COLORADO TRIP

We just returned from being in Colorado for 5 days with some friends. (I won't put their names on here for their privacy)  It was wonderful and the weather couldn't have been better.  Everything we did required us to be outside and I don't think any of us broke a sweat.  I tried to take lots of pics and video but will condense them as much as I can :)

We got to Denver Wednesday night and drove to the condo.  Thursday we decided to take it easy and stay around town.  We started our day with an awesome breakfast from Vern's.  It is a little gas station with a mom & pop kind of restaruant in it.  It did not disappoint.....  everyone cleaned their plate.  The best part was that they had eggs benedict.... my favorite!!

all the kiddo's at Vern's

Later that afternoon we packed a picnic lunch & drove down the Poudre River and found a spot to eat.  The dads and kids had a blast throwing rocks in the river and finding 'treasures'!!!

family pic at the Poudre River

We stopped at a spot on the way back and walked across the river (on a bridge).  It was awesome and we got to see lots of white water rafters too.

We went back to the condo and let the little ones nap and got ready for dinner.  We had a sweet friend of my sister-in-law babysit so the adults could go to dinner...and I think the kids had a better time than the adults :)  

Friday we ventured out to Estes Park.  As always the drive through Big Thompson was gorgeous.  We stopped at a few places along the way and then hit the shops in Estes!!!

we love Colorado Cherry Company and always have to stop for some cherry juice and goodies!!

taking a break from shopping and playing at the Estes Park playground!!

There are so many neat shops in Estes Park and the neatest little ice cream shoppes too!!!

After our shopping we headed into the Rocky Mountain National Park and drove to a hiking spot.  We hiked about 1.5 miles round trip to Alberta Falls.  (I know it's not much but it was all we could handle ....2 daddys, 2 2-year olds, a 4 & 6 year old, and 2 preggo mommas!!)  

The kids loved the hike and thought the snow was the neatest thing!!  We were all ready for dinner after the hike.  The kids passed out on the drive home and the adults got to have a little fun playing a new game we found called 'things'.  I haven't laughed as hard as I did playing that game in a long time.

Saturday we decided to stay local again and hang out in old town Fort Collins.  The Fort Collilns Brewers Fest was going on so we let the guys do some beer sampling and the preggers stayed with the kids and let them play!!

The girls got pretty butterflies painted on their faces!!

London hula hooping with the giant hula hoop!!

London and Matt playing frisbee!!

After the brewers fest we did a little shopping and of course had to hit the critter store.  Well it's really called Clothes Pony / Dandilion Toys but my girls call it the critter store.... because they have tons of Calico Critter stuff..... and so many neat toys and the cutest clothes.

Kinley playing with the critters.  My dad bought her the dalmation family she has been wanting and she found the puppies to go with it while we were there.  She carried the dalmations around everywhere we went and they came on every excursion with us!!

 Kinley putting on a puppet show at the critter store.  They had the coolest full size and finger puppets and just about every character or animal you could imagine.  

Check out this mushroom table and stools.  It made me want to redo the playroom in a fairy theme with tall flowers painted on the walls.... all so I could put this table in there!!  ha ha!!

And of course I was able to sniff out a cupcake shop.  I wasn't even hungry but I couldn't pass up a cupcake shop without at least having a taste.  London picked the flavor... chocolate with white icing... not what I wanted to pick but it was delicious.  Matt tried the tiramisu and it was fabulous as well!!

We ended the day with a relaxed picnic dinner at the park down from the condo.  The kids had a blast and the dads did a great job of grilling hot dogs!!!  

Sunday was spent in Colorado Springs.  We took the kids to Santa's Workshop at the base of Pikes Peak and let them ride all the rides and got pics with Santa.  

 the lady bug ride.  Kinley said this was her favorite but I think her favorite was the twisty slide.  I wish I had video of her laughing as she came down.  It was the biggest belly laugh I've ever heard.  She wanted to go back and slide over and over after she got brave enough to go down alone.  

They even have a frozen pole in the middle of the park, and yes, even in June, it was frozen solid!! The girls loved leaning against it... a quick way to cool down.  

London and Kinley with Santa.  Kinely wasn't so sure about sitting on his lap but did great once he started talking to her.  London had no problem but told me she wasn't sure that he was the real Santa.  

After Santa's Workshop we drove to the Broadmoor Hotel and the guys checked out the golf shop.  The preggers stayed in the car since the little ones were sleeping.    We headed to Garden of the Gods after The Broadmoor and let the kids do some rock climbing.  You would have thought they had just reached the summit of Everest!!  

(excuse the picture quality... my camera had died and I only had my phone camera)

 Kinley on her first rock!!

Kinley, Matt & London

London on 'Balanced Rock'

London holding up 'Balanced Rock'

Strong Kinley!!

We grabbed Chili's on the way home and the kids passed out in the car on the way back to the condo.  The adults ended the night with another game of 'things' and many more laughs were produced!!!

Monday we spent cleaning the condo and getting ready for our trip back home.  

Even Kinley was helping clean up!!!

one last pic at the condo...  London made a sign that said 'last day' 

(that is what the big white glare is supposed to be... ha ha)

We had a great vacation with great friends and I am so ready to go back.  

waiting for daddy to bring the car around at the airport in Houston :(  

SUMMER FUN

We have officially had 10 days of summer and I'm pretty sure we have been in the pool at least 7 of those days.  It is insanely hot here and rain apparently doesn't exist anymore and being 5 1/2 months pregnant with temps topping 100+ each day, being in the pool is about the only way to survive outside.

