To Sunny Florida we go...Part 1

On Tuesday we left for sunny Florida to visit grandparents and enjoy some nice weather (even though it's been so beautiful this fall in Colorado). The kids were great on the airplane. Who knew how wonderful a portable DVD player with endless Dora videos could be? After a long 2 hour drive to Dunnellon we finally arrived at our condo. The next morning we headed to Rainbow Springs Park, which is always one of our favorite spots. The river is crystal clear and is a constant 72 degrees.

Steve and Brooklynn dipping their feet into the swimming area

One of the many beautiful waterfalls

Chandler enjoying looking over the bridge

Thursday we went to Homosassa Springs Park with grandma. Again, one of our favorite spots! They have manatees, a panther, hippo, and lots of gators! They have some great educational programs. This one had a possum and gator. The poor lady holding the possum was getting scratched up the entire program and it hurt just watching here. Here's Brooklynn petting one of the baby gators. Even mommy petted the little guy.

Brooklynn the manatee

Aren't they so cute?

They have a boat to take you from the visitors' center to the main park, so we had to check it out. Unfortunately no gators to see on the river but lots of turtles and birds. Chandler took a nice nap in the stroller.

On Saturday we walked to grandma's friends' house to introduce the girls and they offered to let us take their pontoon boat out on the river. We even convinced grandma to come along for the ride. Again no gators (although Steve did see one off grandma's deck) but a nice ride. Of course Chandler slept again!

Brooklynn helping daddy drive - she was not wanting to help!

Steve and grandma - they're so cute!

Group shot

It was sad to say goodbye to grandma - we had so much fun and the girls just adore their great grandma! Now we're off to Clearwater to visit my grandparents and visit the beach!

Chandler walking update - she's standing on her own even better now but no official steps. We really thought it'd come on this trip! We'll see..................

More Fall Fun

Another weekend of beautiful weather and fun fall festivities. Saturday we had some good friends over for breakfast before heading to the pumpkin patch. We had a great time picking out the perfect pumpkin and then playing at the patch.

At breakfast we had our first "kids' table". They were so cute and did a great job eating by thenmselves. Jackson discussing the size and shape of the "perfect pumpkin" as she listens intensely
Looking around for Jackson to help her with that choice

How to test a pumpkin - if it's bigger than your head it's good!

Well we got them all to sit together - that's good enough, right?

On Sunday mom brought Kenz up, and we went to Longmont to Sunflower Farm for a girls day(my new favorite place). Steve had to work.....bummer! The kids had a blast feeding animals, riding ponies, swinging on everything!

Brooklynn had to feed the goats one kernel at a time - the goats were not happy with her and attempted to eat her hair at one point.

Brooklynn riding her pony "Cookie". I thought she would be too scared, but she loved it and rode the pony all by herself.

Even Chandler loved the pony!

Kenz on the zip line

They had a great time in the corn kernel barn. What a great idea!
Grandma and the girls on the hayride

Cousins!

Baby Lanning will be here soon!

Steve's cousin, Damon, and his wife Shari are expecting their first bambino in December, so we had a little manly shower for them. Although Shari is over on the island (St. Kitts), she was able to webcam and be a part of the shower. We're so bummed they'll be so far away, but we're excited for them as they embark on this new journey.

Everyone enjoying the "manly" snacks

Playing the "manly" games
Of course Brooklynn had to assist in the present-opening. You can see Shari on the laptop anxiously waiting to see the gifts!

Of course no party is complete unless a Wesling is hitting the bottle.

Halloween Festivities have Begun!

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays (even though we always seem to be out of town for it), but now with kids it's that much better! We started the Halloween season last weekend with a visit to Old Town Arvada for the "Festival of Scarecrows". Brooklynn got to wear her princess costume, so she was stoked!

Being silly with grandma & grandpa

Brooklynn walking the parade with daddy

On deck we have a couple pumpkin patches, pumpkin carving, Boo at the Zoo, and of course trick-or-treating. Wow!

October is Finally Here!

Last weekend we wanted to go somewhere new, so we packed up the kids and drove out to Hudson to visit the Wildlife Animal Sanctuary. They take animals that have been neglected or abused including tigers, lions, bears, and wolves. It was really cool to see the animals so close but sad to hear the stories of these animals. I can't believe people think they can have these animals as pets and then leave them when they grow too large. There is a walkway that you just walk right over the tigers - a little scary for a mom! Brooklynn watching the tigers play in the pools and pace back and forth

On Saturday we took the kids to book club at the Deegans. Kids at a book club = horrible idea! Only a few of them even slept. Here's Chandler ready to discuss "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".

On Sunday we went to dinner at mom's. It's always fun to see Chandler and Braelynn play. As they get older they're getting much better at it. Of course Chandler is the bully always stealing Braelynn's pacifier.

What a week!

Lucky for us the weather has been absolutely beautiful - 80s most days with lots of sunshine, so we've been able to stay busy outside. Last week we went to the zoo twice, swam at the local pool, and even had a playdate with our neighbors.

Riding the train with grandma

Brooklynn feeding the lorikeets

She demanded, "I wanna feed the birds" as we walked by, which was strange because it had been awhile since we did that. It's crazy how good their memories are!

Enjoying the ice cream. She kept saying, "Thanks for ice cream Magra (Grandma)" all day!

Thursday night we had the Lewis and Overton families over for dinner and to get the kids together. We got to meet little Julian and Chandler got to see her buddy Gabby (only 1 1/2 weeks separates the BFFs).

Here they are rockin' out!

Friday we meet Laurel, Jackson, and Kennedy at the zoo. Jackson and Brooklynn are always just too cute together. They even rode the train by themselves this time!

Kennedy enjoying the train

Carrie & Josh Fly in to Party!

Last weekend Carrie & Josh flew out for one last hoo-rah before the big move to Ireland. Saturday they came over and threw an early 1st birthday party for Chandler. Here she is enjoying her cake. She had no problem digging in - she has experience! When Brooklynn turned 1 it was really her first time eating sugar, so she was thrilled! Of course Chandler being the 2nd kid, we've been much more relaxed about her diet.

Saturday night we headed out for Steve's 30th birthday party at Old Chicago and then bowling. What a fun night with some great friends!

The bowling alley gave us a pin to sign for Steve. Sweet!

On Sunday Steve's parents had an open house for Carrie and Josh. It was really nice and a good way to send them off. Here's Brooklynn playing with Bella and Lauren.

One last picture before the big trip!

We wish you guys the best and know this is a great opportunity for you. We'll miss you tremendously and know you'll really miss the girls!