Colorado 2013

Our Summer Trip out West started in Colorado. The first day we were able to meet with our awesome friends, the Sanders, it was so fun to see them after a year.  They are the type of friends that just feel like family. We lived near them in Virginia and we always looked forward to every chance we could be with them so it was nice to catch up and enjoy the mountains. Abby and Kate cried all the way home when we had to leave them.  

The next day followed with a trip to the local greenhouse to pick out roses for the girls.  Grandpa has a tradition of planting a rose for each member of the family so the girls each picked out a rose to plant in his garden.  Kate and Abby loved exploring the greenhouse with Grandpa and felt pretty cool to each get a rose at the end. That night Grandma was nice to throw a great birthday party for Abby and the girls soaked up every second of fun with friends and family.

The weekend with a huge hit with a visit to the North Pole in Colorado Springs.  Brett's parents had taken him there as a child and wanted the girls to have the experience so we drove to a land where it's Christmas all year long.  You could spin for hours on all the fun rides. ;) Abby and Kate were in heaven to spend time with grandparents and their cousins Hailey and Bradey whom they ADORE.  It was nice to chat with everyone since we hadn't seen them in a few years. 

After an exciting weekend of fun and games the girls were tired so we took it easy and relaxed with Grandpa and Grandma.  A favorite is still to cuddle up and read stories at night with their grandparents.  

It was beautiful to be back in Colorado, enjoy the mountain air and be with family and friends.
Thanks for a great time!

Reunited

Searching for their rose bush.

The North Pole

Planting their rose bushes with grandpa.

5 Years Old

Abby can now officially show her age with all the fingers on her hand.  She confidently told me the other day, "Now that I am five I can do big people things."  She then proceeded to list off activities that she felt she could do because she was five.  Apparently the jump from 4 years old to 5 is a big deal and suddenly with you can do lots of things. ;)  In her mind, she might as well be a teenager but we are definitely not jumping into that ball park before it's necessary.  Our little girl is growing up fast and it's fun to watch her learn as she experiences life.  

We celebrated her birthday while we were on our family vacation to Colorado and Utah.  Grandma Peggy put on a fun party with lots of friends and an awesome princess cake.  Nani made a wonderful dinner and once again Abby was spoiled with a beautiful cake and mounds of attention.  I think all in all she had a fabulous birthday.  Who wouldn't have a great time with double the celebrations and all the attention a young girl could want?!  Thanks Grandma and Nani for great birthday celebrations.

We love our Abby. Happy Birthday!!

Friends in Colorado...Hailey, Addison, and Lucy.

 

I wish I would have taken pictures of the birthday dinner in Utah, but we were distracted. 

Sunday Walk

A few Sundays ago, well let's make that more than a month ago,  the weather was blissful.  There was a breeze and the temps were actually in the low 90s, maybe even 80's. Since the night was so perfect, we decided to go on a walk and brought the camera along.  We love a good Sunday walk.

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." -John Muir