I Wanna be Big!

Our poor Bug has really been trying to do everything her sisters do - from climbing at the park to gymnastics in the family room with the cushions.  Of course her being our baby, we're in no hurry to have her grow up!  What a battle this will be for the next 18 years.  While at times frustrating for both of us, I understand her desire to be one of the girls!

The big girls loving Addy's new toy that appeared from the basement (she tries to ride it like them)

She even wanted to go on all the rides at Chuck E Cheese

I absolutely love this!  She watched the big kids playing outside while screaming at them and just wishing she could play out there too.  (Our patio is too hard and too many little rocks to crawl on poor Bug)

*Disclaimer - daddy dressed her with the onesie over the pants!

Let's go Nugg-ets!

Last week Steve's work offered us Nuggets tickets to game 1 of the playoffs.  He really wanted to take the girls, and I couldn't disagree with that since they've been such loyal fans this year.  The girls were stoked!  

We got to the game early, so the girls were able to see Rocky outside and shoot some hoops with the sportscasters.  Then came our big moment.....finally......WE WERE ON THE JUMBOTRON!  I've been waiting my entire life to be on, and I knew I just needed the kiddos.  They didn't disappoint - dancing and cheering and got their 30 seconds of fame!

Chandler intensely watched the entire game and cheered throughout (especially for her favorite player, Wilson Chandler).  Brooklynn sat there asking questions about the rules and lots of whys.  So typical for our girls......

Luckily the Nuggets squeaked by with a win and the girls didn't ask to start leaving until a few minutes from the end.  What troopers!  Maybe the Nuggs need us at every game, so they can win.

Gotta have cotton candy

Happy in Our Hood

A few weeks ago the day we've been waiting for finally arrived!  We've been talking about this planned park that's just behind the Thornton Rec Center loaded with a sweet playground, outdoor ampitheater, splash pad, lake with paddle boats, and even a carousel!  It was everything we were hoping for!  The girls absolutely loved it and are excited to spend lots of time this summer there (I'm sure with a whole lot of other people).  

Although we've really enjoyed living in Thornton, seeing a playground built like this always solidifies your decision to uproot and move.  The fact that recreation is an important part of the community is essential.  It's amazing to see all the families take advantage of this wonderful park.  

Never seen a slide like this before!

Even Addy was trying to climb!

There's a lot we like to consider when picking a place to live (especially with kids).  It seemed as if checking out schools was our #1 priority, so the recreation part fell to the wayside.  Luckily we were pleasantly surprised with a close neighborhood park, a pool within walking distance, and a top-notch rec program.  More importantly we moved to a community that values those things, so we're looking forward for more good things to come (hopefully a state-of-the-art rec center update).

Chandlerisms

Chandler is the funniest kid I know.  I can't tell you how many times a day we just crack up at her and even while Steve and I are laying in bed at night, we always tell our "Chandler stories" of the day.  Some may think Chandler is from Boston with her accent, but it turns out she's just having a tougher time with her "r"s.  We talked to a speech pathologist, but it's totally age-appropriate and we shouldn't worry until she's 8 or so, so for now, we just want to enjoy her cute speech impediment.  Not only that, but she's really invented her own language of new vocabulary words that we adore!  Here are our favorite "Chandlerisms" as we call it:

Breakily - something that is easily breakable.  Is that glass breakily, mom?
Dem - the pronoun aka "them".  What is dem name?
Ascuse me - as when attempting to get someone's attention.  Ascuse me, ascuse me, ascuse me, can           I have more milk?
Peoples - more than one person.  What are dem peoples doing?
Monies - form of currency.  Daddy goes to work to make the monies!

I know I'm forgetting many many more, but these are a few that just crack me up!  Since we want to keep her in this stage a little longer, we find ourselves speaking "Chandler talk" all the time and actually encourage it a little.  Oh well - she'll have plenty of time to talk like a scholar when she's a doctor, right?

