Just like the Good Ole Days......Sort of

Our group of friends were feeling brave and thought we should rekindle the annual camping trip now that most of the kids were older.  Of course they wouldn't be the old late-night drunken debauchery trips of long ago but rather a family-friendly version with hikes, fishing, and some good old games of "disk and bottle."

The kids had been anticipating the trip all summer and couldn't wait to spend so much time with their buddies.  And they weren't disappointed.  The kids had a blast and were SO good - no fights, so we were able to indulge in a few adult beverages and enjoy some adult time as well.  We camped at Wellington Lake outside of Bailey, which was beautiful.  The kids enjoyed splashing around in the lake, fishing (or constantly casting and reeling), and playing frisbee all weekend.

Love the photo bomb by Hazel!

Love these pics! 

 The brave girls who actually dunked their heads in the frigid water!

They even hiked with us!

 Group pic of some of my fave kids!

 Silly faces!

 Family pic even with Sonny (this never happens)

Even though it was different than our old trips, it was even better to share the weekend with all our families.  I guess we'll have to hold off on the crazy trips until the kids are older.....much older.  Until then we'll be camping with these awesome kids every year!

Weekend of the Kenz

I don't know if we could possibly cram any more activities into our weekends, but somehow we do!  A few weekends ago we had a swimming party at the Beermans' pool when a torrential downpour began as we were swimming.  We ducked into the clubhouse, which started flooding a little.  So we made a run for it and got to their house after a long ordeal.  I don't think I've ever seen so much rain in such a short time.  

The next morning, after Chandler's soccer game, we brought Kenz back to our house for the weekend.  We got on our bikes and found this huge puddle at Brooklynn's school.  The kids had so much fun just riding through it on their bikes and splashing in it.  We were not about to stop it, because how often do kids these days just get to play and be entertained by a puddle?  Steve and I had a blast watching them.

 Even Ady had to get in too!

Later that afternoon we went to a friend's 1st birthday party followed by driving to Boulder to watch "Frozen" at their outdoor theater with some of Brooklynn's school friends' families.

The next morning we went to the city pool, where they have slides and all.  The kids had a blast - Kenz and Brooklynn just kept going down the slides, while Chandler loved getting dumped by the water pail.

Monday we went to the movies to see "Epic" and then to drop Kenz off.  We are always sad to see her go.  I'm in the process of developing a good kidnapping plan!

4th of July

This year we were lucky enough to score some tickets to the Rockies game on the 3rd with their post-game fireworks spectacular.  We hadn't taken the big girls in a couple years, and we were a little nervous Ady might freak out at the noise.  Turns out they all love baseball, chanting "Tulo", and grubbing on the hot dogs.

We celebrated the 4th with our annual tradition of dinner and fireworks at Magra and Papa's followed by walking to the firework show in Westminster.  We were lucky enough to have the Deegans join again, so the kids had a blast playing together.  We had a torrential downpour before dinner, and although it cleared in time for fireworks the park was muddy and chilly.  Here's a few fun pics of our cute kiddos and their homemade shirts (thanks Aunt Carrie):

So many light-haired, blue-eyed babies!

Such Studs!

I'm so proud of my girls and how active they've become this summer.  They've always enjoyed being outside and running around, but they're both finding their niches with Brooklynn swimming and Chandler playing soccer.

Brooklynn is now in her 2nd session of swim lessons this summer, and we've seen such improvement in her skills.  She has no fear of water and will try anything new (unlike most other things in her life).  She has mastered back floats, torpedos, somersaults underwater, and braving the big waterslides on her own.

Her first time on the diving board, and she rocked it!

Practicing her back floats with Miss Sam

She even goes down the slide unassisted now.

Chandler has done a complete 180 from soccer last year.  Steve spent most games holding her hand, while she whimpered and cried.  This year she was so ready to get out there and score some goals.  She's always been extremely athletic and fast, so we knew once she was emotionally ready she'd succeed.  She has scored at least 1 goal in each of her three games and isn't afraid to get in there and steal the ball (even from her own teammates).

*See goal video below.  I couldn't figure out how to put it on the same post.

Chandler's goal

There you go boys....even stole from her own teammate.

We are Spoiled

Even though the Thompsons live so far, we sure are lucky to be able to see them frequently.  Carrie & Callen flew out for a visit, and it was nice to spend some quality time with them, since the May trip was so chaotic.  We started the fun week at the zoo!

Callen just loved having his cousins gaga over him all week (can't you tell?)

 Carrie & the girls

Silly girls

 And then the WOW museum (Carrie  has gone mad and Chandler is scared!)

A little craft time (more on these later.....)

The girls were so sweet and "helpful" with Callen.  It's always amazing to see how much love they have for him even though they don't get to see him often.  If only they were so nice to their little sister!