Colorado Part 2

While in Colorado Springs we went to the best Mountain Zoo - the kids had a great time there!
They all enjoyed feeding the giraffes.

 

Brighton was no where to be found without her camera - she couldn't wait to post them on her blog when she got home.

 

Gavin was happy to finally be out of his carseat or stroller to roam free and wave at or clap for everyone.

 

This is just a classic pic of the girl's on this trip - they had so much fun together and were often in their own little world playing and talking. Such great friends.

 

Colorado Part 3

Before ending in Denver, we went camping in the Rocky Mountain National Forest, just outside of Estes Park. It was BEAUTIFUL! We even had a mother deer in our campsite nursing her 2 babies. So sweet! Of course, Chris "forgot" to mention to me that we had no showers, warm water, or water spicket at our campsite. So I heated up some water on our camping stove and went to town on the kids with disposable washcloths as best I could! They had a great time and still say this was their favorite part of the trip. I'll have to say I just LOVED being with my husband and kids for 10 days straight. It helped me to realize how much I love them and am now dreading for the girl's to start school in 1 week! I was also quite sad to have my sweet hubby go to work today! Oh well, until next year...

 

 

 

Brighton's Baptism

Brighton was baptized on Saturday, August 1st, 1 day before my parents left for Guatemala. It was a happy, tearful day. I was so proud of her - she looked so beautiful and just seemed to glow to me. I love this little girl so, so much! We were also so happy to have Grandma Jana here to visit. We all love when she comes.

 

Lakehouse Days

It's that time again...Lakehouse trip! We love this annual trip together, although we missed having Kim and Jason's family this year as it was rather last minute. The cousins all love each other so much! We especially loved the time with Nana and Pop since we're down to 1 week before they leave for Guatemala. I'm trying not to think about that too much, though. What in the WORLD are we going to do without them?

 

 

 

 

 

My baby's 8!

I can't believe I have an 8-year-old. I feel like that's the first real milestone bday, until 12, and then 16. Chris and I had a wonderful week last week with Brighton. On Tuesday we got a sitter for the younger 3 kids and took her out alone to the Rainforest Cafe, and then proceeded to Claire's to get her ears pierced. She was SO excited and SO nervous. She thought she might chicken out in the end, but pulled through! She looks so much older to me now!

 

On Friday, her real birthday, we celebrated with presents, breakfast of her choice, and then had her cake the next day at the Lakehouse (more to come there).

 

Then that night I took her and her best friend, Olivia (our next door neighbor) to eat at the Purple Cow, and then ice skating (all her choice). We decided on this rather than a big bday party, and those 2 had an absolute ball! I must say I quite enjoyed myself just being alone with and watching those two.

 

 

And next week she'll be getting baptized; where has the time gone? I sure love this precious, bright, helpful, sweet daughter of mine. I've loved having her home this summer and will really miss her once school starts again! Happy birthday, Brighton!

(6 weeks old)

 

We always called it a weapon...

Sweet, cute, adorable Carter...well, he's got a big head. There's no two ways around it. And I swear his skull is twice as thick as normal skulls. So today he was playing and being overly crazy, as usual, and fell into one of the outlet covers. I heard a loud crack and wondered what happened. Well, his head cracked and broke it! He cried for about 2 seconds, but quit as soon as he found out he was bleeding. He immediately get excited and yelled to his sisters "Girls, I made REAL blood; come and see!"

 

 

Happy 4th!

We had a great 4th weekend out at my parents. Other than the usual fireworks and swimming, we also had a Family Reunion with Granddad's family. Many came in from Canada, so the Texas heat was quite a shock! But sailing and swimming help that! It sure made me miss Meme and Granddad, though. And although Carter got a little burn, he was laughing HYSTERICALLY at the big fireworks, so I guess they were a hit!