Spring Tease

A few weeks ago we had a spell of warm 70-degree days in short-sleeves and capris, bringing on the spring fever.  I was so confident in the warm weather I packed away all our boots and sweaters.  Then we got hit with snow and more snow!  I know Colorado's weather is unpredictable, but it was just cruel!  Spring snowstorms here are just wet and messy and melt quickly, so no sledding!  During our warm spell we were able to get out to the Botanic Gardens with grandma for the first time this year.  The girls always love that place.  They played with the costumes and even waded in the mucky river that was still dry.  Yuck!

Hopefully our winter is over now, and we can start going to our favorite outdoor places - the zoo, gardens, and our neighborhood park.

11 Months

Our little big bug is getting so close to the year milestone.  We're most proud that we haven't had any choking accidents on Barbie toys, only a few tumbles down the stairs, and have actually raised a fairly-normal baby in a crazy household.  Of course she is the loudest of everyone, but I guess you'd have to be vocal to get some attention around here.  She continues to crawl EVERYWHERE, including bolting to the stairs the first chance she gets.  She cruises on all the furniture, but is a little timid to take steps on her own so far.

Eating
She's been by far our pickiest eater.  Both girls have always been awesome eaters, but stubborn Addy refuses to touch most fruits and veggies.  Maybe this will change once we're able to bribe her.  Until then she'll be on a mostly milk diet, but she's still plumping up.

Monkey see......Monkey do
She has learned to clap when we prompt her with a "Yeah".  She gives open-mouthed kisses on command (or when she's feeling lovey).  She'll also wave bye-bye (of course with her hand facing herself).  I always love when babies do that!

Homebound
Taking her places is getting more and more difficult.  She hates to sit in the cart at the store.  This week I was pushing the huge car cart in King Soopers, while holding Adaley and running into everything!  I know people must've been talking.......  She can only sit in the stroller for a limited time before she needs out to crawl and explore.  

Charmer
Adaley continues to charm strangers.  She just smiles at everyone with that dimple, and I think they melt just a little.  She's very friendly to everyone (at a distance), but only wants mommy or daddy to hold her.  I even had a couple of teenagers come up to me and tell me how cute she is. 

 Still inseparable from that blankie

 She's not touching those green beans!

Sports enthusiasts or just daddy's girls?

Lately everything around our house has been based on sports teams.  Brooklynn will say, "I want the blue plate for the Broncos."  Or you'll hear Chandler say, "I want the purple shirt today for the Rockies."  It's always funny to me they think of colors that way.  The only color they're stumped on though?  Pink.  We couldn't find a team to represent the pink, so that one's for the princesses, but they'll pick their purple Rockies, green Rams, orange Broncos, or even blue Nuggets over the pink any day.  I know Steve's hoping he'll have some future ESPNaholics (like himself), but we'll see......

They are stoked to go to a Rockies game this year and cheer on Tulo!  We were reading Pete the Cat last night, and the text said "the ball was too low" and they broke out in the Tulo chant.  With the Rocks doing well so far we're all excited to see what the baseball season holds, but for now we'll get ready to cheer on the Nuggets in the playoffs with our 2 favorite fans.

Crazy Easter Weekend

This Easter was a little extra special, because we were able to see lots of family and celebrate my cousin, Matt's, 40th birthday. I felt a little flustered getting Easter together this year after coming home and trying to detox adjust to life after Sonoma.  We did find some time to dye eggs.  We always do it the old-fashioned way, but next year we're going to attempt some glitter or something a little prettier, but the girls had a good time!

Since we had family events all weekend, we spent Saturday morning with Magra and Papa to celebrate the holiday.  After breakfast the girls went basket searching and then went on an egg hunt.

Brooklynn and Papa racing to find the basket!

