Motherhood

I was never one of those people that always wanted to be a mother.  I never had dreams about it when I was younger.  In college there were times that I didn't think I would want children.  I had an aunt and uncle that never had kids and sometimes that life seemed like a good idea.  Needless to say I was still very self involved at the time, but I was 21.  The same aunt told me about a conversation we had when I was still in elementary school.  I asked her if she was going to have kids someday, and she said no.  The conversation turned and somehow I was telling her how I was not going to have kids.  So again, it was never a life long dream of mine as a child.

Then it turned into more of maybe I will have kids some day, we will see.  Jeff seemed okay going either way, which was nice, no pressure.  My only stipulation that if we do have kids I wanted to be done by the age of 30.  But then some time after we moved to Denver I got the urge. I wanted to have a kid.  It was all I could think about.  So away went the birth control and a couple months later we learned I was pregnant.

Now, I couldn't imagine it any other way.  It just feels right to be Leland's mom.  I feel like it was suppose to be my job all along I just didn't know.  I can't imagine going back to a regular job now because I feel this is where I am suppose to be, at home with Leland (especially while he is young).  I also know that our family isn't complete and I am not for sure when it will be, but hopefully in the (near) future we can expand the brood.

Family Photo

Since we got dress up for the date night, I figured we should take a family photo.

I thought it turned out well (even with a toddler that isn't cooperating so he had to have his binkie).  

KC

We went to KC for a family wedding last weekend (so I am finally getting around to posting photos).  Jeff got to meet Liam (my brother's baby) for the first time (and Frances but there are no photos of that).  We also hung out at my grandma's a lot. Which included rolling down hills (I did not partake), exploring her sidewalks and big front yard, and playing with her toys.

For the wedding (Congrats Chris and Erin!) we got dressed up and Leland stayed up way too late.  It was good.

 But going to KC is always a bit stressful and it is always good to be back home in my own bed. 

Stilley Cousins

 Leland also got together with his Stilley cousins.  We had our traditional play day where the cousins spend a day at Grammy's.  Above: I made Anna a baby carrier, and she was pretty happy with it.

 And as usual, we always try to get a photo of the kids. 

 Grammy tried to step in an help, that plan did not work well.

 Anna loved Leland, and he loved her.  I think he has a think for older ladies (just like his Papa). 

 Aaron reading an afternoon story.

 Henry feeding baby goats. 

 Snack time (or sharing of the germs, lol). 

Leland and Ashley still are not so sure of each other as you can see in the above photos.  Henry also is showing his 'goldfish smile'.

It is great that Leland has cousins his age.  I didn't not really have cousins my age growing up (besides Taylor) so I really wanted that for Leland.  Being at family gatherings and not having people to play with is no bueno.  

Bindel Cousins

 While in KC we of course saw cousins and there was a new one to meet on the Bindel side!  This was great grandma meeting meeting him for the first time too!

 Leland wasn't quite sure what to think.  A few times he would pat Liam on the head, but for the most part he ignored him (same with his other baby cousin on the Stilley side). 

 Harley was trying to contain the crazy. 

All the Bindel cousins in one photo.

Leland became so exhausted from being around all the cousins.  Skylee has so much energy that she would wear me out too.  But he still enjoyed the older kids as usual.  It was fun watching him being around these kids.

1 year photos

We went and got professional photos taken for Leland's 1st birthday and since we needed an updated family photo.  These are some of my favorite.  

Courtesy of Impact Images.

Trees

The many trees of the weekend. 

We went back to Kansas City for a few days to see family.  It was a good time and tiring.  And this baby is already spoiled by all the gifts we received over Christmas. 

For all photos from the weekend, check out the my photos link on the right side of the page. 

Two Year Anniversary

Wow, it has already been two years since Jeff and I got married.  I feel like time has gone really fast, and it never is going to slow down again.  But I am looking forward to the many years to come to see what life brings us, besides a child in April. 

