Growing Up and Moving On

Happy Autumn! Amelia has really grown. She is just about 8 months old now, and a total darling.

 

Every day begins with his sweet morning face and continues on with babbles, giggles, and squeals.

 

Amelia follows in her mommy's footsteps and LOVES nature. I have often averted her attention by showing her a leaf and she will hold one for 15 minutes or longer. She also likes to put them in her mouth.

Speaking of putting things in her mouth, Amelia really wants to feed herself and was quick to use a cup all by herself. This is her at 6 months.

Mark saw a job ad on some nerdy website back in July and responded "just for the practice." He was the number one candidate and they offered him starting salary $12,000 more than his current job if we'd move out to this beautiful resort in the middle of nowhere. We moved to Colorado 2 months ago and have been so incredibly happy. Mark's commute to work has gone from a 20+ minute drive to a three-minute walk. Non-busy work hours are 9-5; and, when he does have busy weeks, he doesn't even mind. Just this Saturday, he had to start at 6am, had a couple hours off here and there, and didn't take his badge off until 10:30pm. He is a technical specialist (computer nerd) for the resort and has to set up and often be present for company retreat lectures and presentations. But Saturday, he also got to drive a van full of National Forest Foundation board members up the canyon to see dinosaur tracks; then, after sunset, he HAD to meet a group out in a field and play with star gazing toys. Darn, right? Most of the time, this still feels like vacation. Mark's boss penned, "I keep wondering when my vacation is going to be over."

The biggest downfall about this move is our proximity to church and store (an hour). Check out the view on our drive, though!

Gateway is getting a grocery store this January and everyone is very excited. To give you an idea of this tiny, abandoned mining town: Gateway School is Preschool to 12th grade and has 38 students. There are 3 grades per teacher, and even then, the classes are small. The Post Mistress is Nancy. She knows everything about everyone. There's two paved roads in town (laid within the last 25 years or so): the one lane Highway 141 and Foy Road, which makes a short, mile-long U-shape to touch the highway twice. The school is essentially across the street from the community building, which houses the library, fire department, meeting hall, AND post office. There's a  shooting range behind the building and a park with one tree next to the post office side. The gas station (no attendant, just pumps) lies on the other side of the building and rumor has it the grocery store will be in this same parking lot.

This fence is right outside our apartment door and has been a great source of standing practice for Millie. She's checking out the beautiful palisade that's just across the field where the horses winter.

 This footprint has been here HOW LONG?!

Mark and I make sure to take plenty of walks and hikes around this beautiful area. Although we've already ventured to Moab, we've barely even dipped out toes in the many adventures available to us. There's so much to do and see. Hope you can come play!