Colorado Part II

On Sunday night and all day Monday we spent all our time with Auntie Maggie, Uncle Jim, Lizzy and Katherine. They are preparing for a big move to Berlin, Germany and we aren't sure when we will see them next.  The boys had a blast playing with their cousins and it was nice for us all to catch up a little.

On Monday we decided to head to the water park in Golden. It really is amazing - operated by the city and a really fun outing for the kids. Even the "big" kids got into the action...Patrick and Maggie had races on the water slides during adult swim. Sibling rivalry never ends...

On Monday evening, Uncle Jim and Lizzy headed back to Indianapolis. Before we left we tried to get a photo of the whole family. We managed to capture a couple but of course everyone wasn't great in every shot. Never with 10 people and especially children involved!

After they left, we headed to downtown Golden to walk along Clear Creek and have ice cream. During our walk, Drew and Allen ran ahead on the path. Drew got stung on the leg by a yellow jacket. As Patrick was tending to him and trying to calm him down the rest of us walked ahead. Next thing we knew, Allen got stung on his leg! So we took the boys back to the house and Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Maggie and Katherine went ahead and had their ice cream. The boys were completely traumatized but eventually calmed down with the help of some popsicles. I did catch these photos before the bees ruined our night!

On Tuesday morning we said goodbye to Auntie Maggie and Katherine, Patrick left to play 36 holes of golf with his best man from our wedding, and Grandma and I took the boys to the Museum of Nature and Science. The boys loved the dinosaur exhibit and the special Real Pirates exhibit. We definitely did not see everything and will make a point to go back on our next visit.

Colorado August 2011

We decided to take a rather "last minute" vacation to Colorado before school started. We drove over on Friday, arriving in Golden that evening. Grandma and Grandpa were camping with Auntie Maggie, Uncle Jim, Lizzy & Katherine so we had the house to ourselves for a few days! On Saturday we decided to take part in some Denver history and headed to Hammond's Candy Factory. It has been making candy in Denver for almost 100 years! They even use some of the same techniques and simple machines (like the crimper that makes their ribbon candy) that they used in the 20's. All of their candy is handmade down to the crook in the candy canes. They make candy under other retail names all over the place. You have most likely eaten thier candies and had no idea! Only 20% of their product is sold retail under their name. 80% is wholesale! The big lolllipops at Disney World? Yep...Hammond's!  The boys thought it was great...especially shopping in the huge candy store at the end!

Next, we traveled downtown to our favorite REI store on the Platte River. The boys love this store, especially the outside areas. They climbed and Allen made some new friends! :)

Later we did some shopping at the new IKEA near Patrick's childhood home. We didn't think through the fact it was the second Saturday it was open...chaos! But we waited in the line to get in and we were very impressed with the store itself. We picked up a few things and headed back towards Golden. That night, our friends John and Molly came over for dinner and to meet the boys. They are such a fun couple - they got married last July in Vail, our last trip to Colorado. We enjoyed seeing them again and catching up on their very buys lives!

On Sunday morning, we decided to head to Tiny Town. This was a hit with the boys 2 summers ago and they again loved it. We figure they will "outgrow it" in the next year or two so we wanted to repeat the experience sooner rather than later. We had a great time - it was hot but not miserable. They rode the train three times, once in the caboose!

We saw this truck in the parking lot - Allen was convinced it was Mater!



Next we visited Red Rocks. We had a picnic lunch and enjoyed the scenery. We had planned to do some hiking but the altitude was affecting the boys a little so we bailed on that idea and headed back to Golden earlier.

Everyone made it back from the camping trip and the kids immediately picked up where they left off in March. They had a great time playing together and even enjoyed some candy on the back deck!

More to come...

Kindergarten!!

Look who started Kindergarten today! Drew was so excited for his first day of school. When he woke up this morning, he asked "Mommy, is today the first day of school?" and when I said yes he just grinned! On the way to school he said "I am a little nervous but not all the way nervous" which Patrick and I told him was just right. It's good to be a little nervous (and excited) but awesome that he wasn't "all the way nervous"!


