Thank you is NEVER enough.

In May of 2015 we decided to put our house up for sale because the market was so good.  Little did we know that we would sale it in 2 days.  We really struggled to find a rental house because either one, as soon as they were posted they were rented in a matter of hours or two, renting cost the same amount as a mortgage x2.  Anyways, we ended up finding a rental in Riverbend (thanks Chad) that was a couple streets over.  Although were paying rent that was more than our mortgage on a house we OWNED (thats so not right by the way), it was a great house for us.  So we lived there for a year.

In May 2016 we asked the rental company if we could rent for 6 more months while our house was being built.  Side note:  we honestly thought we would have a house already built at this point but that was a whole process in and of itself.  First, we had a builder then decided to get an architect to design our house.  Finally we decided the best scenario for our family was to go with Schumacher Homes (whom we HIGHLY recommend by the way).  Anyways.  So the rental company said of course.  Well we all know that its never THAT easy.  They were going to bump our rent up to $500 MORE a month, which would have been $1800 per MONTH.  AND they were going to add some kind of pet insurance fee that would be an additional $35 a month.  Um, no.  So we said, BYE!  The "BYE" part was a no brainer but um, where are we gonna live?

Guess where I turned to?  Good ol' FACEBOOK :)  I had several people give suggestions on places to rent.  In fact, there was one couple who had a townhouse and were remodeling their house on the lake.  They offered to move to their house and let us temporarily stay in their townhome.  It was two bedrooms and had no back yard so we were a little nervous to say yes.  However, it WAS an option.  This is when my FABULOUS, gracious and kind Aunt Lisa said, "live with me".

I told Erik about the offer but we weren't sure we would "do that to her", haha!  We DO have two kids and a dog.  So I spoke with Lisa on the phone and asked her if she was serious.  We went over and talked and we knew right away that this was the most perfect situation for SO many reasons.  One, Lisa has a plenty big enough house for the kids, us, Daisy and all the junk that comes along.  Two, her house is closer to the farm so that was convenient with checking on the house while it was being built.  Three, she doesn't mind having Daisy there and last but not least, we love Aunt Lisa and knew she would be lovely to live with.  Now lets all be honest here, some people just aren't "livable" (I made that up, but I mean you cannot live with them).

We moved in in May of 2016.  At first we put Lyla's crib in the same room as Gage.  NOT a good idea.  They were waking each other up at the crack of dawn.  So we put a pack-n-play in the Boom Boom room (it has sound proof walls, GENIUS.  Every kid needs sound proof walls).  This summer, Lyla would sleep til 10 or 11am.  SCORE!  Now she gets up at 5:30 every morning but thats a whole 'nother blog post.

Anyways, in a nut shell is has been wonderful.  This summer Lisa traveled a lot and we were at the farm a lot.  We did get to see each other but it was the perfect amount so we didn't get on her nerves too bad :)  She has been so great to us and the kids.  Not to mention Gage and Lyla adore her.

To Aunt Lisa, THANK YOU for opening up your home to us for the past 6 months.  I can honestly say, it could not have been a more perfect scenario.  You constantly supported us and helped us with WHATEVER we needed.  You put up with Daisy's barking, kids screaming and whining (or touching stuff that shouldn't be touched), you offered to watch the kids countless times and most importantly, you were so generous with your space.  We are forever grateful for your generosity and love you so much!  As we begin packing our stuff this week please know how much we appreciate all you've done for us.  It is going to be tough to leave, especially for the kids, but we know we will be seeing you!

Thank you isn't enough,

Erik, Abbie, Gage, Lyla and Daisy :)

Aunt Lisa went with Gage on his first field trip to the pumpkin patch :) 

Halloween 2016.

This year we did our typical Halloween activities!  The Wednesday before Halloween we went to Trunk-or-Treat at my moms church.  On actual Halloween we went to the Bergman's.  We ate Lauren's amazing chili and cornbread then went trick-or-treating around Riverbed (our old neighborhood).  It.was.slammed.  There was so many kids out but it was fine.  At about the 7th or 8th house, Lyla completely missed a concrete step and fell face first.  Her nose was bleeding and she was scared the rest of the time to go up any steps.  And Gage.  Well let's just say he barely had any candy left when we made it back home.  The boy is o.b.s.e.s.s.e.d with candy.  

Lyla was Minnie and Gage was Captain American AND Michelangelo (Ninja Turtle).  I let them both choose their costumes this year, a big deal for me :)  I am not one to spend a lot of money on a costume so it worked out (thanks Amazon).  My sweet aunt also knew how much Gage loves super heroes.  So she took it upon herself to buy all the materials to make Gage a Captain America costume and he LOVED it.  She spent a lot of time on it and it was VERY detailed, from the mask to the knee pads to the gloves.  Thank you Aunt Lisa, you are the best!   

We also did our annual pumpkin carving day!  This year we did it at the farm and as always, there was competition on who had the better pumpkin, I typically win.  Seriously.  No but the girls did well and the parents pretty much did the carving for the little ones.  

Trunk-or-Treat

Little Minnie.

Turtles in a half shell....turtle power.  

So on this particular morning Gage was allowed to wear his costume to daycare.  He woke up at 5am....yes 5am WITH his costume on, ready to go.  Just to show you how much he loved it :)

Trick-or-Treating

All the crazies behind their pumpkins.

Lyla's Minnie Mouse (carved by me)

Ninja Turtle (carved by Erik)

Side by side action.

We love these crazy kids....all 9 of um.  

Summer 2016.

Well......Summer is over. Boo.  No but really, I love summer and being home with my kids but its time to get back into the routine of things!  I personally think Gage and Lyla would agree.  Unfortunately we literally went on zero vacations.  Now that its over, I regret not at least going to the beach for a weekend.  This was the first summer we didn't go on an inaugural "Looper Family Beach Trip".  Mom and Dad sold their beach house to tend to the farm and everyone is building a house (literally.....everyone in our family).  Sooooo the time wasn't right this year.  Gage kept bugging to go.  I feel bad now.  Bad mom.

Anyways....here is our summer in pictures.

Target Trips.

Sloan's Birthday Party!

Farm Days. 

Redneck blow up pool at the farm.

Crocs and socks.  So worth a picture.

 

We spend A.LOT of time at the splash pad in Denver!  Free and easy fun :)

 

With O and E at the Splash Pad!

Pool Days happened at Linday's rental house or Riverbed.  

We DID get to go to Asheville to see my cousins :)

Lyla and Barrett

Emma Jean and Lyla (3 months apart)

Tired from all the fun in Asheville.

Gage and I went on a date to see Finding Dory :)

More Splash Pad fun with Elise and Olivia! 

Fun with our Friends at Romp and Roll!

We took the kids to Jurassic World because Gage LOVES dinosaurs.  They got to look at lots of dinosaurs in the exhibits, go to a dinosaur show and get their faces painted!  

Chuck-E-Cheese with Bella

Crazy, sweet, sassy Girl.

July 4th Parade in Coulwood.

We went to East Lincoln HS for watch the Fireworks on the 4th! This is Gage and Sloan :)

Just Playin'

I attempted to potty train Lyla.  She did GREAT during those three days and a few weeks after.  Then she started having accidents.  She still does somewhat but has gotten a little better.  Both of my kids have been like this so I think its the "trainer" (that would be me).  Awesome. 

This girl loves Minnie....EVERYTHING.

This post is really actually a little sad.  I had no real details to share and some pretty lame picture from around the house.  BUT that was our summer.  I promise to do better next summer.  Also, I started writing this in JUNE and am just not posting it....in November.