Giving Back

Level 3 offers volunteer opportunities for us throughout the year. I have not been able to participate in the past - either due to PTO or pregnancy.  VOC does some great work and I hope to be able to volunteer with them again in the future. The project I worked on was restoration in Fourmile Canyon.  Last September, Boulder experienced a wildfire that destroyed approximately 6,000 acres.  The devastation and loss was enormous.  I wasn't in a position at the time to donate financially or physically, having a newborn to care for.  But I wanted to be able to give something back,  so I jumped at the chance to volunteer with this great organization last week.  If the area was to receive heavy precipitation several of the surviving homes and families would be at risk from flooding, so our responsibility was to rake and re-seed this area with 3 species of grass seed.  It was rugged at times, but so worth it.  I am happy I got involved and hope to volunteer on future projects too!

Ian certainly thought I was the coolest Mom on the block with my hard hat and vest!

 I really like this picture - although it is sad to think that I was standing where someone's home once was there is still a beauty in this lonesome tree.

 Batteries and a septic tank are the only proof that a home once stood.

 It is very hard to understand this type of loss unless you see it with your own eyes, but we all felt good at the end of the day knowing we at least did something. 

 The views were spectacular - this was my view during my lunch break.  Sure beats the view I have from my office now!

I found a few more pictures from the visit with Casey's parents and they were too cute not to post.  Enjoy!

I love this photo of Milo!  He is so happy - the messier, the better.

I found a few more pictures from the g-rents visit...

Ian was SO excited to see the peacock feathers at the zoo!

Almost as excited as he was to see the construction site - ha!

The elephants were a big hit too - he could have stayed in this spot all day.

It was nice to have visitors and we had great weather, always a bonus!  Casey got to play some golf with his Dad.  His Mom helped me craft and gave me some great business ideas.  I enjoy making things with her and we were able to go to the craft store - a place where we could both get lost for hours.  Ian really enjoyed spending time with them - it was cute getting to see him interact with them.  Made me wish we lived closer to their grandparents.  Milo has grown so much since they saw him last and he was jazzed to show them his new eating solids skills and how he can sit up on his own!  The visit went by fast, but it was great.  Always hard to say goodbyeThey were a bit worried about their flight home because of the snowstorm headed for them.  They were fortunate to get home safely and as scheduled. 

Grandma and Grandpa Wisconsin visit!

I am happy to see that March is going quickly - I am ready for spring.  I want to see some green and put away the sweaters, break out the dresses and flip flops!  Winter was a blur.  It tends to drag on forever, but I guess a newborn + sleep deprivation will make the time fly by.  I can't wait to open the windows and let the fresh air flow through the house.  I have already started a mental list of all the home projects I think we should take on and by we, I mean Casey:)

Ian and Milo are busy little boys.  They love going to Miss Lily's daycare - she loves to celebrate and Ian loves to eat cake.  A perfect match!  She had a Mardi Gras party for the kids on Fat Tuesday and Ian couldn't get enough. 

Working full-time and trying to launch a side business can keep a girl on her toes 24/7, but I was able to break away from it all for a few minutes and meet up with some old friends at Wahoo's.  Maggie, Courtney, Erin and I used to all work together at Rogue Wave - Maggie is still ridin' the wave, but the rest of us are scattered about.  It isn't always easy to get together, but I am so happy we made some time a couple of weeks ago.  Even Linnea (Erin's daughter) was able to join us and that is always a treat!

My brother had to go to Mexico on business a couple of weeks ago so I decided to pack up the boys and pay Aunt Heather and Peyton a visit one evening.  It can be hard to get a good picture when you have three moving targets and only one that you can truly communicate with.  Ha!  Peyton couldn't get enough of Milo all night - it was like she was shouting, "Hey, I am over here.  Play with me!" 

Casey's parents arrived on Friday afternoon.  We were all very excited to see them!  It had been about 7 months since we saw them last and so much has changed!  Milo sits up, he talks and laughs - a barrel of fun.  Much different from the crying, pooping mess he was last time they saw him:)  Ian couldn't wait to show them his big boy bed and his NEW potty trained skills.  Sunday was our first big outing with no diapers.  He did great - no accidents!  I now know where every restroom is at the Denver Zoo - soon to be the Denver Metro area as a whole I am sure.  We are very proud of him and ever SO happy to only be purchasing diapers for one little man.  Milo has only been to the zoo once before and that was for Denver Zoo Lights in December, which he slept through.  This time he was awake and able to take it all in.  It was very busy due to the beautiful weather so he didn't sleep a wink, until we got in the car and then he passed out (sporting his new hat from Grandma - love it!).

