New Life

We moved.  I don't think I mentioned that. 
We said goodbye to our little town of Boulder, CO and hello to a new state and a new life.

I haven't posted in a while.  I haven't had time.  I haven't had the desire.  I haven't known what to say. 
Leaving Boulder was harder than I thought it would be. 

We didn't fit in in Boulder.  We aren't hippies.  We don't eat organic.  We are young.  I wear makeup and Kenton wears skater shoes.  We haven't ran a marathon (or even have the desire to). 
But we LOVED the little town.  We loved that Kenton could bike to work.  That our apartment was beautiful and energy efficient.  We loved our Farmer's Markets and fresh produce.  We loved the people there and how welcoming and kind they were.   
Boulder taught us so much about ourselves.  Like that we are really simple people.  That we want to live a simple life with lots of family time.  That eating healthy makes us feel good.  That nature is beautiful and so fun to explore.  That a walk to a park is simply the most wonderful thing in life.  That appearance isn't everything.  That its ok to go to the store in your yoga pants.  That life can be really enjoyable when you are laid back and go with the flow.
Boulder is a little bit of a bubble and we knew we couldn't stay their forever, but that doesn't mean we will miss it any less.

Moving has been kind of hard.  I didn't expect it to be so hard.
We moved back "home".  To a culture very similar to what we both grew up in.  We thought we would move here and not miss a beat.  Fit right in and feel at home. 
It hasn't been that easy.  We are realizing that Boulder effected us.  That we learned things that we don't really want to give up.  And we are realizing that we have to work a little harder to keep those things part of us.  I guess its all part of growing up and experiencing new things- its good, its just hard sometimes. 

I feel like this post is depressing.  Its not in the least.  Its just about learning and growing up.  We really do like our new place.  There are so many great things about it.  I am about to show you how much fun we have had since we have been here. 

In Boulder, it was just us.  Like I said, we didn't really fit in so most weekends were spent with our little family.  In our new place, we are surrounded by family!  We love it! 

Ok.  Here come the pictures.  There are so many pictures!

Kenton's AMAZING sister got us into her apartment complex, her and her husband helped us move in, and then they made us dinner the next day!  They have no idea how much it meant to us!  It is overwhelming to have family to rely on- we are still getting used to it!

 Lucy + Emme (they are about 3 weeks apart but you would never guess it.  Lucy is advanced and moves like a toddler.  Emme is chill and doesn't move at all.  Its quite hilarious to see them side by side)

 Darius.  Oh how we love you Darius.  That kids is as boy as they come.

 Our first Saturday here we went to "This is the place" with Kenton's sister and her family.  To say that Afton loved it was an understatement. 

 First horse ride.  She was brave.  Her face shows how nervous she was. 

 Kenton is such a good Dad.  I knew he would be.

 Emme hanging out in the Ergo.  She loves this thing. 

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In a moment of parenting weakness, Kenton bought this train for the girls while at Ikea.  I love it because its wood and the BOTH love it!  I guess it was ok we gave in. . . just this once.

Kenton also LOVES the natural light that comes into our living room in the evening.  He says its perfect.

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Kenton started a tradition of taking Afton outside while I finish up making dinner.  He takes the camera of course.  He is so freakin cute.

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Emme focused on the train.  Love the face. 

A face Emme made one day.  She makes some pretty awesome faces.
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We walked to the park one day.  I forgot to get the double stroller AND the ergo out of the car before Kenton left for work so this was my solution.  It was just way too cute.  And they are holding hands.  Gosh, I love my little girlies. 

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Bedtime. One of my favorite times of the day.

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Kenton and Afton would often stop by and say hi to Darius during their evening walk

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We went to dinner with Kenton's mission buddy and his wife.  Then we go to take some pics of them.  We had SO much fun!

 

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Chad and Brittany planned this BEAUTIFUL hike for us to go on Memorial Day weekend.
Fresh air, great company, amazing view.  It was exactly what we needed!

We didn't realize there would still be snow.  We felt a little like the pioneers as we hauled our stroller full of kids over the snow hills.  Kenton and Chad were real troopers- and Brynn even held my hand once!  I felt so loved!

 We love this little girl.  She is so sweet and kind. 

 Em's hanging out in the Ergo.  She lives in this thing while we are away from the house.  I am so glad she likes it- its a lifesaver!

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Mr. Potato Head has made a recent reappearance at our house.  Another great toy that BOTH the girls like.
Kenton showed Afton how to truly play with a potato head.  Afton isn't super good at stepping out of the box but Kenton did get her to put 3 tongues where the feet should have gone.  Baby steps folks.  Baby steps.

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The bubbles.  Afton is obsessed.  Kenton is even more obsessed.  This is a nightly tradition now.

 Emme is such a trooper.  Her face says it all. 

 See.  He's obsessed.

 Emme gives AWESOME kisses.  She always has.  Melts my heart. 

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Double exposure.  Somehow you take a picture and then another picture and they go on top of each other.
This is Kenton's first attempt.  I thought it was kind of cool. 
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I am doing something bold.  I am getting nerd glasses.  
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Some of the Best of Emme's faces.  As Afton would say, "Silly Emme"

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Took some pics of Kenton for his photography website.  I am NO photographer so it was quite frustrating.  But, I love how cute he looks in these.  I had to share.

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Through a series of fortunate events, we ended up getting my parents extra double bed.  We had it in the basement for visitors but then we noticed that Afton kept falling out of her toddler bed so we figured why not let her sleep in it.  Since the room is big enough it works.  Its a little excessive for a three year old but its what we had so it works just great.  She LOVES the thing a REQUESTS to go to her bed multiple times a day.  I wonder when the excitement will wear off. 

And that's our life lately.  Simple.  Just the way we like it.