip and wedding to Michigan. It was great being back and even Greg and I got some time together. It was great.

Mari and Bogey hanging out. They make pretty good friends, she tends to enjoy him a bit more than he does her.

So before we left, I was cleaning the house and getting everything in order. Needless to say I forgot that Mari has learned how to open up cans. Like in this case an empty fruit punch gatorade can. Empty, but still a little bit of powder left. Of course she was quiet and then it hit me. So this is what I got. Oh well, my fault, I can't set them on the floor to wait for the trash to go out anymore. It was cute and she didn't get to hyper.

At our friends Ward and Marin's wedding, who live out in Breck as well. Look at that amazing cake. It was beautiful and delicious.

Grandma, Greg, and Mari at the wedding. Grandpa and Grandma Nienhouse watched Mari so Greg and I could enjoy the reception.

Greg and I have always talked about an eventual move to Michigan (where he is from). So now with a family the talk has become more serious. We went and looked at a neighborhood that is new and is right up our alley. This is one of the homes we looked at. No idea when this will all fall in place, in God's time is all we know so far.

While enjoying the beach Daddy took his baby girl on her first cruise on the seadoo. She really enjoyed it.

But lounging in the lake was much more enjoyable.

She just floated around and soaked up some rays.

Mari and her Auntie Morgan. We love you!!