A few Colorado highlights!

Wow!!! We have been here 4 days and I don't even know how I can sum up all we have done! Debbie and Jerry headed home to Texas today--we were sad to see them leave but hope they have a safe trip home! We have a million pictures already....ughhh!
Greg, the kids and I drove into Breckenridge this afternoon from Colorado Springs and our condo is right at the Base of Peak 8 and it's INCREDIBLE! Greg really outdid himself this time---thanks honey! We love it so much I even took a video of the place for you guys to see! If you are ever up here in Breck you have to check out Crystal Peak Lodge--it's a perfect location! We still have 5 days to go and I can't believe all we have planned to do--I'm tired even thinking about it:)
Ok so I have decided the best way to share this vacation with you is to pick some of the best pictures (sorry there are ALOT:) we have taken so far and explain as I go....here we go! Hang in there you won't be sorry;) Sadly, there is no order to these pictures...after almost 4 years of being a blogger I still haven't figured out to put the pictures in order without too much trouble!!
Oh well....whatever--enjoy anyways!

Flying W Ranch and our yummy chuck wagon dinner! If you are ever up in Colorado Springs you have to go! It's really a fun experience!

Before dinner

Beautiful Abby!

Reese right as he walked into the Cave of the Winds--he was pumped!

The kids and I before going into the the Cave-told you it was windy:) Nice pic huh? ha!

Let 'er out!
Kids using Daddy and Poppa as bulls at the Rodeo Hall of Fame--they had a blast!

My Rodeo Clowns!

Flying W Ranch Band--after dinner they put on a great show!

At Rodeo Hall of Fame and here we were just messing around--I was being attacked by 3 mean bulls--those rodeo clowns are nuts!

We went to the Flying W Ranch for a chuck wagon dinner and country music show. This is Abby sitting in one of the Tee-Pee's they had on display--I guess they had these because of the whole cowboy versus Indian thing? Not sure but we had fun with it anyways:)

Garden of the Gods-we went back again to climb around some more---this is the one of the rock structures called Balancing Rock--it was really cool! We are strong!!!! :)

Cave of the Winds- we went on a tour through the cave and the kids were VERY excited! Reese kept telling me not to be scared~ I think he was really trying to talk himself into it;)

Olympic Training Center
This is my attempt at being an Olympic athlete--not too shabby:) I look just like the statue right??? HA!

Abby loved these statutes....:)

Abby got the gold! So adorable....look how little she looks??

At the training center they had all these statue things for each sport and the kids got a kick out of acting out each sport as we saw them....here Daddy and Reese are racing! Not sure who won...probably Reese:)

Poppa, Maw Maw and Abby being silly! Sadly right as I took this picture Abby hit her head on the statue behind her...she was NOT happy! Poor girl!

The family going for the gold--hehe!

Greg thought it would be funny to take this picture to celebrate us getting a Toyota--do you remember these commercials??
"Who could ask for anything more?? Toyota!!!"

Greg and Reese playing peek-a-boo on the mountain!

Reese high in the sky!

Poppa and Reese climbed ahead of us and beat us to the top! Way to go guys! Made for a great picture!

Garden of the Gods--our favorite place so far! We love to climb:)

Colorado Trip Day 1 and 2

Well we have been waiting 6 months and finally our Colorado vacation is here! We left yesterday and split the drive between two days which made it a ton easier on all of us:)
We had a lot of fun driving up through Texas and New Mexico and we were "blessed" to have been able to eat 2 times in small town diners...Greg was thrilled and I was well stretched (he loves a good ole chicken fried steak:)
Now to my defense I didn't complain once but Greg said he could tell I was a bit out of my element--Ha! Just a little, but I've learned being married to Greg that I have to be ALOT more flexible and open-minded--thanks Greg! Honestly, I am thankful he pushes me to try new things or else I would never grow and become a better version of me!
Anyways for the first part of our trip Maw Maw and Poppa met us in Colorado Springs. They had already been up here this past week for their own vacation so it worked perfectly to see them a couple days on the last part of their trip!
We decided to meet them at The Garden of the Gods around 3 pm for a little hiking and man were our kids happy to get out of the car after two days of driving! They both said they were reay to climb a mountain and a mountain we did climb!
We had a great time climbing the rocks and the weather was perfect! I am so happy to be out of the Texas heat for awhile---59 degrees is fine with me;)
Well I got a ton of pictures so enjoy! I will be posting as much as possible so keep checking in and please don't get too jealous:)
**** I also wanted to thank those of you holding down the fort at home...what would we do without you guys feeding Abby's fish and taking care of the house?:) Thanks alot!

