Just a Day at the Farm

Last Thursday we met the Hepps and Startzels in Longmont at the Sunflower Farm. It's a really great place for kids. They have animals to feed and pet, pony rides, roaming chickens, a huge tree house, and a zip line. Brooklynn had no fear of the animals. Of course I was a little afraid of them biting her, because she just loves to get in their faces.

Feeding the goats

The kids reloading the feed

What a sweet tree house! Maybe daddy can make one for me!

The little ones enjoying a ride on the merry-go-round

They had a swing hanging from a huge tree and Chandler was in heaven! It was about 5 feet off the ground and swung out so far.....maybe someday we'll have a tree big enough in our yard.

Brooklynn & Kiley resting in the hammock

Great grandma & papa visit

Last week my grandparents (Great grandparents for the girls) flew in for a visit from Florida. Luckily the weather was beautiful - much more temperate than Florida and we had a great time visiting and lots of eating!

Wednesday night my dad and grandparents came over for dinner and met the girls for the first time. Brooklynn warmed up immediately and had a great time playing peek-a-boo with grandpa. Chandler has been on a "mommy fix" and has not been very friendly to new people. Here's a group shot after dinner. Thursday morning we drove to dad's to visit. Chandler enjoyed being fed and playing with them.

Of course the girls were spoiled with the desserts. They must get the sweet tooth from mom - especially the ice cream obsession.

On Sunday everyone (including Andy and Makenzie) came over to watch the Rockies and dinner. Chandler was super sleepy here and that's why the sour face.

We are truly grateful to have them visit and get to meet our babies. It's always wonderful to share your family with other family. Fortunately we'll be out to Florida in a few weeks to visit them and Steve's grandma. Traveling with two kids again........let's hope for the best!

Steve turns the big 3-0!

On Sunday Steve woke up another year older and wiser. Since we were at the cabin Saturday we didn't make any big celebration plans. In the evening we packed a picnic and met the Deegans and Startzels for some food, cake, and a dip in the fountain. What a beautiful evening and lots of fun!

Steve and his baby

The boys walking back from their pow-wow (I can never resist these pics)

Even Kennedy joined in the fun - she really is having a blast!


Steve blowing out the candles

He's so old he needs to be fed

Hanging out at the fountains

They are so stinkin' cute!

Wedding Bells

Last weekend we went to Red Feather Lakes for Brooks and Andrea's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful and the weather was perfect. Here's some pics of the ceremony - it couldn't have been more scenic!

After the ceremony we played some horseshoes and Bocce ball and then came the circle around the keg. Here's everyone toasting the happy couple - but where are they?

Steve and the groom

Afterwards we headed to the only restaurant in town and come to find out Saturday is karaoke night. It was a great time, and I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time - literally tears!

Tricia and Alan (the karaoke guru) dancing

We had to sing "Friends in Low Places"

Matt serenading Steve for his birthday with "Hero"

After a long, long, drive we finally arrived at our cabin for some games and fun. What a great weekend, but more importantly we're so thrilled to have "another one bite the dust" - I mean another married couple!

We have a crawler....among other milestones!

While we were in California Chandler decided to conquer crawling instead of just her army crawl. She's now roaming the house at a record pace and is ready to start walking. She pulls herself up on almost anything and enjoys freaking us out.

People always say the 2nd does things sooner to keep up, and that's definitely been the case with Chandler. She's ready to start running and dancing with her sister. She also keeps us laughing with her waving and nodding her head.

I Like a New House!

Moving is now complete! We closed the night before leaving to California (after a delay in the sellers and their scamming ways). Then returned from our trip to a house full of way too much stuff to move. We spent our Labor Day weekend taking loads to the new house. Not a good weekend to move because everyone is busy having fun, so thankfully the wonderful Mormon missionaries saved us - literally! Brooklynn absolutely loves her new house and new room. We'll see how long the phrase "new house" lasts for her. There are lots of parks and kids around, which has been great for her.

Sorry I have no pictures of the move. It is a memory I rather forget, because otherwise I will never move again in my life. My only question - how did we accumulate so much crap?

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

The day after closing on the new house we were on our way to sunny Sacramento to visit Carrie & Josh, and Steve had a work conference in San Francisco. The girls were super on the airplane and Brooklynn loved looking out the window.

The week before we arrived it had been triple digits sweltering heat, but it really cooled off when we were there. The first day we all took the girls to Fairy Tale Town. Although Brooklynn had an accident (and mommy forgot to pack extra pants), we still had a fun time. Here she is monkeying around the Sherwood Forrest.
Chandler is our little daredevil that will go down any slide. Can't wait to see what she'll be doing next - skydiving perhaps?

Brooklynn was ecstatic to see "Cinderella's coach" and ride the horsie. She has been obsessed with princesses (mostly Snow White & Cinderella) and had to sing "Bippity Boppity Boop".

Carrie & Josh are all always the suckers and love to spoil their nieces. So when they saw the face painting lady they couldn't resist. Here's Brooklynn with her "magic wand".

On Sunday Steve and I drove to San Fran for some adult time. Sunday we shopped and hung out at Union Square. Monday we decided to take a ferry to Angel Island, which we had never done. Once there we hiked around the island and enjoyed the quiet, peaceful state park away from the city.

City skyline from Angel Island

Golden Gate

On Wednesday Carrie and I drove the girls to Davis to meet up with Aunt Peg at the farmer's market. We had a good time in the jumpy house, eating dinner, and dancing to the band. Brooklynn even got her favorite - a popsicle! Of course I bought the blueberry one not thinking about the stains. Oops!

*Also, I forgot to mention our huge accomplishment this summer - Brooklynn is now potty trained. She's done so well and can even go on long car trips now. One done....one to go.