Denver Day 4

 On our last day in Denver we went to the zoo. The kids were really excited to go. Boston hasn't ever been to a big zoo. He was able to see giraffes, elephants, rhinos, hippos, sea lions, and lots of other animals all for the first time. Technically he has been to this zoo before - but while in utero :) Above: the giraffes - mommy's favorite.

 Check out those dumbo ears!

 Feeding the lorikeets.

 Reese brought a toy camera along with her and took pictures the whole time it was so funny. She was so serious about it too. What a funny girl. Notice her snapping a pic of the lorikeet.

 Strolling off to see the flamingos.

 "Click, take a pic!"

 It was so very hot at the zoo. We didn't see quite all the exhibits, we didn't want to keel over. We spent a couple hours there and called it good. We rode the train and the carousel.

Later that day the girls all went to see the movie Brave. They even dressed up for the affair. Followed by a trip to the mall to do some shopping at the Disney Store. The boys were able to go to the Rockies game. We even picked up a Troy Tulowitzki T-shirt for Boston to wear to the game. We all had a lot of fun!

We were sad when it was time to go very early the next morning. The kids were so sad to leave Ava especially. We're so grateful Torben and Angela are so welcoming! I'm sure it's chaotic for us to all to be there but we really appreciate the time and effort they make to ensure we all have a good visit.

Denver Day 3

 Sunday we kept things pretty chill. We just played around the house. Reese loved all of Ava's fun dress-up dresses.

 Most of the day was spent playing outside in the water.

 They didn't know quite what to do with the water slide. It was a while before anyone actually tried to slide down it. It sprayed water so they just ran up and down the slide getting more wet.

 Boston playing in the princess pool.

 Finally, Reese was brave enough to try and slide.

 A new game - throw water on Grandma.

The girls showing off their beautiful sticker doll creations.

Denver Day 1-2

 At the end of June our family and Todd's parents drove to Denver for a little trip to visit Todd's brother and family. We arrived fairly late the first day since it took most of the day to drive there. The kids were so excited so see their cousin Ava. Above: Listening to bed time stories.

 The next day we spent the day at the North Pole. The kids had a blast! The rides were just right for their age.

 Riding the train.

 The girls telling Santa what they want for Christmas. Boston wasn't quite brave enough to tell him what he wanted. I don't think he would even make eye contact with him.

 Waving to Santa.

While we were there a fire started on the opposite mountain top (Waldo Fire). We left just before they closed the park and before roads were closed.

Father's Day

So I'm a bit behind (only a few months).

We celebrated a day earlier since Todd had to work on Father's day. He was very excited to get a grill from all of us.

While they were assembling the grill Reese wanted her picture taken with her new Lalaloopsy doll - Coral Sea Shells. Reese had worked very hard for weeks doing various chores to earn money to purchase her doll. She was very excited to finally go to the store and pick her up. She even earned some money from Grandma and Grandpa when she helped in the garden one day while visiting.

June Dance Recital

 Reese had her final dance recital a couple weeks ago. Ending her first year of dance. I did remember to bring my camera this time.

 So it cracks me up that everyone is doing something different here.

 Waiting in the hallway for their number to be up.

Reese did a wonderful job. We were also able to have family there to support her. Dad was there for her first number but then had to go to work. We also had Grandma Z, Grandpa and Thomas. After the recital G&G took us out for dinner at Pizza Hut.

Missed May

 So I slacked a little last month. Most of these I pulled off my phone since I haven't really been in a picture taking mood.

 A few weeks ago we made some homemade pretzel bites. The kids were in absolute heaven!! We found the recipe on Our Best Bites. The kids often request a trip to the mall just to score some pretzel bites. We thought it was pretty fun being able to make them at home. They were delicious!!

A few weeks ago my brother called wanting some thoughts on a cake (a sexy male torso) he wanted to make for my SIL for her birthday. I tried explaining to him how I would do it over the phone and some how that turned into me making the cake and not him. So I found a few pics online of some others that had been done and I didn't think it would be too bad. I think it turned out pretty good, considering this is my second time using fondant on a whole cake. I even made red velvet with cream cheese frosting from scratch (also a first).

 So I mentioned previously that Boston broke his arm on Easter Sunday. I have some pictures of his x-rays on a disc but I can't seem to pull the files off so this is all we really have documenting his Dr. Visits. He had to wear a sling for the first few days after breaking his arm, because we needed to wait for the swelling to go down before they could cast it. That was an extremely miserable 3 days. A 2 year old and a cast to not mesh well. The cast was too big and we constantly had to readjust and situate his arm in it. So that just ended up causing additional pain each time we did that - so we were relieved when it was finally time to get the cast. He picked blue for his cast. He was a little wiggly and upset while they were trying to put it on, but they got it done. The cast didn't hinder his wildness at all. You would think it would slow him down a little, but it didn't.

Here the kids are the day Boston got his cast off. The wanted their picture taken with the skeleton who bonked his head.

April Dance Competition

 In April Reese had her first dance competition. She is in a tap/ballet combo class and absolutely loves it! She says ballet is her favorite. It's so funny to see her incorporate some of her dance moves at home. She is constantly twirling and posing and showing mom and dad how to do certain ballet positions.

 So I completely forgot to bring my camera to her competition - duh! We did take our video camera, but I have no idea how to put the video on here. So I'm was able to get these pictures thanks to one of the girls aunt.

 Their tap costume. For this number they danced to "Gettin' Jiggy With It" - Will Smith.

 Reese and Bailey - her best little buddy she met in dance.

For their ballet number they danced to "Once Upon a December" from the movie Anastasia. Reese did absolutely fabulous. Grandma Debbie and Grandma Nan drove up to see her performance. They loved seeing her dance.