Montana Getaway

Mom and dad were lucky enough to have a little getaway vacation last week in Missoula, MT with the best hosts one could ask for - Lisa and Dann (Wade's Aunt and Uncle). Thank you for sharing your hometown with us as well as so much of yourselves those 4 days. We had an amazing time, must do it again! Especially all the day drinking.... :) No need for words...the view from our 1.4 mile hike to the waterfalls. The Swan Mountains still capped in Snow Post day drinking... New Bald Eagle Our boys on Flathead Lake

ROAD TRIP!!!

Avery and daddy were Colorado bound on July 5th... Avery's 1st road trip! They stopped in Carlsbad to tour the Caverns on the way to Creede to visit Grandma Trish and family. Avery loves seeing "the boys" and I hear that Mr. Craig has a new best friend! So happy that they were able to spend time together and only hope that next time Ella and I are able to go too! More pictures to come but as you can see they had a wonderful time horseback riding, exploring the ruins in Mesa Verde and just hanging around. Uncle Cameron and Avery Avery and Uncle Coleman... looks like Caleb got out of having his picture taken somehow! Horse feeding with Grandma Trish

Girlz Weekend

After a week of coming home to an empty house, I was thrilled to have my baby girl back home for a girls only weekend. We had the best time Friday afternoon eating ice cream at the Dripping Springs Dairy Queen where we met up with Aunt Shelly. It's all about the simple pleasures in life and this was a good reminder. I know Shelly and Ella had a great time together, so much so that she asked to go back there on Saturday! Momma wasn't quite ready for that though. Playing in the backyard before she took her 2nd bath of the night, with the sprinkler. Ella let mommy braid her hair which must be the 2nd time ever - her way of saying she missed me too I guess. Ella decided Saturday was Boots birthday. (Think it's in anticipation of her 3rd birthday in 2 weeks but I decided to go with it.) Boots had cupcakes with a single candle which she blew out before I finished singing the 1st line of Happy Birthday. Then it was on, yummy cupcakes!! Post birthday party, she sat outside with her "babies" and was very interested in the moon and the stars. Sunday we took a trip back to the river at Guadalupe State Park. She loves playing and building in the rocks and I must admit, I enjoy it to. The sun was playing "peek a boo" according to Ella so it was a perfect day in the great outdoors. Check out the river level though, we really need some rain. It's great being low in that you can be more carefree with the kiddos but it's even stagnant in areas. 1.5 cft/min was the flow and anything less than 250 is considered slow if that puts it in perspective. So here we are, praying for rain!

Dare we say Potty Trained!

If she's not fully potty trained, she's well on her way. Ella has been working hard at home and school to be a big girl using the potty and Wed night she made history by going #2 at home for us. We celebrated and gave her the prize we've been dangling for months - a Dora Doll!! She was so excited, just laughing giddily. We think it's official because she actually got out of the pool on Thursday to do the same. At this critical time we are continuing positive reinforcement via M&M's and big hugs and high-fives. She likes to tell us "Pee Pee and poo poo in the potty, just like Elmo!" Think I will save the Elmo goes Potty dvd for her children... Just 1 month shy of 3 years- hooray Ella!