Warden Family

Aug 13, 2010

Pre-Posts Post

Okay, I finally updated the blog. It is SUPER long with spring, summer and .... Autumn! (I know, I know bad joke ;)) These posts are not super detailed and NOT edited. I am only 2 1/2 weeks post being a mommy of three, and this is the best I've got right now. Love you all and I hope you enjoy!

More pictures of Autumn

Our little peanut

What we've all been waiting for!

Autumn is here! On July 28th Autumn Rebecca Warden was born at 6 pounds 7.4 ounces, and she came in a hurry! We barely made it to the hospital, got on the table and 11 minutes later (without the doctor there yet), the nurse delivered her. It was crazy! But I wish all my babies were born that fast! She is a wonderful baby! The two older children LOVE her. Jacob is still a bit... rough at times but is getting much better. Aspen is in heaven, and thinks she has a real-life doll. The first day we had her home, Aspen kept asking if we could put a different outfit on her (after bringing down several for her to "try on." The transition is very emotional (kids having fits at weird times etc.) but going much smoother than I thought it would. I think a lot of it is due to having a great recovery (prob from fast labor), having a SUPERB husband who is going above and beyond to help out in ways I didn't even imagine (while going to med school!), and having great freinds around who brought numerous meals that first week. I feel very loved and blessed right now. :)

Spring/Summer 2010

Most of the trip to Utah was spent outdoors and in the mountains. This trip turned out to be exactly what we were hoping it would be. This set of pictures is a day we spent at Huntington Creek. There really is nothing like being with your family at a beautiful place like that. It was like we were all in our elements and life that is usually crazy was balanced and perfect. :) I can't wait to live by mountains again! *I think most of these pictures were taken by Frances Warden. She is an awesome photographer and mother-in-law ;)

Spring/Summer 2010

A couple more things that were great about our trip to Utah: 1. LOTS of much needed time with grandma and cousins! 2. Each of the kids got an "alone day" with each of their parents. Here is a picture of Jacob and I on our alone date getting icecream! (Daddy did really cool stuff like backpacking with them... hey I was 8-months prego :) Icecream is good too!)

Aug 9, 2010

Utah

To start off our six-week vacation in Utah, we went on a family camping trip. It was so much fun! I don't have most of the pictures (as Frances took them with her camera), so I will post those later. Here is a peek at some of the things we did on our first camping trip of the summer.

Colorado and Arches

This year, on our way back to Utah, we decided to take the long route through Colorado. It was stunning! I would definitely live in Colorado if given the chance! The route also took us close to the Arches National Park, so we decided to stop and see that. This whole "vacation before our vacation" was so much fun. I really do think I have the best family on the planet! oh- and there is this picture of a yellow-boat thingy.. It was run-off on the Colorado River. The water was crazy high and these guys were taking this boat-craft thing down the river. It was really neat to watch! For all my rafting friends out there, the guys said the water was at least a level 5 but mostly higher and un-raftable... unless you had one of those cool boats.

HERE WE GO

We are now three months into living in Iowa. Michael started medical school in August, and life has been a whirlwind ever since. On any given day Michael is studying, playing ping pong, studying, eating, playing with the kiddles, studying, taking a test, studying and somewhere in there sleeping. Not sure how he is doing it all, but he is and he is doing a spectacular job of it! He is such an encouraging husband and father, always there to lift me up (which can be more often than I'd like to admit). If he wasn't in school there is no doubt he would be doing some or probably all of the following: flyfishing, triathlons, guiding flyfishing, tying flies for flyfishing, hiking while flyfishing, camping while flyfishing, being with family while.... you guessed it. ;)

Aspen Elizabeth is 4 years old (soon to be 5). She suprises me every single day with an insight into life that she discovered. I learn so much from her. She is definitely the oldest. She plans pretty much all of the play in our house, and Jacob is such a good sport and LOVES playing with her. Aspen loves to craft/create. She will spend hours working on projects. She does the most incredible things with cardboard boxes, glue, scizzors, tape, stickers, buttons, pipecleaners- pretty much anything she can get her hands on. When she is not crafting or playing with her little bro, she is reading or being read to. From infancy this has been a most beloved pastime. Above all she has such a tender disposition. She cares deeply for people, and loves affection in return. She has several Best Freinds, but even though I don't think she'd admit it, she prefers to play with her brother. ;)

Jacob is 3 years old now. He is my mini Jekyll and hyde. Don't misunderstand me, Jacob does not have a mean or manipulative bone in his body. He does have an unbelievable ability to go from screaming at a level to make one desire to throw him out the window, straight to looking at you with those huge blue eyes with giraffe in hand, asking you to "cuddow" him. He fills my day with the most melodramatic moments and the most peaceful and connecting ones. He loves all things boy (cars, superman, dinosaurs, trains etc). Having an older sister has also given him a great appreciation for all things girl. ;) Jacob has blessed me to learn about strength and patience I never knew I had. He has also taught me to love and to love deeper in all ways.

I am a 27-year-old mother of two. When I am not cleaning, cooking, running errands, or quieting fits- I am building forts, doing crafts, going on grand voyages in couch pirate ships, reading, and doing all of the wonderful things a 4-year-old and 3-year-old have waiting in their little minds to bring to life. I have found as of late I have become way too addicted to online networking via email, blogging, and facebook. (I am going to work on that). In earlier days (and hopefully future ones too) I really enjoy reading, writing letters, photography, and watching movies. Right now my life feels like a hallway full of closed doors and behind each one is something exciting, something to treasure, something to explore, something never to forget, and something to close my eyes and jump. Hmmmm which door to choose next...