Egg hunting

Saturday evening we went to Maggiano's for Matt's birthday party.  His parents, Jim and Juanita, flew in from NewYork, as well as Aunt Kathy and Rohn from Arizona and Sandy from California.  We enjoyed some good grub, great company, and lots of celebration!  It was great to see lots of family that we don't get to see often.

Brooklynn insisted on sitting next to the birthday boy.  Of course she always loves Matt, but I think she thought the closer she sat to him, the quicker she'd get her piece of cake.

 Chandler having a staring contest with Cousin Regan (Chandler started poking Regan's eyes to ensure she'd win).  Only Chandler could go head-to-head with a 13 year-old!

Kids always love Uncle Jim (Jumbo) 

Aunt Sandy and Aunt Joan - gotcha!

Group shot

Sunday morning we had the traditional Easter brunch at mom's house.  Of course, not so traditional for us, because usually it's a small, intimate one.  We were excited to see everyone again and let loose (let the kids just run around).

Pretty Chandler (she's getting so big)

 Brooklynn in her pretty Easter dress

 The kids weren't messing around with this egg hunt!  Every man for himself.....no rules....

 Did we get them all?

 My 4 favorite girlies!

The best cousin!

Whew!  What a weekend!  We were exhausted when we got home Sunday evening, but it was a great one.

What the.....?

My girlfriends and I had been talking about a girls' trip for a long time, but somehow there was always a prego or 2, making it difficult.  Since all  most of us were finished, we thought a relaxing long-weekend to wine country would be a perfect, relaxing trip for some busy mommas.  After months of planning over coffee at Starbucks, the weekend was finally here!  Eight of us flied to San Fran, rented a mini van aka "Blanco", and rented a beautiful home nestled in the small town of Glen Ellen, right outside Sonoma for some R & R.

Group pic in front of Fisherman's Wharf sign (but lady forgot to include sign)

Our house (smelled so beautiful from those fresh Wisteria flowers)

We had a great time drinking wine and cooking together in our beautiful kitchen!

 We knew we were in trouble when we were this close to so many wineries.  This sign was literally just down the street from our house.

Which one to choose?

While Denver received a foot of snow, we were soaking up the sun eating our meals outside!

For some reason we  they were motivated to go running in the mornings bright and early.  I declined the first morning, but after I saw this pic of the scenery, I decided I'd get my lazy butt the next day to see it.  One of the most beautiful runs ever!  The Sonoma valley is just gorgeous everywhere.

The first day (after our pedicures) we went on our first wine tour to Benziger.  It was the most recommended tour, and now we know why.  They do all Biodynamic farming, so it was awesome to see not only their vineyards, but their insectary, ponds, and sheep - all critical in the process of keeping their farming "green".

 Our guide was dying to get this shot and she finally found the perfect group!

 Photo Bomb!  Carrie and Josh just moved back from Cali, so she drove up and joined us for the day.  

 Uh oh.......(note:  save this pic for Baby Thompson in 18 years)

 We finished the tour with lots of tasting and even a Harlem Shake (the 1st ever in the caves).

The next day we drove into the town of Sonoma to check out the square, which was really cute and quaint.  We started with a tasting at Roche Winery for some yummy red wines!

 After lunch the party moved to Jacuzzi Winery, which was outside of town, but had some of the most beautiful vineyards.

 What a view!

On our last day we headed to Napa for a private, exclusive tour with Laurel's friend, Todd, head winemaker at Bryant Winery.  The winery is closed to the public, so no tastings, tours, etc.  We felt pretty special.  They also don't sell their wine publicly, but rather only to their wine club members, which is small.  Each bottle is $400....wow!

The view from the winery (which is next to one of Oprah's houses)

 Group shot with Todd

 Lots of barrel tastings ($400 wine is delicious)

 What a great end to an amazing trip!  We had so much fun, probably too much.  Most people were very surprised we were all mommas - maybe that's a bad thing.  It was a perfect way to kick back and have some fun with 7 wonderful ladies!  I know we'll be talking about this trip for a long time and looking forward to planning the next.