Are we there yet???

Family driving pic--not bad huh?

Everyone taking in the beauty!
As we were driving in to the Gardens Abby says, "Why do they call it Garden of the Gods when there's only ONE God?" Love that she already knows that simple truth and that she really believes it!


Abby taking a little break....her own little God-made nook:)

Abby and Reese humoring me....they got really annoyed after about 50 pictures:) Sorry kids but it was so beautiful and every place they sat looked like a perfect photo op!

Greg and I climbed up into this little crack in the wall...we were pretty high and it was making Abby very nervous!

Everyone being very quiet looking for a deer....shhh!

Greg posing!

Getting all Dolled Up!

Abby, Reese and Gabbie (and Sarah Palin, the dog--we have been taking care of our friends' dog while they are out of town)
*also the kids are sitting on HUGE fish! Thanks for that Kim! My sister-in-law was kind enough to unload them on us a few weeks back---OK, OK joke's on me--if I would have known they were 8 feet long I would have said NO and let you keep them in your attic!:) jk--the kids love them and hopefully very soon Greg and I will feel the same way or else they will mysteriously disappear into our attic never to be found again;) Hehe!

The girls putting make-up on--Reese is holding a shield and sword while he watches and wishes he could put it on too...I think he feels more masculine that way;) Smart thinking Reese! HA!

Yesterday Gabbie's (Abby's friend from school) Mom asked me if I could watch Gabbie for a few hours so she could go to a meeting. Of course I said yes and the kids had a great time! I had planned to take them to library reading time but they insisted on staying around the house to play. They first started out outside and played in the backyard as long as the weather permitted (it's HOT:) and then they headed in to play dress-up! Reese had fun watching the girls put their make-up on and kept telling me he promised he wouldn't put make-up on because it's for girls! (thank goodness we have that covered:)
Anyways it was fun to have a play date and it's amazing how much easier it is to watch the kids now that they are older....it's as if I cramp their style or something?? (they don't want me to play with them anymore:)
~Well I guess I can get over that because it does give me a few minutes to get some laundry done:)

Abby Reading to Reese

Today I was in talking with Greg for a minute and when I walked back into the living room I saw Abby reading to Reese on the couch. It was so adorable and she was doing a great job! I just had to catch it on video ---hope you enjoy it!
~Abby and Reese didn't know I was there so we were able to catch them off guard...it's pretty cute:)

What do you think???

Well I FINALLY got a blog lift---what do you think everyone?
My sweet friend Cari offered to give me a hand and up- date me to the new and improved blogger world. I think she actually felt sorry for me because I was living in the dinosaur days of blogger :) Thanks Cari, no matter the reason;)...I love it!
...I think I'm gonna like this:)

Rangers Shut Out the Dodgers! OH YEAH!

Reese's view of the field--sweet!

The storm off in the distance brought us a pretty rainbow!


Every Friday night they have fireworks so we booked it back to the car and watched them from there...in the air conditioning:) Nice!


This weekend Maw Maw took Abby on a little girl trip down to Austin (which I will blog about later) so Greg and I took Reese to the Rangers game for a special night just for him:) ~ok, ok we enjoyed it too but believe me it was all his idea...hehe!
We got reservations at the Diamond Club at 6:30 which is the restaurant/buffet that over looks the baseball field. We ended up getting a window seat, had wonderful food (lots of food:) and got to stay in the air conditioning until 8:30! Man, it was the way to go--I think I have been spoiled Greg:) Reese was so adorable sitting on his knees looking out on the field....he was in heaven! He got Dr. Pepper and hot dogs which he told me were wayyyy better than my hot dogs! I had to laugh because what he doesn't know is that he's been eating turkey dogs since he was born:) He told me the ball park dogs are juicy and kinda salty--and that's when Greg piped in and told him that that's what real genuine beef hot dogs are supposed to taste like! Too funny! (I'm not sure if he will ever eat my turkey dogs again?:)
Anyways after we got kicked out of the Diamond Club:) we headed down to the action along the 3rd base line (where we always sit) and the game was INCREDIBLE! The Rangers shutout the Dodgers (which means the Dodgers scored NO RUNS) We had a great lightning show throughout the game and were thrilled to make it through 9 innings because we thought a thunder storm was gonna come any minute!
So we had a great night and were really happy to get a night out with Reeser and show some special attention to him for the evening! I think he liked it and he told me the dip-n-dots weren't half bad either;)
Go Rangers!!!!!!

