Colorado trip

So our family had a very last minute trip this summer. We decided on a Thursday to pack up the car and take Jake's Mom Donna to her hometown of Manassa, Colorado to visit her sister. None of us had money to go but we felt it was the right thing to do for Jake's Aunt Joyce (her husband passed away last summer) and Donna. Except for the expensive price of gas it really didn't end up being that bad anyway. Plus I believe the Lord blessed us because we got really good gas mileage considering we were in Donna's SUV.

Now that we are home we are all SO glad we went. It was a fun trip and I really think Donna loved and cherished the time with Joyce and other family (as did we). Plus it was usually in the low 80s while we were there and cloudy every afternoon. It was wonderful weather and there was lots of fresh air. We took a couple day trips to the mountains and the a National Park that had sand dunes. Brody loved every bit of it. To save money we just drove straight through to Manassa which was about a 10 hour drive and with some stops for food and diaper changes (yes I admit my small bladder had me needing a bathroom too) it was more like an 11 or 12 hour drive. So considering the distance Brody was really good. Colorado and even New Mexico were beautiful. I got some good pictures that I of course and going to share (be prepared there will be ALOT of pics). It was great to see family (Joyce and her kids are really great people) and it was wonderful to be in such a gorgeous state. We are trying to meet the goal of taking Donna every summer so here is hoping that next summer works out!

Brody loved running around in the fresh, cool Colorado air!

There were many cloudy, windy afternoons and sometimes it rained

There was so much green around that I just didn't know what to do and there were actual trees

One of Brody's favorite things was this wooden ramp that lead up to Aunt's Joyce's house. Up and down, up and down!

He also liked to throw his little superman ball off and on the ramp

Aunt Joyce had a cat that Brody just loved!
While we were there Brody opened up a McDonald's franchise
In the town of Manassa the city does not pick up the trash like us 'city folk' are used to...instead you burn your trash. Unfortunately when Jake tried to do a good deed for Joyce and burn it for whatever reason it didn't burn much - I guess its more than gasoline and matches!!
One of the days we were there we went up to the mountains.

We tried to get a family picture but Brody wasn't having it, there was too much going on around him

So instead it was just Jake and I!
I quickly took this picture before Brody jumped down from Jake's arms and start running everywhere.
We were also able to get this picture (This is probably a result of me always complaining that I don't have many pictures with Brody because I am always the one taking the pictures)
While on the trip Brody was caught eating dirt numerous times
I love this picture because of the beautiful woods behind Brody and also because in the corner of his mouth you can see the left over dirt he ate!

There was lots of time Brody was in his car seat due to the trip there and back and a couple day trips. He did really well though

We saw this house in a city near Manassa called Antonito. This was a house someone built, as you can tell, out of a bunch of stuff (maybe call it garbage) but we took pictures because we thought it was really neat. (Amber I thought you in particular would think it was really artistic)

I love this picture because it really shows how crazy it is to have these huge mountains of sand next to mountains that still have snow on them.

Jake and I attempted to climb to the top but, not to sound like wimps it is difficult to hike in the sand! This picture shows how far we went...which still probably doesn't look that far in the picture but it was!
The sand was awesome, it really felt just as good or better than at beaches in California.
Here is a great picture showing the Sand Dunes and the running water we had to cross to get to the Dunes. The water comes from the mountains and it was just enough to run across our feet and at times ankles.

Brody did not like the running water at the Sand Dunes but he finally found a puddle he had lots of fun in! (I probably needed some swim suits)
Another one of the day trips was to a place called Rocky Ford. This picture is of the house Cliff and Donna lived when Delaina was about a year old. Cliff made a little hair salon on the back of the house. Its a pretty cute town and was fun to hear some of Donna's stories.
Brody FINALLY wore his sunglasses for a few minutes while on this trip
Jake and Brody had fun playing around in the wheelbarrow

From the pictures I have seen Jake looks a lot like Donna's father and Donna and Joyce look a lot like their mom so I thought this was the perfect "Coleman" picture (Donna's maiden name is Coleman)
We all really loved being around Aunt Joyce. She is a wonderful woman and we are grateful for her and all she did while we were there On the last day we were there Joyce hosted a family BBQ with Joyce's kids and their families. Jake had the big responsibility of BBQing for everyone. I will say everything turned out to be really yummy



Joyce is 9 years older than Donna. Just to give you an idea of the ages of Joyce's kids (she had 7 and 5 live around her) her youngest is about the same age as Donna's oldest! So all of Jake's cousins are much older than him
Even with the vast age differences and not knowing many of Joyce's kids and grandkids really well thought they were all nice people.

