Happy Days are Here Again

Last weekend we traveled to Austin to spend time with Wade's family including Lisa, Dann, Dylan and Dante from Montana and cousin Evan. We shared an emotional weekend together as we celebrated GG's 92 years of life; a truly amazing women who is dearly missed. In times like these, it's the innocence and beauty of children that provide strength and smiles when you don't think they are possible. This was the case of Ella, who that evening had such a fun time running around in her heels; totally unaware and blissfully happy in the moment. The following day, we had an impromptu pool party. Us Texans thought pool season was over but for those Montanans, the water was just right. While they adults prepared for the open house later that evening, the cousins had a water volleyball match and Avery and Ella loved every minute with the "big kids". Here's a few pictures from the afternoon including this one of Ella playing with her favorite puppy, Angel. Ella was the best "ball girl" constantly fetching it from the yard and returning it to the game. After a few hours of this, she couldn't take it anymore and literally snuck into the hot tub in her dress! Ella learned to "cheers" with Aunt Shelly. She thought it was a fun game and was very proud of herself. Thank goodness she only had a cup of water! Wade worked extremely hard on a slide show presentation viewed by all that evening. I'm very proud of my husband and the strength he has shown over the past month. And our children who are so resilient; it's hard to see daddy cry but has taught them that everyone cries and it's ok.

Let There Be Peace

Hard to believe it's been a month since the last blog post but then again, it's been a rough month. One ray of sunshine was picking up this photo of the kiddos from their photography session in June. I could just stare at it for hours - looking at their smiles and the sparkle in their eyes. Our babies are growing up so fast and in doing so, learning that not everything goes their way, loved ones pass away and you have to be responsible for your actions. Parenting is the toughest job there is, you can't convince me otherwise. So this blog is for the parents who are doing their best to raise responsible and respectable children; bless you all!

More From Colorado

Here's some family photos from Trish's camera of Avery and Wade's time in Colorado, too special not to share. Avery and daddy, what a great picture! Uncle Doug with Sheriff Avery Paddle boat with Grandpa Craig Grandma Trish surrounded by all her boys Avery loved his time with Craig and the boys. Coleman is a natural with Avery, it's so sweet, but so are Caleb and Cameron. We love our Colorado family and are very blessed to have them in our lives!

Momma's New Ride

A personal goal has been to hit 200k miles on the trusty Montero. With less than 1,500k to go, it was time for a backup plan and a major upgrade. So on Sunday we drove to Austin to pick up momma's new ride. The funniest things that came out of that day were as follows: Avery - "Mom, thank you for buying me a car with my own dvd player" Avery - "Did the car cost money?" Yes Avery, it did. "All you did was sign a piece of paper." And with that being said, from this day forward I will always have the kids in my car if they have any say. But daddy's truck is still cool too!

HBD Princess

Our little girl is 3 years old! (I say little bc she always reminds us she's "Not a baby but not big either") I can hardly believe how fast she is growing, in all aspects. We're going to have to do something BIG for next year's birthday but this year she was content with pizza and a cookie cake on her actual birthday with Aunt Steph and Uncle Andy and a trip to Build A Bear on the weekend. Here's a few photos from her 3 day celebration. She grabbed the Papa Smurf doll as soon as we walked in the door and was content. Having to coax her to pick out an animal to build wasn't how I envisioned it... Avery had to get in the action as well. He named his doggie "Toothbrush"? Showing off as I eat my ice cream (brother's leftovers since she didn't like the pink ice cream she chose) Getting good at opening presents now! 1st up, present from brother. Tangled figures from our trip to WDW. Wow, I think she likes the Dora purse! Her own Rapunzel doll to match her jammies Big girl underwear is always exciting these days More princess gear.. she's getting buried in wrapping paper by now Grandma K had to give Avery a little something too - he loved his Spiderman aircraft so much! A huge fan of the minifigs myself, ha, ha.