More Summer Fun

Over the years I've realized I've gotten much worse about taking pictures, although it's so easy now that we carry phones in our pockets everywhere we go.  Luckily Steve is a little more vigilant and we were able to get a few photos to capture some of our favorite Summer 2016 memories!

We had a few days at the ballpark cheering on our Rockies!

This summer I decided to not have Adaley nap, because we wanted to savor our time together and not return home to nap daily.  Well, it was mostly successful, but we did have our occasional sleeper at the dinner table.  No lie!  She truly fell asleep like this!

 More Rockies mayhem!

 We parked so far away and told the girls we could get a rickshaw on the way back.  It was better than any Rockies ticket for them!  Poor driver really had his work cut out for him!

 We decided to finally try a long family bike ride, so we picked the trail up just south of our house and rode to beautiful Commerce City, about an 8 mile ride.  The girls were so proud of themselves, yet so exhausted!  Looking forward to many more of these in our future.

 We hosted an outdoor movie night for the neighborhood, complete with drinks and popcorn.  It was so fun getting everyone together!

 We took lots of bike rides Sunday evenings to "The Hills" with our friends.  Riding the tandem down those was death-defying!

 Annual July 4th celebration complete with Mr. Redneck himself!  'Merica!

 July 4th pool time

 We checked out a new science museum in Fort Collins that was amazing!  We all had a blast, especially jamming in their recording studios.

 The band is here!

 Lots and lots of pool time!  It seemed like that's all they wanted to do this summer, which was ok with me!

 Hanging with The Pink Ladies after the Grease play with Magra and John.

 WOW museum with the Hepp ladies

 We were even lucky enough to to have the Thompsons visit before school started!  We all fell in love with little Amelia and argued over who would hold her next.

Now that the kids are older I absolutely cherish our summers together!  There are so many things to do and so little time, so we do our best and make the best of it.  When I taught I always dreaded the summers ending, but I dread them ending even more now.  :-(

Camping Our Summer Away

Last summer was yet, another, summer full of camping - less than the last, but we made sure to choose some fun ones this year!

We started the camping season off at Turquoise Lake, which oddly enough I posted already.  (I am so behind but determined to catch up here soon!)

 We had another fun trip to Lake Dillon, complete with lots of friends and a boat!  The girls were ecstatic to see their good buddies, the Dunlaps, because it had been too long.  They have 3 kiddos all the same ages as ours, and they always pick up right where they left off, like not a day has gone by since they saw each other last.  It was one of my favorite spots, because we were within a short walk from the lake and an even shorter drive to Starbucks!  :-)

No trouble here!

 Out on the boat!

 An evening hike around the lake

Then there was camping with Magra and Papa near Rocky Mountain National Park, complete with deer and moose-seeking hikes and lots of rock climbing.

 You could always find Brooklynn in the hammock!

Our summer camping ended with a trip to Carter Lake with the Strayers, complete with yet another boat and lots of playtime with the kids.  

So although it was less camping than last year, we were able to experience it with some awesome peeps!  The girls still love going, and we love our quality family time we have when we're enjoying the outdoors.

Colorado Springs

We were locked into another Colorado Springs weekend away when we purchased tickets for Santa's Workshop at the girls' school auction last spring.  Of course we were ok with that, because we always have a great time!

This time we decided to choose a "camping" spot a little more scenic than the KOA right off I-25, and it paid off.  They had a pool and playground while nestled in some beautiful surrounding scenery.  

We started our first day at Helen Hunt Falls, which we had never experienced, but it was a beautiful drive and hike.  And no, it's not named after the Mad About You actress, but rather a woman who was a writer and became an activist for Native Americans.

 Adaley was thrilled!

Day 2 began bright and early at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which was a must-do for the girls.  Of course we were waiting in line for the coveted giraffe feeding!

 And the girls were psyched to ride the sky ride up the mountain!

Our last day was the anticipated North Pole Santa's workshop.  The girls absolutely love this place, because they can ride every ride, and they did just that.  Somehow they have no fear when it comes to rides, even after witnessing mommy get a little nervous on the Ferris Wheel.  (It is the highest one in the world they claim).

 The obligatory frozen "North Pole" pic

 Gotta do a sled pic!

Overall, it was a fantastic weekend of fun!  Steve and I were able to eat at one of our fave restaurants in Manitou Springs and do a little hiking, while the girls were able to experience some of their favorite spots.  Win win for everyone!

Our Softball-er

When most dads find out they're expecting a baby boy their eyes light up with the thought of developing and coaching an athlete.  Well I had that feeling with my girls, hopes of helping them become softball players.  We didn't want to start the kids young in T-ball, because it always seemed to be mad chaos of kids having no clue what's going on while dozens of parents are yelling at the kids what to do.  I mean, baseball (and softball) are much more complicated than kicking a ball into a goal for a 4 year-old.