I also took some scenic pictures

Brody's first two years in review

Brody's 2nd Birthday Party!

We had Brody's birthday party on Saturday. Jake came up with the idea to have a morning birthday party - and after everything was said and done it was just brilliant. Brody, as with many other children, are happiest in the morning so that was a plus. Also it was easy and cheap to serve breakfast food. And the icing on the cake could be that those with children who needed to nap (including Brody) wouldn't need to worry about the nap getting in the way.

It was at our house and it turned out so great. Brody wasn't at his best because he was still on the tail-end of another ear infection so he was a little bit grumpy. Considering that last year's party he slept through almost all of it, this year was an improvement. We had most of our family and friends over. Thanks so much for all who came, we appreciated your company and presents to Brody. To those who couldn't make it you were missed but don't worry because Brody didn't really notice or understand much of anything that went on. Here are some pictures from the occasion:

Here is Brody before the party started...awaiting his guests arrival OR just playing on a chair!

As Brody's cousin closest to his age Eva was their to celebrate in her adorable dress and her super cute shoes!

The birthday banner was up before Brody woke up and he smiled very big at it which was nice to see as it was one of the only decorations really to show it was a party for a kid! P.S. It was not a good idea to put cupcakes out in front a child who hasn't yet eaten....rookie mistake I guess :)

Brody's friends and family were kind enough to bring presents for the Brodster.

With so much family and some friends we had the backyard waiting for kids to play and hungry guests to eat!

We were happy about how well the food turned out. Donna and I made an egg casserole with cheese, eggs and a whole jar of Bruschetta - its better than it sounds. Also Jake made his made-from-scratch pancakes and with my Mom's cream syrup it made for a delicious yet sugary breakfast. To go along with all that there was fruit from Jada and sausages and bacon that Josh made. Thanks for all who helped with the food everything was wonderful.

Typical of the Miller house there was much eating, hanging out, talking and laughing and something on the TV (that day it was soccer because the Euro Cup is currently going on and for those who didn't know the day we had Brody the World Cup was going on so there was lots of soccer watching before, during and after the birth).

The kids had fun even if it was just watching someone else doing something

Brody's small room was a happening place for many of the kids. Brody seemed to rediscover some toys but that was of course because others were playing with them!

Here is a great picture of Gage and Gavin trying to comfort a distraught and upset Hannah!

Now this picture above and the following are of Brody (and mostly me) opening his presents. He got great stuff (again, thanks to all). In the next few pictures of Brody with his toys he refused to look at the camera or look up for anything which at the time was frustrating but now makes sense since he is only 2 years old and he had just gotten some toys so why would he need to look up??

Here is Brody as we all sing Happy Birthday and stealing a taste of some sprinkles from the cupcake. He thought it was so funny when we sang to him. Brody smiled while the singing was going on and look at me, as if to say, "Mom what is everyone doing...its so silly"

Now he digs into the cupcake!

Its weird to say but I was happy to see Brody enjoy the cupcake because he was SO not interested in last years cake (which sucked because it was an awesome one of Elmo made by his Aunt Sarah). I was just happy because well its nice to see a kid enjoy something sweet on his birthday!!

Here are buddies Gage and Brody enjoying their cupcakes together - such a sweet sight!

And as many kids do, here is one picture capturing what happening at presents were opened - other kids enjoying Brody's new presents. I especially think other cousins will love his new keyboard!

One of Bro's gifts that Jake and I were excited for was his gift from Grandma Donna...a tricycle!