For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
- Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving & into His courts with praise" ~Psalm 100:4
You probably thought I was talking about Christmas...oh, no. For anyone who knows me, Fall is the most beautiful time and is totally my favorite season. Keri, Skylar, Ethan and I made a day trip to see the colors of the aspens, eat at K's and to get the kiddos out of the house :) We drove to Buena Vista, CO to see the autumn season that is upon us. We were not disappointed!
Ethan just recently started to walk. This was his first big trip where he got to walk a lot outside. He was a rockstar!
Mommy and Ethan's hands holding an aspen leaf. A Chaplain I know once told me that aspens on the ground look like little potato chips :) I've never forgotten that.....and I'm sure one day I'll tell Ethan too!
Ethan was not interested in sitting still for a photo. He was on the move and just had to see things! I love that he is so curious! I just like this photo of him and Skylar.
ASPENS!
Ethan was mesmerized by the delicious chocolate and vanilla cone at K's in "BV" (as the locals call it!) It was his first ice cream ever. He had lots of fun and I didn't mind at all that it got all over his stroller. I have accepted that boys are messy :) So, I'm just embracing the fun and messy part of being a mommy :) (For anyone who knows me, I'm like Monica off of Friends as far as cleaning. But not as bad! I promise :)
Getting some chocolate kisses from my little E-man! I love his squissy little cheeks!
Seriously, who would not love the beautiful scenery?
We had an awesome day! The kiddos crashed out on the way home from all the excitement and adventures they had partaken in. Skylar and Ethan have become fast friends! It was the most precious thing when they were reaching for each others hands in the back seat! Priceless!
Ah, Moving Day! A common word known amongst us Army Wives and Husbands. I never thought that they would fill this ginormous truck with our stuff, but I assure you, they did. I was very fortunate to have one of my best friends, Brianne, helping me to man Ethan. She was a big help. Thanks, girl! After one full day of packing boxes and a half day of filling the truck....we were done! I haven't fully realized that we are leaving Colorado yet. It's been a very special place for me over the past 4 1/2 years. I'm sure I won't realize it until we hit the Texas border, my hair turns into cotton candy from the humidity, and I'm drenched with sweat that it will truly sink in. Needless to say, I'm very excited about the new adventure that God has in store for Jeremiah, Ethan and I. I love this quote, I've heard it tons of times but not sure who actually wrote it...."You never really leave a place you love. Part of it you take with you, leaving part of you behind."
It has truly been a joy to see Keri's little girl, Skylar and my little dare devil, Ethan play together. Keri and I have known each other for 5 years. She knows the in's and out's of my life, and was there for the worst and best moments! I will miss you girl and thank you for being a sister to me! So, Keri bought Skylar a cardboard play house (super cute)! Well, I'm not sure if they had more fun playing in the house as we did taking their picture. This also allowed my son to learn to climb through the window of the house. (Should I be worried about this later on in his teenage years?!)
My little munckin! Brianne and I went to the Broadmoor before she left Colorado. We had a fun time, did some shopping and took a few photos. This was one of Ethan in exactly the same spot that Jeremiah and I were married. Little did we know 2 years after we were married, we would have a 13 month old baby boy. God truly works in ways I never knew possible!
Yay, for a get-a way weekend with my hubby! We had a fabulous time in Destin, Florida. He has been at Fort Rucker (Mother Rucker, as it is more commonly known) for 3 weeks for Flight Medic School training. We thought it was long overdue for a much needed weekend with just the two of us, no Ethan. Thanks to Haley, Andy and Keri, it totally worked and it was a weekend that I will never forget. Since we married in September 2007, we've been together for a total of 10 months, with a deployment in between and a child :) Talk about your fast track in the Army ;) We ended up shopping, getting a massage and eating lots of great food (that normally would have gotten cold if Ethan had been there :) I'm totally and madly in love with my husband! (and of course, Ethan too!)
My son loves cottage cheese! Well, all I can say is that he didn't get it from me. I just wanted to document the event and to show everyone just how cute he is, even with rasberries and cottage cheese on his face!
On Sunday, we were able to go to Garden of the Gods for the first time with the 3 of us! It was so fun! The weather was gorgeous, a light breeze (enough to wear a jacket :), and we actually had time to do something carefree :) :) It was pretty packed but we managed to see some of the highlights and stroll Ethan around for a little while. The usual tourists crowded the pathways as we strolled, watching the rock climbers reach the top of the boulders. Jeremiah's highlight was hearing the tourists talk about rock climbing, when they didn't know what they were talking about, but pretended that they did :) (Being an avid climber, he gets pretty particular :)
Ethan had a pretty good time, I think. I think he would have had an even better time if he was able to actually crawl and get into everything. He got some clay on his khakis, so he was automatically initiated into hiking. We sure can't wait to live in Colorado again, someday. By then, Ethan will be like his Daddy....a rock climbing, snowboarding fool =)
The beauty that is Colorado~Garden of the Gods
Rock Climbers
We finally got Ethan to stay still for one photo =) Well, maybe two photos =)
We are the Kline Family, founded in 2007 when Jeremiah and I (Mary-Anne) got hitched!! We became three on August 19, 2008, when we welcomed Ethan into our family & then became a family of four when Andrea arrived on October 3, 2010. We are very excited to share our adventures in the military, life, love with each other & our children. We are just your average family but totally blessed by God!
