Off to Grandmother's House We Go.....

After grandpa passed away this spring, I wanted to make sure we took a trip to New York to visit grandma and check-in on her.  Since plane tickets are outrageous to Buffalo I only took Adaley, but luckily we had Grandma to help out with her.

After delays, flight diversions, rude customer service reps, and 30 hours we finally made it to Buffalo.  Luckily, Adaley was a gem totally oblivious to the chaos around her.  We pulled into Olean Saturday afternoon just in time to shower, say hi, and head to David and Ann's for dinner.  Sunday we picked up Barby and went to Jim and Juanita's for dinner.  On Monday Adaley and I met up with Aunt Roxy and Uncle Don for lunch - always good to visit with them.  Tuesday we hung out with grandma, leaving Tuesday afternoon to head back home.  Thankfully the trip back was smoother and quicker!

We had a great trip visiting family, especially grandma.  It's always amazing to see our great grandparents interacting and enjoying the girls.  Although I'll probably always regret not seeing grandpa before he passed, I feel very fortunate to visit grandma and spend the quality time together.  She's an amazing, tough woman! 

Who wouldn't love sitting in the lion chair?

Jim & Juanita admiring our dimpled baby!

Roxy and Don loving her as well.....how could you not?

4 generations of Rieds!

Adaley enjoying grandma time!

Crazy Weekends!

It seems like this summer has flown by - largely because of our crazy busy weekends!  We're always running to birthday parties, soccer games, and meeting up with friends.  Of course we're not complaining - nothing better than summertime!

Friday night Steve and I went to see "Jersey Boys" at the Buell - our Christmas gift from Carrie and Josh.  We weren't sure what to expect, but it was a great show.  I'm always amazed how talented those singers/actors are.  Sure wish I had just half their talent.

Last weekend was no exception.  Saturday morning started with Brooklynn's last soccer game.  The season looked promising the first game but maybe we don't have an athlete in Brooklynn.  She had a good time playing and talking to her teammates and other players during the game.  I guess that's all that matters, right?

 After the game was the soccer party!  The kids had a good time playing at the park and eating pizza and cupcakes!

 Coach Craig presenting Brooklynn with her medal and pink armband.  That's what she was missing...the armband. 

Saturday night I planned a surprise 30th birthday party for my bro, Andy.  We all met at Wazee Supper Club for the big surprise!  What a fun night with fun people!  Happy Birthday Brutha!

 Birthday shots!

 May be the only picture of us in last 10 years....whoa!

Sunday morning we drove to Denver for the Dragon Boat Festival to cheer on Makenzie hula dancing.  Every year she gets so much better (the best kiki in the group).  She has an amazing talent and now our girls want to learn to hula. 

Sunday afternoon it was off to Cayden's birthday party at The Bay.  I didn't take any pics, because we were all having a great time swimming in the pool and flying down the slides. 

Wow!  Now a few days to re-energize and then back at it again next weekend........

Our 1st Mud Run

I knew I needed a little motivation to lose those pregnancy pounds, so when Amanda approached me about doing the Survivor Mud Run I knew it was the perfect opportunity.  I had been running for weeks leading up to the race hoping I'd be able to keep up with the team.

With 100-degree temps forecasted and starting the race at 11:00 we were preparing for the worst.  The 3.5 mile run was grueling with lots of hills but then lots of cool mud and obstacles to break it up and make it fun.  There's something refreshing and child-like about jumping into a pool of mud and crawling your way under wires.  Although I was the "dead weight" of the team (although I did run the entire time), we still finished under an hour.  Not too bad for 10 weeks out of giving birth.

Now we're all addicted to the mud runs......maybe Warrior Dash next!

Our CSU team

 And with our medals!

 With Heather (she finished long before us but cheered us on in the end)

Now I just need to keep the motivation and lose these extra pounds............

Fun on the Fourth!

We didn't let the fireworks ban and cancelled shows ruin our July 4th fun.  Of course it felt much different here but relieving to not hear fireworks all hours of the night.  So instead we had a little BBQ with some friends and all the kids!  We were overtaken by all the kids and their toys, but it was all in good fun!  It's so nice to see the kids play together and get along so well, so we can sit back and enjoy a cold beergarita.

Chandler and Jada building a sand castle (or devising a plan to get in trouble)

 Daddy and Addy

 Sawyer and Julian having some boys time

 Julian & Gabby eating on Steve's homemade picnic table

 Kids' table

 Chandler and Gabby pool time

 Hating the wildfires but loving the sunsets

 I forgot to get a picture of the girls earlier, so obviously I waited too long for my opportunity.  They did look really cute though.....



Times Goes by Way Too Fast!

Where has the time gone?  It's hard to believe our little Addi bug is already 2 months old!  Within the last month she's changed so much - she now smiles all the time and loves to hear her voice.  I think she already understands she's going to have to speak up to be heard in this house!


I took her to her 2 month check-up today, and she was awesome!  The nurse said she felt so bad giving her shots, because she was all smiles for the nurse.  She's extremely healthy and doing great developmentally and continues to be extra long and lean.  Maybe the model of the family.......hmmmm.....

Stats:
Weight - 12 pounds (56th percentile)
Length - 24.25 inches (97th percentile - WOW!)

Milestones:  Smiles, coos, holds head up pretty well, smiles when she sees us (getting out of bed, etc.),

Here's a few 2 month pics of our baby:

 Look at those model legs!

Our Growing Bug

It's amazing to watch how quickly a newborn grows and changes!  When it's your last baby it's a little sad...So I keep telling myself maybe there will be more.  Haha!  I now see how easy it is to spoil the baby of the family.

A little late but our Adaley's 2-week check-up was awesome!  The NP was impressed with her weight gain and alertness.

Length - 21 inches (71st percentile)
Weight - 8 lb 4 oz (42nd percentile - up 6 oz from birth)
Head circumference - 35th percentile

What a rock star!

Our Getaways.......

We decided to make Steve's last week of leave a busy, yet fun one!  We headed to Keystone for a few days of R & R full of pool time, strolling through Breckenridge, and a kids' festival.  It was so nice to get away free of running errands and doing house projects.  The girls had a great time and were sad to leave!

Loving the pool!

 So independent in her floaties

 Taking a dip in the river

 Ice cream time in Breckenridge!

 Breckenridge Babes

 Tuesday we went to a kids' festival with a show from the Denver Zoo, face painting, and a jumpy castle.  Chandler was brave enough to show off her pride for the Rockies - good thing she doesn't know how bad they are!

Thursday we drove to Fort Collins for the day (daddy's favorite place).  We went to a local farm in a park in the city that we never even knew existed.  Of course those weren't the hangouts for us years ago, but we could tell you where any bar was.  We were worried it'd be too smoky from the fire, but the day was clear and beautiful for us.

Brooklynn marveling at the frog

 Now Brooklynn wants her own pony!

 "Standard Adaley pic" in the carseat trying to stay out of the sun

 Love this pic!  Daddy and his girls in the oval on campus!  Hopefully we can go back this fall with the changing leaves and do this again.



We had a great six weeks with daddy at home.  The girls enjoyed doing so many activities - hopefully they'll be content staying at home with me while we figure out schedules and how to take 3 kids out.  Scary!