Since Brooklynn had been showing a lack of interest in sports as well as a lack of aggression we thought softball may be a good fit.  Everyone gets a turn......no pushing, etc.  And she seemed excited to try it as well.  

I was happy to be back coaching softball again, but it was much tougher than I expected.  I had always coached older girls.  Teaching the basic fundamentals of throwing, catching, and batting requires LOTS of patience.  The girls were awesome and Brooklynn had a good time.  

By the end of the season she was swinging the bat harder, figured out where to run after she hit it, and really liked socializing with all the girls.  It may have been just for a summer fun, or it may develop into a love for the sport, but either way we were so proud of her for trying something new, outside her comfort zone.

Tour de Fit Champs!

I know 95% of the blog is about the girls, because, of course, their lives are much more interesting than either Steve or I's.  But let me digress for one post and feel free to check back when there's cute pics of the girls.  I get it!

Steve and I both felt like we were in a big "workout rut", where we lost motivation and just ran a few miles a few times a week just to stay in shape.  Then we discovered crossfit and our new goal - get stronger.  Well we've stuck with it and absolutely love it!  Physically I've gotten much stronger and most noticeably less back pain.  I've found muscles where I didn't even know I had them.  Mentally I've pushed myself farther than I have since playing sports in high school.  It's an awesome feeling and so much fun doing it with fun people!

Our gym has been participating in some competitions with other gyms, and I'm always up for a little competition.  The Thornton gym hosted a partner workout for our Tour de Fit in June, and I knew my neighbor, Steph, would be the perfect partner!  She always pushes me in class, because she's such a BA!  We had been told we were a guarantee to win it, so with all the pressure we pushed even harder.  We came away winners, along with a sore body!  It was rewarding to compete again and be successful.  I had become an athlete that just participates - completes the run or finishes the bike ride.  Now I've found that athlete that strives to beat everyone - run faster, do more reps, and finish more rounds.  I have no goals of becoming a world-class crossfitter, but rather just someone who pushes herself physically and mentally every workout!

*I'll have to work on getting a pic of Steve with his new physique.  It's definitely working for him as well!  Haha!

Family Vaca Time!

When Steve's grandma, Joan, turned 90 in January we knew where we were headed for our summer vaca - Virginia Beach.  In addition to visiting her, we were excited to visit Steve's aunts, uncle, and cousins again.  Our visit there 4 years ago was one of our best vacations!  And to top it off - a beach for the girls!

Here we go!

 On our layover in Chicago the girls entertained themselves by pushing each other around on the luggage carts.  We may have had some glares, but these kids were excited and getting a little stir-crazy!

Our first full day had to include a trip to the beach, so we headed to a small locals' beach just off the tourists' beach with Kim, Kelly, Jordan, and Evan.  The girls wasted no time at all getting in the water, attempting to boogie board, and playing in the sand.

Brooklynn insisted we re-create her mermaid tail from 4 years ago.

 Playing games on the beach

With all the water time the girls seemed to be constantly in the showers.  Uncle Larry didn't mind brushing through all the knots, and the girls loved it (he's much more gentle than mom).  Had to be the cutest thing ever!

We were reluctant to take the girls to the local water park, because we were afraid there wouldn't be enough for Ady to do, but we attempted a day there with Kim's family.  Turned out there was plenty for all of us to do, and Ady had no fear doing any of the big rides with us.  We had a blast on all the slides and the wave pool!

Wave pool with daddy

 She was exhausted!

The weather was rainy and cool some days, so we tried to not let them damper our time.  One of those days we went to Mount Trashmore (a former landfill converted into a neat park) with Larry and Patti.

 Rolling down the hill!

 We spent our afternoons visiting grandma at her place sitting out on the patio and talking.  The girls were so good!

 On Sunday we drove to First Landing State Park for more beach time and dinner at a campground planned by Larry and Patti.  It was beautiful and such a great evening spending time with the entire family.

 Even Evan wanted to be buried!

 Grilling time!

 Chow time!

 This is why Larry and Patti are the best hosts!  They always go out of their way to ensure we have a great time and are able to spend time with lots of family!

They hosted a big family dinner at their house our last night there, complete with everyone including grandma.  It was an awesome conclusion to an amazing trip.  Not only did we get to have a great visit with grandma we

Chandler somehow convinced grandma to share her ice cream with her!

 Family pic w/ grandma

 Grandma and her great grandkiddos

And then came the most epic night of our trip - Patti surprised us all with a food fight complete with Jell-O, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, and pudding.  Steve even got the oatmeal down the shorts from Aunt Deb!  It was a blast, just letting loose and gettin' dirty.  What a perfect way to cap off a fabulous trip!

 Awwwwww

 Grandma still nailed the family selfie pic!

 How we all felt after the whirlwind trip!  (This was after Chandler had been crying all day so sad to say goodbye to everyone. )

Sometimes our family vacations are more like "trips", because they are so exhausting and feel almost like work, but this one was different.  It was truly a vacation with wonderful family that we will miss until next time........