Well, a new year is rapidly underway, and we are enjoying life start to slow down after the holiday fun. 2014 was a busy year for us. Full of family, projects, change and so much more. We experienced God's faithfulness and blessing in so many ways, and pray that this coming year will be a year that His will would be done in our lives, each and every day!
Since the blog was inactive for so much of last year, I thought that you all would enjoy a lengthy (and I mean lengthy!) picture update of our 2014.
Blessings to you and yours this 2015!
January…
We had ended 2013 with a very fun December, celebrating with family and friends, ending with a trip up to YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch to celebrate my Grandparents 50th anniversary with extended family. By January we were looking forward to life slowing down a little bit and being able to catch up on some projects around the house.
Yummy!
Marian is a good little helper.
Practicing for loving her sibling due in May. Maybe we need a little bit of work. =)
Along with projects come many trips to Home Depot!
Even though it was cold outside, we were able to get out and have a little fun.
February…
February brought much of the same. Projects, keeping routine and starting to get things ready for baby.
Marian knows how to go in style!
Rocking the pants that Auntie Ruth sent us from Nepal.
"Hi"
Cold, but oh so beautiful!
Keeping things "organized"
Got to keep you teeth clean
Guess who's 1! Happy Birthday, Marian!
1 year photo shoot
Poor Trooper gets a lot of loving
March…
Enjoying some time outside.
Good buddies
Four generations…Josh's great-uncle came to Colorado for a visit and we were able to spend the afternoon visiting.
Locked in
Look at me!
Getting close to walking
A family of three for a little longer
Got to get some pictures in while there's nice weather.
April…
Trooper love!
A new toy to play with. What fun!
And she's off!
We made it to the park before baby. It was the first time Marian had really gotten to experience swings and slides.
During much of my pregnancy as I was driving to appointments, I enjoyed watching a mama Great Horned Owl nest and hatch her eggs. Here are the two babies.
Sisters!
Easter
Learning to throw
It's pretty fun stuff!
Josh, with a little "help" from Marian, got the dryer hooked up before baby. Not a necessity, but really nice to have!
May…
One week past due date and still waiting for baby.
She's here! Clara Renee joined our family on May 3, 2014.
Being a big sister is pretty funny!
Sweet baby
Marian just couldn't get enough of her!
Enjoying the sun
Fearfully and wonderfully made
June…
What is more fun than a big pile of dirt?
Not much, but a mud puddle might top it.
Josh and Marian working on installing
a new water spigot by the barn.
"Do you like my beard?"
Toward the end of the month, a couple of my brothers and a friend of theirs came out to help us finish the cellar project. The worked their tails off and I think felt pretty pleased about it. They hauled a bunch of dirt down the stairs to backfill the wall. Plus they then hauled, mixed and poured lots of cement into the block cavities. Plus went home and played hard on the tramp. And they weren't even sore the next day. Quite the crew!
Marian helped by playing in the dirt. =)
Sister love
Starting to smile
Water fun with Nana
Visiting with Abba and Ima before they
headed east for a few months.
Clara gave them some of her first smiles.
July…
July was a busy month for us. We started it off with a literal bang in Omaha, NE for the Fourth of July with some of the Smith extended family. There was lots of good food (of course!), we enjoyed showing Clara off and introducing her, and my aunts neighborhood gives an amazing fireworks show. It was a great trip!
Look! She can be still. =)
Mommy's little helper. Holding the baby, folding the laundry; all in a days work.
Trooper taking his job as protector seriously.
In the later part of July we joined our church family on a campout. Josh's family was unfortunately unable to come, quite a bummer! They were kind enough to lend us their pop-up, which was, I'll admit very nice with the two little girls.
One of my best friends, Ruth, spent a good chunk of the time in the area over the summer. It was so nice to have her around again and catch-up. I am so thankful for friendships that stays strong even through miles of distance, and the joy that time together brings! I've kind of gone into Ruth withdrawals
since she's left though!
The County Fair was the following week. Josh's siblings had 4-H goats that we visited while we were there.
Josh's brother, Joe, participated in the talent show, coming in second place.
We also got started trenching for a big electrical project.
Almost 3 months old
Pretty girls!
Getting stronger
To top off our big month we got two kittens. I'm happy to report that they have both turned into excellent mousers and our problem population has become much more manageable.
August…
Kick back and relax
Poor girly
The girls and I enjoy a visit from
our dear friend, Betsy and Auntie Leah.
August also brought about the wedding of special friend. I had the honor of photographing the event with my sister Miah. It was a beautiful wedding and so special to be a part of it!
I got to sneak in a couple rides.
Shaving cream!
Lots of smiles!
Big shoes are lots of fun!
Josh and I started prep work for a new roof and porch addition.
Bubble blowing
A little fun on a shopping trip
Feeling big
September…
This is Clara's most common expression. I love it!
So thankful for these two girls. They keep me on my toes, smiling and praying hard. We have up times and down times, but I wouldn't trade being their Mommy for the world!
I think Clara is ready to be done. =)
Daddy accidentally fell asleep while reading books.
Marian carrying her "baby" like Mommy and Daddy.
The covered porch starting to come to life.
Marian enjoyed the many days that we spent outside working.
Taking a break from the work to get in a quick workout.
Clara stayed busy playing with her toys and cheering us on.
So thankful for a hard working husband
who is good at what he does.
October…
Marian learning the tricks of the trade.
This one's trouble
So exciting!
We had a great group of family and friends help us with the roof project. Day 1: tear-off! It looked like they were devouring it.
Helpers to keep the girlies entertained.
Clean up crew
It was a dirty job!
Day 2: New shingles go on.
I was even able to help some. We ended the weekend with only a few little things to finish up. Thanks again all you who pitched in!
Baking
Marian has a fondness for mopping.
I'm thinking that could come in handy!
"Good morning, World!"
Josh gave Marian a ride on the quad one day when we picked him up from work. She looks pretty serious in the picture, but she thought it was a lot of fun and was sad to be done.
The Whole Coen Family
Picture time! We had a gorgeous day to take pictures with my whole family. Josh and I had found a bridge, close to our house, surrounded by some awesome trees and we were able to catch them at just the right time of year.
The Guys
The Big Girls
The Girls
Our Little Family
Poor Marian was a little done by the end of the day, but happily we got some good shots all together before the end of her road.
Baby Love
I love this guy!
She loves the bath!
My aunt Suzanne and her kiddos came to Colorado for a quick visit, and the girls and I were able to join them and my family for a fun hike at Castlewood Canyon.
It was still warm enough to have fun in the stream!
Clara didn't feel great and slept most of the time.
Marian played hard and then crashed toward the end of the hike.
We got in a play day at the park with the Day clan and some of their long time friends. Marian really enjoyed spending time with some little girls close to her age.
November…
Clara got to ride in the cart for the first time.
My little buddy
Getting ready for football! The cutest Husker fans I've seen!
We got a big load of hay and Marian got to ride with Josh for some of the unloading.
Clara loves her Daddy!
Clara is getting close to mobile
Cutie!
Some wrestling fun
Marian figures out how to wink and took great delight in showing off her skills to people. It probably had something to do with the good reaction she would get. =)
Progress continues…
Marian has become an expert screw dispenser.
During one of our work days, this owl, who we hear often and see from a distance sometimes, flew into a tree right by where we were. Boy was I thankful I had my camera out already!
December…
That tongue!
Christmas morning
We spent a lot of time with family over Christmas which was a lot of fun!