So for our anniversary we went to dinner at one of our favorite places in Denver- Solera.  And it was delicious as usual.  I had a spiced sweet potato soup and white truffle macaroni and cheese with scallops.  We also shared a brownie with peanut butter ice cream.  It was all very delicious.  We also decided to take a family photo!

Life

Sorry for the lack of posting lately, life has gotten a bit busy.  Since being back from Breckenridge I have felt a little overwhelemed.  I was covering for my boss that was gone for a week and a half right when I returned to work.  It wasn't that the job itself is hard but we have been short staffed with many people on vacations and I have a certain co-worker that makes every job difficult.  But he is back now so I don't have to really deal with her anymore, thank goodness. 

Breckenridge Family Vacation

Just got back from a week long vacation and it was very pleasant.  It was with my husband's family.  They all drove from Kansas City while we had just a short drive.  We did some hiking, mini golf, a train ride, lots of relaxing around the house, horse back riding, etc.  My husband climbed a 14er, his first.  I cooked all the meals but I slacked in actually taking pictures of the meals.  But I did happen to capture the two favorite meals- baked french toast ( will post recipe later) and pizza.

Along with many other pictures of the trip.  All the photos will be on my shutterfly site.

Mt. Evans

My parents visited us this past weekend.  One day while they were here we went to Eldorado Canyon State Park and walked around.  The next day we decided to drive up Mt. Evans, which happens to be the highest highway in US.  It was awesome.  If you ever have the chance to drive up Mt. Evans you should.  At the top you can walk up a little ways to the actual peak.  One the way up there were many mountain goats.

Vacation

So if you read this, you may have noticed I have been slacking on the posting lately.  This was a combination of moving and a vacation.

We are all moved in and are working on getting everything situated, can I just say we have way too much crap.  And we got rid of a lot before we moved, it is pathetic the amount of stuff we have.  Some stuff that Jeff insists we keep that he hasn't touched since we moved.  But anyway, we have a lot of rearranging to do.


And then I went on a vacation with my family, Jeff decided not to join us.  We went to Table Rock Lake in SW Missouri.  This was the lake that my grandpa had a house at when I was growing up.  Because of this I love this lake, it is one of my favorite places to go.  One of my Dad's brother and his family also went.  It was a very nice and relaxing trip.  I didn't really want to leave but I know we will be going back next year.  I am already looking forward to it.  While at the lake I swam in the lake, the pool, rented a boat, jumped off a cliff, drove a jet ski, and went to Silver Dollar City.

 Harley and Skylee in the pool, my niece and nephew.

And once we returned from the lake I had just enough time to stop by and see Henry, my other nephew.  

And that is about how many pictures I took the whole time, I kept forgetting about my camera.  

I also took a couple videos of Henry that you can see at my YouTube page.

Family

We have had some guest this week which is why there has not been any updates recently.  Haven't really been cooking but that will go back to normal tomorrow.  My birthday was this Monday and my family is in town for that and to just visit.  It has been nice.  The best day has been going to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, this is one of the best zoos.  Seriously, you can feed giraffes!  Weather has been beautiful lately, so enjoy the pictures.

Old Age

I feel like we are slowly getting older, or we have always been like this and it is just getting worse.  Tonight on New Years Eve, I do not plan on staying up until midnight.  Jeff and I went to a very nice dinner at Il Posto, one of our favorite restaurants in Denver and we were home by 10pm.  Soon after this post is finished I will be heading to bed to get a good nights sleep.

Tomorrow we plan on going to Eldora to ski/board for the second time this season.  Hopefully it will be good, we have never been there before.

Recently we took a trip back to good ol' Lee's Summit.  We saw many people, all of our families and friends that were in town.  It was a little long and exhausting but good.  I was very happy to see Garozzo, my parents new kitten.  He is very sweet and cuddly and slept with me while I was there.

But it is very good to be back to our routine and our cats, MJ and Heath were very glad to see us.  They need lots of attention.

Good night, Happy  New Year,

Megan