Family Night Out!

This week was VBS at our church and so that is why I have been a bit distant--so sorry!
I am very glad it is over because this past week has been out of control! I decided to direct a 4 year old VBS class with the help of our junior class and it was a long but rewarding week! Also sadly on top of all the busyness Abby got a double ear infection and she was miserable! She is doing a lot better now and is recovering beautifully!
Anyways these pictures are of our family outing before we started our week of VBS. I am so glad we set a night aside to be together because even though VBS is fun and very important it is also very time comsuming! Enjoy!

The kids on a super man ride--they kept saying the felt like they were flying! Which is pretty funny because that same day Abby was asking why God didn't make us to fly...she said we could get places ALOT quicker that way:) True--very true!

Abby and Greg went on this swinging upside down ride and Abby HATED it! Which actually surprises me because she is a dare devil when it comes to roller coasters. She was all smiles when the ride began but during and after she looked terrified! I was a bit terrified myself because it was one of those mall parking lot carnival rides and any ride that comes out of a truck worries me:)

We gave each of the kids $10 to buy something at the mall and here is Reese deciding if he wanted a hat from J Crew! :) I liked it but he chose a toy instead...go figure!


Abby also checked out the hat collection though she was certain she didn't want clothes of any sort! ~That will change, my dear...oh yes, very soon that will change! (and I can't wait--hopefully she will love to shop:)

Another cute one of Reese--he didn't want this hat either!

A few blog worthy statements....

On the way home from church the other day we asked Reese how Sunday School went and this is what he said:

"Gabriel kicked the chair and the Word of God fell off and hit me in the head!"

~we all started cracking up and he was very confused and couldn't figure out why we were laughing? ...and that just made us laugh harder:)
I love that he called it "The Word of God"--love it!

Abby tonight at dinner says,

"Daddy I wish I was a boy because then I don't have to have the babies!"


I am very happy to hear she doesn't want to have a baby yet:) I told her when the time comes and God wants her to have a baby it will be a precious thing but until then she doesn't need to worry!

Kids say the darndest things don't they?:) ...sure miss that show Bill Cosby!

Beach Babes!

I just got back from the sunny beaches of southwest Florida and it was WONDERFUL! I met my mom and sister in Ft. Myers, Florida and we spent 5 days together. Basically all we did was lay out at the beaches and veg-out---as I said it was wonderful;) I was trying to think of the best way to capture the week in "blog form":) and I think the best way is to post pictures and tell the story of each picture as I go....so here we go---there's ALOT to tell!

*pictures appear in no particular order...thanks to blogger:) -- they love to mix up the order of my pictures!

Here we are going on an airboat ride in Everglade City, Florida. The driver of the boat let us sit in his seat for a picture--I look kinda psycho here which is not what I was going for....I thought my mom and sister were gonna act scared because I was driving but instead they left me out to dry--thanks guys;)

picture during the ride--it was crazy! If you ever get a chance to ride an airboat in the everglades DO IT!

My sister and I getting ready to go for a ride on a wave runner in the ocean

Eating lunch at a great little burrito place at Ft. Myers Beach

Beach Babes....#2

My sister, Christi and me before our air boat ride--(pre-wind blow hair;)

We got to see some beautiful sunsets--why again don't we all live on the beach? ~oh yeah hurricanes and the sand year-round might drive me bananas:)

This is what we did all week---glorious I tell ya...glorious! I wish laying out was a job because if it was I would be the CEO of the company!!!!!! hehe!

Christi and I striking a pose in front of our beautiful view!

