Catch up!

There are a lot of things I am focusing on right now, and one of them is staying put in the present. Absorbing all of the greatness of the current moment, while leaving the past where it belongs and the future to worry about itself. Right now is all that we have, and I intend to make the most of it. 

We have been super busy this month and have had many visitors, which we LOVE! Gary's parents came out for the fourth of July and stayed for 2 weeks. We had a great celebration on the 4th, while watching fireworks from our patio, it was the ideal location. No hassle finding a spot, no traffic, and easy access to the kitchen! We spent a few days at Lake Grandby, relaxing and making a lot of fun memories. Joey's first boat ride, turned out to be great, although he absolutely hated wearing his life jacket. lol. Poor baby. ;)  

A few days after the Lawson's left, and headed back to MI, Jenna's in-laws came out for a visit. Peggy and Gil were so much fun! We went with them to the Evergreen Art and Brew festival. This was a great time. We got to sample many local brews while shopping! Best of both worlds. We enjoyed some time hiking in Nederland, and dinner in Boulder, at you guessed it...a brewery! 

A few days after Peg and Gil left, Jenna's brother-in-law, Danny and his girlfriend, Sharon came out for a long weekend. We went to the Boulder Farmer's Market with them, and had an early dinner at another brewery in Boulder. Mara and Joey spent  a lot of time together and really loved passing food, and crayons back and forth to each other. Mara likes to color with them, Joey just likes to eat them. 

Gary spent 2 weeks this month traveling back to Northern Michigan for work. He will return on Friday, and I hope that is the last of the travel for a while. I miss him so much when he travels, and It's always more difficult when he's away. 

That is July in a nutshell. August is right around the corner, and is already promising a lot of fun...

Hugs from Colorado. 

Julie, Gary and Joey 

Photo Catch up!

May 2013

Joey and Hunter

Amanda and Mike visit us!

Babysitting Layla! Joey's good friend :)

Joey's 1st Rockies Game

The first of many with dada

Mother's Day 10 miler

7 months old today 5-14-13

Hanging at the park with "judgie"

Hi Granny!

What a ladies man! Joey entertaining the gals at mommy's boot camp!

Joey's baptism in Golden, CO

Yummy avocados!!!

June 2013

Team in Training Steamboat Half Marathon

FINISHERS :) Kicking Cancers A$$

In honor of Jessica Schneider

Little monkey's

Best cousins

Hiking with cousin Rob!

8 months old today 06-14-2013

Grouchy man

Learning from Miss Mara

Snuggle time

Date night at the putt putt course!

Gary's company picnic adventure!

July 2013

 Get me outta here!

 1st Trip to the Denver Aquarium

Big fish!

Awwww :)

Joey with the mermaids

Vacation 

Lake Grandby

1st boat ride

Swimming in Grand Lake

 misbehaving ;)

 Splash Park!

 9 months old today 07-14-2013

the Crew

Hanging with auntie benna at the beer festival

yummy water

lil cowboy

uncle Danny

Faunt Sharon ;)

Pure Joy

Good-bye Facebook (once and for all) ;o)

I've been doing a lot of thinking and I think I am ready to deactivate my Facebook account. I feel somewhere inside of me that there is just too much time I spend reporting my life and looking at everyone elses life, rather than simply living it. Part of me feels like I am missing out on some great things by always being hooked up to everyone and everything. 

Not only do I feel like I might be missing out on some quality time with my loved ones, I also feel a bit two-faced. I only try to post inspiring, thoughtful and happy thoughts on Facebook, and sometimes that is just not life. Sometimes, life is downright hard...sometimes, I cry, I complain, and and behave like I'm ten, but I would never post that stuff. Those of you that really know me, know that I have my bad days and know when I can be a pain in the neck, but those of you who merely know me on Facebook, don't really know me at all...you get the best side of me, most of the time. It has started feeling fake and one thing I really can't stand is fake.

So, for now, I will go back to pre-Facebook, Julie. She is pretty cool and much more dynamic, thoughtful and real than the girl who you all see through a filter, my filter. Get to know me for real, and decide if you really like me. If not, that's OK too but at least it's real. 

I plan to deactivate my account next week, and will continue to blog about fun stuff we are doing so that anyone who is interested in keeping up with us in Colorado and seeing our little Joey man grow are more than welcome to come follow along via this blog. (There should be a "follow me" button on the blog page).

If you want to stay in touch, via email or text inbox me and we'll exchange contact info. :)


Hugs!

Jules

Joey's 1st Hike

After almost nine months, Gary and I felt it was time for our first real big hike with Joey. Let me tell you, it felt great to get out there. Once we got out on the trail, I started feeling a little bit like my "old self" again. Every now and then there are glimpses of that girl....this was one of them. What makes it even sweeter, is that I got to spend that time with my son and hubby. Life couldn't have been better on this day. 

We drove up to Estes Park, and found the Gem Lake Trail head. It was about four miles round trip. It was difficult for us, since we haven't been hiking in some time. We had to stop a few times and catch our breath. The air was thinner up there around 7800 feet elevation. The trail was beautiful, a lot of wild flowers and ginormous rocks. We were so excited to finally get up to the Lake. It was small, but it was gorgeous. I felt so alive. The fresh mountain air was good for the soul. 

Joey loved every minute. It started to rain a bit on the way back down, but that didn't seem to bother him...he just fell asleep on his daddy's back. That was a picture I will keep in my heart forever. I am so blessed. God is great, life is good.