Viva la Mexico!

As soon as we found out that our friend, Jen, would be marrying in Mexico we had to put it on the calendar!  Our last trip to Mexico was in 2009, just 2 months after I found out I was pregnant with Chandler (oops).  Needless to say we've been joking all these years about needing a "Mexico redo" for that.  

It was difficult to miss the last few days of school for the girls and even a dance recital, but once we were there, we had no cares in the world.  The toughest decision we made was whether to sit at the beach or the pool.  

Luckily a big group of friends and family went as well - everyone leaving their children behind.  Our last trip to Mexico together with this group was for our senior trip 18 years ago, and I wasn't expecting it to be any tamer this go around.  It was special to be able to spend time with these people I've known since kindergarten and their spouses and see such a wonderful couple tie the knot!

View from our room balcony

Our room

I could get used to this view!

Our favorite spot to read and nap everyday!

Steve and I at the welcome reception

Some of the Bennett crew

Iguanas roaming the grounds

Ready for the ceremony

Jen and Erik

Bennett crew and spouses

This is more like it!

I just loved this one of Erik!

Reception party time

Our last morning we finally ordered some room service.  Believe it or not it was our first time to do that at an all-inclusive.  Fabulous food!

During our 6 days we didn't leave the resort, which is unheard of for us, but is a testament to how much we just needed a relaxing vacation.  Our days consisted of sleeping in, eating breakfast, hanging out at the pool and swim-up bar, eating lunch, more pool/beach time, dinner, and then out at the bar for the evening.  Seven years was long overdue and now we know we can't wait that long for the next trip.  It was the best way to recharge and start our summer break.  We surely missed the kids and felt well-rested coming home to reality.

Torch Relay Queens

 Each Olympic year the Eagleview gym teacher puts on an Olympics themed field day, where they begin with opening ceremonies and host Olympic events for the kids to compete in.  We were stoked to be able to witness it finally, as we had heard the hoopla around town for years.  The icing on the cake was that both girls were chosen from their respective classes (only 1 boy and 1 girl per class) to run in the torch relay, which entailed carrying a large torch through the entire Eagleview community!  (Insert proud parenting moment here!)  After instructing the parents where we'd be on the route they sent the kids outside to line up, and to make it even better, they had the entire student body out cheering them on!

The runners are ready!

 Chandler was up first, so we had to get this pic quickly before she was off!

 Chandler with her running partner, James

 Chandler and James running with their police escort

 Then we rushed Brooklynn over to her spot, where she waited for the torch to run with her classmate, Johnny.  They had an uphill leg, but that didn't slow them down!

Let the games begin!  The girls had their events on different days, so we made sure to watch both.  They were broken down into team and individual competitions.  It was so cute to watch both kinders and the 2nd graders.  The kinders were lost and chaotic, while the 2nd graders were pretty competitive.

Chandler and her class lined up for the relay

Water relay

 Potato sack relay

 Brooklynn was a beast with those long legs in the potato sack relay.

 Brooklynn lining up for the 50 m dash race

Mrs. Shean's class killing it at the tug-of-war.  Her teacher was super competitive, and they won most events.  

Although it was an exhausting few days, where we felt like we were constantly at school, it was great to watch the girls compete and have a fun time with friends.  I'll take this traditional field day over the usual jumpy castle extravaganza any day!

Our Bubba is 4!

Nothing seems to fly by faster than watching the littlest one grow up.  And the saddest part is her anticipation for turning 4 - the day she's been waiting for all year, while we'd been dreading her growing up so fast.  But it came just the same and she was ecstatic for all the celebrations!

Our first stop was Chuck E. Cheese for our family celebration.  It seems like just yesterday we started the tradition with the girls, and to think they're all almost too old for it now.

 Further proof they're too old - Chandler rigged the machine and figured out how to win hundreds of tickets at a time.  Her face says it all!

Riding in style - yes that is a denim dress with a contrasting flower capri.  Nailed it!

 Then it was home for some presents!

 And then the party - her year-long prep for the big day.  Of course, in true May weather fashion, it was cold!  We continued the party at the park anyway, but had to cut it a little short, because we couldn't take it anymore.

Our official face painter a.k.a. Kenz

 Her princess cake

 Could it be any colder?

 Back to the house for presents!

Ady, Bubba, Bubsy, Bubsy Wubsy, Ady Bug - you are quite the firecracker always telling us how it is while cuddling up with us "giving us sugar".  You are the perfect combination of sweet and sassy thrown in with an amazing sense of humor.  You don't let anyone tell you what to do, but you'll be the first to help mommy bake or clean.  We love you Bubs!

Mothers Day Mayhem

We were racking our brains trying to decide what to do for Mother's Day this year.  The weather outlook was finally decent, so we knew we wanted to get outside, but a drive to the mountains seemed like too much work.  I had been wanting to check out the Rocky Mountain Arsenal since it had been totally converted to a wildlife refuge.  A few years back they reintroduced bison into the area, so I thought it may be a neat experience, and they have various wildlife trails throughout.