Eating at a cute little Mexican restaurant--we sat and talked for about 3 hours! So fun!

Mom got a picture of Christi and I while we were on the waver runner. It was hilarious--my sister was into the speed and I was into throwing her off--I was successful and we were about 2 miles from the shore! I was happy that I threw her off but wanted her to get back on fast---sure would hate to see her get eaten by a shark:)

Have I ever mentioned my sister is CRAZY? Well she is and here she thought it would be a great idea to touch the alligator's tail! (right after it was hissing at us!!) This is one of the alligators we saw on our air boat ride. The driver stopped the boat and let us get out if we wanted to, but mom and I didn't want to:) I told Christi she could do what she wanted but if the alligator started to eat her that she was on her own!!! Sorry sis...alligators are bigger than me and he would win for sure! Love ya though:)

yep we were this close---way closer than I felt comfortable but whatever:) Pretty cool huh?

Another pic on the air boat--this one has mom though! Thanks Mom we had a blast!

ok so this is another alligator we saw before our boat ride . He was just chilling in the water right by the docks ready to eat anyone that bugged him and of course my sister was bugging him:) Christi- you are lucky to have all your limbs and Mom I thought you were gonna lose it! ~she kept yelling at Christi to stop--she was pretty freaked! Guess she didn't want to sit back and watch her daughter get eaten--don't blame you Mom!

Last Day of Kindergarten

First time Abby met Ms Thomson at the beginning of the year

Last picture together--they had a great year!

Abby before the show


First day of kindergarten---she looks so young! What a year....it seems like yesterday:) ~really it does!

Is it already over? Man, things need to slow down!
Today was Abby's last day of kindergarten and it just doesn't seem real! Although I feel like I have been a parent forever:) I am still shocked to think I have a 1st grader! Wow!
Anyways to celebrate the last day the kindergartners performed one last time for us in the cafeteria. Abby did a great job and she was really into all the songs! I am gonna post a video of my favorite one---it was hilarious! I wouldn't describe Abby as outgoing, actually I would say at times she is quite shy (not sure where she got that?) but today she was very active and involved in the songs---I was very proud! Let's just say I was one of those kids that stole the show when I was little....meaning either I did something to draw attention to myself or I pulled my dress over my head---whatever it took to get a laugh;) ~let's just say this is NOT Abby's personality and I'm glad! She's an individual and I love everything about her....of course:)
Well--enjoy the video and hopefully I was able to capture the silliness of the moment!

WE GOT A NEW CAR!!!!!

Me in our new car! I look good don't I? :)

Kids sleeping....Abby looks very uncomfortable doesn't she?

Bye Bye Maxima.....you've been good to us!!!!


Today we got a new car-- a 2008 Toyota Highlander! We have been saving forever and I can't believe it! ~and we did it DEBT FREE!!!!!!! Yay!
Greg has been amazing through it all. He has been researching and researching trying to make the most educated, wise decision possible and I am extremely thankful for that! Never do I have to worry about any decision he makes and that's one of the things that makes our marriage so amazing! Thanks Greg I really REALLY appreciate your hard work--you're the best! Someone asked me today why Greg was shopping for "our" car alone and I said, "Because I trust him completely!" ~now that's nice to say:)

We are loving the new car--it's so wonderful and it has been a long time coming let me tell ya! We've both been driving '99 or older Nissans for the last five years and we are so thrilled we have been able to save up--it's beyond words!
The kids are also thrilled! The car has 3 rows and they love to sit way in the back by themselves! We went for our first drive tonight and the kids already fell asleep--by the way they NEVER fall asleep in the car so this car must be mighty special;)

Splash Day!

Reese and Abby before all the messy fun!

Crazy, crazy, crazy kids running everywhere!!!!!

Abby after Reese got a hold of her with a "little" shaving cream:)
I was trying to help her get it out of her eyes but one of the ONLY things in the whole world I am allergic to (besides cats) is SHAVING CREAM! Funny I know;) Because of this I was little to no help...she was able to dunk herself in a pool which worked just fine:)

First thing Reese did was take a huge pile of shaving cream and wipe it all over his face--classic! He's a mess!

