Yes, I've finally stopped procrastinating and decided to update the blog. Tons has happened in the last 3 weeks...I would get a snack/drink if I were you :)
So yeah we moved, there are still boxes to be unpacked, but I realized I don't care. I am tired of trying to find a place for things and spending my little free time in a closet or in the basement. The rest of the unpacking will just have to get done eventually. Here are a few pictures of the living room and kitchen--they are the most unpacked, although there are still no pictures on the walls. Every time I go to hang a picture I realize Payton is sleeping...I guess that's because nothing actually gets done when she is awake :).
We are loving our new place, and after almost 3 weeks it is feeling like home. Payton really likes the kitchen- the stove has a light so when I am making dinner she watches it bake and we keep her stool by the refrigerator so she can help with cooking or just sit and watch. It is so cute!!
On August 23rd we went down to Highlands Ranch and had dinner with my family and went to see the Rocky Mountain Balloon Convention at Chatfield. It was so neat to see the huge balloons. It was supposed to start at sundown, with all the balloons blown up they would appear to be glowing. As usual the unpredictable weather in Denver stirred up some trouble and it ended up being too windy to continue after the first few balloons went up. It was still an awesome sight and a great night.
I decided I was going to try to potty train Payton over Labor Day weekend, which was a 4 day weekend for me. After going to Walmart and letting her pick out underwear which included Sesame Street, Little Mermaid and Dora we were totally ready for the feat. After I got home from work Thursday night we changed her into underpants and discussed keeping Elmo dry. Needless to say after changing 5 sets of clothes in less than an hour and a half we are pushing potty training to a later date. Gotta love her though, she insisted that she has her panties on over her diaper every day since.
Continuing into Labor Day weekend, on Saturday we went on the Devils Head hike up to the fire lookout tower. It was the perfect day for a hike. The area was beautiful, and it was so neat- many of the trees were branded with names and dates of travelers through the area. My dad even found his birth year on a tree!
Chad carried Payton up the mountain in the backpack (that pack has gotten a lot of use this summer: Mexico, Grand Canyon and Hiking).
Once we reached the stairs, the final accent to the tower, my dad took over as the mule :). Those stairs were killer- I am not one to be afraid of heights but looking down even got me a little shaky.
At the top the view was fantastic. You could see downtown Denver, though it was a little to smoggy to get a good picture of it. We busted out the binoculars and enjoyed identifying the key peaks in the distance.
The hike back down was great. Chad got in touch with nature, both hugging rocks and pretending to be a wild animal, lurking behind rocks just waiting to pounce. As it was also not as physically demanding as the hike up we enjoyed dipping into the trail mix my mom was carrying in her bag and catching up on what has happened during the week.
It was a very enjoyable day and we were excited to get back and take naps!
On Monday, the last day of the long weekend we went over to the Aldridge's for the usual Labor Day BBQ. The majority of the Hammond family was there including college students and those not not from Denver. My sister Danyelle was even able to join us and we had a great time.
Today it was nice a cool. I am loving the change in weather. I know it sounds kinda silly but I like dressing Payton up like a little doll, today was great because it was cool enough I could put her in an outfit she has never worn before. She looked so cute on our way out this afternoon.
In hopes of being a better blogger :) I think this sums up what has been going on in our family. Here is one last picture of my two favorite people!!