As we pulled in we were greeted by a large brand-new visitor center that had a few interactive exhibits and lots of information on the land and its history.  The girls even had fun trying on the clothes!  The girls "checked out" an activity backpack and we were on our way!  

 Buffalo on the side of the road

After our driving tour through the buffalo we stopped at a lake and enjoyed a nice hiking trail while doing some of the exploration activities from the backpack.  We all had a great time and even learned a little science!

On our way back home we were read-ended by the nicest little old lady.  Everyone was ok, but her air bags deployed and her car was smashed in front, while ours was still driveable with some bumper damage.  She was an emotional wreck and felt horrible, but a situation like that always helps us remember what really matters, and cars are really just that - cars.  What a crappy way to end our great day!  So for now, while our car is being fixed, we get to haul around in our mini-bus a.k.a. Chevy Suburban, but I'm counting down the days until we get our baby back.  Now I love that car even more knowing it was so safe and sturdy in our accident.

Ram Fam Back at it!

Steve and I's college friends started a "Ram Fam" tradition where we get together every other month with families and have a fun time!  There was a long lull during the winter, because I think we were all frightened at the thought of having all these little kiddos running around our houses.  So I bit the bullet and signed us up for late April, assuming we'd get some nice weather for our "Cinco de Mayo" celebration.  But with our crummy wet spring, sure enough we got stuck inside while the kids destroyed the house.

It ended up being not as crazy as we anticipated and it's always fun to see the kids playing so well together.  We were even able to sneak in some adult time and beverages upstairs while the kids had a dance party in the basement.  Score!

I love this picture!  While the kids were having band practice sweet baby Brecken slept!

 Adult fun

 The band/dance party begins!

 Total chaos in our squished kitchen.  Looks like we need some birth control around here!

Our Little Athletes

Of course Steve and I have never objected to any of the kids being athletes.  We're always hoping there's a little of that in their blood.  Up until now Chandler has been the only one who seemed interested, but of late Brooklynn has really morphed into an athlete.  Ady's still on the fence - she would just about do anything!

One Friday afternoon I was thumbing through the piles of handouts in Brooklynn's Friday folder when I came across a congratulations letter.  I was shocked to learn she had made the team track team and was asked to compete in the district meet in May.  That meant she was one of the 3 fastest girls in her class - WHAT?  I knew she was always capable of running, but it was the competition part that I knew turned her off.  After a couple practices and multiple running training sessions with Steve she was ready!  Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate and the meet was cancelled with no reschedule.  Boo!

Brooklynn has been working hard at swimming lessons twice a week for the last few months.  Her goal is to make the swim team in the next year.  So now we can add running and swimming to repertoire of sports.  Up next - softball this summer!  Woohoo!

Chandler has found a true passion with soccer.  On a nice day she'll ask Steve to go to the park or the backyard to work on her skills.  This season we decided to move her to a more competitive league and with enough participation was able to build an all-girls league.  She was grouped with other 6 year-olds as well as 7 year-olds and had Steve to coach her again.  Although she dominated the league last year as an "old kid" it was a little different this time around with better and older players.  Overall the season was a great experience and she was awesome with lots of goals, but the best part was watching her improve all-around, especially her defense skills.  She has a special gift and love for soccer, and we can't wait to see where it takes her!

Finally got a goal on video!  

 What a fun season!

Adaley demanded to do gymnastics this spring rather than dancing, so we obliged.  Of course being in the high 90th percentile on height, there's no chance this could last, but for now she did great!  She wants to try soccer this fall, so we'll start our first season of double sports.  Uh oh!

Spring Break

This year we had a rather late spring break being in April, but I wasn't complaining since we got pounded with snow during most of the spring breaks around here.  We were in dire need of some warm weather after our last storm.  Steve (yet again) was in California for work, so we were all stuck in the house for 2 days until we were finally able to shovel ourselves out.  We actually welcomed the shoveling just to get out.

 I wasn't even about to attempt the other side of the driveway

 The girls really did help

Just like the kids I'm always counting down the days until their next school break.  Of course it always throws off the routine a little, but it's all worth it to sleep in and spend extra time together.  Plus I don't feel like a taxi driver carting kids around, because we can actually go to fun places, rather than the usual dance class or swim lesson.

Thursday we took the girls and Brooklynn's BFF Adilan to see a performance of Junie B. Jones for her birthday.  The kids had a great time, and the play was really entertaining.

Unfortunately a little one got ahold of my phone and deleted all my other pictures from spring break :-(, but it was for the memories, right?

Friday was Steve and I's spring celebration, because we were able to enjoy beautiful weather at the Rockies opening day.  Although we were packed in like sardines at a totally hip patio bar (yuck), it's always fun to see the excitement of the day - the only day of the year we can truly be excited for our Rockies.