Today Reese and I went up to Abby's school for the kindergarten Splash Day! Wow~ It was nuts! They had play stations set up for the kids and my kids favorites were the shaving cream area (where they wipe shaving cream all over their bodies:) and the snack table! I think they sat there eating for about 30 minutes?-it was like they had never eaten before :)
Anyways it was super hot so the kids started wearing down pretty quickly and we didn't make it the whole 2 hours but they had fun while it lasted!
This is Abby's last week of school so we have a busy week ahead. I will be up at school 3 out of the 4 days she has left--gotta love being the room mom;) ~ just kidding--I have had a fun year but plan on letting someone else take the lead next year! ~just sharing the wealth;)

~I asked Abby if she was ready to be in first grade next year and she told me- "No, I'm ready to be in "summer" grade!!! That's my girl---summer is the best! I am thrilled to have her home...I've missed her!

Cowboy Chow and Fiddler

Us at Cowboy Chow

Jerry eating something yummy...

Chocolate Chip Cookie--wow!

Every year Greg's dad does our taxes for us (it's nice having a CPA in the family;) and we wanted to thank him so we took he and Debbie out to dinner and to see Fiddler on the Roof.
Greg found this great restaurant called Cowboy Chow down in Deep Ellum (Dallas). I really don't know if my words can do it justice but honestly it was delicious! We had fry bread, fried green tomato lollipops, chicken pot pie, two different kinds of brisket tacos and some yummy shepherd pie thing with brisket--don't worry we all shared;) After all of that we had a hot chocolate chip cookie on a skillet with ice cream...it was incredible! You all must go to this restaurant if you are ever in Dallas--actually you should make a trip here just to go eat there (and to see us) ;) Seriously!

Well after we ate all that yummy comfort food we headed over to see Fiddler. It was prefect. We were able to see the original guy from Israel play Tevye--he played it so naturally and the whole musical was fabulous! Sadly I didn't get any pictures at the musical because they never come out very well but believe me we did more than eat! Ha!
Thank you Jerry for all your hard work we appreciate it very much! (and Debbie thank you for loaning him out;)

I got myself in trouble!

The other night my dad noticed something Abby had written on her chalkboard in her room. She had written this: "I got mysaf n trubol!" (she is still sounding out her spelling words-she's getting there!) -notice the tally marks at the bottom and the rain cloud:) She has apparently been keeping record! I was happy to see that she said "I" got myself in trouble. In the past she would always say, "You got me in trouble!" I guess she is learning personal responsibility--good for her! I also like that she has been keeping track of her good behavior~ (very bottom smiley face with sunshine and tallies)....too cute!
* I think the cloud and sunshine are a very nice touch don't you?:)

What a compliment!

Last night I was sitting at Reese's Red Sox game and a sweet old lady turned around to me and said, "Is that little boy yours?" (pointing to Reese) I said yes and then she gave me (and Greg) the most wonderful compliment I have ever received in all my years of parenting (all 6 1/2 years;) She says, "I was just telling my son that you can tell that that little boy has been loved all his life!"
I was taken back at first and then it sank in. Wow--what a blessing of a compliment! I just had such a feeling of peace and encouragement come over me. As I was taking it in she turned around and said, "I know this because I was a teacher for 30 years and a MaMa for more!" I told her she was more than qualified to make such a judgment;)

Line Drive!

This weekend my parents came to visit from Kansas City! They got here late (very late) Friday night. They came to see Reese's T-ball game and to be here for his "Jesus in my heart party"on Sunday night! Sadly the game was rained out on Saturday so they'll hopefully be able to stay through till Tuesday so they can see his Monday night game. -we are keeping our fingers crossed--I think he has already had 4 rain outs this season!!!
Well anyways Saturday morning the kids were so excited to wake-up and see Granny and PaPa! We pretty much stayed around the house and played most of the day because of the rain. Reese wanted Granny to play baseball in the living room with him so he had her pitch to him. Little to her surprise the first pitch ended up whacking her between the eyes!!! It was hilarious! She had a red mark on her forehead for quite awhile! ~luckily it was just a wiffle ball so the damage isn't extensive!:) What a way to welcome our guests huh? You're a trooper Mom!


My Mom, the red mark and the wiffle ball!