Allen is a little lost. I think it will take him a few days to get used to being without Drew all day. Luckily he starts preschool 3 days a week after Labor Day so I think that will really help! We'll get settled into our new routine and see how things go from there.

Did you know?

I am not a morning person. At. All. But that's not what you should really know. What I really want to tell you is that my husband wakes up before me every morning, takes care of the dog, and gets ready for work. Then, before he leaves for his 25-minute drive, he makes coffee. Not a pot of coffee. He makes espresso with fresh steamed milk. And, because he loves me and knows I am not a morning person, he brings my latte up to our room and puts it on the bedside table next to my sleeping head. A perfect 1 Splenda, non-fat latte. Starbucks has nothing on him!

Thank you, Patrick, for my morning coffee, for knowing I hate mornings and making those mornings just a little easier, and mostly for being you!

Hilton Head Island 2011

We made our "annual" trip to Hilton Head Island, SC over the July 4th holiday. We decided to travel early as our little family of 4 to spend a few days at the beach ahead of the extended family. It worked out well and the boys enjoyed our days at the Hilton before everyone arrived. We loved our ocean view room, being right on the beach, the full hotel breakfast each morning, and some "quality family time." But once they were with their cousins, there was no looking back! We moved to a house in Sea Pines on July 2 for a week with Nana, Grandaddy, Uncle Mike, Aunt Celeste, Jay and Amelia. The house was wonderful. We have always picked a different place each year and you never know quite what you will get. This home was a great layout and a wonderful location - it overlooked the second green and third tee of the Oceans Course. We were able to watch Patrick and Mike play golf two mornings which the kids thoroughly enjoyed! We were only a short walk from the beach and were lucky to be far enough away from the Sea Pines Beach Club to avoid the crowds. There were days we had a large chunk of beach all to ourselves! The boys played for hours in the sand and especially in the ocean. There were some huge waves a few days and there was no fear in our boys. They jumped over, dove through and rode boogie boards on waves way over their heads. Their smiles were contagious! We also spent a lot of time swimming in the pool at our house and riding bikes all over. Three nights we went to Harbour Town to see Gregg Russell sing - a hit with all the kids. One night Jay even got called up to lead the hand motions for the "Green Alligator" song! He's a star! They climbed all the stairs to the top of the lighthouse, played on the playground, and enjoyed the very hot and humid but beautiful nights. We got to see the Fourth of July fireworks at the harbour which was fun and different. With as many summers as we have visited Hilton Head, we had never been there on the 4th. It was definitely crowded, but a fun experience as well.

I'll post what pictures I have but I wasn't very good at taking photos this year. I'm hoping to get all of dad's pictures soon - I know he had hundreds!

My three boys on the beach the night we arrived...

Trying to take a picture of my little mess...he kept blocking the camera!

The boys building their sandcastle

So proud!

We went to Shannon Tanner the night Jay, Nana & Grandaddy arrived. He doesn't hold a candle to Gregg Russell, but Drew enjoyed the "Hair Had a Party Last Night" song.

Jay & Drew dancing at Shelter Cove

The only time they listen and sit still...when Jay is reading to everyone!

My little guy and I waiting for the trolley to Harbour Town

Allen wasn't loving the fireworks on the 4th...they were a bit loud for him!

A halfway decent family photo in front of the lighthouse.

Look Daddy!

Oh...it's Nigel!

Waiting for our delayed flight in Savannah...after the almost 3 hour car trip that should have been an hour. It took us 1 1/2 hours to get off the island Saturday morning!

Future Author?

Today, Drew wrote his first novel! Well, maybe not a novel, but his first book. He was so proud! I helped him edit it when he finished (he had left out two words that, as he told me, "I said in my head but forgot to write them down!") and we just had to take pictures of it as well. I am very proud of my little author!