Here are my sweeties during break time at the pool Saturday.

Surprisingly the girls didn't ask to go to the pool one day so we stayed home and made cookies instead!!!  This was the first time Kinley really got to help and boy was she a helper.  Of course, London kept track of whose turn it was and decided who got to put in each ingredient.    

mommies little helpers

Kinley helping pour chocolate chips.... but only 1/2 of them

London finishing pouring the chocolate chips

sweet girls

and sneaky snake with her cookie!!!

Matt and I both love chewy cookies.  Here is the recipe I use and it makes the BEST chewy chocolate chip cookies.  Make sure you use DARK brown sugar and not light brown AND bread flour, not all purpose.....  It really does make a difference...

CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Ingredients

• 8 ounces unsalted butter
• 12 ounces bread flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 ounces granulated sugar
• 8 ounces light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 ounce whole milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over low heat. Set aside to cool slightly.

Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda onto a paper plate. Pour the butter into your stand mixer's work bowl. Add the sugar and brown sugar and beat with the paddle attachment on medium speed for 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together the whole egg, the egg yolk, milk and vanilla extract in a measuring cup. Reduce the mixer speed and slowly add the egg mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined, about 30 seconds.

Using the paper plate as a slide, gradually integrate the dry ingredients, stopping a couple of times to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Once the flour is worked in, drop the speed to "stir" and add the chocolate chips. Chill the dough for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and place racks in the top third and bottom third of the oven.

Scoop the dough into 1 1/2-ounce portions onto parchment-lined half sheet pans, 6 cookies per sheet. Bake 2 sheets at a time for 15 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. Remove from the oven, slide the parchment with the cookies onto a cooling rack and wait at least 5 minutes before devouring.

In the embroidery world, I just finished some baby bloomers.  I am in love with these sweet things and can't wait to make more.  I ordered London and Kinley their 4th of July dresses and will for sure have a matching pair for Kinley.  I'd make London some too but I think she is a little big for bloomers.  

I also finally got around to putting something on the girls' beach towels.  I bought the towels last year so they are a bit worn and faded but I love how the circle monogram applique turned out.  

adorable!!!

We have had a few appointments too....  

Kinley's feet have always looked a bit off to me and I always thought she looked like she was walking on her ankles.  Well, not really but she does look like she walks too much on the insides of her feet.  Her pedi has reassured me she will grow out of it.  Well, since I have a good friend that is a podiatrist, I ran her to his house one afternoon and sure enough she has really flat feet and he suggested getting her some orthotics.

Now the word orthotic sounded like something Forest Gump wore, you know the big metal braces.  Luckily it is a fancy name for an insole.  A few days after the home visit we were in the office getting Kinley's feet casted for  some custom orthotics!!!!  She was such a trooper and did perfect.  I never in my life thought any of my kids would have flat feet since I have insanely high arches.  

Last week the girls had their dentist appointments.  Luckily we were able to get them in back to back.  It was Kinley's first visit and she was perfect.  She thought the chair was so fun and opened her mouth so big for Dr. H and gave him the biggest smile.  

London did great and was reassured that the dentist office isn't such a bad place after all.

Both girls left with prizes and NO CAVITIES!!!

Today we went to church and Target for new luggage for our upcoming trip to Colorado.  London and I hit the pool.... again.... while daddy and Kinley napped.  The rest of the week is going to be pretty laid back.  A trip to the fabric store and a play date is all we have planned so far.  

Have a great week!!!

LAST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

It is London's last day of kindergarten ......

It seems like we were just making the long walk down crowded hallways gripping each others hands not wanting to part ways.

first day of kindergarten 2011

        last day of kindergarten 2011

We survived the first week, and the second, and after a while I was even able to watch her walk into the school without tearing up.  School became routine, homework a normal Monday afternoon habit, signing Wednesday folders, and Thursday afternoons always a surprise to see which library book she brought home.  She always knew her weekly schedule and what days she had P.E. (that was always important because tennis shoes were a must..... no tennies meant having to walk instead of participate in P.E..... she always wore tennies!!!  Music was her favorite special but I always looked forward to the artwork she brought home.  She got perfect marks every 6 weeks and was always on the honor roll!!  She excelled and made me proud.  Her reading was outstanding and she was one of the top two readers in her class.  Mrs. E was the perfect fit for London and made kindergarten so special. London adored her teacher and I couldn't have asked for a better match.

All the 'fun' days of kindergarten were always exciting....

grandparents day

 wear orange/walk to school day

 50th day of school

 meet the Houston Texans mascot 'Toro' day

 100th day of school (she had 100 ribbons on her jeans)

mommy makeover

there were many more....

pajama day, bring a stuffed animal to school, crazy hat day, wear (insert color) day, and some I can't think of...

She had her Celebration of Learning last Tuesday.  Her teacher read each students favorite part about kindergarten and London's was snack time!!  Ha Ha!!

Memorial day weekend my mom had us all over and had a little pool side graduation celebration for London....

here is the graduate, she got her cake and ate it too!!

I sent her to school yesterday with a fun summer day at the pool teacher gift.......   

because she had the best teacher ever!!

monogrammed beach towel

monogrammed market tote basket... a fun last minute find at Target!!

the tote filled with pool side goodies!!!

This year flew by and it is so hard to believe my little girl will be a first grader.  I'm not ready for her to grow up but it is happening right before my eyes.  So while I can, I will hold her every chance I get and hug her a little longer and make the most of her 'little' days that are left.  With that being said....  we are off to Nana's for a fun weekend of swimming and fun fun fun!!!