Shumway Family: Casper Life

We've been living in Casper for about 6 months now and things have been great for our growing family. We moved here toward the end of summer and it was amazing! Going to the pool at our apartment complex daily, going on walks, going to parks, just everything fun that comes with the end of summer. I feel like no matter where we go in life I will always remember with fondness taking the little guys down to the pool every day. Or waiting for Nathan to get off work to walk the kids down to the pool at 5:30 when it was still 80 degrees outside. It made our transition here so happy and easy. We've also experienced a new pregnancy since moving here! We found out we were pregnant right after Thanksgiving this year and Nathan and I were both super excited about it. To break the news to Nathan we went out to eat at Chili's and I got him a present with a bunch of "mini" candies in it and at the bottom of the bag was a newborn diaper. It was so fun to see his face when he saw the diaper, a mix of disbelief, surprise, and excitement. Calvin has been excited since we told him too, he keeps asking when the baby will come out and wants the baby (jon-jon as he calls him) to be included in any bedtime stories. Cora has no clue, but loves to say "baby" when we talk about it. I've been sick lately for the pregnancy and so Nathan has taken on the super-dad role. Attorney by day, diaper changing, whine stopping, story telling super-dad by night. I'm so lucky to have such an amazing guy that takes care of this family in every way.
Lately I've been really trying to have a greater appreciation for my role as a mother. I try to focus on the little moments and the little things that my kids do that make them special and that make me happy. Last night Calvin wanted me to lay with him in bed before he fell asleep. I went in and laid beside him and he took my face in both hands and just quietly grinned at me. His face was just full of love and joy and it made my heart melt. Cora lately has loved jumping out of the bath, running around naked, and jumping back in. Normally it would make me mad that water was dripping all over the bathroom floor and the carpet, but the last couple times I've just watched her as her short little legs and chubby bum run all over the house while she squeals and laughs and I can't help but laugh. She is having so much fun, maybe it is worth a little water on the floor. I sure love my kids, I hope to continue to focus on the ways they make me happy, not the things that are hard or frustrating about parenting. I especially want to enjoy the time I have with my two littles before this third one comes in just 7 short months.

Warning: pictures from the last 6 months...tons of them.

The pool/hot tub at our apartment complex:

First ever daddy/daughter date:

Hanging out at our new place:

This is how we cool down in mid 90 degree weather here in Casper:

My princess at the library:

I actually tried to decorate this apartment, not too bad if I do say so myself:

Casper mountain with some new friends:

Just waiting for Dad to get home for pool time!

Last 4th of July in Laramie :( Bittersweet. It was an awesome day though. We rode bikes down to the park, got free food and free stuff, enjoyed the heat, found $20 on the ground. Overall an amazing day.