I tried to get some pictures of the boys with Grandma and Grandpa before they left today, but Ian wasn't having it.  Milo didn't seem to mind though.  He was too busy chewing on his "foot".  It was so nice to spend a few days with them.  Mike helped me develop some templates for a card caddy.  I love crafting with her.   They are very cool - if you want to see them for yourself you will have to come visit our booth at the Erie Town Fair on May 21st!

Maggie came to the rescue yet again and watched the boys for us last night so we could enjoy a nice dinner out with his parents on their last night.  We were hoping to hit up our old standby, Sugarbeet, but they are closed on Monday and Tuesday nights for special events.  So, we tried Terroir.  I finally got to sit at the window table.  Not as dreamy as I imagined, but I liked being able to watch the hustle and bustle of our little town while dining.  This building is actually the first building Casey and I ever ate a meal in.  We came to Longmont when we were looking for apartments to rent in 2006 and at the time there was a cajun style restaurant here.  We were starving so we stopped in - it was good, but didn't last long because it was gone by the time we actually moved to Longmont in 2008.  I enjoyed a French 75 - my new favorite summer time cocktail!  A delicious beet salad for an appetizer, orecchiette with fresh vegetables, kalamata olives and local feta cheese from Haystack .  I ended the night with a molten chocolate cake with coffee ice cream for dessert.  Yummy!  It was a delicious meal with great company. 

The boys must have had a great time with Maggie last night because this is what they looked like in their beds this morning.  Too funny!  Ian asked where Maggie was as soon as he got up this morning and Casey replied, "She went home to see Encino Man."  Thought you would like that one, Maggie;)  A BIG thank you to being such a good friend and "nanny" to our boys - we are all blessed to have you in our lives!

It's the Little Things, LLC is legit.  We are working hard on getting our inventory built and will be taking a business planning class in a couple of weeks.  We are so excited for our first show on May 21st.  If you are near Erie, CO make sure you check us out.  If not you can always email us at itsthelittlethings@live.com for inquiries on custom invitations, announcements, greeting cards and more!

Milo's PSA

Casey got this video of Milo on Saturday and it is HILARIOUS!  We must have watched it 10 times on Saturday night and laughed hysterically each time.  It never gets old.  Hope you enjoy!

Kate had this adorable picture on her blog so I had to snag it for myself.  Aren't they the cutest?!  This was taken at Ian's birthday party.  Ella loves this baby doll and bunny - she always finds them once she gets to our house and holds on tightly until it is time to leave.  They both look so grown up here.  I cannot wait until Milo and Avyn are able to notice each other and play together! 

 

Dr. Seuss

Kate and I took some time to ourselves on President's Day and got pedicures.  It was lovely!  While browsing some celebrity trash mags, we found out Target was hosting Dr. Seuss reading time on 2/26.  I took the boys to Target and we met up with the Courtney clan.  They had goodie bags for the kids and they got to read 3 books.  It was neat and the kids had a blast.  Milo was lulled to sleep by the rhymin' and stealin' of Dr. Seuss.  Avyn was bright-eyed and beautiful as usual.

Casey had his last Sunday off, so we hopped in the car and went to see airplanes and chase some trains.  We weren't sure we would see any, but the view sure was nice.  It is fun to wonder around town and see how long it takes us to find a train - Casey and Ian even have a "secret" spot where you can be up close as they swoosh by. 

Casey turned 37 on the 4th!  He had the day off and spent time with his friend, Tom.  After I got home from work, we headed to Boulder for dinner at Southern Sun.  The last time we were there was on Casey's 35th birthday!  Maggie and John watched the boys for us and we meet Stacy and Jason for dinner and some really good beer.  We headed to a bar across the way after dinner and got some dessert.  But we refrained from singing him "Happy Birthday"!

 Milo started sitting up on his own this weekend!  So exciting.  He will sit up for several minutes on his own and much longer if he has the pillow to support him.  It is great because I can let the boys hang out while I try and get a few things done.  I got up with the boys this morning and Ian wanted to watch a few episodes of dirtgirlworld - it is an absolute favorite in the Andrews' household.  I left the boys to watch and play while I got breakfast ready and when I came downstairs this is what I saw.  What a way to start off the day!

 I have been keeping very busy - I decided 2011 was the year to try and start my own business.  My business partner, Monica, and I are hoping to "launch" this summer at a few local festivals.  Stay posted for all the exciting adventures to come!